The old adage says a picture is worth a thousand words. In an industry all about aesthetics and logistics your marketing materials can and should speak those thousand words. If you haven’t realized it already the past few PR tips have built upon one another and are all imperative to your business success. This next one is no exception! So think about your current stationery, portfolio, packaging and marketing kit-how pulled together or rough around the edges are they?
This can be an area that is often overlooked. You may think, I am just sending out a check or a cd, it doesn’t need to look nice. If that is you, oh my friend how you are mistaken. Every single item you send out, put down on paper or present to a vendor, client or the press should be an extension of the awesome brand you have created. If you just send some crummy package out the recipient will think of your work as just that, mediocre. However, if you send over something clean and interesting looking they will be impressed, which is after all always the goal. You will instantly be more memorable and your credibility will surely increase. I have seen the marketing materials from the following outstanding companies: Forget Me Not Designs, Paper Tape Fims, and Amelia Lyon Photography and you would be blown away by how well they package themselves. I almost want to call them up to see if they can dream up something as amazing for me.
You don’t need to go out and buy all letter pressed stationery or silk boxes but you do need to come up with something that on first glance is visually appealing and also clearly communicates who the package/letter/marketing kit is from. This isn’t any less important when the materials are traveling from vendor to vendor. True, it is paramount that your clients are wowed so that they will book you, but you also want other vendors to respect you, want to work with you, and recommend you. No matter who is receiving your marketing materials, they need to believe in you and your brand right down to the postage stamp!
From The Bride’s cafe printing by Simple Song
Found on The Ritzy Bee printing by Simple Song
Found on Martha Stewart Weddings
xo, Leila, WeddingPR
Such a great point! I have been struggling for years on this issue – how many resources to spend on this, wondering if it’s just because I want it to look pretty, or because it has additional returns – your post makes me feel like I need to take that last step! Years ago, at one of the first bridal shows I ever did, I had a stunning booth, dripping with flowers, but had black and white trifold brochures. No joke. Bless the woman who cam up to me and said “your design work is so stunning – why do your marketing materials not reflect this? They are horrible!” That was my first clue, and since then I’ve always had a gorgeous brochure, branded business cards and nice portfolio. But I still lack personalized stationery, envelopes, etc – whenever I have to send something out, it’s just a plain envelope, and it bothers me everytime – but I feel I don’t want to spend resources on ‘fluff’. Well, I think you’re right, it’s not fluff, and very important – so it’s about time I brand everything else and go for it – thanks Leila!
Yep, it took me well over a year to finally come up with a design I was happy with for my brochure. I ended up with letterpress, a beautiful gray book cloth, an accordion fold, a belly band, which all sits in a small box. Its good to have a friend who’s a book artist!
I am actually at this point in the “brand building” for my upcoming children’s event planning business. Thank you for the inspiring ideas!
This is so crucial, your brand should be reflected in all aspects of your business. Great post, Leila!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a
amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from
you! However, how could we communicate?