I have always had files full of marketing materials, postcards, advertisements, samples, etc. of things that I received in the mail or picked up out and about that I really liked. When I used to work in nonprofit management as a development and marketing director, I would often turn to these files when thinking about composing “asks” or brainstorming for marketing campaigns. I wasn’t trying to copy other people—but it was a good jumping off place. Sometimes I saved things just because I liked the color combinations or the weight of the paper. In our home businesses, we can save materials and stuff we like too to inspire us in our own work…
Business cards, shipping invoices, postcards, marketing flyers, brochures, and even shopping bags can all be stocked away for reference. Have you ever received a promotional piece that you thought was really “cool” or grabbed you in an obvious way? By tucking that away and saving it—you might be able to analyze it and incorporate some of the same elements into your own business marketing.
I also used to save all the other materials and fundraising letters and events that were going on in my area when I did that sort of work so I could make sure that my work was different. It helps to know what is going on out there in your field or industry or what sort of marketing materials our competitors are sending out so that we can be certain to come up with something that really stands out and is not too much like the others.
Designate a file or a storage box for materials and make it convenient to tuck away things you want to save. This way you’ll have other people’s materials handy when you need inspiration or an idea, or just want to think about what might or might now work in your own materials.
Also: Should You Be Free or Stingy With Your Marketing Materials?
The Beginning of Your Marketing Materials Has to Pop!