How to Write an Effective Email

Communication is the key to running a business, and writing emails is one major way we communicate.

So it is worth saying that writing a good email is key to getting your initiatives out and in keeping customers happy.

Here are some tips to consider when writing an email.

Think of Your Audience

Who are you writing to?

Is it your coworker? Your boss? Your friend?

These all deserve a well-written email, but the tone of your letter will vary depending on whom you are writing to. Keep the tone similar throughout the email.

For example, if it’s for a friend, it’s okay to be light-hearted and funny. But if it’s your boss, and you’re inquiring about something for work, you probably want to keep the tone professional and more serious.

What do you want your audience to do? Make sure you keep your goal in mind while writing your email. This will help you not to wander and get off track.

Proofread Your Email

Don’t just send your email right after typing it.

Look it over again to make sure that nothing can get misinterpreted. Emails are hard to determine tone sometimes, so choose your words wisely. Read your email again, but think of it from an outsider’s perspective. Pretend you don’t know what your email is about, and read it with fresh eyes.

Use Spell-Check

For that matter, use grammar check if you need it, too.

You don’t want to look incompetent if there are misspelled words or grammatical mistakes. People will judge you on your wording, so be thoughtful.

Be Courteous

Use an opening and closing that is appropriate and kind. You want to build relationships through your writing.

The Email Basics

Here are the basic parts to a great email:

1. Subject line

Make sure your subject line matches the text of the letter so that your recipient can know right away what it’s about. Not only that, but when you are hunting for that email later, you will be able to find it quickly.

2. Greeting

Have a nice greeting and closing statement to set the tone.

3. Body

Keep it to a few sentences, rather than a novel. Keep it succinct and focused on what you want to communicate. Save the extra’s for later.

4. Closing

You will want to have a friendly closing, such as, “thank you,” “wishing you well,” “take care,” or other closings.

No matter what your message is, you will have a well-written email long as you follow these steps. After all, good communication is important no matter whom you are sending it to.

We welcome emails from all our customers, and we respond quickly to your questions and prospective jobs. Feel free to shoot us email today to get started on your next project.

Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 

 3 Tips to Improve Your Print Marketing Strategy

Print is a powerful marketing tool.

People trust print more. In fact, 82% of consumers say they trust print ads more than digital ones. This is one reason why print helps generate loyal customers. 

Print is also more likely to be noticed and has a higher response rate, growing your client base. Although print is intrinsically powerful, there are actions you can take to grow its effect further. 

Include a Call-to-Action

Perhaps self-explanatory, a call-to-action is when you call on your client to act. 

Call-to-actions are often included within your advertisements. They ask the client to check out the business website, follow the social media account, or sign up for a newsletter. 

Often, customers’ interests are piqued by your print campaign, but they’re not sure what to do next. A call-to-action solves this problem, increasing the likelihood of customer interaction. 

Call-to-actions can reside within a plethora of print forms. 

Utilize a Variety of Print Mediums

Print comes in all shapes and sizes.

Keep your target market interested by adding variety. Brochures, business cards, and postcards are all extremely effective forms of print advertising. 

• Brochures are small pamphlets that advertise the products and/or services of your business. A compelling design will help keep your customers engaged. Brochures also provide you the opportunity to share your business’s brand with consumers. Your brand is the intangible concept of your business that consumers use to distinguish you from your competitors. Brands are important because people often attach loyalty to brands. 
  
  
• Business cards are small, easy-to-carry cards you can hand out at promotional events. It helps improve the brand recall of prospective customers because these handy business cards stick around the customers’ houses for quite some time. In other words, business cards help customers remember your business. Business cards also help customers stay in touch with you.
  
  
• Postcards are medium-sized cards with a picture or design on the front and a message on the back. They are effective because people are especially attracted to pictures. Just like brochures, these allow you to share your brand with your prospective clients. 

Some forms of print are more effective than others. That’s why it’s important to acquire data. 

Track Your Results

To improve your future print marketing campaigns, it’s imperative that you track the results of your past campaigns. 

Obtaining data will help you pinpoint what went well and what needs improvement. This will significantly help you in the future when you decide what to include. Include more of the factors that were widely successful. For the parts that didn’t go well, you could brainstorm why and how to improve them. Or, you can forgo the faulty technique and bring in another one instead. 

You want your marketing attempts to have the most impact possible. Adding a call-to-action, mixing up your print marketing variety, and tracking your results will help you develop a more effective marketing campaign.  Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

Say it With a Postcard

 

What’s little, powerful, and packs a real punch?

