By Steve MacAulay

I've never really liked business cards. I don't know quite why, but ours has always been a stormy relationship. I either forgot to carry them or I'd get back from a trade fair with 75 of them, 2 of which were of any real use and then I'd get cold called by people I could barely remember. I very rarely like the standardised design or the comic attempts at being different. Then there's the question of titles and what information to put on the bloody thing. Do we really need to put the fax number?

Obviously, there's not much we can do about the business card if the company has a stock design. However, I believe that we should all carry another personal card. If the card is so important, then we definitely need our own personal version.

Whilst reading this advice, if you like any of what you read, then start to build a desire to accomplish it. Then make the desire burn, by adding fuel to it. This is how you'll get it done.

The new card should connect with your own personal website. This is the key to a whole universe of tactics and strategies that will enhance your career exponentially. The site is based on a WordPress and hosted by DreamHost and together you have the business card's big brother. And he's mean. By getting your own domain and setting up a blogsite entirely for professional purposes, you will have a very powerful tool at your disposal. And when your supercharge it with our very own DreamList, you have a crm system with teeth and attitude.

Your card is the first opportunity you have to spark the interest of your prospective client. Plus, done right it doesn't really matter if they become a client or not as there's great value to be had in the word of mouse (David Meerman Scott's phrase). Done right, you have a beautiful double helix of offline leading to online traffic. Over time this can only lead to subscribers, list members and even clients. Think about it; If 80% of the cards you handed out actually had a measureable benefit. On a repeat basis. Interested? Then here we go;

Most of us have considered a Facebook page and probably have a LinkedIn profile, but how useful is that when everybody else has one? And it's bigger and better than yours, and they have more friends than you do. Every time. Both these services are great, but it's not enough. You need to go one step further.

You may have noticed on a LinkedIn profile, there's a fast connection to your WordPress blog. And, you may also have noticed that if you Google your name, you stand a very high chance of getting on the front page if you have a LinkedIn profile. This becomes quite useful. You've got an immediate front page listing on the web. But how can this be fully leveraged? Read on an I'll show you. There's two ways. Organic, through the keywords and tags and such that you optimise on your LinkedIn profile and your blog, and then through your name being searched.

Back to the business card. What you need is a personal card that carries your blogsite url in big letters across the middle. No phone numbers, no email and no bloody fax number. Even your name becomes optional. Well, nearly.

So you've got the card. Blogsite address across the middle, name over the top in smaller text. If you insist on a title then go for something like chief negotiator, rebel-in-chief, underground, press officer, chief archivist, editor or something untraditional. That's it. No other coordinants. Because the rest would be available at the other end if they're sufficiently impressed to sign up at your site for more. On the back of the card, you can also put 3 interesting and provocative statements of intent. We'll cover them later.

When you present your corporate card, you then present the personal card with a quick suggestion that they might find it interesting. Which they will. In fact, they'll be occassions when your own card alone, would get the job done better.

At the site they will find 5 articles, written by you and covering the biggest issues facing your industry and your clients and insider tips on how to find the right provider. They will also see 5 10 minute screencasts outlining similar issues or, better yet, even more information. A screencast, by the way, involves capturing whatever is on your screen using ScreenFlow, Camtasia or CamStudio. That could be a slide presentation, narrated by you or some analysis of a burning issue. Throw in 3 podcasts featuring a few interviews of interest to your peers, and you have set up your Digital Business Card.

And it's very easy and inexpensive to accomplish. Don't do it for free by setting up a blog at WordPress.com. That's not the best way, no matter what you think. If you go over to .experts we'll show you how to do it right. We've created over 20 videos taking you step by step through the whole thing. And we offer a 50% discount on your first year's hosting. You should check it out, it's very cunning.

Your domain name could be your own name or something more creative that's connected to your business. I must stress, this blogsite will never see anything personal being posted. This is 100% for professional purposes.

So what about the back of those cards, ...or is it the front? On the reverse side place 3 bullet points that say something about what you can provide and help them with. All the information on your blogsite should be aimed at helping the client with helpful information, it's not for selling your wares. Let them know what to expect at your site. Stuff like; Analysis of the ______ Industry, Improve Your ______ Immediately, Insider Tips To ______ Better. Basically, state your intention in plain view. When they read these three statements, they will practically have to take a look at the site. If they don't, they're not interested enough.

