Alan Reading has presented for Business Link, Enterprise Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, conferences and seminars for The British Hardware Federation, The Newspaper Society, the Association of Free Newspapers, training and marketing companies on starting, promoting and marketing business.

He is an award winning designer, has judged more than his fair share of design awards, hosted breakfasts, lunches, dinners, dinner dances, balls and networking events, compéred fashion shows, radio programmes and appeared on TV more than once, frequently on behalf of clients.

Alan is a business minded Designer (past President - and Chairman - of 3 Chambers in Kent) running his own business - Custom Marketing Resources (01622 820841) - since 1994. You will learn even more - and see what his customers say about him - on his website http://www.cmr-group.co.uk He is willing to provide free advice by phone too even about websites.

Register with CMR by email today - there's always something new to hear. creative@cmr-group.co.uk

Send them a post card.

I'm not sure why but I am on my 12th post card and job in just a few months.

Local businesses seem to have taken to the post card as an ideal way to market their service. The garage; marketing and sales developer; bridal stationery; virtual assistant; plumber; paint stripper; chiropodist; beautician; village club; bowls club; creative services and now transport trainers have all latched onto the idea.

True it can (if the design is any good) become a bit of a keep sake, a little bit like a large format business card. It can, if it's printed on the right board, feel good too. Lots of room; straight to the point; informative; colourful and long lasting.

 

 

 

 

Most are A6 (quarter A4) but some are the same size as a business envelope, DL (third A4).

Small runs, like this invite, are digitally printed, larger runs by litho (it's a while since I did a foiled one). Some are distributed by hand at networking events, others at exhibitions, some by mailing in an envelope with a return address (to help keep the customer list current) and another might be going door to door courtesy of Royal Mail. The numbers are different but the effect is the same, important information: new address; new service; product range; did you know; welcome to; remember us and new owners.

It obviously works.

If you know a better way to locally tell me - just send me a post card.

Alan Reading runs Custom Marketing Resources providing a full range of marketing services to clients of all types and sizes. He's good with customer care too so if you know nothing about marketing you'll be treated gently! 01622 820841 or creative@cmr-group.co.uk