Printing Companies as Business Resources

Here’s a quick tip that I’ve used on several occasions to get me over the direct marketing hurdles of creating a winning headline, effective ad copy, layout questions, developing a good offer, finding the best sizes, etc.

As a solo business owner, it will be up to you to perform the direct selling and marketing tasks that larger companies usually hire professional agencies to handle for them – at a typically high cost.

You will have the choice of accomplishing your advertising campaigns either in-house (meaning you will do it yourself) or by “out sourcing” the job.

In most cases, small solo businesses would do well to use an outside ad agency; but the reality of small business finance is that you will probably not have the budget to pay for your ad campaigns and you’ll have to learn how to create your own sales letters and other marketing materials.

So, where do you go for help if you have to create your own marketing pieces but have no experience in the field?

There are many, many online resources available to the small business owner when it comes to developing ad copy, creating offers, headlines, etc.

But here’s one of the very best sources that you probably haven’t thought about.

Visit the local printing companies in your area.

You see, these companies end up doing the print work for all kinds of local and area businesses throughout the region.

Most will have kept an “example” file that they will be happy to share with you because they want your printing business.

Studying the examples they offer could give you a leg-up on getting something created that is well beyond your own creative capability and financial means.

Treat these examples as “case studies” and see if you can’t repurpose the material into something that could also be effective in your own niche, and with your own products.

Let’s say, for instance, you want to create a door hanger for your solo business that advertises what you sell to the residents of your own community.

But you really have no clue how to create such a masterpiece, what it should look like, or what it should say.

Most printing companies that I’ve visited keep (and offer as samples) files of successful door hanger campaigns that they’ve printed in the past for various local companies or events.  By reviewing these, and noting what information these examples display, how they are arranged on the hanger, the graphics they contain, the headline (if any) that was used, the shape and size of the hanger, the colors employed, etc, you will have a great idea or starting point for your own successful door hanger.

Be sure to ask to see all those that have been most successful for their companies.

All of a sudden, right before your very eyes, you’ll have a collection of examples of others’ work, including the creative pieces of professional design and marketing firms, which have been successful for the host firm.

Don’t be afraid to ask the printer to point out examples of work by local professional advertising agency companies.

How much could that be worth to your company?

You do not want to copy the examples you will find.  But there is certainly nothing wrong with using the ideas of other advertising campaigns that you will then repurpose for your own niche marketing.

To your online business success!

Steve Browne

www.stevebrownedirect.com

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