Time to make a stand

February 12, 2012

Draw attention to your promotion.

Pull-up Banners or Banner Stands are perfect for grabbing attention at your place of work at exhibitions, networking events and give a real wow as a point-of-sale item. Our banner stands come in two styles, a standard model and a deluxe model which allows for interchangeable displays.

Marketing Tip: Using two banners at an event, one either side of an exhibition stand, can make an otherwise ordinary looking promotion really stand out.

To find out more about our Banner Stands click here or call 0845 077 9020 or email your details to enquiries@oceanprint.co.uk

Is Your Printing Chipping?

February 8, 2012

Chipping you ask. What’s Chipping?

If a dark colour is printed to the edge of card, for example a business card or card flyer, it may show what is called ‘chipping’. It is when little white chips or flaking appears at the edge of the card.

We see a lot of this at the moment as the popularity for business cards with an all over solid colour on the reverse continues. And the darker the colour the more visible the problem can appear. This is inherent in the manufacturing process, and isn’t due to faulty board or blunt guillotine blades. However, it needn’t be a problem.

The solution is to change the design or choose to add a laminate to reduce the effects.

If you would like any advice on your next printed piece we’d love to hear from you.

A Series Paper Sizes

February 4, 2012

ISO A SERIES PAPER SIZES

Successive paper sizes in the series A1, A2, A3, and so forth, are defined by halving the preceding paper size along the larger dimension. The most frequently used paper size is A4 (210 × 297 mm) and by halving the larger dimension (297 mm) the size becomes A5 and so on.

A0 841x1189mm  /  A1 594x840mm  /  A2 420x594mm

A3 297x420mm  /  A4 210x297mm  /  A5 148x210mm

A6 105x148mm  /  A7 74x105mm  /  A8 52x74mm

Top Tip: Testimonials

What customers say can make or break a company

Bad news travels fast, so if a customer gets bad service, you can be sure they’re going to tell others. And people tend to listen that bit closer when the news is juicy.

Occasionally, things don’t go according to plan – it happens – so to ensure potential clients receive a true picture of your business and service it makes a lot of sense to collect testimonials and proudly display them on all your marketing material (brochures, leaflets, reverse of business cards) and website.

Displaying the kind words of happy customers shows potential customers you’re worth doing business with, because feeling confident about your product and professionalism is big part of the buying process.

How do I get testimonials?

Just ask! Though it may seem a little uncomfortable at first, satisfied customers will be more than happy to endorse your services. And most business people understand that this kind of endorsement is a widely accepted practice.

Ways to get testimonials include feedback cards sent to clients, a feedback form on your website and simply emailing a feedback questionnaire. If a client you know doesn’t have the time, you could suggest writing the testimonial yourself and asking them to read and approve it. It is good form to ask for permission before displaying testimonials.

Remember, testimonials instil confidence in the buyer that you are a professional and deliver the goods and services you say you will. So be sure to add a testimonial to your next piece of marketing literature.

5 Print Marketing Tips

February 2, 2012

Here are some ideas which are sure to improve your next piece of printed marketing.

Whether you are producing a full colour leaflet, a postcard, a card flyer or brochure or pretty much any promotional material you care to name, the following tips are worth bearing in mind.

A punchy heading.
This will grab the readers attention, examples include: The lazy man’s way to riches or 60 days ago they called me baldy!
The 4 key elements include: curiosity, benefit, believabilty, self interest.

Not too much text.
Keep your message short, sharp and to the point. It is common to fill every area of white space with text but as with so much in life – less is more. After writing your copy try to trim it back as much as possible, very few potential readers want to read an essay. They simply want a summary of what the benefit will be of your using your product or service and what the investment will be. If need be hire a professional copywriter.

A great offer with a time limit.
To get your reader to act quickly include a time limited offer. Popular ways to do this are: 50% off this month. Sign up today and receive your free book today. Limited number of seat available so book yours today.

Contact details.
Ensure your contact details are large and clear. If you want the reader to call you emphasise that, if you want them to visit your website make this clear.

Tracking your marketing material is important so one last tip is to ask where any new prospect heard about you.

Investing in your Annual Report

January 19, 2012

Annual reports have many purposes, but should you invest in making them attractive?

