It’s 2021 and you’re a small business owner. You want to grow your company but worry about the high costs of print and digital marketing products. It doesn’t have to be that way!
In this blog post, I’ll discuss what corporate stationary is, why it’s important for businesses today, and how we can create effective materials without breaking the bank.
First, let’s define corporate stationary.
Corporate stationary is any business material that you send to customers and prospects (i.e., website, digital flyers, social media banners). We will discuss why these are valuable for small businesses throughout this post – but first it’s important to understand the difference between print and digital marketing products; and why you shouldn’t have to choose between the two.
There is a big movement from physical marketing products (i.e., flyers, brochures) towards digital marketing methods such as social media and email campaigns – but it’s important not to lose sight of print!
Some people assume that because we’re in 2021 and everything has gone digital, that print is not important anymore. This could not be further from the truth!
I would argue that in 2021 it’s more important than ever to have a comprehensive strategy for both print and digital marketing products.
The good news is that you don’t need to pay an arm and a leg for great stationary!
Let’s start with the stationary:
A Website.
You need a website to get your company online and available for customers to learn more about you, check out products, etc. If they can’t find you on the internet how are they supposed to know who you are?
Websites do come at a cost but to have an epic website does not need to cost an arm and a leg. I have specially tailored my pricing to be affordable for all types of businesses: https://thebrandgypsy.com/website-design/
Digital Flyers.
Digital flyers are designed exactly as you would for print flyers but now you just email them to potential customers or place them on your website or social media platforms. This route is simple and cost-effective!
There are many free design platforms that allow you to create awesome brand spec flyers and even their paid versions are affordable!
Digital Banners.
Similar to digital flyers, digital banners are marketing materials that you can use on your website or other platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Again, these products are inexpensive and easy to create – plus they look great!
Email Signatures.
Social media is great for engaging with your customers, but emails and email marketing gives you the opportunity to build a relationship over time. Every time someone opens an email from you it’s an opportunity to get them thinking about what you have to offer!
Try and customise your email signature with new products or services and change up the design for important days such as Christmas, Halloween, Women’s Month, etc.
Letterhead.
Do I need letterhead? Yes – in 2021 more than ever before. Many companies today are moving towards a more digital space, and that is great – but you still need to present your business in the right way (even if it’s online).
A letterhead gives off an air of professionalism and legitimacy when used correctly; plus it’s inexpensive to design, email and print.
Business Cards.
I always say: don’t underestimate the power of a good business card! Business cards are great for networking events, conferences, meeting new people – basically anywhere you go!
If you do not attend the types of functions above regularly, I would advise getting a small amount of cards printed so you do not waste budget on materials that you don’t use often.
Car Branding.
If you have a vehicle and an advertising budget that allows you to get your business logo and website out there then consider car branding. It’s more on the expensive side but the investment is worth it! The amount of brand exposure you get is worth every cent.
Digital Advertisements.
These are branded ads that can be used on your social media pages, websites or paid advertising platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Google Ads.
There are many free platforms that allow you to create a stunning ads and if you have the extra budget, put some money behind it and market your business with paid advertising platforms.
Company Profile.
This is not for every business but some small businesses need investors, loans, etc. to get the ball rolling and a company profile will make your business look more established in order to increase its chance of being taken seriously by potential investors or lenders.
Portfolio.
This is extremely important for people (like me) who are in the design field. A portfolio is a great way to show off what you’re capable of and it builds your credibility.
Many small businesses opt for a digital porfolio which is much easier to create and send to potential clients. I suggest having a page on your website dedicated to your portfolio or creating a small pdf that you update with your latest work or a few key projects you worked on in every service you offer.
Price List or Catalog.
For example, I work in the design field and all of my clients want to know how much they are going to be paying for what kind of designs (logo’s, flyers, websites etc.) If I didn’t make this available on my website or at least send it via email before meeting with the client, clients would be hesitant and it helps them know if they can afford my services or not.
It’s also a good idea to have these documents available in various digital formats (i.e.: pdf, jpeg) so that your customers can easily access it wherever they are!
In Conclusion.
Again, with all these suggestions above there are multiple ways that you can produce them; either by yourself or with a professional who is affordable.
I hope this blog post helps you understand why stationary is still important in 2021 (if not more than ever before) and what is missing from your list that you can add.
Thank you for reading!