Top 5 Design Tips to Create Eye-Catching Marketing Materials
Great graphic design looks effortless, but it requires
lots of attention to details. Think back to an
eye-catching advertisement, publication, or flyer you
saw recently. Do you remember why you liked it?
Perhaps it was something specific like the use of a
cool graphic or font. Or, more likely, the layout and
the words worked together to create an
eye-appealing, memorable message that you're still
thinking about today. A lot of thought, money, and skill probably went into
that design. But you don't have to be a design guru to
achieve expert results! Follow these five tips to create
effective, professional-looking marketing materials for
your small business.
Select appropriate font treatment: More is
NOT better when it comes to fonts. Pick no more than
two typefaces per document - one for headlines and
one for body copy. Stick to a simple, clean font for
easy body copy readability. Headline fonts can be a
little more creative. For emphasis on certain words or
phrases, use italics, boldface, or underlining sparingly.
Also try to make the typeface match the personality
of the service or product you're representing.Use white space wisely: Just because the
space is there doesn't mean you have to fill it! Good
designs contain well-planned white space. ("White
space" is simply the areas in a layout that are left
bare - without text or graphics.) It gives the eye a
break and helps to highlight the important points.
Make
sure to have enough space around the edges and
in-between columns and articles. And remember that
there is a fine line between not enough and too much
white space. Consult well-designed magazines and ads
or computer templates for layout inspiration and
ideas.Find effective graphics and photos: It's
always better to use too few than too many graphics.
One great graphic is so much better than four weak
ones. Sometimes they are not even necessary. When
you do use graphics and photos, make sure they help
illustrate your point, rather than just inserting them to
take up space. Likewise, be sure their sizes are
appropriate to the space. Stick with high-quality
graphics - in this age of affordable, quality clipart,
there is no excuse to use any image that isn't
perfectly clear and neat. Never use a "gif" file in a
print document; those are created for web use only.
Make sure the graphic element illustrates your main
point - it's the first thing the reader sees, so it's
important it portrays your message accurately. Lastly,
don't mix differently styles of illustration or
photography - keep a consistent look to create
harmony.Keep copy short and neat: Readers are
more
likely to read short sentences, paragraphs, and articles
written as if you're having a friendly conversation.
Break up large blocks of text with bullet points and
subheads. Instead of using fancy multi-syllable
complex vocabulary, use everyday words that your
audience will understand. A good rule of thumb is to
write at a sixth-grade reading level. Finally, always
have someone else - whether a professional copy
editor or a skilled friend - proofread your work. It's
impossible to catch all your own typos.Watch the flow: People generally read a
page
from top to bottom and from left to right. Draw people
into the top left corner of your ad or newsletter with a
headline or strong graphic. Then, pull their eyes down
and through the text in the mid-section of the page,
and finish up in the lower right corner. Picture a "Z"
shape. Finally, be sure to include a "call to action" at
the bottom to get the results you desire. For example,
give readers your contact information and special
offer, and tell them to "Call today!"Copyright 2005 Time to Organize Sara Pedersen, author of the FREE e-zine "The Marketing Fairy's Guide to Simple Self
Promotion," is a professional organizer and marketing specialist. She helps small
business owners make their marketing dreams come true. Sign up today at
http://www.time2organize.net to receive your FREE monthly subscription. Copyright
2004
Time to Organize.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Marketing Hesitation Costs Dearly
Timing is everything. Hate to be late? The early bird gets the worm.
Finding a Brochure Printing Company
A brochure can be a great promotional tool, whether it is for is a real estate listing, a trade show handout, a data sheet, or some other application, but sometimes it's hard to know where to start. Brochure printing companies can provide their expertise as well as a wide range of printing and marketing services.
Bedroom Marketing
Hopefully we are all adults here, so let's talk about sex for just a minute. No, I'm not talking about porn sites, I'm talking about taking a look at what I call 'Bedroom Marketing' and applying the same principles to Internet marketing.
