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So you've decided to start your own home-based desktop publishing business. Great! You've tapped a market that is wide-open for talented and dedicated publishers. But now you have to get the word out to potential clients, which includes practically every business you can think of. Uh oh. What do you do now? Well, before you can approach anybody about your new business you're going to have to develop some marketing materials to sell your services. This is the perfect opportunity for you to display your fabulous DTP skills; develop the best marketing materials the world has ever seen. Not sure where to start? Not a problem. We've got it all covered right here.
You need a logo, something that when everyone sees it, they'll automatically think of you and your business. You'll want to choose a design that emphasizes the qualities of your business, such as professional, creative, daring, innovative, whatever you want to come to people's minds when they see your logo. Put on your graphic designer hat and experiment with graphics, colors, drawings, typefaces, and page positioning. Are you lacking in the graphic design skills department? Now is the time, then, to find a great graphic designer. Use her to design your logo and set up a good working relationship so that you can use her as a sub-contractor when you start getting projects that need more graphic design skills than you possess.
Develop your own slogan that succinctly captures your own business philosophy. Try a play in your company's advantage. Use your logo on all of your marketing materials along with your logo so people will immediately think of your business when they see it.
Ok, so you've got your logo, you've got your slogan. Now what are you going to put them on? First, your letterhead. Develop your own stationery that includes all of your contact information, including email address and website if you have them, and your logo and slogan. Choose a high-quality paper to use for your letterhead so people who receive it know they will get high quality products when they use your services.
Other types of marketing materials:
*Mailing labels: You'll have to send out mail at some point, so use that opportunity to promote your business. Always include, beside your mailing information, your logo.
*Brochure: You must have brochure to let people know about the service you offer. Include your business philosophy, slogan, and any other information that you want people to know about your business. Do you have the fastest turn-around in the market? Are your products the highest quality at the best price? Mention that in your brochure.
*Business cards: You'll be handing out more of these than you can possibly imagine so make sure they are an accurate reflection of you and your business. And have fun with them. There are so many choices when it comes to color, font, and design. Match your business card to your business personality. Be daring with your design if your business is innovative. Of course you will include all of your contact information, but also include the services you offer as well. And get as many of these into circulation as you can. Include a few in every invoice, brochure, and letter you send out. Hand them out freely at organization meetings or anywhere you'll find potential clients of business contacts.
Once you spend some time developing your perfect marketing materials and getting the word out about your new business, it¡¦s only a matter of time before the jobs start coming in. Your success is limited only by how hard work, so show people what you can do, deliver what you promise, and success will be yours. Good luck!
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