7 Print Marketing Mistakes That Can Cost You Money

Despite the growth in digital marketing, print still manages to establish itself as one of the most effective marketing tools, proving that it still matters in today's modern, technological driven society.

Flyers, posters, brochures, direct mail and more are still powerful in attracting an audience to businesses, with many consumers now preferring print over digital because it's something different.

However, there are several mistakes a business can make with their print marketing that can take it from success to failure fast, losing thousands in the meantime. Here are some of the most common and easy-to-make errors.

1. Missing important details

What seems like the most obvious feature to include, it's often the one most forgotten: contact details. This is one way to guarantee you'll miss out on gaining customers. Without a phone number, email or a website URL, your print marketing will be of no use when it ends up in the hands of customers who are interested in your business but can't contact you.

2. Hard to read company name

If your business name is difficult for the traffic passing by to read, this is another way you will lose potential customers. If it's too small or obscured, potential customers won't retain the information or message you need them, too. The result will be not only losing money from the loss of prospective clients but from your print products not providing a return on your investment.

Ensuring that the brand name/business name is big enough and contrasted with the background on each piece of print marketing so that it stands out.

3. Spelling and grammar mistakes

Spelling errors are not only irritating but impact the credibility of your business and brand. Having mistakes in your spelling and grammar show a lack of care and attention to detail, particularly when it comes to print. Remember, once it's printed there's no going back.

A quick spell check or having someone review or edit your work before print can save you from having to invest more money if there's an error.

4. Meaningless images

Images are often the first place the eye will wander when looking at print.  If you use pictures that leave people with no idea what your message is or what you're about, then the communication between your print product and your potential customer will most likely fall flat.

Whether you're using a photograph or illustration, focusing on a feature of your product or service that depicts how it can benefit a customer or something particularly eye-catching, is more meaningful to the audience.

5. Ambiguous language

When people aren't able to understand the copy in your marketing, they're unlikely to become a customer. The most effective way to keep your copy customer centric is to avoid jargon or buzzwords, use plain English, avoid hyperbole and be very specific about what's on offer.

6. Poor design

As with poor spelling and grammar, bad design can negatively impact the credibility and trust of your business. While you don't have to spend a fortune to get high quality, aesthetically pleasing graphic design, if your print marketing looks cheap, this is the message it will also send about your business.

7. No call-to-action

It's important that your marketing includes a call-to-action that encourages people to do what you need them to do next - this could be to "call today "or "visit in-store". Whatever your next step is, this needs to be clearly directed to your audience. It also helps to give them a little nudge so they don't hold off on your offer.

With these tips in mind, you can assure that your print marketing products will be of the highest quality to attract the right audiences to your business.

Grow your business through print advertising and marketing today -  contact the team at your local Snap Centre.