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It’s a common misconception that creating digital marketing content simply comes down to slapping some graphics and copy together and adding a sprinkle of random hashtags to top it off. However, any marketer will tell you that it is never that cut-and-dry. In today’s digital landscape, it’s crucial to create content with care, to ensure that it gets noticed, resonates with your target audience, and sends the right message about your brand. From composition, quality, tone, verbiage, and overall relevance, marketers need the right tools to ensure all these elements are on point, every time. Luckily, the following content creation tools can help you do just that. 1. Canva Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t put Canva at the top of this list. After all, there is a reason why this platform is arguably the most popular content-creation tool now. Whether you’re looking to create social media content, a presentation, website banners, etc., you can get it all done on Canva. This content creation tool is notable for its extremely large library of free stock images, videos, audio, fonts, and graphics. It also has hundreds of different pre-designed templates that you can choose to work with if you need a little inspiration. However, if you would rather work from scratch, you can simply pick from one of their blank templates, which are pre-sized for anything from an Instagram story to a letterhead. The free version of the tool is extremely comprehensive. But those who want more can invest in Canva Pro or Canva Team depending on how many people you would like to have access to the account. Those who choose to upgrade their Canva account will enjoy additional features such as brand controls, reports and insights, and the ability to collaborate in real time. 2. CapCut There is no shortage of platforms to choose from when it comes to editing video content. Unfortunately, there are a few common problems among a significant number of them according to feedback from users. Many video editing platforms have a steep learning curve that can make using them frustratingly difficult or downright impossible. On top of this, they may hide important features behind a paywall or even lack the features altogether. Enter CapCut! CapCut (previously ViaMaker) is a free all-in-one video editing tool developed by the creators of TikTok and ByteDance. On top of being incredibly intuitive to use via desktop, CapCut has a surprisingly user-friendly mobile version as well. It also has a generous list of features, including professional-looking transitions and effects, auto-captions, and a free audio library that includes both music and sound effects. And the best part is…it’s all free! Only recently as of the date of this post did CapCut introduce a pro version that boasts some extra editing tools. But subscribing to this version is by no means necessary to enjoy most of the robust features this platform offers. 3. Hashtagify.me Hashtags are a great way to increase the reach of your social media posts and get noticed by a relevant audience. However, spamming a bunch of irrelevant, overly broad hashtags that are trending completely defeats this purpose. At the same time, filling your post with ultra-specific and seldom searched hashtags is not an effective strategy either. Hashtagify.me is a free tool that allows you to search and analyze different hashtags on both Twitter and Instagram. Once you have searched for a hashtag, you can determine its popularity and how it is most used, which better allows selecting the most appropriate hashtags to incorporate into your posts. This tool also gives you instant hashtag suggestions for tweets and gathers real-time insights on a hashtag's popularity, related hashtags, and influencers. As stated, this tool is free. However, you have the option to upgrade your plan to sign up for alerts on specific hashtags, track influencers and usage patterns, and more. 4. Grammarly Many online platforms offer some form of spellcheck and/or grammar check. However, any marketer worth their salt will tell you that writing good copy comes down to more than just accurate spelling and properly placed commas. Rather, it is also extremely important to write content that is both clear and engaging, all the while conveying the proper tone. That’s where Grammarly comes in. While, yes, this tool does help you correct mechanical errors, it also checks your writing for clarity, engagement, and delivery. It can even vet your writing for any potential plagiarism. To top it off, this platform can be installed as a plugin, which allows Grammarly to automatically proof written content on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and practically anywhere else on the web. Grammarly offers a free version, with the option to upgrade to either their premium or business plan. 5. Jotform One of the major KPIs that marketers use to analyze the success of their digital marketing efforts is engagement. The better engaged your audience is, the longer you'll be able to retain them, and the more loyal they will be to your brand. Asking questions is a great way to prompt engagement on social media. Jotform is a user-friendly quiz, form, and survey builder that allows you to create questions in various formats, like multiple choice, short answer, yes or no, and more. There are countless available integrations, as well. So, it can be easily used on most major platforms. Not only this, but Jotform also stores all the data collected from these short forms. So, depending on the question asked, you gain valuable information that may help you create more successful content. The starter version of Jotform is free, but you can unlock additional features with the bronze, silver, gold, and enterprise plans. Creating consistent, quality content for any digital platform is undoubtedly a challenge. This is doubly true for those who don’t know what the best tools are to do so. With so many different content creation platforms out there today, knowing which ones are worth investing in or using can be a game changer. And while everyone has different preferences for what works best for their needs, these tools are definitely at least worth checking out. Do you need more help creating content for your brand? Let Omega help! View this, as well as our full range of digital marketing services, here. Written by Omega High Impact Print Solutions’ Digital Marketing Manager, Emily Steel

