IT’S IN THE DETAILS:

I often get emails from my clients like this –

“Becky – I need an ad for this {insert the client’s industry magazine, trade publication, event}, I bought a quarter page ad and the deadline was yesterday! Can you help?”

It sounds reasonable right? Well maybe not the deadline, but what else could I possibly need, right? 🙂 I email back…

•  A quarter ad of what full size?
• what do you want it to say?
• What’s your call to action?
• your contact info?
• do you have photos or illustrations you’d like to use?
• etc., etc. 

Do you see how it’s important to have the details?

Our 2020 Vision for BGD is an all out effort to make life simpler by creating systems and processes for EVERYTHING we do. Including building ads for our clients. Below I’ve explained the things we need for print pieces, but even better is our downloadable cheat sheet for our clients to fill out. You can get your copy here!

A Designer Needs Six Things to Create Your Marketing Collateral

GENERAL INFO: What is the purpose of the ad

In general, what are you trying to accomplish with this ad? What is your desired ROI? (Return on Investment)

SIZE: What are the dimensions of your piece?

If you’re publishing in a magazine or other resource, they’ll be able to provide the size.

If you are creating your own mailing piece or other advertisement, find examples you like and measure them. Pinterest is a great resource for finding examples of print marketing ideas.

For digital marketing you can refer to a complete guide to social media dimensions for 2020, at this link.

For print we need inch measurements and for digital we’ll need how many pixels wide and high. When you send the information to your designer please specify which is which – such as “I need a post for my FB feed that is 1200 pixels wide x 900 pixels high.” (The graphics’ industry standard is width by height (width x height). Meaning that when you write your measurements, you write them beginning with the width. Source ) 

CONTENT: What is the subject of this piece and who will be providing the copy?

We are designers, not writers, so you need to provide copy. (If you need help we have collaborative partners who excel in writing copy, just ask us for a referral.) Whatever the case we want the copy written before we start. If you’re not sure how to start then follow this sales copy formula offered by DigitalMarketer.com template. When we’re finished laying out the piece you’ll be given a proof to review before we send it to the printer.

BRANDING: Do you have an established brand?

If you have an established brand, we will need your logo in vector format, your color numbers (Pantone or CMYK) and the font names. If you’re not sure about them we can figure it out.

If you don’t have a brand or logo already we can certainly help with that!

TIME FRAME FOR DELIVERY: How soon do you need it?

In a perfect world we’d prefer a 10-14 day turnaround from when you first discuss it with us and you need it done. Of course if it’s a complex project that’s another story. This is especially true if we are working with you for the first time. We need time to research your brand, industry and what your competition is doing. You’ll also need time to pull your assets together for us.

If we’ve created your brand or we’ve worked with you before just give us a call

PRINT SPECIFICATIONS: Who is printing this for you?

A great printer will collaborate with you and your designer to choose the best print solution for your project. Their knowledge of paper stock, coating, mailing solutions and ink coverage, etc., will make sure your project is printed and ready to deliver with the highest results.

We will need to communicate with your printer early in the project to make sure we have the artwork prepped for them exactly as they expect it. We’re happy to talk with them directly to make sure the project is delivered exactly as you need it.

If you don’t have a printer we are happy to make a recommendation based on the project and your budget.

WE CAN HELP:

Do you need marketing collateral designed? We work with you to create the materials you need for your next project, promotion or event. We also provide on-going services for businesses needed to outsource their design work. We’d love to speak with you about you need done! Sign up for a FREE CONSULTATION here or email us right now using this link.