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November 25, 2015

Ways to Encourage People to Keep your Handout

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:10 am

Ways to Encourage People to Keep your Handout

Post cards. Brochures. Business cards. Flyers. You’ve spent hours perfecting the look, style and wording on your business handouts. Now, make sure people keep a hold of them. How? Each piece of promotional material should not only show off your business, it should also provide value.

Add a calendar.

A handy, miniature 12-month calendar printed on the back of your business card means your name and business logo will earn a place in your potential client’s wallet. Or, consider adding a month calendar highlighting specials or sales for the next 30 days on the back of your next post card mailing.

Print a coupon.

Everyone loves a discount. A clippable coupon fits perfectly on the back of your business brochure or mailer. If you’re ordering a large quantity of promotional materials to hand out over time, make sure the coupon expiration date isn’t too soon and becomes obsolete before you hand out all the papers.

Create a punch card.

A rewards program keeps people coming back for more in hopes of earning something free or gaining a discount. A punch card offering “Buy 10, Get 1 Free” or something similar ensures they keep your materials handy for each time they shop with you.

Offer a referral program.

Does your business thrive on word-of-mouth customers? Add an online ordering referral code to your business cards or current advertisement. Each time the code is shared and used, both the sharer and new customer get a percentage off their order or a small credit to their account.

Include a recipe.

Does your industry have anything to do with food? Tempt customers to keep your promotional materials by offering a simple, delicious recipe to two. If you send out monthly pamphlets, people will start to look forward to both your news and your culinary ideas!

Highlight a tip.

Offer a helpful checklist or practical how-to tip on the back of your business card. For example, a veterinarian’s business card could highlight CPR procedures for pets or a car salesman could provide a checklist of routine auto maintenance tasks based on mileage milestones.

So, is it time to refresh your collection of promotional materials? Paper Direct offers unique options for everything from postcards to brochures and everything in between. Shop online now!

November 19, 2015

How to Jazz Up Holiday Networking Events

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — PDWriter @ 3:11 pm

Jazz it up

‘Tis the season to mix and mingle! If you’re organizing a holiday networking event, make it a memorable occasion by adding a few personalized touches. After all, you don’t want bored employees burying their attention in their smartphones or ducking out early.

Set up a raffle. As each person arrives for the party, hand them a raffle ticket. Show them a few door prizes they could win, and let them put the stub in a fishbowl in front of the item they’d love to take home. A few gift ideas include an e-reader, weekend getaway package or a wine and cheese gift basket.

Offer free drink coupons. Liven up the party with a few libations. Print festive drink tickets for guests to redeem at the bar for a beer, wine, cocktails or a signature mocktail of their choice. Limit this perk to two vouchers per guest to discourage too much holiday cheer.

Coordinate icebreaker games. After everyone arrives, and are welcomed to the event, play a quick game or two to make it easy for people to meet one another. The host can ask each person to introduce themselves to the person to their right. Then, play a game of musical chairs where everyone mills around, then sits in a new place to meet even more people.

Hire background entertainment. A live band playing festive holiday music or a strolling magician is just what a networking event needs to keep the pace upbeat and lively. Or, consider hiring a photo booth so groups of new friends can snap pictures to remember the occasion. Earn bonus points by creating a custom hashtag for the event and posting the images to the company’s social media feeds during the party.

Create a business card challenge. Tell each guest to take out 10 of their own cards. In the next hour, they have to replace them with 10 business cards from new people they’ll meet in a speed-dating type set up where guests move from table to table to chat with others at the party.

Play an interactive group game. Bring back a blast from the past by playing a version of Win, Lose or Draw or Jeopardy in front of the group. A game show activity encourages communication between guests and chatter among audience members. Just be sure the topics for the games focus on the common thread or industry being celebrated at the networking event.

So, are you ready to let everyone know about the amazing event you’re planning? Print the party details on some festive Christmas stationery from Paper Direct. Browse their online catalog now!

 

November 9, 2015

Holiday Promotion Ideas for Small Local Businesses

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — PDWriter @ 3:03 pm

The National Retail Federation reported, “20 to 40 percent of yearly sales for small and mid-sized retailers take place within the last two months of the year.” For small businesses, missing out on the incredible sales opportunities of the holiday season is a massive mistake that is tremendously detrimental to your company. For boutiques, gift shops, local cafes, and other retail startups, these holiday promotions for small businesses will elevate your end-of-year sales for a very prosperous 2015.