Graduation is quickly approaching! As a result, print services are in high demand during this time of year. If you're planning a graduation ceremony, celebration, or want to acknowledge graduates, you'll want to make sure you have all the necessary print materials on hand. If you aren’t sure what printed items are available, or you’re looking for ideas, keep reading! Announcements and Invites Invitations or announcements are among the first items you’ll need for graduation events. Whether you’re inviting guests to a graduation ceremony or party, a well-designed invitation or announcement can set the tone for the event. It is important to choose a design that reflects the ceremony or party's theme and captures the occasion's spirit. For schools, printed graduation ceremony “Save the Date” invitations and graduation tickets are needed to share the details of the ceremony. Invites should always include the date, time, and location of the event, as well as other important information. Choose from various substrates (matte, glossy, linen, satin) and embellishments (foil stamping, embossing, debossing, metallic ink, etc.) to make your invitations stand out amongst the crowd. Certificates High-quality certificates and diplomas are an essential part of any graduation ceremony. They serve as a tangible reminder of the hard work and dedication that students have put into their education. Schools should use a high-quality substrate and design that reflects the level of achievement being recognized for the certificates and diplomas. The quality should make recipients want to keep and display the recognition they worked hard to earn. Booklets Graduation program booklets are utilized to share information about the event, such as the order of events, speakers, and graduates. Presenting this information in a structured manner will ensure a seamless flow of the ceremony. Many programs are produced on low-quality paper stock. However, a better quality card stock can make the program a keepsake to reminisce over, years into the future. Banners & Signage Custom banners and signage are a staple for all graduation celebrations, regardless of event size. For schools, banners can be used to celebrate the graduating class throughout the halls and at the ceremony. Custom large banners and signage can create excitement and clarity at graduation events. Schools can get custom lawn signs and posters to celebrate each recent grad. Yard signs can be as small as 1ft wide, or as large as 3ft and personalized to include the grad's name, school, and even photos. Achievements should not go unnoticed! Creating personalized graduation print materials is crucial since they serve as physical mementos. Whether you’re celebrating the graduation of a preschooler or college grad, be sure to make the most of this special time with high-quality print materials that will be treasured for years to come! Make graduation memorable! Contact Omega for your custom graduation print today. Written by Omega High-Impact Print Solutions’ Marketing Associate, Ava Hoch.

Window clings, also known as window decals or stickers, can be used as a marketing tactic or to simply add appealing visuals to a window. Window clings can enhance the appearance of a building and build curiosity for businesses, offices, or even homes. They can be used to take up entire window space or can be a small decal that provides information or promotions, such as a logo, hours of operation, or seasonal sales. Plan: To create effective window clings a well-thought and detailed plan should be constructed. 1. Objective- The most important detail when planning, is the objective. Having a clear objective or motive will allow for an optimized result. What do you hope for the window cling to accomplish? 2. Target audience- If you are using window clings as a marketing tactic, defining and analyzing your target audience is a must. Whom do you want to react to the window cling? 3. Location- It is important to be intentional with window cling locations. It should be easily visible and a main focal point. Where is the window cling going to get the most views? 4. Measurements- Measuring the size of the window (including trim) is needed to have an accurate fit and high-quality graphics. These measurements will be used throughout the design process. 5. Quantity- It is important to know how many window clings are needed. Will it be a full window decal or multiple decals? Design: The overall look, aesthetic, and design of a window cling are essential. The design process allows creativity to shine through. Free downloadable window cling templates are available online so that you can explore design ideas. However, make sure when using a commercial printer to work closely with their designers to ensure you are working within their parameters. 1. Content- Deciding on the content used for the window cling can be tricky. It is important to have a list of what you want the cling to convey. Is it just text or an image, or is it both? Sometimes a simple look is better and better conveys the message. Other times a more creative visual will make a bigger impact. 2. Colors- Make sure that you factor the color of your windows into making the decision of the colors used on your window cling. Most windows are tinted dark gray or black. So, light colors such as white, yellow, or beige will stand out the best. 3. Fonts- Choosing a font that is easy to read is important. Common fonts used for window clings are sans serif and bold, such as Avenir, Futura, Helvetica, and Verdana, just to name a few. Intricate fonts may be tougher to read. You should also make sure the font size is large enough to see from far away if you want passersby to read the information. 4. Size- Taking correct measurements in the planning process is vital as it will be a huge factor when deciding on sizing and design. There is no standard size for a window cling as they follow the size of any window. They can be customized to practically any size. 5. Shape- Window clings can be cut to any desired shape. So, there is no need to limit a design to a square or rectangle. If working with an oddly shaped window, you can follow the shape of the edges. But make sure your measurements are correct! 6. Substrate- Substrates used for window clings are die-cut stickers, clear stickers, and vinyl lettering stickers. The most common and durable are vinyl window clings. If designing with a transparent sticker, make sure to consider how the design will look if there is light shining through, versus dark. 7. Text- The text on window clings should be concise and appropriate. Text is not required on window clings but is highly recommended. 8. Imagery- Window clings do not have to be text-only. Imagery such as graphics and logos can be added to enhance window clings and tend to get a better response. 9. Finish- Window clings can have finishes added to make the window cling transparent, opaque, or perforated. Ask your printer what options they have available and what makes the most sense for your application. Benefits and effectiveness of a window cling: Adding window clings to a building are beneficial for multiple reasons. They are cost-effective, can enhance appearance, increase visibility, build brand or product awareness, help expand your audience, and have longevity. Window clings can also be considered to add privacy, rather than closing less flattering shades or blinds. If you need to update your window clings for promotions or new information, they are easily replaceable. Utilizing window clings can be an effective, eye-catching, and memorable marketing tactic. Contact our team of expert designers and installers for help on your next window cling project! Written by Omega High-Impact Print Solutions’ Marketing Associate, Ava Hoch.