The best way to sell in the modern economy, is not to sell. But, that's another article. The fact that remains is that it is imperative that you go beyond telling them about your products or services. So the bullet points could also tell people what to expect at your site. Tips & Tricks for Purchasing A New Roof, Insider Analysis of Freight Logistics or Security Locks Exposed. 3 lines that tell them that you go further than bland traditional marketing.

This is a brilliant system, that works wonders if you're prepared to invest a little time, effort and money. But, it's less than 100 bucks for a smoothe professional set up that has great power once you understand it better. If you're interested in some free videos covering the subject in greater detail then head over to our http://dotexperts.com members section.

Steve MacAulay is one of the team at http://dotexperts.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_MacAulay

Steve MacAulay - EzineArticles Expert Author

By Michael J Sullivan

When you are just beginning your new home based business, one of the greatest challenges you will face is how to get customers coming to your website.

Most of us know that we will need to advertise at some point. Most people have the idea that is necessary to spend large amounts of money in order to advertise their home based business. Because of this misconception, they give up before even getting started. This is a shame. With a little creativity and some fiscal responsibility, advertising can work even with a small budget.

Before you begin your journey into the world of advertising, I would like to share some general ideas that I have learned. (Many were learned the hard way)

One of the first things that should be pointed out is that advertising does not have to be an expensive proposition. With good planning and more importantly, with effective testing, the cost can be manageable.

Testing in advertising is a critical component. If you immediately start spending your money without first testing your advertising, you will find yourself
penniless and without any sales. Most people who fail to test, and thus fail to profit,
blame their failure on the home based business they chose or the economy or any number of other reasons. Don't be one of these!

When you begin advertising your home based business, it should be done in small segments. If you were to place ads simultaneously in a number of different media you would not have any idea which ad is bringing in the profits or which ad is a total bust. That method is no better than buying lottery tickets. You need to know what works and what doesn't. Choose one media to start and follow the results closely. Tweak your ad and chart your results. Make small changes only. Keep up this process until you get the results you want.

Once you have accomplished that, you then might start to spend more money on your ad. You might expand it to other media. Again do so in a way that allows you to chart your results. Another medium may not work as well as the first one you tried.

Not all advertising has to dollar intensive. There are a number of other means that cost very little.

• Word of Mouth can be very effective. However, I know that many people are fearful of embarrassment if they fail. If you are one of these, I say congratulate yourself for having the courage to do what many don't. Go for it! There is absolutely no dollar cost for this method of advertising. Tell every person you meet or come in contact with. Send an email to every one in your contact list.

• Business cards are an absolute must. I am always receiving solicitations from Vista print offering 250 or sometimes 500 personalized cards for $1.99. That is the cost of a morning coffee. You can easily find them on the internet. Give a card to everyone you see. You can also post them on community bulletin boards in places like your local supermarkets.

• Press releases are another inexpensive avenue. These are simple to write and can be posted on the internet. There are a number of free directories for the posting as well as hints on how to structure your own press release. It is simply an announcement detailing your home based business with contact information. The cost here is virtually nothing.

• Writing articles like this one is an absolutely FREE method of advertising. With a little research you can put together 500 - 700 word articles that you can post on the internet using sources like ezinearticles.com.

Finally, remember that advertising can be a fairly complicated adventure. However, with some basic knowledge and some perseverance on your part, it will bring your business to the place you dreamed of when you first decided to start your home based business.

At DCMProfits we are offering a simple and fast turnkey setup for your own home based business using the internet. We will include your own website set up for you in as little as 24 hours, affiliate partners and all of the training (a 30 day quick start program to follow) necessary for you to succeed. Get started now! Go to http://www.DCMProfits.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J_Sullivan

By Jenny Schweyer

Most every business has already invested in at least one type of promotional gift. Business giveaways have long been one of the most cost-effective means of direct business advertising. Pens, mugs and keychains are among the most popular, and every business should invest in one of these staples of advertising. But when it's time to take it to the next level, seasonal promotional gifts provide extra memorability and impact.

