Sold by a marketing brochure

The other day, I came home to find a pamphlet hanging on my front door handle. It was for a plumber. The colourful pamphlet had large, easy-to-read text highlighting their services, including clear pricing and contact information. It was clearly DIY, as I recognized the stock clip art of a cartoon plumber giving a thumbs up.

But it so happens that I needed some plumbing work done. Usually, I’d search online or get a referral from a friend, but I put that pamphlet on the kitchen counter just in case. Then, a day or two later, I saw the flyer again and realized I didn’t have time to search for another one online. So I called that plumbing company and booked them in for service.

I likely wouldn’t have known that company existed in my community if it wasn’t for that flyer. Maybe they wouldn’t have appeared in my online search. But they did a fantastic job, and I felt good about supporting a business in my local community.

Do marketing brochures still work in 2023? It seems so.

We work so much in digital communications and marketing that we’ve almost forgotten that old-fashioned pamphlets in the mailbox can still be effective marketing tools.

In today’s digital age, online advertisements have become the norm. Of course, we still get flyers in the mail, but most probably go straight into the recycling bin. Not all of them, though.

My own experience as a consumer shows that they remain an effective way to introduce your brand to new audiences and advertise your goods and services. Consumers today are inundated with digital ads, so sending a tangible brochure can be a strategic way to stand out.

5 reasons businesses are using print marketing tools today

1. They can be cost-effective

Marketing brochures can be budget-friendly, making them an excellent option for small businesses and startups with limited budgets. Several online print shops offer user-friendly, DIY designs for these materials at a reasonable rate. In addition, since brochures and pamphlets tend to be printed in bulk, the total cost of producing large quantities is usually affordable.

The main cost will be the postage. However, you can always deliver the brochures to smaller areas in your community yourself. Or hire someone to do so.

If creating your marketing materials using online tools isn’t your thing, we can help! Circlewood Creative partners with designers (and printers) to help you produce an engaging and visually impressive brochure.

2. Reaches your target audience

Brochures also allow you to reach your target audience. They can be mailed to specific mailing lists or distributed in person at events, meetings, and networking events.

Refining your target audience boosts your brochure’s likelihood of success, so getting specific about who you are trying to reach is worth your time. For example, my neighbourhood plumber reached their target audience by delivering flyers to homes in their local community.

3. Not everyone is online

This point still refers to reaching your target audience. Have you considered that not all your potential customers are online? Digital advertising is effective, and most people are online. But if the people you want to reach aren’t seeing them, you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket.

Even in the digital age, some people still find businesses the old-fashioned way: newspaper advertisements, flyers, and pamphlets. To these audiences, a professional pamphlet or brochure shows you’re legitimate, credible, and a business that can help.

4. They can be memorable

As mentioned, marketing brochures stand out from digital advertisements because they are tangible. Consumers can touch, feel, and interact with a brochure. For example, a door-hanger pamphlet must be physically removed from the door – so you know they’re seeing it! I held and read that plumber’s flyer and did business with them a few days later.

Plus, people can keep your brochure in their homes or pass it along to their friends. They might pin it to the refrigerator (or put it on the counter) so they don’t forget it, keeping your business top-of-mind.

Combine print marketing tools with your digital marketing efforts

Marketing brochures should work in tandem with your digital marketing efforts. Having a professional website, social media accounts, and blog is still important. Later, I Googled that plumber and saw they had a pretty good website. Your marketing brochures can be vital in directing existing and prospective customers to your online channels.

Would your target audience respond to a pamphlet on their doorknob? Reach out to us to start on copy and design!