The process of rebranding can be time-consuming and challenging, but it is important to go through a thoughtful exercise to ensure it is effective. Whether rebranding your whole business or a specific product, print is a necessary aspect of rebranding. What is rebranding? Rebranding is a marketing strategy that updates the image and identity of a product or company. You can rebrand a product line, service offered, or an entire business. Rebranding can be the creation of a new name, terminology, symbol, logo, design, concept, or a combination of all. Changing your business's overall look or aesthetic can be a big part of rebranding. Logos- When a company does a full rebrand it often changes the logo. This is to convey to customers and potential customers that there has been a change to the brand. It has become popular for brands to make their logo simpler or even make it look retro/vintage for a nostalgic effect. Colors- During a rebrand, it is often a risk to change the company colors. Colors are a huge factor in brand recognition. It is often best to stick with the company's original color palette across all products and platforms. Tagline- Typically, a rebrand results from a new direction or desired perception of the brand. A new or altered tagline can help articulate what the rebrand means. Taglines should be short and clearly state the brand’s purpose or service. To rebrand or not to rebrand? The decision of whether to rebrand a product or company can be tough. Aside from the time that goes into developing the rebrand, it can often be costly and there are risks involved with making changes to an established brand. A few reasons rebranding might be the right choice: 1. Sales are stagnant or dropping. A rebrand can provide a jolt to sales with the introduction of something “new” and exciting for customers. 2. To stand out against competitors. Over time, brands in similar industries may utilize elements from their competitors that start to make them all seem the same. A rebrand is an opportunity to create something that stands out. 3. Outdated brand image. A brand can inevitably look dated over time with changing trends and technologies. A rebrand allows the opportunity to create something fresh and current. 4. Repositioning. It may be time to reevaluate where the brand or product lives in the market and adjust the marketing strategy. 5. Changing markets. Markets change over time, and it affects how customers perceive brands. What may have worked years ago may not be relevant in today’s market. 6. Redefining your audience. Like repositioning, redefining your audience can help determine whether your brand or product is still relevant or needs an update. People change, and it may require a brand to change as well. Target Market and Demographic When deciding if rebranding is the correct marketing strategy for your company, it is important to research how it will affect your target market. Will the target market or demographic of your brand or product change due to rebranding? If the answer is yes, further research must be done to develop a promising marketing strategy. Different marketing and print materials will be needed depending on the change in demographic. Brand Recognition Brand recognition is vital to a product or company. Brand recognition involves the acknowledgment of a company’s overall message within its design elements and marketing features. It is important to be able to maintain brand awareness when rebranding. A drastic rebrand may call for more costly marketing tactics from loss of brand recognition. A common mistake during rebranding is ‘modernizing’ a brand. This is often a mistake due to loss of brand recognition and loss of the original brand appeal. Customer loyalty and brand recognition are important assets to maintain. Print Needed for Rebranding When rebranding, print needs to be updated to match the rebrand. Business stationery, promotional materials, event materials, and product print materials must all be updated post-rebrand. Essential print materials that always need to stay current with information while staying on brand are: Business cards Campaign print materials Promotional print materials Brochures Product labels Stationery Direct mail Postcards Mailers (announcing the rebrand, promotions, etc.) Working with a commercial printer Now that you know what items you need to be printed when rebranding, the next step is finding a commercial printer to work with. It is important to come prepared with updated logos, graphics, and print materials. Make sure that files are high-resolution, sized accordingly, and in file types that lend themselves well to editing. Size, finish, and all other print details can be discussed with whomever you chose to print. If you need help creating new designs for your rebrand, the printer will be able to help and give creative advice! Contact us to get started on your rebranding print materials! Written by Omega High-Impact Print Solutions’ Marketing Associate, Ava Hoch.

