Why Print Marketing Still Matters in the Customer Service Industry
Print marketing isn't a relic of the past; rather, it's a versatile and impactful medium that offers unique advantages for the customer service industry. While online marketing can be overwhelming and easily ignored, print materials demand attention.
When visitors and locals interact with physical brochures, posters, or business cards, they develop a real connection to your brand. This type of advertising leaves a lasting impression and encourages loyalty.
Moreover, Asheville is a community where relationships matter. The hospitality and tourism sectors are about making visitors feel welcomed and at home, and print materials are perfect for extending that message beyond a brief encounter.
1. Use Print Marketing Materials to Boost Brand Awareness
Flyers and Posters
To maximize exposure, customer service businesses in Asheville should use well-placed flyers and posters. Tourists and residents often pass by notice boards in popular cafes, restaurants, and community centers. Well-designed posters that communicate key information about your services—such as promotions, discounts, or upcoming events—can help raise brand awareness effectively.
Brochures
A detailed brochure allows you to tell a more complete story about your business. Brochures are particularly effective for customer service companies such as local tour operators, spas, and restaurants, where guests want to learn more about your offerings. Make sure your brochures are available in high-traffic locations—think hotel lobbies, visitor centers, and cafes.
Business Cards
Don't underestimate the power of a quality business card. These cards are still the preferred way to exchange information during in-person networking or when meeting potential clients. Make sure that your business cards represent your brand's aesthetic—consider paper stock, design, and even unique features like embossing to make your card memorable.
2. Design Tips for Print Marketing
Eye-Catching Visuals
When it comes to design, aesthetics are everything. In Asheville, with its thriving arts scene, locals and visitors alike are drawn to visually appealing designs. Use vibrant, high-quality images that reflect the values and appeal of your brand. A tourist might not remember your company name, but they'll likely recall a captivating image of your service in action.
Color Psychology in Print Materials
Consider the power of colors in influencing behavior. Warm colors like orange and yellow evoke friendliness and optimism—ideal for customer service businesses in Asheville that want to create a sense of welcoming comfort. Cooler tones, such as blues and greens, can give a calming effect, which works well for spas, wellness centers, or relaxing hospitality environments.
Typography Choices
Typography is often overlooked, but it plays a huge role in how your brand is perceived. Use readable fonts that convey professionalism. For headers, bold fonts can convey trustworthiness, while a lighter, playful font might communicate creativity and fun. Be sure to use fonts consistently across all marketing materials for better brand recognition.
3. Customize Your Content for Different Print Formats
Targeted Messaging for Brochures
Brochures give you a lot of space to communicate your story—use it wisely. Focus on explaining how your business provides value to both locals and tourists in Asheville. Divide content into easily digestible sections with headers that draw the reader’s attention.
Essential Elements of a Brochure
- A compelling cover image
- An engaging introduction that speaks to your target audience
- Descriptions of your services, with specific benefits highlighted
- Customer testimonials to build trust
- Clear call-to-action with contact details
Postcards for Quick Impact
Postcards are a great way to make a quick and impactful statement. Use postcards to announce a limited-time offer or event. They are easy to distribute and offer a perfect format for including a direct call to action, like "Show this card for 10% off."
Utilize Rack Cards for Visibility
Rack cards are a powerful yet often overlooked tool, especially for tourism-driven businesses in Asheville. Many visitors to the city expect to see rack cards in hotels, visitor centers, and local businesses. These cards provide concise and visually appealing information to encourage tourists to explore your services.
4. How to Reach the Right Audience with Print Marketing Materials
Effective distribution is key to making the most out of your print marketing materials. Partnering with local hotels, cafes, and visitor centers to display your print materials allows you to reach an audience that is already in the mindset to explore and discover new experiences. This kind of collaboration also adds credibility, as people often trust the recommendations found in well-regarded establishments.
Identify High-Traffic Locations
Identify high-traffic areas where print materials are likely to be picked up. Ensure that your materials are stocked in high-traffic locations to achieve maximum visibility.
Participate in Events and Fairs
Asheville is known for its local events, craft fairs, and farmer’s markets. Take advantage of these events to distribute print materials. These gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with the community, build brand awareness, and attract new customers.
5. Using Print Materials to Improve Customer Experience
Informative Menus and Guides
For restaurants, spas, and tour companies, printed materials can help improve the customer experience. Providing clear, informative menus or service guides allows customers to make well-informed decisions without having to ask a staff member repeatedly. This can also help speed up customer interactions, improving overall satisfaction.
Local Area Guides
For customer service businesses in Asheville, providing a branded guide to local attractions is a great way to add value for customers while promoting your own services. For instance, a hotel could create a printed guide featuring recommended restaurants, shops, and experiences, with their own services included.
6. Print Materials Can Be Used to Retain Customers
Loyalty Cards
Loyalty cards are an excellent way to encourage repeat business. For cafes, restaurants, and other customer-focused businesses, a simple "buy 10, get one free" loyalty card keeps customers returning for more. Unlike a digital loyalty program, a physical card is a constant reminder that your service exists.
Exclusive Discount Coupons
Another way to ensure customer retention is to distribute exclusive coupons. You could offer discounts or incentives to those who have already engaged with your business. For example, "10% off your next visit" printed on a postcard ensures that your brand is memorable, and it also gives customers a reason to return.
7. Bridging the Gap Between Print and Digital Marketing
QR Codes: Connecting Print with Online
A simple way to connect your print marketing materials to your digital presence is through QR codes. Adding a QR code to your brochures, business cards, or flyers gives customers an easy way to learn more about your services online, leave a review, or even make a booking.
Encourage Social Media Engagement
Use your print materials to encourage social media interaction. Include your social media handles and encourage users to tag their experience. For example, a postcard from a local tour company could ask guests to share their favorite tour photos on Instagram.
8. Measure Print Marketing Success to Adapt Your Strategy
Trackable Offers
One of the challenges of print marketing is tracking effectiveness. Incorporate unique, trackable offers that allow you to measure which print marketing channels are working best. For example, you can include a unique discount code in brochures or a special phone number on posters to gauge responses.
Gather Customer Feedback
To improve your print marketing strategy, gather customer feedback. Ask customers where they heard about you and use that information to adapt your marketing strategy. If brochures placed at a specific location are generating the most business, invest more in that area.
9. Print Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
Pay Attention to Print Quality
Your print marketing materials represent your brand. Using low-quality paper or ink can reflect poorly on your company. Partner with a reputable printing service—such as BP Solutions Group—to ensure that your materials look professional and create the right impression.
Simplify the Message
Keep your message simple and to the point. Print materials have limited space, and you need to make an impact quickly. Stick to essential information, use bullet points where applicable, and include an eye-catching call to action.
Keep Your Target Audience In Mind
Know your target audience and tailor your materials accordingly. For example, if you cater primarily to tourists, your materials should emphasize experiences and how to find you. If locals are your main customers, highlight the community benefits of choosing your services.
Trust BP Solutions Group for Your Print Marketing Needs in the Asheville Area
Print marketing can be the secret ingredient to help customer service businesses in Asheville connect with tourists and locals alike. With the right strategy, high-quality materials, and a thoughtful approach to distribution, your print marketing efforts can create a lasting impact on your audience.
Whether it's informative brochures, eye-catching posters, or memorable business cards, print marketing remains a vital part of a successful advertising campaign.
To make sure your print marketing materials reflect the quality of your brand, partner with BP Solutions Group. We offer comprehensive commercial printing services to bring your vision to life. Let us help you enhance your customer service business in Asheville with effective, high-quality print marketing solutions. Reach out to us for more information about print marketing in Asheville, NC.