7 ways printing can help you survive a zombie outbreak...

That got your attention, didn't it? And it illustrates a simple marketing truth: Be compelling.  You could have the most amazing stuff to sell, but if you don't make it compelling to read, then you aren't going to get far.

Now, before you start wondering, "But what about the zombies?" don't worry. Here's the list I promised at the beginning of this column, along with some nuggets you might not have known about our printing firm:

7. A printed map will let you know where the zombie hangouts are, so they can be avoided. Invaluable for tourists in Washington, DC, so they can avoid the walking dead at the Capitol and White House! Did you know we can print maps?

6. Bright-colored packaging, with realistic imagery, advertising TV dinners for zombies will placate today's lazy, new age zombies, who are more interested in convenience than substance, when it comes to preparing their meals. Did you know we can print all types of packaging?

5. Printed direct mail pieces can alert citizens to a zombie outbreak, and how to respond to an encounter; sort of an abbreviated version of zombies for dummies. Did you know we can print YOUR manuals, self-help guides, direct mail pieces, and alerts?

4. A well-organized, web-to-print portal will allow you to stay inside and order your printing, and not be susceptible to roving zombies. Did you know you can log in to our website, order printing, and send us files without leaving your desk?

3. Printed signs can direct the zombies to walk back to their graves or into the ocean. Did you know we can print your signs, get your car graphics designed, and make sure people know where to go?

2. Bumper stickers can alert drivers to HONK IF YOU'RE A ZOMBIE. Did you know we can print bumper stickers, labels, and other sticky stuff?

1. Printed zombie masks for humans will fool the zombies, so they won't attack you for your flesh and brains! Did you know we are can help you with all your printing needs? No fooling.

It is extremely important to play video games honey, honest.

How valuable is your attention? How much is your ability to focus worth? Your success is dependent upon your ability to focus your attention on whatever it is that is going to make you grow. Here are some tips on how to improve your focus and attention

Pay attention to your working memory.  "Working memory is the ability to actively hold the information in the mind needed to do complex tasks such as reasoning, comprehension and learning. Working memory tasks are those that require the goal orientated active monitoring or manipulation of information or behaviors in the face of interfering processes and distractions." In other words working memory is the amount of space you have to pay attention. Here is a neat list of tricks to help improve your working memory... http://su.pr/1E2bQi...cool note...playing video games counts!

Control your space. All of it...noise, visual distractions, email, clutter. Limit disruption. IM, text, cell phones, emails, television...they all have something in common. They are designed to make a noise to get your attention. If you are a slave to those attention getting chimes then you are a slave to the demands of others.  Schedule blocks of time that are not to be interrupted. Turn off the phone, email and IM.

Take charge of one of the most valuable things you own. Your time.

That Email is Bigger Than You

You want more business right? So you've been working on your database, right? You are working on your lead lists, your social media lists, your direct mail lists...right? I knew you were! Me too! What about your email marketing lists, So do you have a survey on what you are sending out? Are you asking people to "opt-in"? Are you linking properly?

Think about Forwarding... what happens if your email gets forwarded? The people you send the email to, presumably, know who you are and why you are emailing them...but hopefully your email is SO great and interesting and fabulous that they get forwarded to people DO NOT know you. If they like what you have to say, and you make it easy for them, they might just click a link in your emails to join your email list...so make sure that join button is in the email.



Think about FaceBook or Twitter: So someone clicks the link in your email and they get taken to your web page that is a web version of your email. That web version is what you tweet, put on FaceBook, LinkedIn...so you can spread that email around If you've got a link to sign up for "email-only" offers, these new readers just might sign up.



Think about Surveys: if you ask people what they think about you and your product you can get feedback, testimonials and comments. The answers you use to improve your business, put as testimonials on your website and focus your marketing. And you will get a greater response rate if you actually ask people to do something.

It's not hard to do, and doesn't take much to get a few new sign ups. And who knows? They may just become some of your best customers!

Promotional Products Get Results

A recent study of promotional items -- things like hats, mugs, pens, and tote bags, used to market a company -- showed some pretty interesting results you might find helpful as you plan your next marketing campaign:

1. Instant recall: For starters, more than eight out of 10 (84%) respondents remember the advertisers of the promotional products they receive.

2. Favorable impressions: 42% of respondents had a MORE favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving the item, and nearly a quarter (24%) said they are MORE likely to do business with those advertisers.

3. It's all business: Most respondents (62%) have done business with the advertiser on a promotional product after receiving the item.

4. User-friendly: The majority (81%) of promotional products were kept because they were considered useful.

5. Staying power: More than three-quarters of respondents have had their items for more than six months.

6. Bag it!: Among wearables, bags were reported to be used most frequently, with respondents indicating that they used their bags an average of nine times per month.

Don't you want to have existing customers WANTING to keep your name in front of them all the time? If so, give our printing firm a call. We offer a wide range of promotional items, designed to give you front-of-mind awareness with your clientele.