Do you know how to design a brochure? Do you really need a brochure? What about a catalog? You might’ve stumbled upon this article trying to learn how to design a brochure, but we’ve got a better idea.
Instead of trying to use boring templates and “make something work” with what you have, try outsourcing this part. It’s just more practical to use that big brain of yours for ideas and direction while letting a professional handle the intricate details of high-quality design.
Do I Need a Brochure or a Catalog?
When Should I Use a Brochure?
Brochures are incredibly diverse, and they can include many things. You might choose to insert a business card, coupons, or some other special offer.
Nowadays, people still expect to get some kind of printed materials with information about the particular business on it.
You don’t have to know how to design a brochure to have one; you can hire a professional to do it for you.
Here are some brochure types you may need:
Trade Show Brochure
As a business owner at a trade show, you can give prospects your business card and hope that they visit your website. Or you can give them a brochure packed with value that makes them want to visit your website and make a purchase. When you print higher quantities, brochures are quite inexpensive to print.
Media Kit Brochure
It’s a great idea to include a brochure with your media kit. Usually, media kits are given to news organizations. These organizations are then able to write stories about the business and its products and services. A brochure makes it easier for them to scroll over your products and services.
Direct Mail Brochure
Brochures are packed with valuable information. It’s the perfect thing to send to your mailing list if you have one. If you don’t, we advise you to get one.
Instead of just a postcard or ad, which is less likely to convert customers, try a brochure that makes the customer feel like you put real time and effort into providing them with value.
These are just a few of the ways you can use a brochure.
When Should I Use a Catalog?
Various businesses use catalogs to boost their revenue. These make for excellent mail orders. It’s not true that printed marketing collateral is dead. Here’s confirmation that print is still the most trusted medium for consumers. People often look at a catalog, see something they like, and then jump online to order it real quick, model number in hand.
Product Based Mail Orders
You can use catalogs for service-based businesses too, but for product-based businesses, it’s a must. Here’s an article from Forbes about why print catalogs are still popular. You can list your products and provide people with discounts and other incentives to visit your store, whether online or physically.
Portfolio
Some catalogs can act as portfolios. They don’t necessarily have to advertise something for sale. Instead, they can demonstrate certain works, such as photography or graphic design.
Brand Promotion
Catalogs are more than just a way for customers to choose and buy products. They can also be used to attract new customers. If you promote your brand correctly, a catalog is an excellent way to share your brand identity with the world.
These are just a few of the ways you can use a catalog.
How Much Does a Brochure Design Cost?
Brochures, catalogs, and other marketing collateral support the brand in a way that is tangible and engaging. You will find that some designers charge per hour while others charge a package rate.
Based on our research, brochure design can cost:
Average of $70 per hour
Average of $1500 per brochure design
Click here to find out our prices.
There are plenty of bargains online for brochures, but as always, you get what you pay for.
Unfortunately, there are many “designers” who offer these services at low rates like $15 per hour or $150 for a brochure, but these brochures often turn out to be unusable. Usually, at those rates, you can expect to get a result that shows little experience and lack an understanding of your audience.
Why Hire a Professional?
Assuming you don’t know how to design a brochure, it’s important to understand what a brochure design should demonstrate:
- Understanding the company’s objectives, USP, and place in the market.
- Studying competitors’ marketing collateral to get an idea of what’s out there.
- Making your brochure stand out in a way that will differentiate it from others.
- Creating the brand story across the design with the perfect voice and tone.
- Making sure the brochure is visually pleasing through including images and other content with precise balance.
- Ensuring that your key messages are clearly being communicated through the design.
A good professional designer will work with you directly so that you can discuss the project in detail. A good design company will have no problem with providing royalty-free images that can help accentuate and emphasize your core messages.
You get options, and you get revisions.
Professional designers, good ones at least, will give you options. You can provide them with feedback and even give them examples of how your ideal brochure would look. Then you’ll both discuss and refine the brochure until it sings your brand name and converts your potential customers into actual ones.
Conclusion
Brochures, catalogs, and other marketing collateral can help define and advertise your brand. If you run a product-based business, these are crucial to letting people know who you are and what you sell. If you don’t know how to design a brochure, as demonstrated in this article, it can be very affordable to have it done professionally.