Effective newsletters

January 11, 2012

Are you missing an opportunity?

Printed newsletters are a terrific tool for staying in touch with customers. With the realisation that very few of us read e-newsletters a printed version would be a better way to stand out and grab centre-stage.

Once printed they can be used for direct mail, included in magazines and left in the lobby of business centres.

Remember, retaining customers is cheaper than finding new ones, so find a way to stay in touch with the ones you have.

Use your newsletter to update clients on company developments, offer advice and tips, use to offer discounts and ask for referrals.

6 Tips to improve your print marketing

A quick checklist for success.

Here are some key elements which will improve your next piece of printed marketing. It could be a full colour leaflet, a post card, a card flyer or brochure really any promotional material you care to name.

A punchy heading.
This will grab the readers attention, examples include: The lazy man’s way to riches or 60 days ago they called me baldy!
The 4 key elements include: curiosity, benefit, believabilty, self interest.

Eye catching picture.
A great picture needn’t cost a lot but enhances your marketing piece no end. For great cost effective images see istock.com

Not too much text.
It is common to fill every area of white space with text but as with so much in life – less is more. After writing your copy try to trim it back as much as possible, very few potential readers want to read an essay. They simply want a summary of what the benefit will be of your using your product or service and what the investment will be. If need be hire a professional copywriter (we can recommend some).

A great offer with a time limit.
To get your reader to act quickly include a time limited offer. Popular ways to do this are: 10% off this month. Sign up today and receive your free book. Limted number of seat available so book yours today.

Contact details.
Ensure your contact details are large and clear. If you want the reader to call you emphasise your number, if you want them to visit your website make it BIG.

Tracking results.
Tracking your marketing material is important so one last tip is to ask where any new prospect heard about you or arrange and 0845 number or include a code number which would need to be used to receive the offer, that way you can easily track which campaign works best over the year.

Make your mark with a bookmark

Bookmarks make a terrific marketing tool and a handy one too!

Hand out at networking events or exhibitions, send out with your correspondence or simply leave in a pile on the counter in your shop, however you choose to distribute them they are a novel (sorry) way to spread your marketing message.

Improve their usefulness by adding a calendar to one or both sides or add key dates, opening hours or handy contact telephone numbers, really the possibilities are endless.

Looking for creative artwork? Feel free to contact us – we’d love to help. Supplying Artwork? We check PDF files supplied correctly FREE OF CHARGE.

Give Your Business An Unfair Advantage, Go Green.

January 10, 2012

Why go green?

If your competition started sending out stationery and marketing material on recycled paper, do you think it would give them an unfair advantage? If the answer is YES, then what are YOU waiting for?

Is it important to you that your business is seen to be doing it’s part for the environment?

Recycled paper costs have fallen and the quality improved due mainly to demand – which is great news. Papers are now whiter, smoother and bulkier and in most cases it is difficult to tell the difference between recycled and standard paper.

There is now a huge array of papers and boards available with varying amounts of recycled waste. So we’re sure there will be something suitable for you.

Marketing Tip: Changing over to recycled paper is a great excuse to get in touch with clients. Regular and relevant contact with clients, as any successful marketer will tell you is crucial for continued sales and client retention. Send them a Letter, Leaflet, Marketing Card or Mini Brochure which not only explains you’re an environmentally aware business but also reminds them of your products or services.

If you need advice on where to start with your design or which printed item to choose then one of our team will be glad to advise.

Need something more than a leaflet?

January 9, 2012

Flyer printing is ideal for marketing and promotional work.

Use as a mailer card, or maybe a postcard… use them for general offers, use them for special offers. Post them, include them with invoices, hand them out at exhibitions or networking events.

Designer Tip: Easy to mail, just add the address and stamp. Once sent, they arrive open and with a great design your message will jump out. It’s a great idea to add a special offer or calendar to your printed cards.

Premier Gloss Card Flyers are printed in full colour onto a 350gsm artboard.  Please contact our office to order samples.

Clients Will Read Your Message Every Time They Scribble Theirs

Once given as a gift a notepad becomes a daily reminder of your business and services.

Because they are so useful every desk cries out for a notepad. Have you ever noticed how possessive people become of their note pad. Heaven help you if you forget to return it!

