If you are looking for information about a certain company or organization, where do you start looking first?
I usually first turn to the internet. I google.
So you could say that a website is the most important window for your customers or followers.
But I also have a paper fetish and so I usually end up ordering the brochure of the company or organization.
Also, when you meet people in person, you can’t really hand them your website. You can hand them a business card with the web address. But that still doesn’t allow them to browse who you are and what you do.
It is true that web access is omnipresent nowadays. It’s literally in our pockets on our phones.
So when you network, is a business card enough? Or is a brochure still a must have?
And how do you make a brochure that doesn’t land in the bin once your contact sits down in his office chair?
Create and Connect is in the process of making a brochure. Here is what I have noted so far in terms of brochure making:
- can a brochure be a copy paste of your website? are you talking to the same people and if so can you do that in the same way as on the web?
- a brochure needs to convey the what, why, how, when, who and where, preferably in a non-boring, colorful format that makes people want to call you
- it needs to speak to your target groups (i.e. one brochure addressing all or several brochures depending on who you talk to?)
- it needs to market and sell
- it needs to be different from your competition
- the format is important (cheaper 2 color, small size brochure or full color A4 or bigger?)
- do you want a brochure, flyer, leaflet, pamphlet,… and what is the difference?
- do you need a print version or is a down-loadable pdf enough?
What is your opinion?
Do you have a brochure?
In my personal opinion, a pamphlet or brochure is a step-up from a business card because you can directly give people more information about your business when you see them, rather than just handing them a business card and hoping they’ll have the time and remember to visit your website. In addition, depending on how extensive your business is, you may want to have several options. For instance, a trifold pamphlet with basic information in an easy-to-red bulletpoint format with a few pictures can give people more information than a business card in a non-intimidating way because they can look at it and read through it quickly. However, for people more interested in or serious about your business, a multi-page brochure may be appreciated, something that can give more detail, almost as if they were able to have a conversation with you about the business. Regardless, a pamphlet or brochure needs to be engaging and make people want to read it, while also communicating what your business/product is about through its design. A print version would be ideal if you’re going to be talking to people (especially at a conference or somewhere where a lot of other businesses will also be trying to sell to people), possibly with a PDF available on your website as well.
I hope this helps you (although it is mainly from observations about what other people have done, I do not own or manage a business myself)
~Samantha
One of my favorite ideas for a print brochure…create it with a file folder tab to suggest to your reader that it is to keep for long-term reference. Then add sidebars in your copy that offer long-term reference for your reader…tips, etc. You can still cover the promotional bases for your company and make it a long-term keeper for your reader.
Samantha,
And I am thinking of making one for each of the two target groups. I appreciate your comment!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes, I am making a trifold pamphlet
Christine,
Thanks for the idea! You mean a folder tab that sticks out? That would be a good idea for a A4 brochure but probably not for a smaller album?
Thanks for commenting!
Mimi