Before having that brochure printed and handed out to the masses, it pays to sit and reflect on whether your message comes across well. Does the design capture your audience’s attention? Are the photos clear and well-arranged? Is the text well-written and spaced so that it conveys clarity and a strong message? After all, your goal is to have the best and most effective brochure for your business.
Why a brochure?
A brochure is a relatively inexpensive way of getting your message across to a variety of individuals. Brochures are flexible and the company can design the placement of visual art and text. They’re versatile and small and can be placed virtually anywhere. Easy to read and quick to browse through, brochures are an excellent form of communication and promotion when designed properly. But how do you design a brochure the right way? Here are five handy steps to consider:
1. Plan it carefully
Begin by understanding your customer. You want your audience to get a great impression. Make no mistake – the wrong words or the wrong colours may turn your reader off even before they’ve begun. Getting some figures together on your target market (age group, gender, educational background, and interests) is usually not hard to do and pays big dividends. By having the ideal audience in mind, your company can alter the colours and adjust the text for maximum impression.
2. Use space wisely
Pictures take up lots of space, so unless there is a specific reason to do so, don’t put an image of your cat on the front cover. Think of the message. Make clear bullet points of things to convey, and decide whether or not a picture is required. If you’re selling houses, you may want to consider the interior of the house, but which rooms? How big should the pictures be? A picture that is too small is a waste of space, and the same goes for a picture that is too big.
3. Grab attention
Colours can make or break the deal. If you’re promoting a fishing trip, perhaps many people wouldn’t approve of a brochure with a message in black ink on a red background. Similarly, an environmental group would probably not reach its target group by printing the brochure in gold.
Use bold titles and headlines to capture your audience’s attention. Deciding on the right font and size can be tricky, but regardless of the various options, it should stand out and invite them to read further.
4. Sell it!
There’s not that much space for text if you have a few images to include, so the space that is used to convey a written message should be used to its full potential. Don’t waste time explaining the features of the steering wheel – just sell the car! The reader needs to know why they are reading your brochure, and why it is beneficial in their doing so. Even more: after reading it, they should feel compelled to act.
5. Have a call to action
A call to action is a clear message to the reader: do something. Don’t wait, do it now. Do you want the reader to attend an event? Book now. Do you want people to donate money? Here’s how. Do you want the audience to buy your product? Here’s a coupon, call now!
Brochures are truly an effective way to reach hundreds or even thousands of people, but with brochures that pile up in postboxes, you want yours to stand out. For the best brochure printing for your needs, you should rely only on those that can provide you with a truly professional, highly-satisfactory service.
