NextDayFlyers.com Blog

Effortless School Fundraising and University Rewards Program

Karen Daniels — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:31:36 +0000

Back to School Means Fundraising

Next Day Flyers has a partnership rewards program for schools and universities. Schools and other educational institutions select us as their official online printer and we provide a special landing page, unique to that school. Then associated families, friends, alumni, and staff, raise funds simply by ordering the printing they need through the special page. We provide, at no cost, the online means and technical support for the program to succeed.

Here’s How Easy It Is:

Select Next Day Flyers as your official online printer – Free
Your School or University gets a custom internet address with Landing Page – Free
Students, families, friends, alumni, and staff, register and order any needed printing through your page
Every order helps generate rewards for your School or University

Interested? Want to Learn More?

Go to our School Fundraising Page

Go to our University Rewards Page

8 Trends to Tap into for Back to School Marketing

Karen Daniels — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:16:28 +0000

Tapping into trends for your back to school marketing, or any marketing for that matter, can help you improve your ROI. Back to school marketing is not just about products and services that are directly connected to education and kids. Back to school time marks the beginning of the seasonal “spending spree” that typically hits consumers at this time of the year.

This year a lot of companies are combining traditional, with digital and social marketing. The trick is to find the combination that works well for your products and/or services, and to tap into trends to give you that edge. Here are eight trends for you to consider:^{1, 2, 3}

1. Hauls

Several large companies, such as J.C. Penny are tapping into “Look what I got at the store” videos, known as hauls. This consumer generated content mainly involves young women showing off what they’ve bought. And yes, some of the larger stores are now paying for customers to display their hauls on YouTube and other video sites.

2. Aging

Yup, with the large population of aging baby boomers the senior market is growing. This means any way you can associate your products or services with aging is a smart move since this market will only continue to grow.

3. Local Business

The demand for local products is growing so make sure your marketing, whether direct mail or online, specifically targets your local areas.

4. Education

The sagging job market has sent droves of people back to school to retrain, relearn, and reinvent themselves.

5. All things Texas

Austin and Dallas are among The Wall Street Journal’s top Youth Magnet cities. In addition, Texas cities made up half of the Brookings Institution’s list of top 10 strongest metro areas.

6. Affordable Alcohol

The economy hasn’t seemed to slow our alcohol consumption habits. The difference now is we’re drinking more at home and making less expensive selections.

7. Parental Outsourcing

More parents than ever are paying professionals to do their domestic chores and this trend even has a new name; parental outsourcing.

8. Health and Wellness

Healthcare reform, combined with the above mentioned aging baby boomers, are contributing to a growing health and wellness businesses.

Trends are worth knowing as you plan your back to school – and beyond – marketing strategies. As you make your marketing plans and how you’re going to tap into these trends, think innovation. For instance, the Seattle Sorrento Hotel is tapping into the education trend by offering cultural night school for guests (Midnight Symposiums). So don’t settle for been done, when there are a lot of inspiring ideas out there that can give all your Fall campaigns, a smart boost.

Resources

Believe me, I’m Lyon

bradlyon — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:14:27 +0000

Part 1: Making Sense

When I spot a typo on a printed piece, a sign, or a billboard, all of my attention is drawn away from the intent of the message as I try to understand the people responsible for setting the type and proof reading. To me, the credibility of the message is always challenged when typos get past the checkers and get printed, either multiple times on a printed piece, or just once on a sign or billboard that will be read my thousands of people.

A typo that I see often in printed pieces and signs, and usually one of the prominent features of the message, is the misuse of the decimal point in the price of an item. I have seen Dry Cleaners that offer “Shirt Laundering for only .99¢” or a Self Service Yogurt Business that offers their product at “.39¢ per ounce”
I have been tempted to take my shirts to the Dry Cleaners and request that they be laundered for less than a penny each. Perhaps that is what it would take to bring their attention to the error.

The correct format for the pricing would be either 99¢ or $0.99. That zero to the left of the decimal is very important as it shows that the price is less than a whole dollar.

This is just my 2¢ worth… which is 10 times more valuable than my .2¢ worth!

5 Tips for Cultivating Customers with Social Media

Karen Daniels — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:08:49 +0000

Last year Starbucks used the power of social media to drive more than one million people to their stores in one day.¹ Their free pastry day social promotion is a testament to Twitter and Facebook and the power social media has for boosting brand recognition and driving customers to sites and stores. Used correctly for your company, social media can bring in new customers and strengthen relationships with current customers.

