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When planning an annual conference it is easy to consider things like giveaways and printed materials as mere extra expenses, but these types of items can be critical to the success of your conference and also add an element of validity and professionalism to your brand. When planning an annual conference, branded-printed materials are some of the most important materials you can get your hands on. If you choose carefully, they can be easy and inexpensive as well. A conference giveaway does not have to be extravagant to get members attention and communicate value. It’s important that the materials represent your brand, service a practical and lasting purpose, are visually appealing, and convey fun. That’s why you should consider such conference giveaways as stickers, notepads, folders, pencils, pens, calendars and day planners as potential giveaways to enhance your attendees’ annual conference experience. In fact, giving away something that is as…

For conference presenters and planners, it can be difficult to get information from academics and scholars who are scheduled to speak. And, unfortunately, not all presenters have the foresight or the time to send in materials early. Because presenters may have incredibly busy schedules, it can be difficult to get presentation materials beforehand. So, how do you get presentation materials beforehand to help ensure a great presentation and a successful conference? Nag the presenters. It really is that simple… To really get the materials in advance, you need to nag the presenters! I know that this may, in some respects, sound terrible. But, most of the individuals whom you will schedule for a presentation, will have other responsibilities and so some gentle and creative nudging, or not so gentle, may be necessary. In order to get materials ready, you can start a small direct mail campaign where you send out…

Anyone who knows about Shepard Fairey’s accidental success stemming from his 1989 “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker campaign knows that stickers aren’t just for elementary school success. Stickers can be integral to a successful cross marketing campaign. To get you started, here are 5 good reasons to consider stickers for your next round of printed material giveaways: Branding- How to resonate: Branding is the part of your marketing efforts that stick with your consumer or organization members. Additionally, stickers are relatively inexpensive giveaways, which makes them a great way to brand your organization or product. For example, with Shepard Fairey’s branding, despite his having little to do with the current OBEY clothing line, it is still recognized as his brand. He is the OBEY sticker guy. He has been since 1989. Shareable- It isn’t just for social media: Stickers are shareable! Not only should you give them to…

Well-rounded marketing campaigns should be diverse, and would benefit from using a variety of different tools. Printed collateral such as mailers, brochures and signs can work in tandem with online strategies such as email campaigns, social media posts, and user friendly websites. Having elements of print, and web marketing can be beneficial (link to 5 reasons print is still necessary blog), but it can be challenging finding a designer that understands the elements of both. Many freelancers and design firms either specialize in print, or in online pieces, and sometimes the results don’t translate between the different media. This can make it difficult to seamlessly move concepts and branding between the two worlds. Using a printer with an in-house designer will help you make the most of your marketing campaign, and here are four reasons why. 1. The Space for Design Varies. In print, your design is naturally limited by…

Creatives are gaining traction in the professional world with the continued emphasis on the web and graphic design. As a result, competition is steep when trying to compose the most effective, fresh, and creative designs. No matter if you are a career professional composing your own designs, a business novice or a designer just starting out, following these six quick tips will enable you to create the best possible print designs. 1.       Branding – It all starts here Because your brand is essentially how consumers view your product and service, it goes way beyond the company logo and customized letterhead. When designing your brand, remember that it is the overall look of the company, and it should be recognizable in many forms. For branding in your print design, try to be memorable but also simple, making the company visually recognizable. For example, “When a brand identity really works, you…

It can be difficult when tackling a large printing project to determine if offset printing or digital printing is more cost effective. Here is a brief explanation of the two and their respective cost formulas to help you determine which is best for your printing needs the next time you head out to the print shop. http://akulakreative.com/2012/12/digital-vs-offset-printing/ First, we need to consider how both are priced and then we can compare the two. We’ll start with digital since it is easier to explain: Our Konica Minolta color printer in the office! Our digital presses are not unlike what you have at home with the exception of their sophistication and capabilities. Both home printers and professional digital printers print directly from the file, and when the print comes out, it’s ready to go into bindery. The cost formula for digital pricing: Setup + Clicks (Print Cost) + Paper Cost + Bindery…