Please follow and like us:

Every small business needs some basic marketing materials to communicate their products, services, and culture to potential customers.  Your business may have some of these 5 essential marketing items already, but do they match?  Is your business branding consistent through all of the pieces?  Does the color match?  Consistency is one of the cornerstones of branding, these often overlooked essentials must be part of a healthy brand.

1. Business Cards

Business cards can seem like an outdated concept, but in fact they are still a very valuable marketing tool.  It’s estimate that the US produces around 10 billion business cards per year.  On average for every 2,000 business cards distributed, a company’s sales will increase 2.5%.  72% will judge a company based on the quality of their business card.  Quality design and control of the marketing message are vital to the perception your business cards give to potential customers.  Reference Statisticbrain.

2. Stationery

As with business cards, how a potential customer views your company can be heavily swayed by a poorly presented letter or invoice.  A quality business stationery conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail that customers will respond too.  It reinforces your brand’s authority and gives it’s contents credibility.    An effective business stationery should be uncluttered and easy to read.  Your logo should be prominent, your brand colors should be featured in a subdued manner, and it should contain one or two pieces of contact information.

3. Brochure

A brochure is an indispensable tool when searching for new business prospects.  Brochures explain what your business is about and what services and products you provide.  Having a well-written and well-designed brochure lends credibility to your business and is a valuable tool for face-to-face meetings.  Handing someone a quality brochure can open the opportunity for discussion, and provide easy follow up to your initial contact.

4. Give-away Items

Everyone loves some swag.  PPAI research shows that 82% of consumers will have their impression of a brand directly influenced by receiving a give-away item.  80% of consumers are more likely to do business with a brand that has give-away items.  In today’s digital world a give-away item can provide a tangible connection between potential customers and your business.  Selecting the right give-away item is also important.  Providing something memorable with a good perceived value can improve the way customers see your business and increase your brand awareness and recall.    

5. Apparel

If your business doesn’t have a shirt, hat, or jacket with your brand, you’re missing out on a powerful and affordable marketing opportunity.  Your employees and customers can become walking advertisements, they become brand ambassadors everywhere they go.  Suddenly all of your employees become salespeople when they are wearing branded apparel.  Apparel can become an effective give-away item with a high perceived value.  Branded work apparel allows you to create a professional, unified appearance that builds trust and confidence in customers.

It’s not only important to have all of these items, it’s important that these items provide a consistent brand message for potential customers to remember.  Even the smallest of companies can portray a professional (got-it together) persona with effective design and a clear brand message.

Worrell Corporation can help your business develop a consistent brand and create an effective marketing program that includes all of these essentials and much more.  Give us a call at 1-800-297-9599, we would love to help your business grow.