Multimedia marketing is a form of marketing that utilizes and integrates multiple mediums, typically a mix of traditional media and digital media. These can include email, social media, promotional materials, direct mail, television, print materials, digital marketing services, etc. Combining different forms of media has been proven to reach a larger targeted audience and have better results than a single media approach. Traditional Media Email: Email marketing can be used to send messages via email to prospective or return customers and clients. Email can also be used for newsletters, promotions, updates, and much more. It is best to send email marketing through an email marketing software, such as MailChimp, Constant Contact, SendInBlue, SendX, or other platforms. These allow you to manage contacts and see how people engage with your emails. You should also send from an address with your company’s domain. For example, marketing@businessname.com . Radio: Radio ads are still a trusty source for marketing, especially if your business is focused on local business. Depending on your product or service, radio could be extremely beneficial. Sounds are often very memorable and a great way to market. Television: Using television as a marketing platform is often one of the more expensive mediums to utilize. However, it allows you to reach a large audience and can be targeted, based on the channels and time of day your advertising runs. Marketing on television can be a beneficial investment if your product or service has a visual element and you are able to create a high-quality production. Print materials: Printed materials will always be needed, no matter how popular digital media becomes. The most beneficial print materials to use for multimedia marketing may include: Promotional Materials - Print materials used for sales, giveaways, special events, etc. Flyers, coupons, brochures, magnets, etc. Direct Mail - Direct mail can be personalized to make customers feel valued and has been proven to have a higher engagement rate when compared to email marketing. Mailers, flyers, brochures, invites, thank-you, postcards, etc. Signage - Signage and displays are a necessity for all brick-and-mortar businesses and are useful for promoting other businesses as well. POP displays, wayfinding signage, banners, company signs, etc. Digital Media SEO: SEO, also known as search engine optimization, is the process of improving the quantity and quality of website traffic. This is important to have your website appear higher in the list of results when someone searches on Google, Bing, or another search engine. Social Media: As different online platforms are growing; they can be used to target an audience and promote products and services. It is important to understand what social media platforms your target audience is using. There is a very different demographic that uses Facebook vs. TikTok, which is becoming one of the most used social media platforms in the world. Remarketing: Remarketing or retargeting is used to engage audiences who interacted with your brand in the past by using marketing tactics based on their consumer behavior. Retargeting can be done by upselling to existing customers, engaging with leads based on what they clicked in your marketing emails, or their behaviors on your website through tracking codes. Multimedia Components Text: Words used to communicate information. Font and color are important and should be consistent across platforms. It is important to maintain a “voice” and “personality” for the brand. Graphics: Logos, visuals, and graphics are used to display a story or information via images. If the brand is higher end, the graphics used in marketing should convey this level of product or service. Animation: Videos, GIFs, and graphics with movement are used to add animation to media. Many free or low-cost online tools allow non-designers to create animated media that looks professional. Audio: Sounds and sound effects can accompany or enhance a visual aid. Sounds should fit the theme of the media and be on trend. While jingles have lost popularity in recent years, using a slogan, music, or other sounds that customers recognize and associate with the brand can help spark reactions. Interactivity: A computer-based tool that allows users to interact with multimedia. This allows a two-way conversation or engagement between the brand and the customer and can lead to more information gathered for the brand. The benefits of multimedia marketing are endless. Multimedia marketing has various benefits for a brand. It helps increase brand exposure and inbound traffic, improves SEO metrics and search engine ranking, and helps build better conversion rates and increased credibility. Using multiple media channels to market can help boost a brand locally, regionally, or even globally. As a company that offers a product or service, multimedia marketing can help you engage with customers throughout the whole purchase journey. Brand recognition is acquired when a potential customer sees your company across multiple platforms and experiences recall. Multimedia marketing can help position a company to be the best solution for a potential customer. There are many new multimedia marketing trends for enhancing a business: Blogging: Writing and posting blog posts on your website can help boost SEO, build credibility, and raise brand awareness. It is important when creating blog posts to write engaging, useful content that potential customers may be looking for. Podcasting: Podcasts have boomed since 2020, with more ways to create and post content online. Having a podcast allows a brand to discuss different topics in depth with its audience, engage with customers, and build credibility. Live Video Webcasting: Many social media platforms allow for free live video webcasting and broadcasting. This can help increase social media traffic and viewers, and allows brands to engage with customers in real-time. Photo/Video Sharing: Photo and video sharing is currently the most popular way to market a brand, product, or service. There are countless online platforms that allow for photo or video sharing at no cost. However, spending some ad dollars can exponentially increase the reach of content. How to capitalize on multimedia marketing. When implementing multimedia marketing, ensuring that it aligns with your marketing strategy is essential. Set clear objectives to capitalize on initiatives and ensure that the tools used are all cohesive. Once objectives are created, the right type of media use should be determined. Customer wants, needs, interests, and emotions must be identified. Visuals and branding should always stay consistent throughout all platforms. Consistency showcases a clear message and strengthens brand recognition. It is important to research, test, and adjust when using multimedia marketing. Keeping an audience engaged. If your audience isn’t engaging in your multimedia marketing and content creation it is not going to be beneficial for your business. It is important to track analytics and engagement. This can be done using CRM platforms, such as HubSpot, Infusionsoft, Salesforce, or other online marketing services. Staying up to date by researching current marketing trends can help keep users engaged. Create your brand presence across multiple platforms. At Omega High-Impact Print Solutions, in addition to our ability to print on nearly endless mediums, we provide services to help with your multimedia marketing. Contact us to get started on your next project! Written by Omega High-Impact Print Solutions’ Marketing Intern, Ava Hoch.

