Free Image Sources

FREE IMAGE RESOURCES TO CONSIDER

While it is recommended to use original, unique images rather than generic stock photos (especially on your website, since stock images can often negatively affect your search visibility), sometimes that isn’t possible, or you need imagery for non-website uses. Here are a few free image resources to consider:

• Unsplash features two million free high-resolution images brought to you by the world’s most generous community of photographers.
• Burst is a free stock photo platform that is powered by Shopify. Their image library includes thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free images taken by their global community of photographers.
• Pixabay features copyright-free images, videos, and music that are safe to use without asking for permission or giving credit to the artist – even for commercial purposes.
• Kaboom Pics not only provides free images, but it allows you to search by color, and images also include a complementary color palette with corresponding HEX colors.
• Gratisography offers a unique, quirky collection of high-resolution free stock images, comprised of creative pictures you won’t find anywhere else.
• Getty Images allows you to embed free images on non-commercial websites and blogs. When you embed an image, it keeps its own frame, share buttons, and branding.

If you need help choosing the perfect images for your print marketing materials, our creative team is here to help. We look forward to hearing from you!

Marketing to the Smallest Viable Audience

NARROW YOUR FOCUS

If you are a marketer, you’re in the business of making things happen.

Whether you’re trying to get people to vote or buy your environmentally-friendly fertilizer, your goal is to grab attention and make people respond.

To do this well, you need to continually ask yourself, “who’s it for?” This simple question can guide the product you make, the story you tell, and where you share.

Narrowing Your Focus

If you have to choose 500 people to become your true fans, who should you choose? By selecting people based on their needs and dreams, you can group people based on psychographs instead of demographics.

For example, you might zero in on . . .

• Bargain Bill, who’s playing a sport when he shops, while simultaneously wrestling with his internal narrative about money
• Hurried Harry, who’s always looking for a shortcut and is rarely willing to wait in line, read directions, or weigh complex decisions
• Paranoid Paula, who’s suspicious of the cab driver, is convinced she’s getting ripped off by the desk clerk, and would never drink out of a hotel minibar

To force your micro-focus, ask yourself questions like:

1. What is the smallest market my business can survive on?
2. If I could only change 30 people, who would be the ideal customers for my product or service?
3. Who is in the greatest need of our idea?
4. Who is most willing to pay me for the change I’m promoting?

The goal of the smallest viable audience is to find people who will understand you and will fall in love with where you hope to take them. That love leads to traction, and to attitudes and choices that become part of their identity.

And it certainly shapes the storyline you share. One template that can help craft that highly specific narrative is this:

My product is for people who believe _______________.

I will focus on people who want _____________.

I promise that engaging with what I make will help these people get _____________.

Ideas that Spread, Win

If you want to multiply your advertising impact, don’t hide behind “anyone” and “everyone.” Ruthlessly define your smallest possible audience and speak to their hopes, dreams, and needs.

Start with empathy to see a real need, and match your messaging to the worldview of the people being served. Here you will build momentum as you engage a tribe and make change a reality.

http://www.sjprinter.com

Increase Sales with Custom Landing Pages

CUSTOMIZE YOUR MESSAGING FOR SPECIFIC AUDIENCES

Rather than directing all visitors to your homepage, use landing pages to drive traffic, improve your SEO, and to customize your messaging for specific audiences. New to landing page customization? Here are two popular types of landing pages to consider for your website:

Lead generation landing pages are often created specifically for marketing campaigns. Since they are designed to generate leads, these landing pages feature an “offer” and request customer information for hooks like a contest entry, merchandise giveaway, a free white paper, or complimentary webinar registration. Lead generation landing pages are focused on a strong CTA (call to action), such as “Subscribe today,” or “Register now for your free consultation!”

Click-through informational landing pages are typically designed to educate customers about a specific type (or category) of products. For example, an HVAC business may have a landing page for “Smart Thermostats.” Topics featured on this page may include user convenience and control, cost and energy savings, and a product highlight section with clickable images and/or links to view individual product pages.

Customers won’t find your landing pages if you don’t steer them in the right direction, and print marketing materials are a powerful catalyst to spark curiosity! Looking for a powerful one-two punch? Our team of experts can help you create the perfect print materials to complement your online and social media marketing. Let us know if you’d like to see samples! Give us a call today at 856.429.0715

The Power of Press Releases

SHARE COMPANY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.

While social media has transformed how many businesses communicate, the press release continues to be an essential way to share company news and announcements. Here are just a few reasons to use press releases:

• • They can boost your company’s visibility and increase your chances of getting media coverage in newspapers, trade journals, magazines, blogs, podcasts, and other publications.