A notepad will add value to your business when it includes your contact details, a marketing message and the benefits your service or product offer are in front of your client daily. It will add value to your client when you include plenty of scribbling space, a calendar and an attractive design which is professionally printed.

Marketing Tip: Calling to see whether your client needs a top up of notepads is a great way to keep in touch. Many of our clients hand them out regularly to clients and at exhibitions generating new business in the process.

Boost Your Profits Instantly With Regular Customer Contact

Printing is a hugely cost effective way to nurture customer relationships and reach out to prospects.
Regularly informing your contacts of offers and product or service developments you maximise the potential of increased sales and profits.
Digital printing is the printing industry’s greatest development in decades. It cost effectively fulfils many needs such as short print runs, speed and personalisation.

Best of all, there’s no minimum quantity required.

When great design meets the versatility and consistency of digital printing it can improve the results of your marketing campaign dramatically. A widely known aspect of this is the use of ‘variable data’ where printing can be personalised. A popular form being postcards where each card contains different images, different type (see example) and each card is also individually addressed ready for despatch to a specific recipient.

Digital colour printing gives you the quality of offset printing for short runs and the fast turnaround printing which on occasion is desired. Whether you need leaflets, business cards, brochures or direct mail marketing material our digital printing technology hits the mark.

Designer Tip: Putting genuine testimonials in your mailing will offer the reader reassurance.

Often the best way of choosing is to see it for real and compare the differences. Please contact our office to order samples.

Why add a QR Code to your business card?

December 19, 2011

QR Codes
(an abbreviation of Quick Response Code)

QR codes are barcodes that the recipient scans with their smartphone or other mobile device. The funny looking square made up of black and white blocks will display a website, voucher, or provide contact information on the device. Including a QR code on your printed business card, poster or leaflet can give them a unique look and add a wonderful extra interactive dimension.

The QR code here, once scanned, will take you to our homepage but could just as easily take you to a campaign landing page or special offers page.

To discuss adding a QR code to your printed items please call 0845 077 9020 or drop us an email and we’ll gladly call you back.

Why swing tags are a powerful marketing tool

Swing tags, are a powerful marketing tool, they add to your brand perception, increase perceived value, provide product information, and will boost sales.

Swing tags are like most other forms of marketing where the design and print quality can win or lose you a sale. I am sure you’ve been out shopping before and the presentation of the item has had a huge influence on whether to buy or not to buy.

All in the detail…

Whatever business you’re in, swing tags show your customers that you pay attention to detail and care about making things easier for them. Thoughtful design and attractive colors will set the tone and ensure shoppers will, on an emotional level, be full of positivity and therefore enjoyable shopping experience, which is exactly what makes a swing tag so important.

Save 10% on Swing Tags now at OceanPrint.co.uk

Deliver your message with bookmarks

December 12, 2011

Here are a few tips to ensure your bookmarks deliver success.

The first thing to consider is who your target audience will be. If you’re an author promoting your next best seller then ensuring you reach the correct readership is important. If you have written an IT how-to manual then the checkout at your local PC Megastore makes sense but if you’ve written a work of crime fiction then airport coffee shops would be best. A bridal shop might consider hotels. A carpet cleaning company would consider estate agents, furniture and curtain stores.

The next thing to consider is what your message will be and what the aim of producing the bookmark is. The very nature of a bookmark means your message will be seen over and over again and we all know repetition is the key to marketing success. So if you are a charity looking for donations then your readers can be repeatedly reminded of your mission and all the great work you do and ways to contribute. If you are an accountant then why not include key dates or useful figures for calculation and then generously distribute to customers, bookkeepers and at networking events.

Now, you know your message is targeted because you are distributing in the correct locations, and let’s assume you’ve also now decided what your message will be, then the next thing to consider is a call to action.Whether you are looking for sponsors, donations or new customers you’ll require a call to action, this is something which will motivate your reader to contact your organisation when the time is right.

Offering a discount on your bookmark is sure to motivate your reader, whether it’s a free coffee, a percentage off, a discount on your services or a free consultation. It’s a way to reduce the risk of them using your service for the first time. If you are a charity however, then a forthcoming event you are holding could be the answer. Another tip is to make your offer limited to encourage your reader to act sooner rather than later. If you’re stuck for what sort of incentive might work for you then ask around, asking a customer who is also a friend is usually a good place to start – just make sure you tell them to be honest.