1. Share Regularly

You need to share regularly on your social media sites, just as you would with good friends. “If you do not share content regularly enough, you will not be considered a reliable source for your key topic.”² If you don’t have the resources to provide fresh new posts and comments on a pretty regular basis, you may want to wait on using that social channel.

2. Listen Effectively

Effective listening is not just about paying attention to who and how many people you’re following and who are following you, or the keywords you’re tracking, it’s also about the meaning of the conversations. This means someone needs to be actually reading and responding to at least a portion of the social media mentions.

3. Give Reasons for Customers to Follow You

Give customers compelling reasons to follow you. Contests, sweepstakes, and social media coupons are good ways to help build your social media subscriber base.³

4. Appeal to Your Visual Customers with YouTube

Many companies have joined in on Twitter and Facebook conversations. But a great way to boost your online presence and appeal to the more visual customers is with a YouTube video. According to Forrester Research, "any given video in the index stands about a 50 times better chance of appearing on the first page of results than any given text page in the index."⁴ Embed the video onto your site, make sure you put relevant keywords in the video title and tags and promote the video on your other social sites.

5. Don’t Know Where to Go? Ask

If you’re not sure where to begin in the social media arena, then ask your customers which channels they like. It’s more important to go where they are, than to start blank, take a stance, and say, “hey, over here.”

Marketing used to be about getting a big megaphone and shouting about your company attributes and specials. Those days are, for the most part, gone, because what matters a lot more than what you say about your company, is what others say about you. So, you need to take the time to have conversations; conversations that engage current customers, and conversations that give potential customers to choose your company over another.

Resources

15 Dos and Don’ts for Profitable Menu Design

Karen Daniels — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:08:15 +0000

Menus that generate the most profit require time and attention to detail. The overall design needs to reflect the personality and feeling of the restaurant because menus are a key ambassador for your establishment. As a general format, most menus are laid out in a way that follows the natural dining experience – with appetizers first, entrees, and then desserts. And before you dig in, make sure you examine the prices, menus, and websites, of your competition to help determine where and how you can compete.

Menu Dos ^{1, 2, 3}

1. Pay attention to placement of profitable items

1-Page Menu
On a one page menu the point right above the center is the first place most people look.

2-Page Menu
On a two-page menu the customer’s eye will first look above center on the right – a great place to put a profitable item.

3-Page Menu
On three-panel (page) menus, people most often look at the center panel first, and then move counter clockwise.

6-Page Menu

http://www.quantifiedmarketing.com/learning_center/restaurant-menu-design.php

2. Call out special items with asterisks, logos, or boxes (rough rule use 10-15% of menu space for boxing items)
3. Personalize with special names
4. Be colorful
5. Use awesome photographs
6. Upsell by giving detailed descriptions
7. Downsell by using less copy
8. Announce recipe awards
9. Use favorable quotes
10. Mention well known brand name products that mean quality

Menu Don’ts

11. Don’t make the print too small – no one likes to strain to read their choices.
12. Don’t make the menu so big that it is unwieldy to hold
13. Don’t give diners a menu that is stained and worn and clearly been around too long.
14. Don’t use dollar signs – list prices as just a number, and put it after the item description so customers shop items, not prices
15. Don’t ever use unappetizing photos which are worse than no photos at all

Designing menus to enhance your profits is a key component to overall business success. There is a lot of great information out there to help give you the best, most profitable menu. Here are some additional resources:

Next Day Flyers’ Blog:

MCC Libraries

Food Adjectives – Created especially for the FSA 107 Menu Planning course, this web page provides examples of menu phrases and a list of descriptive menu terms.
The Art of the Menu – An article on menu design published in Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper.
Creatively Named Menu Items Sell Better – An article on descriptive menu labeling from the News Bureau at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Designing Profitable Menus – This article from the Restaurant Report website provides guidelines for designing cost efficient menus.
Designing Menus That Sell – An article from the National Restaurant Association which provides tips for designing menus to promote profitable items.
Menu Design: Menu Psychology – Tips on designing menus from the Food Services of America website.
Menu Development and Analysis – An article on the menu development process posted on the Hotel Online website.
Maximize Menu Merchandising Power – Tips on how to create a menu that effectively markets your restaurant.

Article Resources

10 Tips for High-Impact Flyers

Karen Daniels — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:56:12 +0000

Well-designed flyers will grab attention – even when they are surrounded by swarms of other flyers. They are great marketing tools for business and event promotion, and it’s not difficult to make your message pop if you pay attention to a few details.