Like all things, there are pros and cons of creating printed materials versus leaving them as digital media. However, with an understanding of the many possibilities print offers, you can create something that is as attractive and impactful as a digital piece, if not more. One drawback of printed materials is that once they are produced, they are final. There is no option to make a little edit and quickly republish (without added time, costs, and headaches). Therefore, arguably the most important part of the print process is what happens before the printing begins. So, here are four pre-print tips to make printing easier and to give you a better chance at making the most amazing, impactful, award-worthy printed material imaginable. Consider the substrate on which you are printing. Unlike digital materials, where your canvas is always a digital screen, print offers a plethora of substrates; the material on which you can build your masterpiece. With the advancement in print and material technologies, it’s astounding how many options are available. So, what are some popular substrates available to you? · Paper: This entire article could be dedicated to the various paper qualities that are available. But for a quick overview, there are several characteristics to choose from when deciding on paper: weight, coating, color, glossiness, and smoothness are just a few. A heavier weight with a matte finish is common for what you see used for packaging. Lighter weights with a glossy finish and high smoothness is typically what you see for magazines or brochures. · Metal: You may have thought of metal for etching and cutting, which are great options (and Omega can provide), but you can print on various metals as well. Metals like steel, aluminum, copper, and chrome, each offer unique color, shine, and hardness that can alter the way a print looks. An eye-catching option to consider with metal is a mix of engraving and printing to add extra visual interest to the engraved area. · Plastic: The term “plastic” encompasses a wide range of materials, including vinyl, polypropylene, polyester, acrylic, and more. A nice aspect of plastic substrates is that there is such a wide variety that offers unique looks and feels. Think about flexibility, opacity, color, and hardness. · Wood: You know wood can be painted, etched, and carved. It can also be printed! Using special inks designed for wood printing, you can even create high-quality prints on wood that look like photos. It is important to consider the type of wood that is being used for the end application and to make sure the print is sealed properly. Otherwise, as the wood adjusts to temperatures and moisture, it expands or contracts and can alter the look of a print. If you are working with a commercial printer, they should have substrate samples for you to see and touch. They should also be able to guide you to the substrate that makes the most sense for the look you are trying to achieve, as well as your budget. Colors look different when printed. There are several reasons that your printed materials can look different when compared to what you see on your screen. You should never rely on your screen for color matching when doing a print. · RGB vs. CMYK: You may have heard of RGB and CMYK when referencing colors. RGB stands for Red-Green-Blue and CMYK stands for Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black. These refer to the color mixes that make the end color that you see. RGB is used for digital screens and CMYK is used for printing. · Screen Brightness: Screen brightness is a variable that many people do not consider when viewing colors. But this variable has a significant effect on how color appears. A screen with the brightness set to a higher level may make colors appear much more vibrant and contrasting, which may not be achieved in a print. · Substrate Color: The color of the substrate can alter the color of ink. Rarely will the ink have 100% opacity. So, some of the color from the substrate will show through and affect how the color of the ink appears. · Ink Type: The type of ink that is used for the print can also affect the color. Some specialty inks can provide a metallic or glowing appearance, while some others can have the appearance of watercolor or oil. Depending on the type of ink used, it can change how a color looks. Review every piece with a very critical eye. One of the worst feelings when creating prints is getting the final piece and finding an error. As mentioned before, there is no quick edit and republish option for prints. So, always go through an approval process to review information, spelling, grammar, images, logos, color, etc. If color and the substrate are key pieces of the material you printed, make sure to get physical samples approved before moving forward. Provide print-ready design files to your printer. This is a tip that will make the process move more smoothly when working with a commercial printer. There are several things you can do to ensure your design will print how you designed it after you hand the files over to your printer. · Work and save the files in the correct color mode. Remember, RGB is used for digital and CMYK is used for print. When working in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and other Adobe programs, you have the option to select which color mode you are working in and which color mode to save the file. · Make sure the size of your design is the final size of the piece. For example, if you want a 16” x 20” poster, create your design on a canvas size that is 16” x 20”. If the printer needs to adjust the size of the file, it could result in cropping and lower quality. Not to mention, additional costs. · Always save your file at a high resolution. You may have heard of the acronyms DPI (Dots Per Inch) or PPI (Pixels Per Inch). DPI refers to the number of printed dots contained in one square inch of a printed image. PPI refers to the number of pixels contained in one square inch of a digital image. Many people in the industry use these terms interchangeably. 300 DPI is the recommended minimum resolution to use for print files. However, depending on the end use and size of the print, some printers may be able to produce an acceptable print with a 150 DPI file. Again, this is dependent on how important the quality of images and other elements are to your piece. · Include crop marks and bleeds in the final file. This is especially important if you have a design with elements that go to the edge of the page. Crop marks are used for the printer to know where to cut the substrate. Bleed is the extra amount of space added around the edge to account for any cutting inaccuracies. If you want graphic elements to “bleed” off the page, make sure the elements go to the bleed line. · Use layers for printed pieces with lots of elements, multiple inks or finishes, or folding or cutting. This allows the printer to identify the elements that are being printed with each ink or finish, as well as what should be printed versus folded or cut. For example, if you are creating a piece with an element that will have a foil print and the rest will be printed with ink, the element that will be printed with foil should be on a separate layer from the rest. Omega High-Impact Print Solutions has been providing expert print guidance and production for over 70 years, with experience printing a wide variety of inks, substrates, and finishes. Our team of in-house designers can assist in getting your files accurate for print and will work with you each step of the way. Contact us to find out what we can do for your next print project! Written by Omega High-Impact Print Solutions’ Marketing Director, Jake Coburn.