A postcard from you!

Postcards are often overlooked as a great way to market, but they effectively get your message out. People are forced to read your message even before thinking of throwing it away.

It’s right there, in the pile of envelopes, shining through with full color and catchy wording. If you haven’t thought of postcard marketing in a while, or ever, here are a few ideas to help you on your postcard journey.

6 Tips for Effective PostcardMarketing

1. Hone Your Message

What message do you want to get out? An event? A sale? A thank-you? A new product?

Be specific about what the purpose is, and stick to that message. You don’t want to try to promote everything at once on a postcard. Think about what your best, most immanent message should be.

2. Research and Determine Your Size Options

It’s common to use oversized postcards as well as regular postcards. What type of impact do you want to have?

Are you having a BIG event? Then go BIG on your postcard size. If it’s more of a personal message, a regular postcard will do just fine. It also depends on your budget. A larger postcard costs a little more, but its impact is much more significant.

3. Perfect Your DesignYour design means a lot.

Pick a design that has your message front and center. You want to have an organized design that represents your business.

Work with a graphic designer to come up with a gorgeous design that no one else has.

4. Headlines Matter

Write a headline that is clear about what you are offering or trying to say.

Make it fun, clever, or serious. Just be consistent throughout the postcard. If you are silly, stay silly. If you are urgent, keep the tone urgent.

Need help? We can offer you some suggestions.

5. Include a Call to Action

Tell the customer what you want them to do next.

Don’t leave it up for them to figure out. Ask prospects and clients to come into your store, call your business, or check out your website.

Whatever it is you want them to do, tell them.

6. Think of Your Audience

Who will be receiving the mailer? Will it be to future customers or someone familiar with your business?  

If it is going to prospective customers, be sure to say what you do in a short, concise way. No need to get wordy, but be sure to tell customers what you do and what you offer.

Whatever direction you choose, whether an oversized postcard or a traditional one, we can ensure you will come out swinging.

We will help you succeed in your marketing efforts when it comes to high-quality printing and design.  Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 Lol! The Pros and Cons of Adding Humor to Marketing

Getting people to laugh can be a highly effective marketing strategy.

However, before you jump right in, it’s imperative to decide if humor in marketing is right for you and your business. After all, the best marketing is engaging, memorable, and shareable. Humor, when done correctly, checks all these boxes. 

Pros to Incorporating Humor into Your Marketing Strategy

• Humor helps your advertisement stand out by grabbing people’s attention. This is why it is often easier for people to remember comedic advertisements.
• Your company becomes more relatable and trustworthy.
• Your marketing will become more likely to be shared because people like to spread laughter.
• Some companies have gone ‘viral’ for their humorous marketing advertisements. 

Cons to Incorporating Humor into Your Marketing Strategy

• Not everyone has the same sense of humor. Something you find hilarious may flop on your audience, causing your company to appear unprofessional.
• The seriousness of your business will be decreased. For some, this may not be a problem.
• Humor requires cautiousness because it has the potential to offend your target audience, which is the last thing you want. Testing your content on employees and letting it sit for about a week before releasing it can help you avoid this. 

Is Humor Right for Your Business?

Try asking yourself the following questions: 

• Will my target audience appreciate comedy?
• Would comedy complement my current brand?
• Do you, or your employees, have the skills to create humorous content?
• Are you confident in your ability to create comedy without offending your client base?

Reflect on your answers to the above questions as well as the information stated earlier. If you believe comedy has a place in your marketing strategy, great! Before you get started, it’s worthwhile knowing the various types of humor you can utilize. 

Humor Comes in All Shapes and Sizes

Try these on for size if you’re looking to add a few laughs to your marketing strategy. 

Irony

Irony usually implies the opposite of what is directly at face value for comedic effect. 

Perhaps you remember learning about irony and the different kinds of irony in English class. You’ll be happy to know that this information does indeed have real-world applications. 

There are three primary forms of irony: situational, verbal, and dramatic.

• Situational irony happens when the opposite of what is expected occurs.
• Verbal irony is like sarcasm in that the person’s words contrast with their actual meaning.
• Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the character(s) don’t. 

Dry Humor

Dry humor is all about delivery: a deadpan facial expression with a matter-of-fact voice. 

Although dry humor jokes are usually inherently funny, the delivery elevates the comedy. Sarcasm, cynicism, and irony are often utilized within dry humor. 

