Need to jump start a marketing campaign, but time is already running out?
It happens to every marketer. Deadlines sneak up on you and suddenly you need printed marketing materials ASAP. Product launches, trade shows, seasonal promotions. They all have one thing in common. Rushed timelines that require precision execution.
The issue?
Marketing teams lose precious time trying to reinvent the wheel each time a crunch deadline occurs. Under stress people make mistakes. Files get sent to print too early. Copy errors aren’t caught. Designs look like they were slapped together by your nephew.
Campaigns lack the quality they need to deliver real results.
Here’s the good news. It doesn’t have to be that way.
In this guide you’ll discover:
- Why Rushed Deadlines Are Here to Stay
- The Printing Advantage You’re Not Thinking About
- 5 Actions to Get Professional Results When You’re On the Clock
- How to Create a Repeatable Marketing Launch Process
Ready? Jump right in!
Why Rushed Deadlines Are Here to Stay
First things first…they aren’t going anywhere.
Marketing timelines have never been shorter. Consumer attention spans are declining. Trends evolve faster than ever before. Brands need to move quicker and respond to changes in real-time.
According to recent research, customers won’t buy from you until they trust you. And trust isn’t built by launching brands behind month old logos and embarrassing fonts.
When was the last time you picked up a flyer that looked like it could have been designed by your grandmother?
You probably didn’t. Chances are you ignored it.
If your marketing campaign looks sloppy and unprofessional, it’s only hurting your ability to generate trust — even if it’s put together at the last minute.
That’s why having access to a trusted pamphlet printer who offers same day rush printing is so important. Brochures, flyers, posters and direct mail all work, but only if the materials you put into the world represent your brand in the best light possible.
Time is ticking. Make sure your message sticks.
The Printing Advantage You’re Not Thinking About
Ready for a secret that the “digital is better than print” crowd doesn’t want you to know?
Print Marketing works.
Need proof? Print ads have been shown to have a 70-80% higher recall rate over digital ads. Meaning when a consumer sees a print ad, they’re far more likely to remember it than your Facebook banner ad.
Not only that…
Print marketing actually holds an average response rate of 9%, while email, paid search, and social ads all hover around a measly 1%.
In other words, customers not only remember print ads more, they take action based on them at a rate 9 times higher.
Here’s the real kicker:
When you’re in crunch mode, it’s much easier to send out print ads than it is to build a full digital marketing campaign. Build that fancy landing page? Host it online? Design a matching ad? Drive traffic to the whole thing?
Easy enough? News flash. It doesn’t have to be that complicated.
By combining offline print materials with digital tracking (more on that below), you can get ahead of the curve by gaining access to one of the highest response rate channels in marketing.
Just remember…you have to actually print it.
5 Actions to Get Professional Results When You’re On the Clock
Got something that needs to print tomorrow? Let’s make it happen.
Have Templates Ready to Edit
Starting from scratch is the number one time sucker for crunch campaigns.
Leave the designing to the professionals and focus on editing pre-made templates that your print provider should have saved just for you. Pamphlets, flyers, posters, social graphics. Anything can be pre-made and ready to customize with your unique copy.
Saving hours by not designing from scratch.
Focus on One Marketing Channel
You know those ambitious marketing campaign ideas that try to hit all angles at once?
Yeah…don’t do those on crunch time.
Pick one channel to dominate. Is your audience local? Blanket the city with pamphlets. Is your audience online? Dominate one social media platform. Pick a lane and own it.
Remember, mice came before elephants.
Combine Print and Digital Tracking
Printing and designing can be simple, but you still want to gather results from your campaign. Here’s how.
Add a tracking link to your printed materials. Whether that’s a QR code on a pamphlet that drives traffic to a landing page, or social media hashtag on a poster, there are tons of free tools that make tracking responses super simple.
Create accountability with something that can track responses online, then PRINT IT.
Outsource When You Need To
Free up manpower when it matters most.
Chances are you don’t have an in-house design team just waiting to make your marketing dreams come true. That’s okay! Utilize freelance sites like Fiverr or Upwork to find experienced designers and writers that can help your team out when crunch time hits.
The key is having these resources lined up before you need them.
Build Your Own Deadline
Last but certainly not least…
Your campaign isn’t due until your shareholders meeting. It doesn’t mean you should send those files to print ASAP.
Build your own internal deadline that forces your team to stay on track. Whether it’s setting a deadline 24 hours before print needs to occur, or simply setting a team lunch where everyone must deliver something tangible.
Get creative.
Without this artificial deadline, there is ZERO buffer. When files go to print there will be errors. And those errors will haunt you.
Building a Repeatable Marketing Launch Process
Deadlines are tough. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for them. Have assets ready to print at a moments notice. Build systems so that your team can execute flawlessly, even when your lead rapper goes vegan and decides swing dancing is their new passion.
You want consistency? Document your process and stick to it.
Need something printed yesterday? These repeatable systems will make it possible.
Wrapping It All Up
Having to put together a marketing campaign when time is running out is the worst.
But hey, it happens. Instead of freaking out and worrying about how your boss is going to react when things don’t go according to plan, just remember…
- Marketing deadlines aren’t going anywhere. Plan for them instead of reacting to them.
- Print marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. Pamphlets and direct mail can still set you apart from competitors.
- Design templates can save you hours when you’re in a pinch.
- Outsourcing work to freelancers can ease the burden on your team.
- Build your own deadline. You’ll be glad you did.
Next time that unexpected deadline comes rushing at you, take a deep breath and remember the steps above. Your team will thank you later.