Social Media Strategy

 

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According to CrowdTap, 65 percent of shoppers use social media to find the perfect holiday gifts for their loved one. Whether your company runs promoted content, online giveaways, social coupons, or an online snowball fight, find a clever way to engage your followers and fans with a holiday season social media strategy. Promote in-store sales, offer exclusive discounts, and poll users about what they are looking for from your business this holiday season using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and a variety of other effective social channels. Really harness the power of social media for holiday promotions, and your bottom line will be busting by the time 2016 rolls around.

Direct Mail

Christmas Mailers

It’s a tried and true method for reengaging old customers and enticing new ones, so there’s no reason to skip direct mail efforts this holiday season. A Christmas postcard inviting shoppers to an exclusive in-store sales event or giving them a special coupon is a simple, straightforward method for promoting your small business this holiday season. If you have the time to include a personal greeting on your direct mail postcards or flyers, even better!

Get Local

Whether it’s adopting a nearby charity or actively participating in your local area’s business organization, getting involved in your community is a brilliant method for promoting your small business during the holiday season. The local community is made up entirely of your potential shoppers, and the better-known you are amongst neighbors and other locals, the better it is for your holiday season sales. Never overlook the importance of word-of-mouth marketing in local communities.

Holiday Season Landing Page

Statistic Brain Research Institute discovered 90 percent of shoppers head to the Internet as a part of their holiday season gift purchasing process. Creating a dedicated Christmas landing page on your company’s website is an easy way to make the most of your customers’ online shopping habits. This page should include seasonal merchandise, timely specials, events hosted in-store, and other pertinent information that will help your small business promote itself during the holiday season. Be sure your landing page is mobile-friendly for that 87 percent of shoppers who will use their mobile devices to search for and buy gifts.

Offer Gift Cards

It’s like cash but better for your small business because gift cards encourage recipients to patron your store. Additionally, nearly 60 percent of people want gift cards during the holiday season and 80 percent plan on giving gift cards during this festive time of year, according to Accessories magazine. People come into your shop to buy gift cards, and more people come into your store to use your gift cards. It’s a win-win proposition.

November 5, 2015

2015-Inspired Award Ideas for End of the Year Recognition

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 3:24 pm

The year is rapidly dwindling to an end, which means it’s time to recognize your company’s employees with awards. Rather than giving out the standard Hardest Worker or Most Dedicated titles, have fun with your staff recognition awards this year. End 2015 on a high with these award ideas for end of the year recognition.

Swifty Swift Award

Taylor Dance

For that one employee that can wear many hats and take on any challenge they encounter with aplomb, the Taylor Swift Award recognizes the most dynamic multi-tasker in your company.

Fury Road Award

The fourth film in the Mad Max cinematic universe, the Fury Road Award goes to that staff member that pushed the metal to the floor and powered through some of your company’s most-challenging tasks this year.

Joy Award

 

There’s always one person in a group who can keep cool even when emotions are running high. The Pixar movie Inside Out demonstrated just how hard it can be to keep your feelings in-check when faced with anxiety and stress, so this award goes to the employee who always came to work with a level-head and helped other keep their heads in the game even when it was hard to do so.

The #Sqaud

The award can be presented a team or group that meshes well and turns out outstanding work. Squad goals.

Aca-Awesome Award

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This Pitch Perfect 2 pop culture reference can be given to anyone who works hard and has a positive attitude.

Game of Thrones Geek Award

This award goes to that beloved employee that lives for this springtime HBO epic action drama. They’re probably searching for next season’s predictions as we speak. 

Escaped Llama Award

In February, two llamas had fifteen glorious minutes of fame when they escaped their enclosures in Sun City, Arizona. Maybe you have an employee who knocked it out of the park at a major industry event or delivered a deal-sealing presentation this year. Recognize that shining moment with the Escaped Llama Award.

YASSSSS Award

Someone who is. killing. it. all. the. time.

Next Presidential Candidate Award

Presidents

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Since there are a comically large number of candidates running, why not nominate a hard-working, intelligent leader in your own organization?

Jurassic Award

If you have an old timer that keep producing outstanding work, give them the Jurassic award. Sure to be a blockbuster hit every time. 

Retiring Legend Award

After over twenty hilarious years as the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, John Stewart retired from his position in September. Your office’s John Stewart is the person who is retiring this year, but will be remembered forever. 

B.B. King Award

A blues legend, B.B. King dedicated his career to music. Give this award to the employee who has been with your business the longest as a way of recognizing their continued years of hard work, loyalty and dedication.

The Top Intern Award

The latest movie The Intern shows how important these workers are for our mental health, production and support. Reward your top-performing intern with an employee recognition award.

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