1. What makes a flyer stand out?

If you know some of the locations where you want to post your flyer, visit those spots ahead of time and check out the existing flyers. Stand back – which ones stand out to you? Why? Looking at finished flyers is a great way to see firsthand what makes a flyer pop.

2. Size matters

Go for the largest flyer size you can afford to help make yours more impressive. The larger the paper, the larger the image you can use and good images can attract lots of attention.

3. Use simple words

Choosing a good contrasting image is important, but you also need to make sure that the words you choose will convey the message you want. Stick to simple words so people can get what you’re saying in a few seconds.

4. Use simple fonts

Select clean, simple fonts – unless your font has to have a specific look like grunge. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than 2 different fonts.

5. White space is good

White space helps make your printed flyer more readable so use plenty of white space and avoid a cluttered look.

6. Develop your look

If you do repeated promotions with flyers, select some elements, such as colors, that are carried over to each flyer so you develop a recognized brand “look.”

7. Include important information

Don’t forget to include contact information, directions, or other important details, such as who, what, when, and why.

8. Sponsors

If your event or activity has sponsors, be sure to include their logo and other important information. The greater your sponsors’ visibility the more likely they are to want to sponsor a future event.

9. Proof carefully!

The last thing you want is 500 printed flyers with a typo or incorrect information.

10. When to post

A good rule of thumb is to post your flyer at least a week ahead of the upcoming event or activity.

When you’re ready to design your flyer and you’re looking for inspiration take a look at these club and event flyer designs. A final note on flyer etiquette; don’t put flyers on parked cars. And if you take down other flyers to make room for yours, only remove those for dates that are already history.

Resources

Next Day Flyers Selected as Official Printer for Taste of the World Festival!

Karen Daniels — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:54:29 +0000

We are proud to announce that the 2010 Los Angeles Taste of the World Festival, produced by AyQueChévere Productions, has selected us as the official online printer!

“By literally constructing five continents over a 22-acre movie studio in downtown LA, we celebrate the food, wine, music, and dance from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas”, states Ray Jelley, President of AyQueChévere Productions. “Our event enables any guest from any background to see, hear, and taste the beauty and traditions characterized by the world’s differing foods and cultures.”

Are You the Next Celebrity Chef?

Taste of the World Festival is searching for Los Angeles’ Next Celebrity Chef. Winner gets prize money -along with bragging rights! Competitors will prepare their best dishes to be judged by Industry peers.

So, if you believe you have the right stuff, and want to put it to the test, request a registration form at info@tasteoftheworldfestival.com

About the Taste of the World Festival

Festival takes place (outdoors) Friday November 5th through Sunday November 7th.

For More Taste of the World Festival Information:

Restaurant & Vendor opportunities - connie@tasteoftheworldfestival.com
Sponsorship opportunities: rjelley@tasteoftheworldfestival.com
Media & Press Inquiries: gentry@tasteoftheworldfestival.com
Event Info Line – 877 45–Taste (877) 4582783

14 Must Haves for Your Website

Karen Daniels — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:30:34 +0000

When it comes to your website, whether you’re a graphic designer with a staff of one, or a huge corporation with a staff of thousands, there are countless choices to make. This makes it a challenge to decide what you have to have, what you need to have, and what you’d like to have. So, here’s our 14 must have website tips to use when you’re planning or redesigning your website.^1,2,3

1. Stand out or risk being forgettable

How are you different? Company size does not matter when it comes to showing how you are unique or special. The things that make you special-make you better. Your site needs to help potential customers decide that your company is a good fit for them.

2. What’s it all for?

Customers and potential customers should be able to easily see what products and/or services you offer. It’s vital that they don’t have to search for this information.

3. Contact information

Don’t be vague. For starters, you want potential customers to be able to contact you. Also, providing this information helps build trust and credibility.

4. Put your best, first

There are a lot of people who only spend a short time skimming a website so give them what they want right at the beginning – this includes gripping content and awesome design.

5. Think verbs

Websites are dynamic so don’t be afraid of verbs.

6. Testimonials, clients, awards, etc.

3rd party validation is important. So provide case studies, a client list, testimonials, quotes, or awards, or any other form of validation that tells readers someone other than you, loves your company.

7. Social presence

If you have a presence on social media sites and blogs, particularly those serving your industry, make sure they are on your site. Announcing your social networking links helps readers view you as legitimate.

8. SSL or other safeguards

This is vital if you are an ecommerce site. Customers need to know their information, particularly credit card information, is safe.

9. Easy navigation

Easy to find means easy to buy. Make sure that no matter what the customer wants, whether it’s information or ordering, that it looks easy to get, and that it is easy to get.

