Help – Need something useful to print on a marketing item

[TSS]

We’re printing some marketing material (single A4 sheets) and want to try and make sure customers keep it on their desks.

So we thought we’d print something useful on the back of it to encourage them to keep it rather than file it in the bin. (Yes, we realise they may then keep it face down but that’s better than not keeping it at all!)

We’ve thought about calendars, world times, country dialling codes, UK maps, wine vintage charts, metric conversions, etc - all the sort of useful stuff you get at the front of diaries.

But we need some more useful/original ideas, something that will make clients think That’s really useful, I’ll hang on to that!.

So I thought I’d ask the PH collective what is the best thing you have ever seen, or would like to see, printed on a marketing item is?

Thanks in advance

TSS

PS We’re providing IT services to the Legal Sector if that helps.

[bobfrance]

I think you're asking a bit much.
You'll have a job adding value to a piece of paper.

If you really want people to keep it on their desks why not push the budget and print on something like a mouse mat?

Alternatively, stick with paper but mail them regularly.

[PhilLL]

bobfrance said:

I think you're asking a bit much.
You'll have a job adding value to a piece of paper.

If you really want people to keep it on their desks why not push the budget and print on something like a mouse mat?

Alternatively, stick with paper but mail them regularly.

I agree. The last thing I would want is a single piece of paper floating around on my desk indefinitely. How about something like branded Post-Its?

[therealpigdog]

the only branded items on my desk serve a purpose (as there's not much use for anything else) - they are mouse mat, calculator, mug, disposable mobile phone charger, pens etc. and the obligatory stress ball that can be used for a quick game of keepie-uppie.

[TSS]

PhilLL said:

bobfrance said:

I think you're asking a bit much.
You'll have a job adding value to a piece of paper.

If you really want people to keep it on their desks why not push the budget and print on something like a mouse mat?

Alternatively, stick with paper but mail them regularly.

I agree. The last thing I would want is a single piece of paper floating around on my desk indefinitely. How about something like branded Post-Its?

Thanks for you input. We actually already do quality mousemats and coasters which seem to be surprising popular with clients. I can understand that some people won’t keep a bit of A4 paper, but some will if the info on it is useful enough. Times are tough so every bit of marketing we can do helps, and it costs practically nothing to print something on the other side of the paper so we may as well put something good on it.

Any more ideas would be very welcome.

TSS

[DonnyMac]

Instructions to turn it into a paper-aeroplane - have your logos on the wings and some strapline about your firm exceed expectation by great heights.

Also have a url link yourdoamin.com/aeroplane so they can download more, friends, colleagues etc.

You can print on the internal section additional info on how to turn it into a stunt plane, maybe a score sheet with space for their buddy’s names for most loop the loops.

You'll get more exposure and may even get your website bookmarked - if you have the email addresses for your recipients you can email them on a Friday afternoon with YouTube videos of other prospects/clients playing with their planes, modifications - you're starting to get the picture?

Oh, your email should link back to a pdf download of the plane (which you can change every week with a different marketing message).

It'll go viral & you can buy me a beer.

Best,
Don

[bobfrance]

TSS said:

Thanks for you input. We actually already do quality mousemats and coasters which seem to be surprising popular with clients. I can understand that some people won’t keep a bit of A4 paper, but some will if the info on it is useful enough. Times are tough so every bit of marketing we can do helps, and it costs practically nothing to print something on the other side of the paper so we may as well put something good on it.

Times are indeed tough. If you only have enough info to fill one side of A4 then print onto both sides of an A5 sheet instead. It will save you money (if you are doing commercial print runs).

I'd be very wary of filling the blank side of an A4 just becaise it is there. You run the risk of diluting your message.

[TSS]

bobfrance said:

I'd be very wary of filling the blank side of an A4 just becaise it is there. You run the risk of diluting your message.

That is a good point.

[skeggysteve]

DonnyMac said:

Instructions to turn it into a paper-aeroplane ......

I really like that idea and all the follow on potential from it.

I got two calenders this year, one in a CD case but it falls over every time you go near it, it's in a drawer now. The other one was a thin card type that folds in three, it now is stuck to the top of the computer monitor.

[Plotloss]

When I worked in IT, IBM Professional Services sent me a little box, about 35mm cubed.

Nothing on the outside but a label.

When you opened the box there was a crumpled piece of paper, which you were obviously compelled to uncrumple.

On it was a letter that said:

We realise most direct marketing ends up like this, so we thought we'd save you the time because thats what we do best.

Clever idea that's always stuck with me.

[StevieBee]

Got sent these as a promo - all the marketing gumpf was on the box. Ditched box, kept the boobies!

[johnbear]

I can get those printed for you as well. Check out www.cherrything.co.uk