• • Press releases with industry and company-specific keywords give your SEO a boost and can increase your website traffic.

• • They allow you to control your story and highlight important details and quotes.

• • Press releases can help your organization build trust and credibility and help you be perceived as an expert in your industry.

• • They can be used for proactive reputation management, such as alerting the public to recalls, safety concerns, security breaches, and more.

• • There are many free and paid press release distribution services that can help your newsworthy updates spread across multiple channels, including traditional news outlets and blogs.

• • Published press releases are indexed and searchable, and provide a historical record of your important announcements.

If you’d like help promoting your business in print, remember, other printers may be nearby, but no one comes close. Give us a call today at 856.429.0715

Tri-Fold Announcements

SHOWCASE DETAILS FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT

Exciting events deserve special announcement cards to honor the occasion. Tri-fold announcements and invitations are a high-impact way to showcase details for an upcoming event, whether personal or professional.

When printed front and back, tri-folds offer six panels of display area for photos, event details, achievements, maps, inspirational quotes, scripture, and other relevant information. The tri-fold design provides organized sections and makes it easy to display a memorable announcement on a table or shelf.

Tri-fold announcements can be designed to fit USPS mailing guidelines as a convenient self-mailing, all-in-one card. Another creative option is adding a perforated tearaway panel, which can be great for an RSVP card or even a coupon.

You can also customize your tri-fold announcements with embossing, foil stamping, custom die-cuts, and more. If you’d like more ideas or samples of announcement cards, our print professionals are here to help! We look forward to hearing from you. Visit us ar http://www.sjprinter.com or call: 856-429-0715

Track Competitor Marketing

IDENTIFY COMPETITOR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

By keeping an eye on your competition’s marketing efforts, you can learn more about them from a customer’s point of view and identify their strengths and weaknesses. You can also see how their marketing materials, promotions, engagement, and prices compare.

Here are a few ways to gain insight on your competition:

• • Explore competitor websites and take notes on ideas for improving your website.

• • Attend competitor webinars. Be sure to stick around until the Q&A session at the end to hear questions from the audience.

• • Sign up for competitor newsletters and follow them on social media. This is an easy way to learn more about their new products and services, promotions, and events they are attending.

• • Consider Hootsuite Streams to track keywords, competitors, and hashtags across every social network on an easy-to-use dashboard.

• • Visit competitor booths and pick up their literature. See how your booth design, marketing materials, products, and customer engagement strategies compare.

• • Inquire about a product or request a quote so you can become a lead. You will receive targeted emails and phone calls, allowing you to see how they handle the customer journey.

• • Subscribe to competitor YouTube channels to get alerts for new videos.

• • Set up free Google Alerts to track competitor products and announcements that appear on Google.

• • Learn about areas that need improvement on your website, as well as your competitor’s website by visiting Website Grader.

• • Consider a paid service such as Mention, which enables you to monitor the web and listen to your audience talk about your business/industry, as well as your competition.

If you decide your marketing materials could use a facelift, we would love to help! Visit our website or give us a call today at 856.429.0715.

5 Reasons to Consider a Rebrand for Your Business

TIME FOR A WHOLE NEW LOOK?

Is rebranding just a marketing ploy, something time consuming, or simply cliché? Perhaps you think rebranding sounds fun but isn’t worth the time or hassle.

You may want to think again.

The truth is, everything changes over time, even some of our most treasured cultural icons. Think how far St. Nicholas has come: from a “patron saint of children” to the lovable “Coca- Cola Claus” who dominates our economy each winter!

In the right hands (and done well), rebranding can raise millions in donations or billions on the stock market. Rebranding your business can increase sales, bring a more relevant message, or create a new niche for your products and services.

Is Now the Right Time to Rebrand Your Business?

Considering a professional update? Here are several reasons rebranding may be a wise investment:

1. A Corporate Change or a Structural Realignment

At times, companies need to differentiate between one part of themselves and another.

Google re-organized its structure under a newly created umbrella brand (called Alphabet), while a different brand (called PRODUCT) allowed for multiple members of the PRODUCT brand family. Whether a company splits or wants to differentiate between departments, rebranding can be the easiest way to communicate change.

2. In Response to the Competition or to Present a New Approach
In competitive markets, rebranding can provide an extra edge on the store shelf, in your ad campaigns, or propel fundraising efforts. Highlight core values and shine the spotlight on new products!

3. To Save a Failing Brand or Change Public Perceptions

Why do some cities or countries develop themselves as a “destination” tourism brand?

