Advertising Information

Can I Write and Print My Own Business Brochures and Business Cards?


If you have a computer and a printer, preferably one that can print in color, then you can make your own brochures and business cards that are very professional-looking! Be sure to use good quality paper (that is available at any office supplies store like Office Depot or Staples) for anything that you are going to hand out or send to potential customers and clients.

Writing Text for Your Brochure and Business Card

The very best thing to do is to get a few examples of business brochures and business cards, preferably from the same type of business as the business you are starting. If you can't find any, then think about the type of customer or client you are trying to attract.

If you are starting a professional service as your at-home business (such as accounting, bookkeeping, proofreading, etc.), then the text and graphics used in your brochure and business card should be minimal, crisp, easy to read, and contain only the most vital pieces of information. "Clutter" is not very professional. Pick paper colors that are monotone (one color) or that have a nice edging in a complementary color. State what services you have to offer, describe your business in professional-style precise terms, and make sure that your contact information (name, phone/fax/cell number, and email address) is easy to locate.

If you are going to start up something like a children's birthday party service or another "fun" type of business, then you definitely want to think about bright colors and graphics that grab people's attention! Remember though, don't "clutter" your brochure or business card with too much information! Make sure your prospective customers can find your name, phone number, and email address easily---make them want to contact you right away!

Creating Brochures

Most brochures are either bi-fold (one fold, four printable sides or "areas") or tri-fold (two folds, with six printable areas). You need to decide on which format you want to use, and then shop for good-quality paper that comes pre-scored (or "creased") so that it folds with a sharp edge. Brochure paper is heavier than printer paper (called "stock" or "card stock").

Your computer probably has a few built-in templates for creating simple brochures. Many "print shop" type software programs offer a variety of templates that you can use to create more professional-looking brochures. Regardless of which you use, it should require very little effort to create your first business brochure! (I was able to use a template provided in my Hallmark Greetings! software to create a brochure that was professional-looking and had a little bit of "personality" to it!)

Follow the instructions for the template you are going to use, and write the text for your brochure as described above. If you are going to insert pictures or graphics, make sure that you are not violating any copyrights (if you are taking graphics from another source). Using the guidelines given above, make your text simple and clear and be sure that your contact information is easy to locate on the brochure.

Business Cards

Just as for the brochures, your computer will either have a few easy templates to use, or you can use any print-shop-type software that has templates for business forms. Using the guidelines as given above, write the text for your business card.

I do suggest that you buy business cards that are "laser-perforated" so that when you separate the business cards after you print them, you will get nice sharp edges.

Flyers

If you have the type of business that you can promote by tacking up flyers, then you need nothing more than your word processing software. Flyers are generally printer paper sized, and you can be as creative as you like!

You might want to invest in card-stock-weight paper for your flyers. This paper is a little heavier and will be a little more durable than printer paper.

Things to Remember When Printing Your Business Brochures and Business Cards

  • Keep the text simple!

  • Buy good quality paper!

  • Set your printer preferences for "Better" or "Best" print quality

  • Print a "test" page first, using just plain printer paper (fold as necessary for a brochure or cut to size for a business card and make sure it "looks" good)

  • Be sure to save your brochure and business card templates so that you can easily print more or change information as needed, as your business grows

About The Author

Jan K., The Proofer is freelance proofreader and copyeditor. Visit http://www.janktheproofer.com for more information about Jan's services; http://work-at-home.janktheproofer.com for work at home articles and free printables; and for work at home moms, visit Jan's sister site http://work-at-home.momsbreak.com for articles, free printables, and work at home T-shirts and other fun products.

© Copyright 2004 All rights reserved.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Money Times

New York Times now offers front-page advertising
MarketWatch - Jan 5, 2009
"In 2006 we began testing ads on some section fronts and received a very positive response from the advertising community," said Denise Warren, ...
Video: Money Minute: Times Ads, Hyundai, Construction AssociatedPress
How much are those front-page Times ads? Reuters
NY Times debuts front-page ad; new revenue source The Associated Press
Adweek - Western Standard- Shotgun Blog
all 361 news articles


Recession raises stakes for Super Bowl advertising
guardian.co.uk, UK - 21 hours ago
"The Super Bowl remains this incredibly unique advertising opportunity because you get all this focus and all this attention and all the PR buzz around it," ...
Kellogg School of Management Faculty Available to Discuss Super ... PR Newswire (press release)
Super Bowl Marketers Must Gauge Sensitivity Mediapost.com
Super Bowl success requires follow-through SmartBrief
Financial Times
all 22 news articles


BeliefNetworks, Inc. Launches AffinityAgent Advertising ...
MSNBC - Jan 6, 2009
Utilizing this technology, BeliefNetworks is able to help a variety of customers in the advertising and publishing world develop relevant ad concepts and ...


Dallas Pushes for More Video Board Advertising
MSNBC - Jan 6, 2009
The city council is looking to add more video advertising boards and told city staff that the five currently planned for Main Street are not enough. ...


Time Warner to Report Loss After $25 Billion Charge
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
The economy has hurt advertising at the AOL and publishing units more than anticipated, the world’s largest media company said today in a statement. ...
Time Warner now expects a loss BloggingStocks
Write-downs send Time Warner into red CITY A.M.
Time Warner Sees Loss for Year Wall Street Journal
MarketWatch - The Associated Press
all 488 news articles


BBC News

Iliad, France Telecom CEOs Press Senators to Cut Public TV Tax
Bloomberg - 6 hours ago
President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed a 0.9 percent levy on the telecommunications companies’ sales to make up for lost revenue from an advertising ban on ...
Is Nicolas Sarkozy really trying to Berlusconise French TV? Telegraph.co.uk
Strikes greet Sarkozy's TV reform BBC News
French unions decry TV advertising change Forbes
World Socialist Web Site - Voice of America
all 118 news articles


Accuray Receives Prestigious Awards for 2008 Advertising Campaign
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 2 hours ago
The ADDY Awards, presented by the American Advertising Federation, is the world's largest advertising competition. With more than 60000 entries annually, ...


Gaming Alerts

Online Casino Crosses Advertising Standards Agency
Online Casino News, CT - 4 hours ago
... context of toughness, and linked it to excessive risk taking and reckless behaviour', said a spokesperson for the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). ...
Ladbrokes's online casino broke advertising rules Reuters UK
Ladbrokes TV ads banned for linking gambling to reckless behaviour guardian.co.uk
LADBROKES CRITICAL OF ASA RULING RecentPoker
The Press Association - Financial Times
all 28 news articles


School district to use online advertising service for job openings
Reno Gazette Journal, NV - 6 hours ago
CareerBuilders.com continues to be the advertising venue of choice for Lyon County School District job vacancies. At a total cost of $21085 through ...


Los Angeles Business Journal

US court upholds LA ban on billboards
Los Angeles Times, CA - 6 hours ago
The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a lower-court ruling, saying the city's 2002 prohibition of outdoor advertising does not violate a sign ...
Laurence Tribe Tangles with Los Angeles -- and Loses! LA Weekly
Rare Victory: Sign Company Slapped Down By Court Curbed
Appeals court upholds LA's billboard ban San Jose Mercury News
Los Angeles Times
all 33 news articles

Advertising - Google News

home | site map | Recommended Partner Sites
© 2008