10. Clear process

A site visitor should be able to easily see procedures and costs and know what to expect. Having an FAQ section on your site can help with this information.

11. Feedback process

Encourage feedback and provide a clear path for customers to give you input – good and bad.

12. Call to action buttons

Whether your call to action is “buy now,” “subscribe,” or “learn more,” make the choices obvious and appealing.

13. Personalized touch

Do your best to personalize a sale, whether it’s a handwritten note, coupon, or other incentive for repeat business.

14. Hey, interesting works

Bland is boring. Find a way to tell a story and deliver compelling messages. The more memorable you can make your site, the better your chances of success.

The Internet is competitive. When you’re working on site design and what makes you unique, check out your competitors’ websites to make sure you’re not emphasizing the same things they are. Finally, find ways to infuse your site with your personal or company personality because, let’s face it, a good personality counts.

Resources

Marketing and Barbeque Recipe for Combating Your Summer Business Slump

Karen Daniels — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:30:23 +0000

Unless you’re in the business of travel, it’s entirely possible you are experiencing a summer business slump, particularly now when the economy is less than stellar. But, rather than wallow in your diminishing return of profits, use this period wisely to:

Flush out marketing areas you don’t usually have time for
Make this awesome coffee bourbon barbecue sauce!

1. Build out your case studies¹

Here’s a format for developing your case studies so you have them ready to go for busier times of the year:

a. Customer description
b. Customer challenges
c. Solution – how the customer solved their issues using your product or service
d. Results – stay focused on the customer and weave your company into that story

2. Join Festivals and Fairs²

Local festivals and fairs offer good opportunity for sponsorship which can give your brand a boost by introducing new and potential customers to what you have to offer.

3. Run a Contest

Generate some publicity for your business by creating a summer contest. Try and tie your prize to something that increases the likelihood that people will utilize your business.

4. Newsletter

Brainstorm and create that newsletter you’ve always wanted to start for your business and write some of the content to get a head start.

5. Write a Press Release

Write a press release about summer business within your industry. If you need help with writing one check out our press release tips article.

6. Awesome Coffee Bourbon Barbecue Sauce³ (5 minutes prep, 15 total)

1 cup strong brewed coffee
1/2 cup bourbon
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Simmer all ingredients in a 2 1/2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1 cup, 15 to 20 minutes (sauce will be thin). Cool to room temperature. Serve with steak or chicken.

Resources

5 Ways to Support Green with Your Marketing

Karen Daniels — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:05:36 +0000

Everyone wants to prevent oil spills and keep the world from becoming one big hot house. But, let’s face it, we still live in a world where most people won’t change their ways until it hits them in the pocket book. For instance, one way to get those hybrid cars selling faster is to raise gas prices.

However, given two equal choices most people will choose the green option these days. So, what are some things you can do, whether you’re marketing for yourself or a company, to support green efforts, and to help your company or personal brand be the green option of choice?

1. Mobile Coupons

Mobile phones are quickly becoming the “go-to medium” for coupons.1 If you have the type of business or service that fits well with on-the-go marketing then you might consider this growing tool. Target your opt-in database at the time they are most likely to buy. Subway, for instance, sends messages shortly before lunch time.

2. Address the Precycling Trend

Precycling is a trend that refers to the fact that consumers are consciously choosing to buy fewer products.2 Customers are looking to save money by buying in bulk, so if you can, market products and services that offer larger quantities and bundling.

3. Get Out Your Green Message

Your information and marketing should talk about areas where you’re green focused. But make sure it’s not just relevant to the “fate of the planet” but also the people living on it.3 Keep in mind that with today’s transparent world you can’t just pretend to be green, you have to actually be green.

4. Green Direct Mail Marketing

If you use direct mail in your marketing consider taking the Direct Marketing Association Green 15 TM Pledge which helps with their target goal of reducing 1 million metric tons of carbon emissions between 2009 and 2013. It’s a voluntary public recognition program. You can also:

5. Encourage Customer Recycling

Put the recycle logo in when you design mailers and other marketing printed pieces such as catalogs, to encourage consumers to recycle after reading, or when they are done using the catalogs.

Next Day Flyers is committed to growing green while maintaining our quality and service. We recently switched all our cardstock products over to certified 50% recycled paper stock. We use soy-based inks and all our glossy book weight products are printed on paper made in the U.S.A. and is PEFC/SFI® labeled, which means the paper comes from well-managed forests.

You can read the Next Day Flyers Press Release “Green Printing – Next Day Flyers Switches to Recycled Paper for Cardstock Products.”

Resources