Getting Back to (Business) Basics

Let’s talk business – your business, in particular. We’re going to help you get back to some business basics. Specifically, we will discuss business basics in terms of printed materials.

Business is not just about doing what you love every day (although we wish it were). You have to produce results.

And in order to do that, you have to produce and sell, or purchase and resell, or do something you can charge money for. Of course, it’s no use if you do any of these without having someone on the other side who is willing to pay for what you’re selling. And to get there? You need to market, brand and SELL.

Whether yours is a new hustle, a side hustle or a well-established business, you are likely to need at least one of our business basics.

If this wasn’t an obvious one to start with, you’re not concentrating! Business cards are the staple. The must-have. The most essential printed item in your marketing, branding and selling arsenal. Without them, you are nobody. Not literally, of course, but we can tell you that some people will have trouble remembering your name, or your company name. Why take the chance? Hand them a business card, and they’ll have no excuse!

Business cards don’t have to be used only as a simple contact card – there are many ways you can enhance their functionality – we’ll share more of those ideas another time.

These are your silent salespeople.

Flyers are great for getting news about specials offers, events or general services out to many people in a reasonably economical way. They’re especially great for reaching masses of people locally.

Brochures carry more in-depth information about your business, products and services. Many sales visits end with a potential client asking for something more concrete so they can “read up” and “share” what you’ve discussed. Brochures do the heavy lifting so you can concentrate on the rapport, the human connection, the relationships.

The patented STICK’nGlide® by Marin’s™ Southern Africa is a table- and counter-top display that sticks to all flat surfaces without adhesive. Unlike other table talkers, it won’t topple over, and custom cutouts allow you to add interest to your messaging. The possibilities are endless!

These are mini cheerleaders. They dance around as customers move between the shelves, calling attention to the products they’re closest to. OK, maybe they wobble more than they dance, but the mental image of wobbling cheerleaders is just too much!

So, back to mini dancing cheerleaders… they’re fantastic if you’re promoting some products as part of a campaign. You can customise the shape and messaging.

Does your upcoming campaign need some cheerleaders?

There is so much more to floor vinyls than social distancing indicators! Of course, you can use floor vinyls for that too, but they’re also great for leading customers to specific promotional displays or for highlighting specific products or areas in your store.

Why stop there? Some centres will even allow you to place floor vinyls outside your store to catch the attention of passing trade.

These are brand- or event-specific pop-up mini shops. Whether you want to promote a specific brand range or want to group products for an event like Valentine’s Day, the Marin’s™ Southern Africa display units (from floor-standing to counter-top displays) are what you need.

The best thing? They are highly customisable, totally brandable, vibrant and robust. Just add product.

Or maybe the best thing is that they are collapsible and easy to transport and store?

Either way, there’s a lot that is great about these pop-up mini shops.

Every business needs signage. And almost every business needs banners.

Signage can be as subtle as a plaque beside a door or as loud as a massive sign on the side of a building. Whether the former or the latter, its purpose is the same. It conveys information to your customers.

It’s either a subtle “you’ve found us, we are here”, or it’s a loud “CHECK THIS OUT, ISN’T IT GREAT?”. It could be anything in between too. “Turn here”, “buy this”, “don’t do this”, “remember this”, “be careful” …

And banners? Well, they’re temporary signage. Because they’re not permanent, and more moveable, banners are great for branding at events and advertising specific campaigns. Sometimes banners are just more practical.

Ahhhhh. We are having a long-term love affair with packaging. Honestly, we’re the kind of people who buy things we don’t need (or want), simply because the packaging is gorgeous.

If what you’re selling requires packaging, you’ll know just how many options there are.

You’ll also know that if there were two identical products placed on the shelf – one with well-designed, carefully considered packaging and the other with functional, garden-variety packaging – the former will fetch the higher price and be more popular.

We also know that your investment in packaging should fit the value of the product.

Whether it’s waterproof labels, vegan stickers or high-end foiled boxes with elaborate shapes, we’re having a love affair with your packaging needs.