How Gratitude Works
Want to know what the highest-impact, lowest-cost tool is in your marketing toolkit? First, here are ten reasons to start using this tool right away:
Marketing Manual Sample Outline
The key to success in any business relies a large part in your ability to market your product or service. Often MBA students spend years studying marketing as it encompasses and relates to nearly all business operations. If you own a small business you know the value of marketing, even if you do not have an MBA or a specialized MBA in Marketing.
Its Not All about the Cleavage! Or is It?
Times are a changin'! More women today work outside the home, earn (and control) significant amounts of money, and make large, important purchases like houses, automobiles and computers. In the past, advertising portrayed such independence as being primarily characteristic of men. But there has been an interesting role reversal where more men are involved with cooking, cleaning, laundry and childcare. (I know some of you ladies reading this don't believe me, but they are really out there!) LOL
How To Market A Seminar
Have you ever left a seminar thinking: "I could have done a better job than that!" Before you start signing up attendees, take a few minutes to think about what you are getting into. Putting on a seminar involves planning, time, and money. Understanding the ins and outs of the industry will go a long way in helping you hold a successful seminar. That's where I come in. Over the past 4 years, I have put on over 4,000 seminars, and a handful of national conventions. I will help you plan the event, and make sure that someone shows up!
Postcard Marketing Done Right
Say it with a post card. A well designed, colorful, high impact postcard in the mail box of your prospect is your best ticket to a new customer. For your existing customer, a marketing campaign which includes frequent post cards is the perfect start to new sales - this is one of the key small business marketing strategies.
How To Successfully Launch A New Business Activity
I often talk with business owners who tell me how excited they are about a new product or service they are offering ...or a new business they are launching. Their comments usually include something like, "Everybody needs this. I know I'm going to make a lot of money with it."
The M-Word
It was a real eye-opener to hear the perceptions people have about what it means to market professional services, as well as the anxiety the "m-word" (marketing) conjures up. It reminded me that, just because professional service providers have a lot of expertise in their chosen field, it doesn't mean they have the same level of understanding about the business of growing a practice.
What to be Successful? Marketing Makes the Difference
When you hear the word "marketing" what comes to mind? More business or wasted money? If your experience with marketing or advertising has been less than positive your cynicism may be well founded. Yet, have you ever noticed a competitor with a mediocre product and a healthy business? The difference is often marketing.
Listen To What The Marketing Experts Say
But more importantly, watch what they do. If you do much online shopping, you're sure to have seen some great, and not so great, sales letters urging you to get that oh-so-fabulous product that will solve all your problems right now.
Getting Your Marketing Message Across with CD Business Cards
CD Business cards allows any type of business that dynamic look. Hand out your business card on disc and see the expression on your clients faces. CD Business cards are aimed to provide your prospect with as much information as possible.
Use a Guarantee In Your Headline To Increase Trust
Sometimes you can use a guarantee effectively in your headline. Doing so often creates increased trust in the reader. After all, if you guarantee it, you must believe in whatever it is you are guaranteeing.
Inform vs. Excite
excite v. 1 a: to call to activity b: to arouse to feeling 2 a: ENERGIZE b: to produce a magnetic field in 3: to increase the activity of 4: to raise to a higher energy level syn see PROVOKE
5 Steps To Help Fail-Proof Your Growing Service Business
Business startup and failure rates are scary...
D.A.N.C.E. With Me
Recently, a client asked what he could do to help my business, but I wasn't ready with the answer. A lot of us probably miss these opportunities because we don't think through what we need and how to respond when someone offers to help promote us.
Marketing is More Than a Token Process
"Necessity is the mother of invention!" The first time I heard this was nearly twenty years ago when I was introduced to Tony Robbins' material. I was listening to, and applying, information from his thirty day series. I have to admit, the first time I heard this it didn't quite register.
6 Things I Know About Postcards That You Don?t
In my plethora of experience tucked away between these ears, I have managed to cull out for you what I consider the "best of the best" ? in other words, I took the most proven details about postcards that were significant to you starting a postcard campaign and really winning at it. So here goes the most incisive higlights about postcards.
Successful Non-for-Profit Fundraising Letters Share Eight Qualities
You'll be encouraged to know that the art of writing effective fundraising letters can be learned. I learned it. So can you.
|
