Sometimes it's easy to forget that literally every item you send out with your company's logo on
it is also a piece of merchandizing. Even the most utilitarian of branded items still act as brand ambassadors, carrying your name, logo, and message to everyone who sees it.
And superior branded items suggest a superior company.
Document folders are a great example of this. They're one of the most innocuous items you can distribute, and if you're in a paper-heavy business, you're likely giving them out every day. So rather than treating them as “just” a folder, why not look at them as the marketing items they really are?
Seven Great Ways Superior Document Folders Market Your Brand
1 – Informative or Entertaining Copy
Your document folders can have virtually any text on them you can imagine, and there's plenty of room to write as much as you want. Rather than using cut-rate copy, have someone in marketing work up copy that the recipient will honestly find interesting. You might even consider including cartoons or illustrations. Whether you're including a few jokes, the history of your company, or vital information for your clients, give them folders they'll want to read!
2 – Attach Digital Media
Many folders come with plastic sleeves which are perfect for attaching CDs or DVDs. These turn your document and accordion folders into full-featured promotional items, with the potential to carry pictures, video, or even interactive software alongside the documents stored inside. Few clients can resist popping a free CD-ROM into their computer to see what's on it, so this is a great opportunity to add all the extra marketing you want.
3 – Full Color Graphics And Foil-Coating Stand Out
When you think of official document holders, they're usually pretty plain but with a little creative design using bold colors, foil stamping or full color photographs you can turn a document folder into a walking billboard for your brand. When your client is walking down the street with one of your accordion folders under their arm, it promotes your company and brand to anyone they come in contact with.
4 – A Big, Bold Motto
Don't forget to include both your logo and motto on your document folders. Your motto conveys your company's purpose, goals, and ideology all in one. If there's only a single element that needs to be striking and easily-seen, it's your motto. Don't bury your logo in the corner; make it stand out!
5 – Include Messages Inside And Out
One of the best things about document and accordion folders is how much space they give you to work with. Besides the exterior, both the inside flap and the inside compartment can be customized as well. “Look Inside!” messaging encourages people looking on the outside to keep on reading the interior as well. In the meantime, you've got enough space for a couple articles' worth of copy if you want, so there's nearly no limit to how much information you can fit in there.
6 – Encourage Reuse
Here's a slightly sneaky suggestion: Play up the 'green' aspects of your document folders, and encourage those receiving them to continue using them. If the folder is particularly high quality, such as being made from printed plastic, it could last for years and remain a part of your clients' filing cabinet for a long time to come.
7 – Give Away Extras!
When you're at a trade show or other professional meeting, keep some document folders on hand to give out as promotional items on their own merits. Even if there's nothing inside them, having some extras floating around encourages people to give them away to friends or coworkers, spreading your message further. You won't get that kind of response with a plain paper folder.
Have you found other promotional uses for your document folders? Let us know in the comments!