Finally, a little on your design. A bookmark which is poorly designed is less likely to be used.  The shape of a bookmark means message brevity is important. A short headline and limited copy, attractive colors and quality materials are fundimental in ensuring your bookmark is kept and used time and again.

The OceanPrint.co.uk customer service team will be glad to offer advice and if you do not have artwork our in-house design team have the experience, the know-how and the latest professional software to work with you to bring your ideas to life. Our aim at OceanPrint.co.uk is to help your business succeed through printed and promotional media.

Save 10% on Bookmarks now at OceanPrint.co.uk

Presentation Is A Key Factor In Winning New Business

December 7, 2011

Would you turn up for an important meeting in a t-shirt and flip-flops?

Okay, so perhaps if you’re selling surf boards you might, but for most of us you’d ensure your clothes are nicely pressed and your shoes are looking good. So why wouldn’t you dress your marketing material as thoughtfully?

When it is important to you to showcase your printed marketing material and proposal, how would you make your presentation so the client has everything to hand in an easy to follow way? Well one way is to present your information and support materials in a Presentation Folder, with this solution all the enclosed items are readily to hand, easily presented plus at the end of the meeting can be handed over in an attractive and professional way.

As well as our ever popular standard presentation folders which come with easy interlocking flaps and business card slits as standard, presentation folders are easily customised to suit your businesses requirements – a multitude of options are available. Change interlocking pockets to glued, clear DVD sleeves can be included for providing clients with digital media. Velcro or magnetic fasteners are also available to hold the front flap closed.

OceanPrint.co.uk work to ensure printed items are easy to order and affordable for your business, we’re keen to create printed items which fit your business requirements. Our customer service and design team are on hand to create ideas which ensure you successfully communicate your marketing message.

Save 5% on Presentation Folders now at OceanPrint.co.uk now!

Festive times

December 5, 2011

It’s ‘snow’ important to get your message heard.

With Festivities right round the corner, now is the time to really shout-out about your products, events and services. It’s one of the reasons at this time of year we’re busy with our best-selling Greeting Cards, Calendars, Flyers (with calendars), 150gsm Gloss Leaflets and Business Cards.

So whether you’re promoting Christmas or New Year special offers, arranging a last minute Christmas menu or New Year event our flyers and leaflets will be just the job. Plus, if you’re out and about over the Festive period do you have professional looking business cards to make that all important first impression – in these tough times, dog-eared, flimsy, poorly printed business cards just won’t cut it!

If you need advice on where to start with your design or which printed item to choose then one of our team will be glad to advise.

Stay In Touch All Year

December 1, 2011

Don’t just stay close at Christmas

Every business today is striving to stay foremost in the minds of their customers. With the volume of advertising we are exposed to every day it gets harder and harder. Which is why a personalised note, handwritten and posted is going to have more impact than a computer generated letter.

Naturally this same principal applies to thank you cards, card flyers and postcards. Why not set up a schedule to send something once a month to stay in touch and remain close to your customers. There are a myriad reasons to send out something interesting and remain at the forefront of your customer’s mind.

There are the many holidays we all know well such as Easter and Christmas which are perfect opportunties to remind customers of your services and at the same time instil a warm glow about you and your team.

What about the rest of year?

Well how about Valentine’s day, pancake day, Mother’s day, April fools day. As you can see there are more than enough opportunities the create as much attention as you need.

Check our Special Offers to help you contact your clients regularly and move your business into pole position.

3 Step Basic Marketing Plan

November 4, 2011

3 Step Basic Marketing Plan

Marketing your business doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It can begin by simply following these three steps and taking a one step at a time approach:

1. Identify the kind of customers who could benefit from using your products or services.

A database is key to building your marketing campaign and a good place to start is with those who already use you. Within easy reach is a potential database of those who use you now; who have used you in the past and those who have requested information or quotations but have not yet bought from you. We’d recommend you start educating this group about all your services and products before buying a list. For the best results, a bought list should specifically resemble your current client database.

