50 Quick Marketing Tips (You can start using now!)

Looking for some new ways to grab attention, and break through the noise, with your printed Marketing pieces?

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite “quick hits” that you can begin implementing right away!  Here you go:

1. Write headlines in the form of a question. People just can’t resist answering a question – even if they only respond to it themselves.
2. Create headlines with “ego appeal.” Everyone wants to be respected and liked and will gladly read beyond a headline which promises how to accomplish this.
3. Use “you” in your headline and beyond to involve the reader and personalize your copy.
4. Be brief. Get your point across in the fewest number of words possible.
5. Use sidebars to draw attention to important points and for visual relief.
6. Hyperlink key words in digital marketing materials to emphasize text (and direct readers where you want them to go!).
7. Search high-quality image sites (like Thinkstock.com and Shutterstock.com) for visually arresting photos and graphics to punch-up your designs.
8. Use buzzwords like FREE, SALE, KILLER and GUARANTEED to get people emotionally involved and excited.
9. Substitute an image for a letter in your headline if it relates to the topic. For example, use a candy cane in place of the letter r in Christmas, or a chili pepper in place of the l in the word chili.
10. Pay attention to type. The right typeface can encourage people to read your message. If a reader has to struggle to read the headline, the chances he’ll continue reading are slim.
11. Use white space to focus attention.
12. Use color to draw attention and accent important information.
13. Put multi-colored graphics on a black background for a dynamic visual effect.
14. Mix fluorescent ink with standard ink to brighten an image (printed on uncoated paper) and draw extra attention.
15. Metallic ink on black looks sharp and draws the eye!
16. Use colored paper to make your printed material stand out.
17. Use pre-printed paper with a design that ties into your message.
18. Dare to be different. Use non-standard sizes to attract attention. For example, instead of a tri-fold brochure, fold an 8 ½ by 11inch sheet of paper in half, or create a custom 10 x 7 inch brochure.
19. Fit text inside a distinctive shape, like a question mark or exclamation point.
20. Folded cutouts, like paper dolls, create memorable, attention-grabbing stuffers.
21. Use new ways to fold mailers. Create a square document and fold each corner towards to the center to make a smaller square while inviting readers to open it up.
22. Cut out shapes from your envelope to give a “peek” at what’s inside.
23. Put confetti inside of envelopes. But never glitter – that just sucks.
24. Put an intriguing, elegant or “scratch and sniff” sticker on the outside of your envelopes.
25. Print an attention-grabbing headline on the outside of your envelopes.
26. Use a translucent envelope to draw people to what’s inside.
27. Send packages. It’s hard to resist opening up a box, no matter what size.
28. Use an express delivery service to convey the urgency and importance of your message.
29. Make people curious by putting something inside an envelope, like a foreign coin or refrigerator magnet. If you make them wonder what’s inside and you can be sure they’ll open it.
30. Use texture. Printing on heavy, textured stock will cause the reader to pay more attention to the text on the page.
31. Choose well-placed, high-quality clip art to support your text or illustrate a point.
32. Scan items to create unusual graphics, while adding visual excitement and interest.
33. A picture is worth a thousand words! Use graphs and charts where appropriate.
34. Enlarge a small object, like a pin or penny, to make a point.
35. Use a bold, silhouetted image to convey your message while drawing the reader’s eye to the text.
36. Angle elements (text or objects) in the page layout to draw attention to them.
37. Zoom-in on faces when using photography in your printed materials.
38. Use special effects to make clip art “pop” off the page.
39. Use pop-ups and die-cuts to draw attention to special print mailings.
40. Communicate your concept three dimensionally. A ribbon attached to an image of a finger conveys “don’t forget,” while a penny taped to a reply card conveys “a penny for your thoughts.”
41. Create a magnification effect by zooming in on one portion of your image or exaggerating a portion of your text.
42. A rubber stamped image that represents your business can draw attention to envelopes, postcards, packages, or wherever else you put it!
43. Use coupons to draw attention while calling readers to action.
44. Create eye-catching movement by “tumbling” text or graphics for the reader to follow down the page.
45. Use fun type effects to “play off” your text, e.g. put the word SMILE in a U shape or make the word STRESSED look “stressed out” by stretching and skewing the letters.
46. Use indents and bullets to break up text and draw attention to important points.
47. Use bold, italics, or underline (but not all three) for emphasis.
48. Use a hand-written sticky note. It’s guaranteed to grab attention.
49. Use pull quotes to grab attention to important information contained within the document.
50. Send postcards shaped like your product.

Want more great ideas for impactful marketing?

Give BARQAR’s digital and inbound marketing experts a call!

Whether you’re trying to enhance your brand image, boost sales leads or just “WOW” customers and prospects, our team is up to the challenge.