To build excitement and present themselves in a fresh light! Whether a product line is failing, or your company needs a boost, clearing the slate can provide the jumpstart you need.

4. To Highlight a New Product or Fill a Gap in the Market

Sometimes rebrands are timed to reveal an innovation or to create a new market.

Some of the greatest products created markets for items people didn’t even know they needed, such as the Walkman and the iPod.

5. To Simplify or to Signal the End of a Product Lifecycle

At times an idea or a product reaches the end of its useful life.

Whether you abandon it or reshape it into something new, change is inevitable. If you are merely simplifying, make small tweaks by eliminating colors, updating fonts, or even shortening words. What happened when Federal Express and Pan American Airways wanted a refresh? FedEx and Pan Am were born!

Relevant, Relatable, Rebranded

Whether you’re revealing a structure change or creating a more flexible identity, rebrands and design updates show the public you are relevant and relatable.

Ready to get started? We’re here to help! Reach out to us and get started with your fresh, new look today! Visit us online: http://www.sjprinter.com or stop by: 1400 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Marketing S.W.O.T. Analysis

IMPROVE YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY AND MESSAGING

If you’re looking for a way to gain a better understanding of your business and marketing strategy, conduct a S.W.O.T. analysis.

S.W.O.T. is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. By recognizing both positive and negative factors that affect your business, you can compare your business to the competition and use the results to improve your marketing strategy and messaging.

Here are a few guides to keep in mind when creating your S.W.O.T. analysis:

• • S. – Strengths describe the positive attributes to your organization, such as an experienced team, reputation, patented products, lifetime warranty, and established customer base.

• • W. – Weaknesses are factors that are within your control that reduce your competitive edge, such as poor location, inferior products, lack of technology, or limited resources.

• • O. – Opportunities refer to external chances for your business to grow and prosper. Opportunities can include market growth, lifestyle changes, or the ability to offer greater value that will create a demand for your services.

• • T. – Threats include external factors beyond your control, such as competition, political decisions, economic downturns, consumer trends, or government regulations.

After completing your S.W.O.T. analysis, you should not only work to improve your weaknesses but also ensure your marketing materials highlight your strengths.

If your marketing materials need a facelift, our creative team would love to help! Remember, other printers may be nearby, but nobody comes close. Call us today to discuss your next printing project: 856-429-0715

Put Google Alerts to Work for Your Business

AUTOMATED UPDATES BY EMAIL OR WEB FEED

Google Alerts is a free online service that can help support your marketing strategy and give your organization a competitive edge. Google Alerts can be used to monitor your own company online, as well as gather ideas for content marketing, stay current on industry trends or news stories, and help you keep an eye on what’s new with your competition and key customers.

Google Alerts allow you to receive automated updates by email or web feed of the latest relevant Google results available regarding topics or keywords you choose.

To create your own Google Alerts, visit www.google.com/alerts. Make sure you’re logged in with a Google account. Enter unique keywords that you want to monitor, such as a business name or topic. If you are searching for a phrase or set of words, use quotes (such as “Grand Opening Denver”) to ensure your words will be searched together as a phrase. To make your alerts more effective, avoid generic or common keywords. You may also consider including common misspellings of your business name or keywords.

Google Alerts can also help you stay aware of compliments or complaints. For example, create alerts that include your company name and keywords, such as “company name + terrible” or “company name + amazing.”

Select the type of results you are looking for (news, blogs, videos, discussions, groups, or everything) and choose how often you want to receive notifications (as it happens, once a day, or once a week).

Paper Coasters

A FUN AND COST-EFFECTIVE MARKETING TOOL

Custom printed paper coasters are a fun and cost-effective marketing tool that can be used in a variety of creative ways. In addition to placing them in areas such as restaurants and bars, paper coasters can add a personalized touch to corporate anniversary parties, tradeshows, and conferences, as well as waiting rooms and lobbies. They can also be a popular event souvenir.

Promotional paper coasters offer a unique way to share timely information, such as exclusive discounts, new product announcements, happy hour specials, and much more. Customized coasters can also be a great conversation piece. For example, you can customize them with trivia questions, interesting facts, tips and tricks, or much more. Don’t forget to include a call to action. For example, ask your audience to like your Facebook page, enter a contest online, or mention the coaster for an exclusive discount.

Paper coasters provide an affordable option on cardstock with protective lamination on both sides. While the most common size for paper coasters is 3.5” round or square, they can be created in a variety of sizes and shapes. You may also print artwork on both sides or only the front.

If you’d like creative ideas for a coaster your audience will love, give us a call today at 856.429.0715. We’d love to help!