Building a website can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to web development. There are many factors to consider, from design to functionality to user experience. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the key questions to consider when building a website. 1. What is the purpose of the website? Before you start building a website, it is important to determine its purpose. Is it an e-commerce site, a blog, a portfolio, or a corporate website? The purpose of the website will influence the design, functionality, and content. Websites that are attempting to generate sales online will have different layouts and calls to action compared to websites that are used solely to showcase a brand, products, or services. 2. Who is the target audience? Knowing your target audience is crucial to the success of your website. Are you targeting a specific demographic or a general audience? Will visitors be familiar with your brand or will the website be an introduction for most visitors? Are visitors web savvy or do they need to be guided through the web experience. Understanding your audience will help you design a website that meets their needs and preferences. 3. What content will the website have? Content is the heart of any website. What type of content will your website have? Will it be mainly text-based or visual? Will it be static or dynamic? The type of content will determine the structure of the website and its functionality. 4. What design elements are important? The design of your website is critical to its success, not only for the experience, but for search engines finding it as well. What design elements are important to you and your target audience? Do you want a minimalist design or something more elaborate? Do you want a specific color scheme or font type? 5. What features and functionality do you need? The features and functionality of a website will depend on its purpose and the needs of the target audience. Do you need an e-commerce platform, a blog, or a forum? What about social media integration, a contact form, or a newsletter signup? Make a list of the features and functionality you need and prioritize them accordingly. 6. What platform and technology should you use? There are many platforms and technologies to choose from when building a website. Should you use a CMS like WordPress or a website builder like Wix? What about programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript? Consider your technical skills and the complexity of the website when making this decision. Platforms like WordPress and Wix provide free or purchased templates that are coded to make the building process easy and function properly. 7. How will you promote and maintain the website? Building a website is only the first step. You also need to promote and maintain it. How will you drive traffic to the website? Will you use SEO, social media, and/or paid advertising? How will you maintain and update the website? Will you do it yourself or hire a web developer? In conclusion, building a website requires careful planning and consideration of various factors. By asking these questions and taking the time to think through your options, you can create a website that meets your needs and the needs of your target audience. Omega provides website building and management services for clients both small and large. Contact our team to discuss the options that make the most sense for you and your website.