Seasonal promotional gifts refer to business giveaways that correspond to a particular season. Many business owners/managers think of holidays, like Christmas, when they hear the word "seasonal." While that term can apply to holiday giving, it really refers to any season. It may include the seasons of the year (spring, summer, etc.), or it may refer to more specific seasons, like "golf season" or "graduation season."

The major advantages to distributing business giveaways that correspond with a particular season are twofold. First, items that correspond with the current season tend to stick in the mind of the giver. Your business name gets imprinted in the receiver's mind faster, and will be retained longer that with other types of promotional gifts.

Secondly, seasonal promotional gifts tend to get used faster and more frequently than other types of handouts. For example, a barbecue gift set that is given to a customer in June will likely get used within days or weeks of receipt. The faster and more often the barbecue set gets used by the receiver, the more impact your business' name will have on his/her consciousness.

This list of suggestions, broken down into the four seasons of the year, may help you get started ordering your seasonal promotional gifts:

* Spring: Nice weather and new life characterize this season. Focus on items that take advantage of growth and warm days. Garden and barbecue tools are just two examples. Spring is also time to celebrate graduations, so graduate gifts like watches or commemorative picture frames are memorable. Outdoor toys and fitness items like flyers and jump ropes also make great spring promos.

* Summer: Get your customers ready for sunshine, surf and travel! Beach toys and water bottles are perfect for a day at the seaside. Sun hats and beach umbrellas will help protect them from the sun while they're there. Glow items like bracelets and glow sticks are fun for night-time activities. Camping gear (flashlights, pocket multi-tools, etc.) are another practical suggestion for promos for the outdoors lover. Summer also means more road travelers, so promos like customized flares, roadside emergency and first aid kits make helpful business giveaways.

* Autumn: Fall means back to school for children all the way up to college students. Send them back with monogrammed pencils, computer accessories, desk/office supplies, calculators and other electronics promos. Sports/duffel bags or laundry bags also make practical student gifts. Or, help get ready for the big homecoming game with promos that fans will love using, like noisemakers, pom poms, megaphones and more.

* Winter: It's the season of colder weather and maybe even snow, depending on your location. Jackets and ski caps will keep your valued customers warm when it's chilly outside. Ice scrapers are practical for frosty mornings. And of course, winter brings Christmas and Hanukkah, the perfect time for giving wine kits, glasses and accessories, candle holders or holiday-themed items. Don't forget to stock up on promotional calendars for the New Year that's just around the corner.

Don't pass up on mugs and pens: these staples will always be appropriate and efficient for everyday giving. But for maximum advertising impact, try investing in seasonal promotional gifts at least once in the coming year. You'll likely find that dollar for dollar, these types of business giveaways pack the most punch.

Jenny Schweyer is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest.

Art Promos: YOUR PARTNER IN BUSINESS ADVERTISING. WE CARRY A COMPLETE LINE OF SEASONAL PROMOTIONAL GIFTS.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Schweyer

By Billings Farnsworth

Have you ever stopped to think about how many signs there are in America? Literally just about ever single thing from restaurants to airports to roads have signs of some sort. Signs have become a very important part of the American society mainly because they are easy ways to inform people and label things. Because signs have become such an important part of society, they have also become a very important part of the political campaign society. Political campaigns, from the local level to the presidential level, utilize signs because they allow people to understand what sorts of things that political campaigns stand for.

Even if you are just running for a local campaign, using a political sign can be a really great tool to get your name out there. More than likely, CNN and Fox News are not going to be covering your political run, so it is basically up to you to get your name and your cause out there. Well, there are only a handful of things that help people determine who they are going to vote for in an election. The first things that people look for is their party. People tend to vote along with their party if they haven't actually researched the candidates. The next way they vote is by name recognition. Name recognition could be really easy and could be accomplished just by putting up a bunch of political signs all over the town you are running in. The more people that see the signs, the more people you are going to have vote for you. Simple as that.

