Catalogs are a Marketing Gold Mine
In 1498, the first product catalog was created by Aldus Pius Manutius. His invention changed how businesses connected with their customers. Catalogs have the powerful ability to psychologically and financially benefit both the businesses and shoppers.
Catalogs offer a remote way for customers to enjoy the convenience of ordering, without visiting a store or website. Like many marketing tools, catalogs experience fluctuating trends in popularity. Today they are being used more than ever before due to the benefits they offer retailers and even small businesses.
Psychological Benefits
Product catalogs have strong psychological responses in consumers, which contribute to their value. According to Harvard Business Review, catalogs allow customers to envision themselves using your product. When customers can imagine themselves using a product from your catalog, they become inspired and excited about the purchase. That increased level of endorphins can influence a consumer to make a purchase because of the good feelings associated with it.
Consumers show a very clear preference for physical marketing materials over digital. This is rooted in our brain’s response, as Neuroscience Studies said, “Physical pieces trigger activity in a part of the brain that corresponds with value and desirability.” This connection leads to a better memory of your products and a familiar trust in the marketing message. These findings are backed by a MarketingSherpa survey, where a significant 82% of respondents trusted print ads like newspapers and magazines when making purchase decisions. These studies highlight the enduring edge of catalogs compared to digital marketing methods.
Catalogs bring personal connection and that’s what sets them apart from digital marketing. Studies show, “over 50% of consumers prefer direct mail over email and 67% feel direct mail is more personal” Catalogs are not a relic of the past but modern tools that offer a unique psychological advantage in today’s marketing game. By incorporating affordable product catalogs into your strategy, you tap into a consumer preference on a psychological level.
Financial Benefits
Catalogs offer a tangible financial boost for businesses. A study done by the Harvard Business Review found that businesses that sent out catalogs and emails experience a “49% lift in sales and 125% lift in inquiries when compared to the control group. In comparison the ‘email-only’ group had a 28% increase in sales and 77% lift in inquiries over the control group.” This proves catalogs drive more sales and inquiries than email alone.
The unique advantage of catalogs is that they usually stay in a customer’s home for most of their life. Catalogs can be reminders of the value your business has to offer the potential customer or viewer. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the surge in remote work. As Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom notes, “a staggering 42% of the U.S. labor force now works from home full-time.” With more people spending time at home, the longer a catalog stays in a home, the higher the chance of engagement and sales. Businesses are rediscovering the psychological and financial power of this tradition.
The Best Product Catalog Marketing Tips
You understand the power of product catalogs, and now you’re ready to take yours to the next level. Forget the same old design advice because we’re here to help your catalog and stand out from the competition. Let’s explore strategies that will launch your catalog into the next level!
Tip #1: Create a Story
Get you customers’ attention with images that tell a story instead of boring product lists. show how your products make the user’s life better through stunning visuals and creative layout. Think of Ikea and how their room displays show what each item has to offer. Visual story telling immerses the customer into a desired lifestyle and creates a stronger ‘vividness’ response.
Tip #2: Offer Limited Time Promotions
Don’t hide your sales! Show them off in many pages of your catalog. Studies show that highlighting sales in your catalog will boost engagement. Bold letters and colorful icons add visual urgency to your promotion and help leverage the fear of missing out on great deals to drive sales. This simple strategy can have a major impact on your catalog’s success.
Tip #3: Utilize Innovative Apps to Make Your Direct Mail Stand Out
Stunning product catalog designs can take the experience to a whole new level!
- Textures and scents: Create a multi-sensory connection with product’s texture and aroma.
- Virtual reality try-ons: No need to leave home to see how that new outfit looks.
- Augmented reality shopping: Customers can bring products to life in their own space.
These forge an emotional bond between your customers and your brand. When products become linked to positive experiences and memories, the chance of a purchase goes way up.
Make your catalog stand out from the mailbox clutter with PrintingCenterUSA’s Soft Touch Lamination. This luxurious, velvety paper creates an irresistible tactile experience that will keep your catalog in customers’ hands (and off the recycling pile!). Request a sample pack today to see the difference Soft Touch Lamination can make for yourself.
Tip #4: Remember to Include a Way to Track Conversions
When Sending out catalogs its important to make sure your success is trackable. This way you’ll be able to investigate the campaign as it runs.
- QR Codes: Customers scan for product details or to make a purchase.
- Response Codes: Unique codes track orders and inquiries back to your catalog.
- Personalized URLs: Drive traffic to landing pages which will give insights into catalog clicks.
- Unique Promo Codes: Easily see the influence of catalog-specific offers on sales.
Tracking provides data on what’s working and what’s not which lets you optimize your catalog marketing for even stronger returns in the future.
Conclusion
Investing in a professional catalog can have a huge impact on your marketing strategy and profits. At PrintingCenterUSA we offer a range of customization options to get the perfect look and feel for your brand. Need guidance? Our expert advice and customer service team is ready to help. Give us a call at (800) 995-1555. Let’s turn your catalog dreams into a reality!
