Online Catalog Strategies

Catalog printing has now steadily been giving way to online catalogs. With more and more market opportunities shifting towards the online market place it is only prudent to switch from the physical kind of catalog printing to the online kind of catalog media. Do not worry about this shift however, since a lot of the things that apply to physical catalog templates also apply to online catalogs as well. The medium may have changed, but the content and style is still the same. You just need to adjust the aspects a bit so that the online catalog can become more effective as an online tool.

In this article we will give you a few simple tips on strategies that you can use for your own online catalogs.

Large professional images - The first and important strategy for online catalogs, is actually a catalog printing classic. You have to display large and professional images of your products and services. People are very visual about the things they buy and catalogs are the epitome of of this sales paradigm. You have to make people like what they see, so this means your catalog images should be the best that you can offer. So hire a professional photographer to take images of all of your products for your online catalog. This can even double as images for your catalog printing as well. More or less however, good and well framed photographs that are set to emphasize the great qualities of your products is a standard and important strategy for catalogs. So do not forget about it. This should actually be your first step in creating an online catalog.

Quick but descriptive blurbs - Next we get to the writing. While pictures give people that initial attraction, content must follow through with some pertinent details. This is where "blurb" writing kicks in. Blurbs are those small descriptions about things that should help you figure out what that thing is all about. Now, while this may sound simple, it is actually an art form unto itself. You have to write something inviting, and detailed within a set number of spaces and words for it to be effective. Anything longer than three or four lines may not be the most effective catalog blurb to use. So for the best strategy for your catalog writing, it is best to hire a professional writer as well. For online catalogs, this is doubly important since most online searches use important key terms for displaying a page. So it is good to employ an expert online writer for your catalog. There are a lot of freelance online writers out there which should be apt for this situation.

Fast and Easy ordering process - Also, in your actual online catalog, always have a streamlined and easy to use payment process. Customers can really get turned off if the payment process exceeds a few minutes to accomplish. They want to understand the payment scheme easily, but it must also be said in a way that it does not get too boring and legalistic. Ask your web developer in creating an easy two step process of payment with quick and accessible fields so that people can have an easy time paying for the things they see in the catalog. Of course it is best to have a quick "buy now" link with the product picture to help expedite the process as well.

Print supplemental paper catalogs - Lastly, while you do have an online catalog, it is also good to print catalogs as well physically. This means investing in real catalog printing using an online printer. Supplemental catalogs are still very effective, and people actually like browsing through products without waiting a few seconds for a page to upload. So make sure you have a "send me a catalog by snail mail" option in your online catalog, so that people can opt-in to receive your catalog by mail as well.

Use these strategies well when you create your online catalog. By integrating this into your online catalog development you should be well assured that your potential customers will have a good time browsing your online and print catalogs. Hopefully this will generate the sales that can get your business to succeed.

Author: Colleen S. Davis

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Create Profits From Your Catalogs

It only takes 5 seconds for your target readers to decide whether they are interested in what you have to say or not. It only takes 5 seconds for your prospects to read and understand your message. In 5 seconds, you should already have convinced your target clients to order from your print catalogs, or at the very least, to call you or visit your website to know more about your products.

The way you’re printing catalogs say a lot about the message you would want to convey. In 5 seconds, your target clients already have a glimpse of what they can expect from your business - whether you’re a professional and can provide them with what they need; or someone that should just be disposed of right away because you’re only wasting their time.

If you would want your target readers to consider you in their list of impressive print catalogs, you must then be able to provide them with two things: an impressive overall image, and a compelling message. When done right, these two elements alone can get you more sales that you can ever imagine.

Your overall appearance is crucial in determining the impact that you will have on your target clients. Were they impressed by what you have to offer? Or did they think that what you have in your print catalogs doesn’t differ that much from your competition? Always remember that the first impression usually lasts longer than the second, third and even the fourth one.

When printing catalogs, you also need to consider that your message has to say something of value to your target market. That means that it should be congruent to their needs and wants. Sure, they may be attracted to your cool photos and funky graphics. But do you have what they need? Do you have what they want?

So here are wonderful suggestions to help you have your cash register ringing all day long:

‘What’s in it for me?’
Your print catalogs should be able to clearly tell your readers of what they can get if they read your collaterals. What are the benefits? Even unconsciously, the human mind provides us with the facility to see things according to what we value most. If you have relevance and your readers find something in your catalogs that they value, then you’ll be sure to get them interested in what you have to say for your business.

‘What are the benefits?’
People are interested in one thing only - the benefits. Don’t talk too much about your products’ features; instead, give your readers the benefits of dealing with you right away.

‘What’s your call-to-action?’
Finally, every marketing campaign, whether it’s printing catalogs or even flyer printing, you have to provide the next step to your readers. What do they do next? After reading your message, what then? Your call-to-action can provide your readers with the action that you require from them. Whether to call your phone numbers, to post their order forms, or visit your website, the bottom line is to have them scrambling to act on your offer instantly. The more they are eager to do your bidding, the better it is for you as their action can transform to profits for your business.

By: Colleen Davis

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Compelling Catalogs That Make Clients Buy

Why do clients buy? What’s the psyche behind the buying process? Studies have shown that for most clients, the process begins when there is a need that has to be satisfied. A prospective client buys the moment he/she becomes aware of that need. And although many buy on impulse, most of us do get our brains working and put all the details together to make a potential decision.

Until your target client becomes aware that he/she may need the product or service you are offering, your marketing collaterals such as your catalog printing pieces will just be ignored, or worse- chucked in the bin. No matter what you send them, and no matter how great your catalog printer may be, they just won’t pay attention to any of your efforts.

Convincing your target audience to buy from you takes a lot of effort and resources. If they have a current favorite, or if they are loyal to a particular brand, you might have a hard time talking them into trying out your brand. What if they won’t like your product or service? What if they can’t afford you? What if you don’t give them what you promised? Which is why for the most part, clients stay put when they have a brand that gives them what they need.

So how do you trigger a buying frenzy from your potential clients? For one thing, you can target your mailing list for your catalog printing collaterals. With a targeted catalog mailing list, you’ll be able to get a much higher rate of response, as compared to a shotgun deal. Simply put, if you’re a catalog printer, you might want to send your collaterals to those who have the potential to buy your product or avail of your service.

Secondly, targeting the right mailing list for your catalog printing strategy can also get you higher response if you include incentives. Your target audience would definitely want to scour your color catalogs if they know they will get something in return- a freebie, for one. Generally, the risks involved are worth taking when you can gain more in the process.

Another thing you can do is to focus your full color catalogs on what you can do for them instead of glossing over your achievements and how your company takes care of its clients. Do you have a solution to a particular concern? Can you give them the upside and downside of accepting another brand?

Clients buy because they have a need that has to be satisfied. They may choose to get your product. Or not. But if your print catalogs can become valuable to your target audience, they might just save them for later use or when they’re ready to avail of your service.

By: Andrew Michaels

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