Poli Graphics (http://www.signrocket.com/) creates political campaign signs. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billings_Farnsworth

By Billings Farnsworth
There are a lot of reasons why people use campaign signs to promote themselves or their causes. Although this may seem like somewhat of a primitive idea in a day full of technology and computers, putting a simple campaign sign on someone's lawn really has a great impact on the voter turnout and the initiatives that people take to learn more about the runner, their party, or their cause. If you are looking to run a campaign in the near future, here are just a few benefits that you can do in order to make sure that your campaign signs are as useful as possible.

Before you start putting down signs, get a map of the area and figure out exactly where the high target areas are. Look for areas that have a lot of people passing by them on a regular basis. These areas could include freeway entrances, or grassy areas near big businesses such as Wal-mart of the local mall. Make sure that you use those areas and put the majority of your time and effort in those areas.

You need to make sure you get all of the proper authority to put those signs down. Get your paperwork down as quickly as possible and file that paperwork in a neat and tidy fashion so that you can have them on quick reference.

Like mentioned before, get the community to help out. Find local people who want to put their signs in their yard. People love to see that other people support you, so find supporters and utilize their yards.

Poli Graphics (http://www.signrocket.com/) creates political campaign signs. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billings_Farnsworth

Life today has become very monotonous. People have become so busy in their areas of work that they literally have no time to even smile and be happy. There are a few things that can bring back the lost charm and joy to everyone's life. Gifts are one of the ideal ways to express one's love, care, affection, respect and gratitude. Every individual would feel very elated and special on receiving gifts. This has given an opportunity to the corporate world to use specially selected products as a major source of their business promotion.

Promotional gifts are one of the powerful marketing strategies which the business can rely upon to enhance their product sales. Any attractive message or concerned logo of a company can be printed on the chosen products. These gifts help to draw the attention of customers and bring up their expectations which in turn allow the company to create a niche and build a strong reputation in the market. However it is important for these businesses to identify the target audience. These audiences could be the ordinary people, the employees or the clients who are associated with the corporate and can also be seen as targets to which these giveaways can be given.

Many products are seen as promotional gifts. Watches, photo frames, wallets, coffee and printed mugs, keyrings, pens, calendars, pen stands and business bags are the some of the most widely used items for promoting the business and brand of many corporate companies. These items can be given to employees during many business events and special occasions as a token of appreciation. This not only motivates them to enhance their performance but also creates an everlasting impression about the company they are working for.

The promotional gifts also play a major role in assuring the associated clients of the business of a successful collaboration which would bring both of them huge profits. This in turn leads to a continued business relationship between the two. The corporation can invite a lot of people during the launch of their new business product and distribute several different products to all. This would help in creating a gateway for new business relations. These can also be given to the general public when they purchase any specific products and thereby their attention could be captivated.

Thus using these types of printed products are a blessing in disguise for both small and large businesses which helps them to attain faster success.

Lottie Carrot works in the promotional gifts industry for Argon Promotions, the leading company in terms of innovative business gift ideas. Lottie works closely with businesses to help market their products and services by providing information and help in the selection of suitable promotional gifts for their advertising campaigns.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lottie_Carrot

There are a few key things that make the difference in how successful yard and garage sales are. If the steps are timed right and applied consistently the time devoted to selling items you no longer want can be very profitable in yard sales in the Union County, NC. Marketing and presentation are as important to a successful garage sale in Union County, NC as any retail store sale being held downtown.

Marketing a garage sale in Union County, NC can be inexpensive and effective when online bulletin boards are made use of. Posting a notice of the date, time and location of yard sales in the Union County, NC a week or two in advance will give people time to plan to come to the sale. Indicating the number of families involved and nature of the items that can be found will bring people to the sale that are interested in purchasing those items. You can have excellent items for sale at reasonable prices but unless the people that are looking for such items know you have them for sale they may continue to take up space in your garage. List the items clearly and in as many places as you can think of that potential buyers may be. The use of artistic colorful signs at various junctions is also a great way to draw buyers to your sale.

