Synergy University: Infographics 101

This month we are excited to introduce a new blog series to you called Synergy University.  Think of it like a 4 week course you take in school except that we will not be assigning homework or exams and we promise not to put you to sleep.  Follow our posts this month on Twitter with the hashtag  #SynergyUniversity!

You have probably heard the term infographic floating around the internet lately.  If you have not then you may be thinking: “What is an infographic?” “How do I get my hands on one?” “What do I do with it?”

Well, we are glad you asked.

An information graphic is an image that contains organized information relating to a particular topic or subject.  They are not only a great way to brand yourself or your company but they make data, numbers, and statistics visually appealing. 

  

If you think you need to be a graphic design expert to create infographics, think again!  There are tons of easy ways to make your own infographics through online generators.  Online generators are an effective and efficient way to put your ideas into design and learn how to manage analytics.  When looking at the final product make sure that you like it.  Do not settle for something just because you want content to share.  If you are not excited about your creation, you probably will not be too excited to share it.  Makes sense, right?

Now that you have your hands on a pretty little infographic it’s time to make it go viral.  You know all those social media platforms you use?  Take your image file and upload.  You can post the image file to Twitter, your Facebook Page, a blog and/or website, Tumblr, and Pinterest.  Remember: sites like Tumblr and Pinterest allow you to link your image.  Link your image to a website or blog to make sure that you are driving traffic.

Infographic Generators

http://venngage.com/

http://piktochart.com/

http://infogr.am/

We want to know:  In your opinion, what is the best thing about an infographic?

Are You Following the Rule of Thirds?

Whether you are designing a web page, setting up a photograph, or just looking out the window, the human eye operates the same. So to get the most out of your visual marketing strategy, it is best to apply what photographers call, "The Rule of Thirds."

The Rule of Thirds consists of dividing an image into 9 sections using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Then, essentially filling each of the 3 regions created with a different point of interest. Following this layout, you create a more visually stimulating image.

Everyone's eye takes in light the same way (unless you happen to be an owl). While we are viewing something we are drawn to a focal point between our peripheral vision. While it is not always noticeable, when images are designed without applying the rule of thirds, it can leave the viewer with a natural aversion to the graphic.

When designing your graphics for an advertisement make sure to apply the rule of thirds. The extra time spent in creatively laying out your marketing materials will pay off on the back end. When an image catches someone's eye it leaves a much longer impression. Furthermore, they are more likely to actually read your offer and positively associate with it. 

Interested in more information on Synergy and how we can help your business? Give us a call today at 714-824-3780 and speak with one of our friendly, knowledgable Sales Representatives who can answer all your questions.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

By: Will Pearlman

Die Cutting: Making Your Mailer Stand Out!

Die Cutting:

Making Your Mailer Stand Out!

Die-Cutting your mailer helps you stand out to your customers. For a mortgage company, make your postcard advertisement look like a house, if your in energy, make it a wind turbine or solar panel, whatever your industry and business, using die cutting for your direct marketing will increase your ROI and help you stand out to your customers!

At Synergy, our goal is to create a dynamic direct marketing campaign that is sure to generate leads for your business. Our die cutting service allows you to literally shape your mailer however you want to make sure your prospects notice! In addition, we offer other custom services, both creatively and strategically, so give us a call at 877-466-0635 or get a free quote online and let your customers know how much you care!

The Marketing Superhero Says:

Keep it simple when sending a mailer! The last thing people like is cluttered text, bright and confusing colors, and unrelated imagery. With a mail piece you are just trying to get their attention and entice them to act on something, so get to the point, make it catchy and clear and you'll see a much better response rate!

Interested in More Information on Synergy Vx and how we can help your business? Give us a call today at 714-824-3780 and speak with one of our friendly, knowledgable Sales Representatives who can answer all your questions.

Interested in Reading More from Synergy? Sign Up For Our Newsletter By Clicking Here

By: Will Pearlman

Combining Print and Social Media Marketing: Augmented Reality and Digital Watermarks

Modern Marketing has shifted to weighing heavily on social media and the internet. In part, because it is cheap and it can be effective, sometimes. As the marketplace dynamically changes on a weekly basis with the latest app, finding the latest ways to integrate your online and traditional marketing are the key to business success. Here are some of the latest ways using Augmented Reality and Digital Watermarks!

Aurasma

One of the coolest current technologies out there is an app called Aurasma. This app uses whats called, Augmented Reality Actions or Auras to display videos on a piece of mail through the app on your phone. Which video plays can even be coded by several criteria.