Visual Humor

Visual humor creates comedy through a picture. 

Your business can utilize visual humor by sending out postcards with a visually humorous picture displayed. It’ll be sure to catch your client’s eye and make them laugh, making your business stand out and be memorable. 

Call-Back Jokes

Call-back jokes refer back to a previous joke your company has made.  

Call-back jokes are beneficial for making your clients feel closer to your company because they are now part of an inside joke. This improves customer retention and brand loyalty. 

This strategy is best used when your business had a previous widely successful joke. You don’t want to use this strategy on an obscure joke your company previously made because the joke might be lost on your audience. 

Humor in marketing is quite prevalent, causing many fine examples. 

Comedy within Jake from State Farm

Jake from State Farm was a widely successful ad that utilized irony.

It highlights State Farm’s availability to help its customers. In the commercial, a husband is talking to a representative from State Farm at three in the morning, but the wife thinks he’s having an affair.

She asks Jake, whom she assumes to be a female, what he’s wearing. Jake from State Farm responds, “Uh, Khakis.” The wife remarks to her husband that she (Jake) sounds hideous. Her husband responds with the punchline, “Well, he’s a guy, so...” 

Because of the wide success of the ad, State Farm used a call-back joke in a later commercial. Here they play the same clip, but this time a new agent, also named Jake, is on the phone.

When asked by the wife what he’s wearing, he also responds with, “Uh, Khakis.” However, this time he leans over to his coworker and asks him if State Farm Agents often get asked what they’re wearing. His coworker replies with, “Uh, yeah.” 

State Farm isn’t the only company with great examples of comedic ads. If you need inspiration, it may be beneficial to look through ads other companies have released. 

You can watch the Jake from State Farm ads here. 

Laughter is a Powerful Marketing Tool

Knowing when and how to do so effectively can do wonders for your marketing campaign. 

 Spot UV Coating Makes Your Images Pop

Business people collect a lot of business cards; in fact, there are so many that sometimes these items get lost in the shuffle.

But there is a way to print business cards to let your message not only dazzle the recipient but help you get truly noticed.  

Let’s take a look at spot UV coating! It is a magical way to make your images and message pop and get noticed.

What is UV Coating?

UV coating is a clear compound that is applied to wet paper, then instantly dried by ultraviolet light.

The UV portion of spot UV comes from the ultraviolet light that is used to instantly cure the glossy varnish. And there’s no need to worry about toxicity because UV coatings are environmentally safe. They are free of solvents and do not emit volatile organic compounds or VOCs when cured. It dries at a fast speed, making it easy to add detail to your marketing materials.

Due to its eye-catching appearance and versatile applications, spot UV is one of the most popular printing techniques available. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve no doubt seen its effects. It’s the shiny part of an otherwise matte page. It shines and puts your marketing in a class above ordinary printing.

The Best Ways to Use UV Coating

UV coating can be used on a whole page to protect your entire message or as a spot coating.

Using the spot coating not only protects your logo or name, it also shines bright when the light catches it. It is a decorative feature that many businesses are starting to use.

The great thing about using spot UV is that you can use it on a variety of paper stocks, from heavy 24pt cardstock to a thinner 100# text. No matter what paper you use, choosing a matte finish will contrast nicely with the spot UV coating: the more contrast, the better. 

Some people use the spot UV coating as a way to create their image or logo instead of printing it in another color. For example, you could use shiny black with matte black paper to show your logo off or a portion of an image.  

No matter where you use the spot UV coating, you are sure to make a significant impact and be remembered. Check out our website to get more options for paper and printing, and we will make sure your spot UV coating makes the most of your marketing materials. Set up a time to talk with one of our printing specialists, and let’s get to work. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

Be a Showstopper at Your Next Trade Show

 

Trade shows can be tricky. They can cause a lot of anxiety when you are preparing for the unknown. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to ensure you are successful. Here are a few to add to your to-do list.

Start early.

It should go without saying, but sometimes we procrastinate starting to plan for a trade show because it seems daunting. This is to encourage you to start as soon as possible so that you will be prepared for any problems that might arise.

Prepare your team.

Be sure to have team meetings regularly and at least a week before the trade show to discuss items such as dress code, hotel, transportation, duties, and responsibilities. Make sure everyone knows their schedules at the booth and contact information in case they get lost or have questions.

Be active on social media.