The curb appeal of yard sales in the Union County, NC can be improved upon by applying the same strategic positioning techniques used in grocery stores. Have the items for sale laid out neatly and organized in a manner that makes it easy for the buyers to see all the different options available. Display both high dollar and thrift priced items within view of the other. Position items that attract men in clear view of the road but in such a way that requires moving through the other items for sale. Tools, hunting and fishing equipment, appliances and hobby equipment are examples of what you want prominently listed and displayed. Yard sales in the Union County, NC as well as any other area in the United States today are being frequented by more people than ever before looking for ways to make their money go further. Used items that are clean, displayed nicely and priced reasonably are in eagerly purchased by consumers today.

Clear and reasonable pricing is another key element that can make a Saturday garage sale in Union County, NC a profitable event. Clear pricing does not necessarily mean tagging each item but make sure you have a large sign indicating your pricing structure be it by item type or a colored dot system.

Finally, make it fun for yourself and those that come to your sale. Yard sales this week Union County, NC may number in the dozens but if you have done the foot work your sale will be successful. You can play the music, greet browsers with a smile and chat with them in order to attract them. Your positive attitude can generate dollars.

KT Stone is the creator and forum manager for http://www.ThisIsUnionCounty.com - a web bulletin board which provides you with a free advertising space for yard sales in the Union County NC area. The site also offers opportunities for individuals hosting a Garage sale in Union County, NC to connect with those looking for good buys in the Yard Sales this week Union County, NC.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KT_Stone

Going to the doctor is only the first step. Generally there are prescriptions or other supplies that must be purchased according to the doctor's recommendation. The local pharmacy is the easiest place to go to get any prescription filled as well as pick up over the counter pain medicine or other supplies.

Cheap magnetic signs are a great way for local pharmacies to advertise their services. In addition to medicine many pharmacies also offer customers several other features. Some pharmacies offer medical supplies. So for people who are diabetic they may be able to get their supplies such as needles, glucose testing machines or other accessories. This is very convenient for those people who are diabetic because they can pick up their insulin or other medicine as well as the supplies they need to check their glucose level. This prevents people from having to go several different places to get all of their medical needs. Pharmacies should advertise the various medical supplies that they have available for their customers.

Insurance is also important when it comes to getting prescriptions filled. Some smaller locally owned pharmacies can only accept certain insurance carrier. It is a good idea to use cheap magnetic signs to list the insurance carriers that are accepted. This is very helpful to customers because it lets them know exactly what their options are. One insurance company may not accept their insurance but another local pharmacy might. The idea is to attract potential customers. Local pharmacies have to compete against larger chains so it is important that they appeal to the public. Many people think local pharmacies are higher and may not have many of the medicines that they need. Using signs to talk about the vast variety of services and medicines that they carry might help to stop some of the doubt.

Pharmacies will also help customers with their prescriptions. Most pharmacies will answer any questions that people may have about their medicines. This is a very important service because with the vast amount of medicines on the market many people are confused when they have to start taking multiple medicines. Some pharmacies will take blood pressures, administer flu shots and other services. Cheap magnetic signs are a great way to advertise about the specialized services and to invite individuals to come and take advantage of them. Many of the services are free so it is important to keep the public informed.

For more information or to order your cheap magnetic signs today visit Esign.com - the place for all your magnetic sign needs.

Attention Ezine Publishers Copyright Information: You are free to use this article on your website as long as the resource box containing all live links is published along with the author's name. You can not republish this article in part or whole without the resource box.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Viktoria_Carella

There are a lot of elements that need to come together in order to achieve faster, better and more affordable brochure printing. From brochure templates to bulk wholesale printing, each element plays its part.

To make it easier for everyone to know how to combine these things, we have made this guide. This "brochure code" is basically your easy gateway to brochure printing in the best way possible for your business or personal goals. So to be enlightened, just read on below.

Making brochure printing faster

Thou shall use templates - one very good way is to use brochure templates. Using brochure templates quickens the design process for your brochures, which typically is the longest part of the whole process. With templates, all you need to do is to add your designs and content to the appropriate places. No brainstorming or professional training involved. Just enter and submit. So use those templates to gain that extra time advantage.

