Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I used Microsoft Publisher software to create my brochures. It costs about $100, if I remember correctly. It comes with dozens of templates and color palettes for creating everything from business cards to tri-fold brochures, calendars, greeting cards, gift certificates, letterhead, newsletters, envelopes, and much more. The templates were created by Microsoft designers, so it`s like having professional design services for the price of a software program.

I created tri-fold brochures and business cards for myself (I`m a freelance writer for this site and elsewhere), and I created business cards for my parents and for a friend who has a pet-sitting business. They all look great, but it`s the software that deserves the credit.

I use HP matte tri-fold brochure paper, which is a heavy cardstock that`s pre-scored for easy folding. For the business cards I use Avery 8869 (print to edge) or Avery 8877 Clean Edge Business Cards, depending on the design of the card. They print eight to a page and then snap out cleanly, with no visible perforations. Few people would be able to tell that the cards weren`t professionally printed. I print them and the brochures on an inexpensive color printer.

The software and the color printer, if you don`t already have one, are an investment, but I`d recommend it. You can change your business card or brochure at any time. And as we all know, things change quickly when you have a new business. Good luck!

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Melissa Martin
Freelance writer and editor
Moreau, New York

That`s good advice, Karen. All of it.

I would say that you`ll want to talk to future customers and see what media they are familiar and comfortable with. Are seniors in your area comfortable with the web?

A web site is probably a prerequisite, though.

Matt

 

Liked your comments  Thanks!
I did think about postcards (for later on though) when I wanted to announce
a new service or feature one service in particular or a seasonal service. I know image or brand is so important (and since this service business is a first of its kind, I would like a brand that people will remember). I am going to depend on word of mouth advertising, I will be dealing with seniors and they tell others
good or bad about the experience they had.  I think most seniors would do well with brochures vs my website. I think my website will work for younger people (not to insinuate that seniors dont use the internet)  I think it would work for me to present brochures (a leave behind tool) for initial consultations with seniors. I can explain what my company will do for them and go through my printouts and explain to them in detail the services that would help them specifically. Then leave the brochure so they could discuss it later with their children and each other. Then if their kids want to check me out they can go my website. Right now I have matching cards and stationary but I dont have a logo. I would like a logo for my website and my suv sign and later on add it to cards and stationary and postcards. 
jo


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Jo
NJ

Hi Melissa, thanks!
Thats a major point you brought up - how quickly things change - that did it for
me - Im going to print my own brochures up. I did print cards up initially and came out great - but then I did order from Vista - since the price was right - I got a lot of cards for the price - but it didnt have the colors like mine did. So in this case I went for quantity not quality. I do have the glossy brochure paper and I have a HP printer and a Lexmark printer/copier/scanner. Can`t I print out the brochures on my HP printer and have them in color ? - it worked on my cards. Do you have any experience with "desktop publishing software". I have that installed on my computer? Thanks
jo


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Jo
NJ

I actually can see the justification for a brochure in that case.

Maybe you can post for a graphic designer who wouldn`t mind taking on a cheap assignment. Then you can print it off yourself, or head to some Kinkos or printer for more versions?

I think that would be a cheaper route. But I want to reiterate what`s been said before... make sure your branding and message points are all squared away and then get ready. That way, two years from now, you`re not in the same boat.

 

I havent talked to any seniors yet - outside of seniors in my family - and they
arent on the web at all! I guess some use it, but I have talked to other people in business who specialize in business with seniors and they all say they really could use my services, some more than others of course.  I heard a heart breaking story yesterday from a business owner.  This senior went to get her taxes done and she found out that her bonds were cashed out and she owed the taxes on them. Guess who cashed them out? - Her daughter and she refused to press charges. Her daughter forged her name.
I think with seniors, the best approach is a face to face meeting - so I can actually ask them a series of questions, I have forms for them to fill out and to find out what they really need to stay independent. I think for most of them they probably will just call me on the phone if they have a question or ask me in person.
jo


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Jo
NJ

Hello Jo.

I have been thinking that you might need to ... refine your target market a little bit.  I really think that seniors are the easy money for you to go after.  They are a captive audience that is easily found.  Have you thought about presenting your services to assisted living facilities?  My great grandmother lives in one and is still quite independent at 90, but I am sure there are days that she needs an errand run and simply doesn`t have the energy.  Facilities like Senior Mobile Home Parks, Senior Apartment Buildings, Assisted Living Facilities.  Seniors group together which makes them easy to find and a you can centralize your advertising resources, not to mention if you get one happy customer in a community word of mouth is sure to work in your favor.  (It works both ways though; piss off an old woman she will let everyone know).  Maybe get started with seniors and grow your business later using profit rather than investment.  Also flyers are a great idea...door knockers...stuff that can be felt and read at the persons leisure but I don`t think it is a replacement for your site.  I will make graphics and logos for your site with enough resolution that you can use them for flyers as well.

Senior communities have lobbies that friends and families walk through when they come to visit grandma, some strategically placed flyers there could work wonders, ... Children sometimes don`t have time to help out as much as they would like, but sending mom groceries or prescriptions through you would be a good option.  Not to mention if they do it for their aging parents, you are sure to pick them up as clients once they get accustomed to your services.

Robert

Hi Robert
Thats a great idea - assisted living - I never thought of that, but  your`re so right on target! - I could place flyers on their bulletin board or register with management there. That alone could come result in a lot of new clients. I know that I have to be very receptive to seniors - they do group together!  Flyers are great for door knockers and brochures for intial consultations but websites given information 24/7.
Tks
jo


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Jo
NJ

Hi--gotta make this quick because I`m on the way to the airport. Always late. A couple thoughts. First, my parents (age 64 and 66) live near Ft. Lauderdale and are members of a boat club. Nearly everyone in the club is at least on the web, if not entirely proficient at using it. Also, all of my dad`s siblings are web savvy. So I wouldn`t be quick to assume that you don`t need a website for that market.

Second, the MS Publisher program includes an automatic logo feature. You choose the one you like, and it drops the name of your business into the pre-designed logo. I can`t say they`re stunning, but they do look professional. Another nice thing is that the logos are part of the brochure design templates (if you don`t want them or you want to use your own logo, you can choose one of those options instead).

Finally, I can`t say whether the desktop publishing software that came with your computer will work well for this. Probably will, but I`d need to know specifically what software it is. If it`s Publisher, you`re in business, and Publisher is part of the MS Office suite on many computers.

Good discussion, everyone!

 

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Melissa Martin
Freelance writer and editor
Moreau, New York

Hi Melissa,
Thanks for the post -
I have microsoft publisher 2003 (I had to order it separately, it didnt come with
my computer) I am going to try to print up my brochures myself, if I dont like the logos they have I will get prof help on that.
 I should have mentioned, the seniors that I am marketing my services to are not
in their 60`s - I am talking about older seniors. Seniors that need help to live
independently and dont get around much. I am not talking about active seniors.
I know there are seniors that are internet savvy - but I feel there are a lot of
seniors that aren`t also.  I will be marketing on line for the seniors and/their
family so either way someone will see my website.
Thanks ! and have a safe trip
jo


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Jo
NJ