Are You Choosing the Right Chief Officer for Your Printing Company?
As a printing company advisor, I help clients hire Chief Officer positions for sales, operations, and business transformation. Before we design a C-suite level role (let alone meet with recruiters and post job openings), I talk with the client about why hiring for the print industry is different – and special. When hiring Chief Officer […]
Should You Email People Who Didn’t Ask You To?
Print business owners and marketers: Raise your hand if you have ever sent email marketing to a prospect database “that you acquired somewhere.” Be honest. (OK, everyone can put their hands down now). Email marketing is a natural complement to direct mail marketing. It’s also an efficient way to reach a lot of prospects in […]
Reality Check: The Perception of Printing
I record and produce a significant number of episodes for Podcasts from The Printerverse. Discussions about printing, print business, print sales, and print marketing are often playing through my computer, earbuds, car speakers, and voice assistants like Alexa. When I have some mindless admin work to focus on, I click on my pop culture podcast […]
How Printers Can Build a Strategic Lighthouse to Guide the Business
Where is your print business headed? Not sure? Too many owners rush to the tactical side without a strategic beacon to guide the printing company’s success. Printers need a master strategy – a solid lighthouse that can survive the turbulence of the business environment. Here are tips on how to build your strategic lighthouse and […]
Can Geofencing and Retargeting Work for Your Print Marketing?
Your prospective print customers are everywhere. And yet they can be so hard to find. Quite a few of them are using your competitors, but some of those users would be better off buying print from you. To generate new leads and new revenue for your print business, consider two digital marketing strategies: geofencing and […]
How to Respond to Questions About Sexism in the Printing Industry
With just a few minutes before the first, women-only panel discussion on the main stage of Dscoop ended, the audience at Edge St. Louis was asked if they had any questions. The mic goes out to the audience, a gentleman stands up. With what I interpreted as a mixture of nerves, uncertainty, and a splash […]
Marketing Strategy + Execution + Continuous Improvement = Long-Term Profit
Every printing company needs a marketing strategy, but most don’t have one. Strategically and logically combining print-based marketing and digital marketing is critical to achieving efficiency (minimal waste) and effectiveness (maximum ROI). Whether you believe your primary objective is building brand awareness, generating quality leads, strengthening customer retention, or increasing average order value, your ultimate […]
When Print Sales Are Down, Who’s Really at Fault?
When printing businesses see their sales drop, there are gaping organizational issues that can be the root cause. The printing company itself may be the one at fault, and that’s the core reason the sales team struggles to do its best work. We’ve talked about how print sales teams can hold companies back. In this […]
The Perfect Partnership: Collaboration Between Printers and Designers
In the world of printing and design, collaboration is key. From business cards to banners, brochures to billboards, the collaboration between printers and designers each bringing their unique skill sets to the table is a crucial element in producing high-quality print materials that stand out in a competitive market. Now, I realize that this concept is […]
Why Creating a Search-Optimized Print Website Feels So Good
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) feels so good. Why? Because a search-optimized print website can help you meet strangers: qualified print buyers you have never heard of and who possibly have never heard of your printing business. They are ‘qualified’ because they likely have the intent to purchase and proactively contact you to learn more. It’s […]
Authenticity Matters in Brand, Print Business and Personal Messaging
Authenticity for brand, personal, and print business messaging has become more important than ever. Whether it’s in advertising, social media, or everyday conversation, people want to feel that the messages they receive are genuine and truthful. Last week was International Women’s Day and the flood of messaging on March 8th showing support for women was […]
Cookie Cutter Print Marketing Doesn’t Generate High ROI
Print shop owner #1: “Lead generation is hard, expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating.” Print shop owner #2: “We are getting great ROI on our marketing, our customer base is growing, and we get new leads all the time.” Both these printers are doing the same thing. One is winning and the other is wasting. Marketing ROI […]