Thou shall avail of fast printers - Also, to quicken the printing process, you must try to hire a printing company that has fast printing and delivery services. Many offer several great turnaround time guarantees in brochure printing, but the best should be the ones with overnight printing and delivery. By using those kinds of fast printers you would be able to get your brochures where and when you want them.

Making brochure printing better

Thou shall hire professionals for the content - To make your brochure quality better, you must always try to hire professionals for your content. No amateurs should touch your design. Professionals always know what they are doing to brochures, and while expensive initially, they should save you several hundred dollars in additional printing since there will not be printing errors to speak of that usually happen when amateurs take lead of your content.

Thou shall use high quality materials - You can also improve the quality of your brochure by simply using high quality materials in the prints. Expensive, thick and glossy paper, with special weather resistant inks is the one you should usually go for. This gives the appearance of being a professional printed document, making the brochure more believable and impressive.

Making brochure printing more affordable

Thou shall search exhaustively for the best printers - To make your brochures affordable, you should always search for the right printer with the right prices. Not all brochure printers are the same and some think that their service should be more expensive than others should. Therefore, you need to search more exhaustively and avoid those expensive ones. With some luck and a little determination, you should find one that offers affordable prices with the same quality prints. Just use the Internet. There are plenty to choose from there.

Thou shall print in bulk - Also, to make your printing still more affordable, it is good to try to print in bulk or to go for wholesale printing. The larger your orders are, the more affordable each print becomes. It is best to do all your prints in one batch to avail of this discount then to print several batches at the higher rate. By doing this, you should save a lot of money in brochure printing, especially when you look at it in a more long-term perspective.

Therefore, that is the brochure code for faster, better and more affordable brochure printing. Remember them well and your brochures will always be the best that you can produce.

Kaye Z. Marks is an avid writer and follower of the developments in brochure templates or brochure printing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Marks

Advertising is very important for a business. Be it a parlor, grocery shop or eatery. Having such type of neon sign on the entrance can grab the attention of customers. Being durable in nature, this type of neon sign is effective for business advertising and promotion. Business owner can buy business neon sign from an online store. They are available in bright colors and in many shapes. They provide instant visibility and are quite efficacious when it comes to getting the correct message across the customer. Neon sign can be hung on the store walls so that the business owner can point to specific products and services that they sell. Business neon signs can be seen in bars, night clubs, theatres, lounges, a café shop, fast food outlet, specialty restaurant or an ice cream parlor. Other stores like pharmacy, medical, convenience and rental also use this technique to attract customers.

Neon open signs are eye catching, attractive and enhance any business or room of your home. You can attract more customers by letting them know that you are open with a Neon open sign. Neon open signs pull potential customers in with cost effective and powerful advertising. What better place to implant a visible, intense and permanent message for your company. This type of neon sign can be used in liquor stores, specialty shops and smaller storefronts. The best thing about open neon sign is that they can make your customers know that you are open and ready to serve them with a neon open sign. This type of neon sign is ideal for store windows also. Some of the neon signs used in the market are Drive through Neon sign, Vertical, Horizontal and ATM etc.

Clocks are available in different forms from quartz watches to atomic clocks. But due to advancement in technology, a new eye-catching product was found known as Neon Clocks. Neon clocks can be used for personal and business purpose. Nowadays many retail outlets have neon clocks in their shops so that they can attract more customers. This type of clock can be used in a café shop, car dealership store etc. A café shop may be specializing in Cappuccino, so if you have a cappuccino picture in the neon clock it can attract more customers. A car dealer selling porches might have a porches picture blinking inside the clock. Neon clocks can be put up inside homes. Many neon clocks have cartoon characters which are specially designed for children. Such type of clock can be hung in the bedrooms or washrooms. Pictures inside the clock also play a major role in giving these neon clocks a great look. Popular examples are Coca Cola, Jack Daniels Whiskey, Harley Davidson, NFL pictures etc. They are available in various colors like white, orange, green, blue, yellow and many more.

