Creating Pamphlets Will Add Value To Your Business

One of the simplest things any company can do if they want to increase their awareness is to directly target people (who will hopefully turn into customers) via pamphlets. These pamphlet designs can be as straight forward as only having one or two folds, and they can be amazingly effective at conveying a simple, direct message to your target audience.

The things to remember to include in your pamphlet are

• Your company name and logo! Absolutely vital, and if you do not have a logo, why not get that job done at the same time as your pamphlet?
• Your unique selling point - make sure your potential customers know what sets you apart from the competition.
• A success story - show everyone what you have achieved, having proof will reassure the person reading your pamphlet.
• Include your contact details! Don't wait until the end of the pamphlet to tell them how to contact you - sometimes people will require your service straight away and will not want to have to search for a number or email address. Put the details on the front page, and repeat them again at the end.
• Try not to use too many colours or over complicated images - simple sells, and customers won't get confused along the way.

When a company decides to make pamphlets, it is usual to employ someone to design them, and then to send this design to be printed. The print costs are actually fairly cheap considering the amount of material you will receive. The main outlay, and the thing that is hardest to get right is the design, and in order to create pamphlets that convey the right message, it is imperative to consult the right designer.

Don't forget that once you develop a relationship with a graphic designer, and you both know what the vision is for the company, it is very easy to continue after the pamphlet design and move onto logo's, brochures and company stationary.

How to Make Your Own Brochure

Whether you are a small business, a large business, a charity or just a group that meets once a week in your local community, there is a lot to be said for promoting your cause with a brochure. It is one of the easiest ways to let people take something of you with them, and it acts as a reminder in the future.

But how do you go about designing a leaflet (which is a great alternative to a brochure if budgets are tight), a pamphlet or a brochure? Well if you are part of a large organisation you might be able to persuade a manager to let you buy the required software. If you do then congratulations, because it is not cheap! Then of course you will need to find someone to operate it, and that in itself can have massive cost implications. You will either need a trained staff member, or you will have to send some for the relevant training.

If you are planning to use the software a lot, and have a dedicated part of your business set up for brochure design as well as other marketing materials like business cards and letter headed paper it can be quite a good investment. You will have to strike a balance between the cost of the dedicated employee and the software upgrades against the output in terms of new material.

The other option is to outsource your design needs to a company which is already set up to produce brochures, create pamphlets, letterheads, and anything else you might need as a company, whether as a one off, or as an ongoing contract.

The main benefit of working this way is that you will be able to state exactly what you require, and the company will come back to you with a design to suit your needs. This takes all of the stress out of the process, and also means that you will have professional people who are familiar with the software working on your project.

There are many large companies that offer this service. But as with many multinational corporations in today's financial climate, they are generally only going for the big long term contracts which are their bread and butter. You will probably find that by getting a quote from a large company, they will be at the top end of your budget, and the service which you will receive will not match the price you pay (based on the fact they are looking after the big boys first).

Luckily for the smaller guys like us who want similar results, there is a solution - the ever growing number of private or independent graphic designers who have a passion for design rather than a passion for making their bosses richer.

These guys have the software and the know-how to create wonderfully designed brochures or leaflets. Anything that the big firms can do. What you will get with an independent guy, is someone who has to perform time and again, because it is his livelihood. If his work is not top notch, he will not get the recommendations he needs to get more work. This simple part of their business model means invariably you will get a designer who is committed to providing what their client wants, to the very highest standards.

Here are a few things to consider when you are researching an independent graphic designer:

A good sign that you have found a designer that can get you the results you are looking for is that he is busy. Beware any designer that says he can start work as soon as you hang up the phone! He is not busy for a reason... I'll leave you to work that one out.

Another good place to look is at their previous work - so ask to see their portfolio. Ask the designer if you can't see what you hoped for. But remember it is your money, so walk away if you don't like what you see.

Make sure you have your design brief ready when you make your calls or send your emails. Be as specific as you can with what you want. If you give a fluffy description of what you want, the chances are that you will not receive the design you thought you would. Be specific about colours, shapes, sizes and content. Of course you are paying the designer to be creative, so don't put barriers at every turn, let them have some freedom, but limit it to your requirements. It will save a lot of time reworking designs (which might cost you more, especially if your brief was not up to scratch).

Creating a brochure is something that can give your company or organisation the added publicity it needs. Make sure you choose the right people for the job and get them to make your own brochure, starting today.