Catalogs frequently have a stronger influence on buying decisions than tv advertising or sites. In fact, almost 75% of individuals surveyed from the U.S. Postal Service explained that catalogs make them interested in the merchant's products. More than eight out of 10 said they've purchased an item after seeing it in a catalog.
One reason catalogs work is they are active rather than passive. Direct mailings are more tangible than looking at a computer screen. They require the recipient to do something with it. Frequently, that"something" includes making a buying decision.
Multi-channel purchasing and purchasing is on the rise
Today's shoppers have numerous shopping channels -- brick and mortar stores, web sites, social media, and the phone. Catalogs inspire consumers to purchase through other stations by generating awareness and introducing new ideas. They are most effective when employed as part of a multi-channel advertising and marketing strategy to drive clients to e-commerce sites to create their purchases.
Catalogs make excellent high quality articles marketing tools
Since the dawn of humankind, people have engaged through stories, and content promotion is all about telling stories to draw and retain customers. In addition to teaching people about your products, catalogs permit you to use images and stories to take readers on a journey. Presenting your products in this manner has a strong impact on consumers that connects them to your brand on a psychological level.
Millennials enjoy direct mail
Millennials are a really tech-oriented generation, yet they love to get traditional mail. Partly because they feel overwhelmed with electronic media, but also because bodily mail stands out in today's high-tech world. Millennials also have a taste for visual content, and direct email stimulates their perceptions. According to this U.S. Postal Service, Millennials spend more time sorting emails than other age groups and appear more engaged with mail than the ordinary consumer.
Physical media produces a stronger emotional response
As individuals, we rely heavily on sight, but touching and feeling is the most human of sensations. Catalogs stimulate multiple senses at the exact same time. They also give consumers an opportunity to slow down and allow themselves to be transported through images and stories. This process creates favorable memories and emotions that get linked to the products in the catalog.
Catalogs encourage a multi-channel marketing campaign for print and electronic
In today's world, successful marketing presents a consistent brand message through both print and digital channels. They also get clients to interact with this message. Catalogs give an effective physical platform for electronic technologies such as augmented reality, dynamic QR Code®, near field communication, and more. Engaging consumers with interactive experiences drives them to sites, mobile apps, social networking, and other digital mediums.
Catalogs drive action
In the end, all advertising tools come down to a single issue: do they produce outcomes? With catalogs, the answer is yes! The USPS poll also determined that direct contact, like catalogs, generates better remember over longer spans, stronger brand associations, and deeper emotional connections. In addition, catalog email dates, client and source codes, and other concentrated standards make catalog performance simple to track.
Catalog Marketing Tips
By this time, you are beginning to see the value of catalog advertising. Here are a couple of tips for creating a successful catalog.
Get to know your clients. Start by collecting demographic data such as age, sex, income, and pursuits. After that, learn what your audience is looking for when it comes to buying and using your merchandise, and the reason why they choose your goods over those of your competition.
Design for your target market. Print catalogs function best when designed with your intended audience in your mind. Use the information accumulated during market evaluation to select colors, images, language, tone of voice, along with other layout elements which match exactly what your clients are searching for.
Highlight your most popular sellers. Identify the products which are most popular with your target market, then focus your catalog on these items. Front and rear covers and the first page have the largest impact on readers, so be sure to feature your best-selling things on these pages. When designing webpages to convert interest into revenue, look at commodity descriptions, pricing, and other relevant data from the buyers' point of view.
Utilize high-quality printing. Employing a trusted printer using a track record of quality printing and fantastic customer service printing will guarantee your catalog represents your brand in the way you want. If you are printing a catalog for the first time, be sure to tap into the printer's experience for help in choosing the best paper dimensions and quality, binding, and other print components for your catalog.
Among the most important elements in the catalog, marketing is when, where, and how to distribute your catalog.
Begin with direct mail. Eliminate the concept it is an obsolete, ineffective strategy -- it is just the opposite. Direct mail permits you to target your niche with precision. You can even reduce mailing costs by targeting distributions to specific consumer-grade. The USPS survey revealed that 84% of individuals like receiving catalogs in the mail, along with the average time for keeping those catalogs are 20 days. Most of all, well-designed catalogs also create very good response prices.
Give away a catalog with each purchase. Let clients know they can register to get your catalog, and then make it easy to do this online. Make sure you include a"receive our free catalog" call to action on your shopping cart and on every product page.
Keep in mind that in today's marketing world, print, and digital don't compete. Rather, successful marketing utilizes the advantages of each medium to fortify the other. Print catalogs offer a powerful tool for strengthening your web site, directing customers to your other digital marketing resources, and driving sales.