The perfect advertising campaign

Over the years Reichel Graphic Design & Website Design (Graphic Design Firm) has seen trends and patterns to getting the most out of your time and marketing budget.

If you are a business owner and are planning to be in business for more than a year, spring is a great time to coordinate your direct-mail, print ads, and website.

If you don't have a domain name (something like www.yoursite.com) you want to contact your search engine optimizer first. Next, you want to decide on what print advertisements you want to do, making sure the advertiser does not have an upcoming deadline. Simultaneously, contact your graphic designer or printer and find out how long it will take to get your direct-mail piece off of press; without incurring any rush charges. Also, if you can deliver your direct-mail pre-sort standard (instead of first class) you will save a lot of money on postage. Remember, first class will guarantee your mail gets to the mail box three to five business days after it reaches the local post office. On the other hand, bulk rate mail has up to ten to fifteen business days. However, using a live stamp and hand addressing will get you better results from your direct mail.

Once your deadlines are set you want your print ad to hit around the time your direct-mail reaches the mail box. Your print ad and direct-mail should promote your website. So, if you don't have a website, or it needs updating, make sure that is done before your print ad hits.

Typically, direct-mail and newspaper ads see great response during the spring. However, depending on your industry, summer can be soft and your advertising dollars could be better spent preparing for fall and the holiday season. So, during summer invest in your website and incorporate a search engine optimization strategy so you start to show up in the search engines like: Google, Yahoo! and MSN.

As you finish your website's updating and additional optimization, you will need to start the steps over by establishing deadlines based off the: printer, advertiser and post office. If you don't do a lot of advertising the deadlines can be very surprising. Everything you do can be rushed, but you will pay everyone extra. The graphic designer, website designer, printer, advertiser and post office will all require additional fees. Although this may not change your campaign, it is always nice to know your bottom line before you begin the process.

Start in spring and work toward fall utilizing the time during summer to your best advantage. Although this is a general approach it can be modified to fit what works best for your industry.

To find out how Reichel Graphic Design & Website Design can help improve your sales and coordinate your internet and print advertising -call 843-766-8699 or visit Reichel Graphic Design Direct Mail.