2. Create an offer to appeal to your customers.

Now you have identified your target market you will know what type offer of will work best. However, an offer doesn’t have to mean a discount or special price. Your offer could be a full list of services that your customers may not already know about, a catalogue of your latest products, or information about a new product. Think about how your products or services directly benefit your customers and create an offer based on this.

3. Decide how to communicate this offer to your customers.

You don’t need a million dollar budget to promote your products and services. Your next marketing solution could be as simple as using a local distributor to organise regular leaflet drops to homes in specific areas if you supply services such as carpet fitting or garden care. Or a brief phone call to establish a need for your service, followed by an introductory letter and the opportunity for the reader to request further information in a 6pp DL brochure.

Once you have a basic marketing plan in place, you have the tools you need to grow your business. It may not be perfect first time around, it probably won’t be, but it’s a first step and from there all subsequent steps will tweak, develop and hone your marketing and this will inevitably improve results.

There is rarely one golden bullet to market your business, in most cases it takes repetition and a varied approach to get your message across. Whenever possible keep notes of your results to see which offers works best, which approach gained the most responses, but whatever happens do not be put off, not everyone will want what you offer and those that do may not be in the market for them right now, so repeat, repeat, repeat. By staying in touch when they are ready it will be you they call.

Happy Marketing.

Coffee break guide to leaflet content

7 top tips to improve your leaflet.

Key to keeping customers, generating additional sales and winning new business is often a case of simply reminding customers and prospects of all your products and services on a regular basis. Often however, the first hurdle many businesses face is what they should put in their literature. So this month’s Marketing Talk is our coffee break guide to leaflet content. It is by no means comprehensive and is meant as a basic guide to start you on your way.

Sexy headline wins business
Grab the reader with a powerful headline promise or an attractive headline offer which will make them want to read on.

Tell the story with subheadings
Readers will scan your leaflet before deciding whether they should read on. Sub headings should therefore, spell out the main benefits of what you offer in bite size chunks. When read, great subheadings tell the whole story.

Easily digestible paragraphs are best
Short, sharp paragraphs which are easy to digest and remember are best for the reader. Aim for paragraphs which are three or four lines long. Break up overly long paragraphs with bullet points.

Are you a safe pair of hands?
Readers will be anxious about making a buying mistake, so your job is to educate the reader. Tell the reader why your product or service is the solution they’re looking for. Picture yourself as a reader who is keen to be convinced you will solve their problem.

Testimonials assure me you’re terrific
Testimonials from happy customers are absolute gold. If need be write them on behalf of your customer and ask them to agree what you’ve written.

Irresistible special offers
Tempt warm prospects to take the next step sooner rather than later by making them an offer they’ll find hard to resist. Vary your offers to see what works best and to increase desirability try making them time limited or restrict availability.

What now?
Think about the objective of sending the leaflet, what do you want the reader to do? Does the reader call for a free brochure and discount voucher, book a demonstration, call for a quotation or buy now? Make it easy for the reader to take the next step.

Dear reader, whenever possible keep notes of your results to see which offers works best, which approach gained the most responses, but whatever happens do not be put off, not everyone will want what you offer and those that do may not be in the market for them right now, so repeat, repeat, repeat. Staying in touch means, when they are ready it will be you they call.

Happy Marketing.

3 quick tips on how to improve a business card

Business cards are an essential business tool and need to make the right impression. Often the first printed item you hand out to a client or prospect and as such they should have the right information and be of the highest quality.

Be honest

If you are at an exhibition or in a networking environment will your cards stand out from all the other businesses, or will they be lost in the collected pile?

Do your cards truly reflect your business? Or do they give the impression your business is dated, uninspired and tatty round the edges?

Here are 3 quick steps to improve the usefulness of your business cards.

STEP 1. Create the look. There is little excuse for not having a modern looking well thought out business card. Even those in more traditional professions such as accountants or solicitors can modernise their cards but keep the traditional look.

STEP 2. Use both sides of the card. By using both sides of the card you create space – this not only looks better but moves secondary information onto the reverse of the card and improves readability. NOTE: It will not double the printing cost.

STEP 3. What do you do again? Many business cards assume the reader will know and understand what you do from your logo or job title. A solicitor may cover many areas such as: Property, family and matrimonial issues, wills, probate and litigation. So why not spell it out, why leave to chance that the recipient of your card knows all the areas your business covers?