This is important to do before, during, and after the trade show. Include your booth number and hashtag so people can find you easily. Tweet about the upcoming show and give glimpses of giveaways or your excellent signage. 

Offer giveaways.

Everyone loves free things, and this is no exception.

And we aren’t talking about just pens and pencils. Offer food, drinks, games, or prizes. Have a coffee machine or offer cupcakes, or whatever might draw people in for more than a few seconds. Then be sure to utilize this opportunity to find out what the prospective customer might be looking for. Use anything that might break the ice.

Debrief and follow-up.

If you found a way to capture people’s information, send them a thank you note for coming to your booth. Talk with your staff to see what their opinions of the trade show were. This is critical for improving future booths.
 

Hand out bigger bags than the competition.

This will ensure that your bag will get used and that your message gets noticed. People tend to stuff items in the free bags, and whichever one is larger will hold the others. 

Have professional signage.

Big, bold messages and colors will capture people’s attention and make them remember you. Use your logo and catchphrases. Show people what you’ve accomplished by having professional, eye-catching signs.
 

Create a buzz.

It’s great to keep things on the upside and positive, but it’s even better to do something humorous to get people talking. Maybe you have a sign that is full of humor, or perhaps it’s a funny game. The funnier it is, the more people will talk...and others will gather around your booth.

Do your research.

If possible, find out what the large competitors will bring. And when you’re there, make sure you walk around and note what others are doing. This will help you in the future.

Be creative.

Show a short video on your business. Find a way to partner with another company to showcase their items with yours. Maybe it’s a big floral display or food, or perhaps it’s as crazy as bringing in animals from a local zoo or humane society and then tying it together with your message and other giveaways. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your next trade show booth pop for whenever that next show may be. But it all starts with planning, preparing others, and getting the right signage. With professional signage, your message won’t get lost in the shuffle. Everyone is there to make an impression. What will you do? 

Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 Your Mini-Guide to Business Branding

Branding helps your business create the desired image of your company by clarifying and expanding what your company stands for.

According to Kotler and Keller, "Branding is endowing products and services with the power of a brand." It helps put your business above the competition by giving customers an idea to attach themselves to. It affects consumers, employees, and shareholders. 

Brand vs. Products 

Branding can be challenging to understand, it helps to know the difference between a product and a brand.

A product is an item or service your company is selling. Although unique products or services are excellent, they can usually be easily copied by other aspiring entrepreneurs.

A brand is the idea and image behind the product. It is the promise made to the customers regarding what the product can deliver. It fulfills the customers' desires while creating an emotional appeal for customers to attach themselves to. 

Why Focus on Branding? 

So, what's the big deal about branding? Well, branding has many advantages. Here are just a few of them.

Branding makes your business unique.

In saturated markets where similar products or services are being sold, it can be too easy to get lost among the many other businesses.

However, branding gives you the chance to stand out. Customers may prefer the image and idea you are selling above that of a competitor. 

Branding creates greater customer loyalty.

Although quality products and/or services will be what keeps the customer coming back, you can strengthen that loyalty by giving the customer a brand to attach themselves to.

It is easier for people to connect to ideas and images over products. The customers you bring in through your branding are going to be your ideal customers. Why? Because there was something about your brand that they loved and will most likely continue to love for a long time!

Branding generates consistency.

Consistency is important because it better helps consumers identify your products by giving your company a unique look that can be attributed back to you.

Developing a great brand will make it much easier to release new products or services and provide a framework for your company to work under, alleviating the pressure of figuring out the little details. 

Developing a Brand Guide

The purpose of a brand guide is to solidify your company's visual design and the voice, tone, and messaging.

Brand Guides include creating and finalizing the logos, color palette, typography, and voice and tone. This can be overwhelming, especially if you don't have professional design skills. So, don't be afraid to hire a professional when developing your brand guide. Great designs can really make a difference. 

Where to Apply Branding

Advertising

Your advertising campaign should incorporate consistent designs and messages.

Some great ideas for advertising include large print advertising, including banners and posters. When designing these, refer to your branding guide to create consistent color schemes, fonts, and messaging.

A fantastic design will catch potential customers' attention, and the incorporation of your branding guide in your advertisement will help them better identify your products in the market. 

Product and Packaging Design

Try to apply your brand guide to your products and packaging.

Again, it'll significantly help your company's consistency, making your business and products easily identifiable to customers. 

Branding helps your business stand out among the competition by generating consistency and amazing design throughout your business's endeavors, translating into more outstanding sales and customer loyalty. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com