Although you may not have thought of it this way, in addition to being educational institutions, schools are businesses too. Every business needs print materials, including K-12 and higher education institutions; though, the print materials may differ a little bit in their message and purpose. Schools can use print for more than handouts and assignments. Printed materials can be used for events, promotional products, and more. Here are some of the most important printed materials for schools: Institution Materials Institution materials can include both informational and promotional items. These materials will be used in and around the school, as well as mailed or sent home with students. Printed institution materials may consist of posters, handouts, brochures, flyers, coupons, yearbooks, report cards, planners, calendars, forms, certificates, labels, stickers, decals, magnets, student ID cards, notepads, letterheads, envelopes, and signage. All institution materials should include identifiable elements of the school, such as the school’s name, logo, mascot, colors, slogan, or other identifiers. Event Materials Special events are an exciting social aspect that enhances the school experience. Using printed materials, both before and during events, build excitement and participation, and can improve the visual experience of the event. Consider print materials for events such as open houses, proms, graduations, theater, sporting events, and others. There is a wide variety of printed materials that you may need: banners, signs, invitations, flyers, tickets, programs, cards, wayfinding signage, displays, and more. Marketing and Fundraising Materials Schools cannot solely rely on digital marketing efforts, like a website and emails, for promotions and fundraising efforts. Schools need to take a multimedia marketing approach to maximize the response rate. That means both digital and printed materials. Print solutions for school marketing and fundraising can include informational mailers, postcards, brochures, flyers, professional documents, greeting cards, and promotional packages. Educational Materials Educational materials include items used for learning, teaching, and classroom functions. Printed educational materials that are needed by schools include packets (welcome packets, course work), worksheets, booklets, window or table clings, learning cards, posters, whiteboards, and more. In addition to paper materials, Omega offers printing on multiple substrates, as well as lamination and finishing services for a variety of educational materials. Operational Materials Operational materials are often overlooked. However, these materials are just as important for schools as they are for any other business. Operational materials for schools can include directories, employee handbooks, newsletters, disciplinary slips, hall passes, contact cards, and safety/emergency plans. Why you should choose Omega High-Impact Print Solutions for your school’s printing: Omega High-Impact Print Solutions has been providing commercial print solutions for over 70 years and has experience working with educational institutions from Pre-K to colleges and universities. Omega has the ability to create all of the above-printed materials, customized to individual needs and match school colors. Additionally, Omega specializes in unique finishes, shapes, and large-format printing. Our experienced team of print experts can help guide you to the best solution for your next print project! Contact us to get started on your print project today! Written by Omega High-Impact Print Solutions’ Marketing Intern, Ava Hoch.

Social media platforms have become a must-have for businesses of all sizes to connect with their audience and establish a solid online presence. But let's face it, in a sea of content, it can be quite a challenge to create material that truly catches people's attention. In this blog post, we'll explore some practical tips on how to make social media content that people actually want to see. Know Your Audience First and foremost, you need to know your audience to know what they want to see. To create content that really strikes a chord with them, it's crucial to understand who they are, what they care about, and the challenges they're facing. Take the time to develop detailed marketing personas that capture their demographics, interests, pain points, and motivations. And don't forget to tap into social media analytics tools to gather data on their behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns. This information will be your secret weapon in tailoring your content specifically for whom you want to reach. Be Genuine Another important factor for creating content people actually want to see is being authentic. For the most part, people naturally know when someone is being fake or insincere. That's why it's essential to be honest and relatable in your content. Share your brand's story, values, and personality in a way that feels natural and genuine. You don’t want to give your viewers a used car salesman spiel by force-feeding them over-the-top sales pitches. Instead, focus on providing value, education, or entertainment to your followers. Utilize Visuals Visuals are your best friend when it comes to making captivating content. They're much more engaging and memorable than plain text. So, it’s imperative to include eye-catching visuals in anything you post. Maintaining a consistent visual style that aligns with your brand's aesthetic and tone is also a great idea. This will create an attractive feed that your audience will be compelled to explore. Provide Value Delivering value is crucial when it comes to fostering trust and cultivating loyalty amongst users. Sharing useful tips, tutorials, or resources that address your audience’s pain points is a great place to start. Alternatively, you could choose to educate them on subjects pertaining to your industry. By offering solutions to their problems or responding to their frequently asked questions, you establish yourself as a reliable and valuable resource they can count on. Creating social media content that truly resonates with your audience takes time, effort, and creativity. By understanding your audience, being authentic, using visuals, providing value, and engaging with them, you can create content that stands out and sparks engagement. Just remember, social media is always changing. So it's important to experiment, learn, and adapt your content strategy to keep up with the evolving trends and preferences of your audience. Written by Omega High Impact Print Solutions’ Digital Marketing Manager, Emily Steel