Aurasma Demo:

The Pros:
This type of technology is very cool and highly engaging. Aurasma is an app they would have to download for this to work so including this in an ad where you say something like, "watch this postcard come to life using Aurasma from the App store" could intrigue someone into checking your ad out, just out of curiousity, even if the offer doesn't catch their eye.


The Cons:
The one MAJOR con is that this technology is not widespread yet. Most people won't even pick up on the idea that the postcard can turn into a video through their smart phone. You definitely would have to explain how to use the feature on your advertisement. I listed this as a pro as well, but that depends on your demographic. If you are marketing to a tech-savy group, then this would be a great way to engage them. However, for the average person, this might be a little too advanced at least at the moment. Moreover, effective video content is not always the cheapest or easiest thing to produce, especially for small and local businesses.

Layar

Another great technology, especially for those who offer a variety of products, is called Layar. Layar allows you to add digital links and information on your phone when holding it over the mail piece. It operates in a similar manner to Aurasma using augmented reality.

Layar Demo:

The Pros: This is extremely valuable to anyone who would use a catalog. This would allow your customers to flip through a catalog and when they like a product, they can simply hold their phone over the catalog and place an order or find out more information. Allowing your customers to have the tangible catalog with the ease of digital media will make their experience interactive and more enjoyable. Layar also works well with regular mail pieces as well, allowing you to add digital content to any mailer.


The Cons: Similar to Aurasma, Layar is still new technology that most people are unfamiliar with. However, this app is much simpler to use and I would expect it to catch on much quicker than Aurasma.

Digimarc

The last app I'll talk about for now is Digimarc. Digimarc is similar to Layar in that it is a way to place digital media on a printed mailer. However Digimarc goes a little further by creating a watermark. Unlike layar, where the content is place above the mailer, Digimarc places it in the mailer. The app acts almost like a secret decorder ring from those sugary cereals we ate as kids.

Digimarc Demo:

The Pros: Digimarc is a good tool to catch people's attention on an ad: "Use the Digimarc app to decode a secret offer in this mailer!" It is also relatively easy to use and actually integrated into Pinterest. Digital watermarks are the future, because they do not require any visible mark, that means no QR code!


The Cons: Digimarc is a little more complicated to use and everything must be printed on the image. However, with digital watermarks, be careful if you make a "secret offer" you are not isolating those customers without smart phones or those who just don't use the app. Also, digital watermarks aren't quite as impressive or advanced as augmented reality, but it is currently more widely used.

Interested in more information on Synergy and how we can help your business grow? Give us a call today at 714-824-3780 and speak with one of our friendly and knowledgable Sales Representatives who can answer all your questions.

Interested in Reading More from Synergy? Sign Up For Our Newsletter By Clicking Here

By: Will Pearlman

Maximize Your Micro-Site

Micro-sites are little heaven sent miracles for marketers. They capture leads, collect information, clean up data bases and perhaps most importantly, they provide one entrance point for all of your marketing messages to funnel through.  However, there are a few common errors that make all the difference in when landing page marketing and avoiding the popular pitfalls of improper landing page design can determine whether prospects participate or simply exit the page. Of course a certain amount of drop off is expected. Some users just won't be captured by the content of your site, but by adhering to a few simple guidelines, you can be sure to maximize  the benefits of using a micro-site.

1. Make your offer rad.

People don't want junk. furthermore, people are really good at telling when someone is offering them junk. So if you are going to offer company bumper stickers or free pens as the call to action on your micro-site, then you might want to consider alternate expenditures with your marketing money. However, if you can dig deep and offer something that will really excited potential buyers then hold on to your hat and get ready for flood of traffic passing through your page. Take chik-fil-a for example. They sent out about 5,000 postcards offering prospective customers a coupon for a free chicken sandwich redeemable via a landing page. Within weeks, the company had received more than 14,000 responses to the campaign (viral peer sharing with SynergyVX helped too).

Take take your design out of the box.

Feel your mail program is becoming a little.... stale? Perhaps it is time to mix it up a bit. While postcards and letters are sure to get some response, these unique designs really kick things up a notch (to quote Emeril Legasse). 

The key to utilizing the strategy effectively is to be creative, unique, exciting, funny, or extreme while keeping the message and content of the mailer relevant to your company, your product and your brand.

Building a better business Card

We find that it is a lot easier to sell people things when they can actually get a hold of you. What better way to make sure people are going to keep in touch than with a stellar business card that they will be sure to keep? Double click to expand the image in your browser.