Peter is a SEO copywriter for Business Neon Signs. Neon Beer Signs, Neon Sign Bar, Neon Clocks. He written many articles like Custom Neon Signs, Metal Signs, Neon Lighting. For more information visit our site myneonhaven.com. Contact him through mail at myneonhaven@gmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brayan_Peter

Poster printing is one of the most popular means of marketing any business. In fact, when a marketer is put task on what collaterals to come up with when promoting one's business, print posters would definitely be on top of the list. Posters are just that common when it comes to marketing collaterals.

Poster printing is not that difficult to produce. Designing it is simple enough that you can even do it yourself if you do not have enough budget for a professional to design one for you. However, there is always such a thing as a professionally designed one and homemade print posters. The latter do come off as, well, homemade, that many of your target audience might find you unprofessional and amateurish when it comes to running a business.

So even if you decide to do a "homemade" poster, bear in mind that you still need to provide your target clients with the same sophistication and professionalism as if an expert graphic designer made your print posters for you. Remember then to steer clear of these no-no when printing posters to promote your business:

1. Do NOT clutter please.
Poster printing design is simple. You do not need to complicate things by providing overly complex and intricate design just so you can come off as someone who is skilled at designing. You are only confusing your target readers with your design. There is such a thing as simple and clean design. Keeping it clean and straightforward can help your target readers to easily understand your message and respond to it right away. It is not about shoving every element you know in your collateral. Rather, it is about choosing the right elements that would emphasize your message to your target clients.

2. Do NOT write long messages.
Posters are well known for their direct and brief messages as people often pass by them in a matter of seconds. Hence, your target readers should be able to grasp your message in as fast as 10 seconds. If you have a very long message, you will more than likely lose your opportunity to say what you want to say. The rule of thumb is to always keep your message short and simple.

3. Do NOT put too many images.
One main message is enough for your poster design. Do not put too many elements that your target audience gets confused and overwhelmed by your design. Your images have two objectives - to attract the attention of your target audience, and to emphasize your message.

4. Do NOT choose fonts that are very hard to read and only confuse your target audience rather than enhance your message.
Your message is useless if your readers cannot make heads or tails of your text. They will not make an effort to decipher your message in just a few seconds. They can always read other posters and have whatever they need from other marketing collaterals.

As there are tips that you can do to enhance your marketing strategy; there are also things that you should NOT do to keep your marketing collaterals effective. Using these tips to help you provide a more effective marketing tool can go a long way in getting you the leads you need to grow your business.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Print Posters

Janice Jenkins is a writer for a marketing company in Chicago, IL. Mostly into marketing research, Janice started writing articles early 2007 to impart her knowledge to individuals new to the marketing industry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Jenkins

Advertising is everywhere. There are ads online, on TV, radio, buses, billboards, magazines, newspapers, movies, public benches, stadiums and even on bathroom stalls! Consumers are inundated with messages at every turn. Small businesses must participate in this battle for a share of the consumer's mind or risk not being heard. The challenge is how to join this conversation and effectively promote your product or service without being drowned out. Three tips on using advertising to increase sales and profits for small businesses are below.

1. Don't assume you can't afford traditional advertising. Because of the recession, some of the traditional media that have been historically out of reach for small business, are somewhat affordable. This includes radio and TV. Call your local stations and see what kind of deal you can negotiate.

2. Include your name, logo, web address, sell line and telephone number on all your marketing materials --- business cards, letter head, email signature block, envelopes, shipping boxes...everywhere. This will increase awareness of your business.

3. Take advantage of free advertising. Place flyers and business cards your target is likely to see at businesses that allow free distribution. Also, list your business on free classified sites online.

Small Businesses who have applied these techniques have increased their sales and profits. You can experience the same, along with stronger branding of your business, greater awareness and increased customer counts. To learn more about increasing your small business sales and profits, visit the Association of Small Business Marketers website.

Darryl Mobley is the founder and CEO of the Association of Small Business Marketers. Darryl L. Mobley invites you to get the free audio report for small businesses, "5 Things You Do That Stop You From Increasing Your Business Sales" at http://Free.TASBM.com The Association of Small Business Marketers provides you access to the world's best small business marketing experts and their proven business-building strategies so you can increase your sales and profits. Get list of benefits at: http://www.AssociationOfSmallBusinessMarketers.com ©2009 Darryl Mobley. All Rights Reserved.

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