 Not sure who created this one, but we found it at: http://disqus.com/forums/calgarybusinesblog/dissecting_the_successful_business_card_calgary_business_blog_matt_kermode/trackback/ 

The Internet Marketing List. 59 things you should be doing, but probably are not.

When rebuilding Synergy's website, these tips were a go to guide, and I have to give a big thanks to Ian at ConversionMarketing.com for this info packed post.

Internet marketing is about lots of little things, not one big one. This list is half-list, half-procedure. If you go down these items in order it might give you a decent internet marketing plan for the next few months. If you have others, post ’em as comments:

1. If you have a Flash introduction on your web site, delete it. If you don’t agree, try this: Shove your head into a bucket of water. Stay in there, not breathing, for 10 seconds longer than is comfortable. That’s what you’re doing to your customers. Delete it, please.
2. Check the load speed of every page on your site. If any load in more than 10 seconds, fix it (2-6 seconds is far better). If your developer says they can’t, and it’s not your own network causing the problem, fire them. Here’s a good page load tester.
3. Check your site for broken links. You can use a tool like Xenu. Fix those links. Do not pass this step until you’re done. If it takes your developer more than a week to do this step, again with the firing thing.

The anatomy of a perfect landing page.

We love a good infographic. Especially when they are full of useful design tips. Even if your not a landing page lover, the list of colors and the response they illicit is ever so handy. Double click to expand the image in your browser. 

Design Dreamy Direct Mail. All By yourself.

Direct Mail design is a tricky business, and a good design can make all the difference in the success of a mail campaign. So we decided to make good use of our talented design team, to inspire you all to create your own dreamy direct mail piece.

Creating YOUR Image, Online

When most people think of social media networking, they think of the hours of entertainment their own facebook or twitter account provides while they peruse photos and read about current events through tweets and status updates. But there is a different side to social media, and while it might be a bit slower to emerge on the scene, social media has exploded as the new, cost effective, instant, track-able, and viral marketing tactic. While it all seems like fun and games, businesses and professionals alike can not afford not to get on board the social media bandwagon.

".....But, how?" is the question I am often posed with. Creating the pages requires little technical saavy, an email account is usually all you need, and most of the top sites will walk you through the brief set up process. The question usually does not pertain to the technical component, but more how to best present ones image in an appealing, creative way that will not get lost among the masses of profiles and blogs.  In an attempt at a quick answer, here are a few things to consider as you navigate the process of building your online profile. 

1. What is your objective for the site? 
• Whether your goal is to drive people to an online store or blog, keep customers aware of current events/ sales, build brand awareness, (or for personal use, networking, secure clients, get a better job) makes sure you know your goals and prioritize them prior to setting up the page. Space is often limited and it will help you to narrow down what is really important to say
2. Who are you? What are your specialties, what can you provide others can not? 
• Answer all of those questions in as close to one sentence as you can get. This is the hardest part, but easily the most important. Be concise. This is the hook you will use to draw views in so they search for more about you.  There is no need to cram a ton of information in here, just enough to entice. Never forget the importance of sounding confident, it is OK to brag a little here. 
3. Heres the kicker-  Community and Content
• These two go hand in hand. It is useless to have thousands of contacts that don't know you or have no use for your services, and it is just as bad to have very few contacts who know you well. As with direct mail or any direct marketing for that matter, you need to make sure that you are getting your message into the hands of your target demographic. 

• Browse through the countless sites (here is a great list of them by category) pick the most relevant. There are of course, the Generic sites which most any demographic, facebook, twitter, linkedin, and blogger are my favorites. Once you've picked your platforms ( using more than one creates a more dynamic image, even if you are only consistent about one or two) Start connecting! 

• Start with people you know, coworkers clients, customers, customers, colleges, even family members to help get you started. 
• Now, spread the word about your new page! Advertise that you are out there (think emails, in store mentions, special offers exclusively through social media sites), and you will be surprised how quickly it catches on. 
• The real secret to social media success, in simple: once you have created the pages, USE THEM! Even if it is as simple as on status update a day... it keeps you active and makes sure that people are seeing your site. 
• Never underestimate the power of a picture. Attach them to important updates and you'll catch some eyes. 
• It is OK to be bare for a while. It takes a few weeks/ or months for the page to fill up. Content comes organically as you connect to friends and subscribers. 
• Here is a list of great ways to generate contents for a blog, but I think they are relevant for a social media page as well.