When you think of sustainability, the first thing that comes to mind is to probably stop using paper, so we can save the environment. Well, we are here to tell you that implementing print solutions into your marketing mix, can not only help your marketing strategy overall, but also help you contribute to sustainable solutions. The reason to print The world wide pandemic has turned everyday life into an apparent uncertainty. The result of uncertainty is people losing trust in online advertising. More importantly, the information overload of digital advertisements is making customers concerned. Infact, a study conducted by GroupM expands on how 6 in 10 consumers are less inclined to use a product if their data is used for any purpose. Twosides also released a compelling article that provided in-depth insight on how advertising and marketing communications perform better as print media instead of digital media. Two sides concluded in their research that… 52% of consumers prefer to read product catalogs 45% of consumers like receiving personally-addressed advertising mail 68% of consumers do not pay attention to online advertisements 57% do their best to avoid them Consumers want to choose how and when they receive communications - rather than them randomly popping up on their screens and *accidentally clicking them*. The sustainable solutions of print Now that you’re aware print is in fact effective - businesses should also know that modern print making has evolved to being sustainable. When print markets saw a decrease, companies were forced to downsize, consolidate and reinvent their brands. This meant printing companies needed to enforce streamlined processes, that not only automated the print process, but also eliminated excess waste and emissions. Industry trends also lead print solution companies to comply with industry standards - the management of color, quality and ink consumption. The industry trends, and of course technology, resulted in the creation of digital printing machines. Digital printing allows print companies to perfect their skills, produce an unmatched quality in print products, and cut down on waste/excess emissions. Therefore, print has improved the environmental sustainability of not only marketing purposes, but the actual environment itself. In Summary: Adding print solutions to your marketing mix is not only a sustainable solution, but also a trusted and physical representation of effectiveness. Print still holds true as a strong competitor in the marketing world, and should be considered in your 2021 marketing mix. Ready to take on print? Contact us today to learn everything you need to know about our capabilities and solutions! WRITTEN BY OUR DIGITAL MARKETING INTERN, DANIELLE ELIA https://blog.drupa.com/de/sustainability/ https://www.groupm.com/new-groupm-research-examines-consumer-trust-digital-marketing/ http://printinthemix.com/Research/Show/125 https://www.twosides.info/UK/print-should-be-part-of-your-marketing/

Fulfillment or Warehouse Center? The differences & similarities to better aid your business solutions. People often confuse the obligations of a fulfillment center with those of a warehousing facility. And that's okay! We know some things can get lost in translation, and we are here to clear that up. What is a Fulfillment Center? Fulfillment centers are large facilities that house inventory for all business sizes. Fulfillment centers are commonly used for online retailers and e-commerce businesses, because of the operations that a fulfillment center is able to perform. Fulfillment centers are usually operated by a third-party logistics provider, known as a 3PL. The 3PL provides the facility with inventory storage information, freight transportation, cross-docking handling, customer services, and of course, the fulfillment of physical products. What's special about having us as your fulfillment center provider is that our computerized fulfilling system makes everything, from ordering to inventory management, convenient and accessible. Our product fulfillment is seamless, we perform all the services in house. Meaning all the storage, shipping/tracking, packaging and logistics happens directly at our fulfillment center. The best of all is that we offer flexible volume requirements and personalized services to all businesses! What is a Warehouse? To be clear, a fulfillment center IS a type of warehouse. But there are many types of warehouses. A warehouse is a very large and spacious building that houses finished goods or products until they are redistributed to the proper owner. Sizing for warehouses can vary depending on what company owns it. Below are some examples of different warehouses that your company can pick/choose from! Private - private warehouses are owned by an organization that uses to accommodate the owners supply chain. Automated - automated warehouses are controlled through the use of AI-artificial intelligence. This helps keep the amount of employees needed to run the facility low. On-demand - On-demand warehouses are for companies with short term needs. Items that get sold, transported and have a monthly change will be stored here. The product typically is made for each order placed. If the product is ordered by a customer, the shipping process is immediately started for the specific product Public - Public warehouses are owned by a different retailer and are leased for businesses in need of more space for their inventory. Climate-controlled - Climate-controlled warehouses are specific for businesses that need to store inventory at certain temperatures. Food suppliers and companies will tend to utilize a climate controlled warehouse to make sure their products are properly sustained. What is the difference between a fulfillment center and a warehouse? The answer you have been waiting for! The main difference between a fulfillment center and a generic warehouse is a fulfillment center is utilized for the purpose of quick inventory turnovers . Inventory at a fulfillment center will stay at that location for approximately a month. If a business were to attempt to do this at a generic warehouse, they could end up spending more money than needed. Since a fulfillment center ideally has quick inventory turnovers, it becomes a more in depth operation. Which is why most centers will have a 3PL system in place. The 3PL system can conduct various forms of data and services such as: Brand management Kitting & Distribution Specific survey & attribute management Variable campaign management Data printing Plan-O-gram creation & Management Pick & Pack Whereas the main function of a warehouse is to move inventory in, and move inventory out. Warehouses don't offer many or any services. If your company expressed interest in using a fulfillment center and what they have to offer, click here . If you would prefer to speak directly with a customer service specialist, contact us at +1 (609) 645 - 1940. WRITTEN BY OMEGA’S DIGITAL MARKETING INTERN, DANIELLE ELIA https://www.conveyco.com/warehouse-size/ https://www.flow.space/blog/fulfillment-center-vs-warehouse/ https://www.shipbob.com/blog/differences-warehouse-fulfillment-center/

Everyone knows that social media plays a big role in everyone’s life. It's important to keep up with the trends of social media to communicate, spread information & develop relationships to influence customer decisions. Internet based marketing and digital marketing are on the rise. If your business doesn’t carve out the time to create a consistent social media presence, best be sure that they will be overlooked and outshined by competitors. We know the actual act of marketing and managing consumer trends is easier said than done. And trying to create and implement a content schedule, while also running a business; can be extremely overwhelming. We recently found a list, created by giraffe social media , that provided strong insight on some of the tools you can use to better improve your social media presence and aid in streamlining the content creation process. No more late nighters spent trying to keep up with the crowds! Create effectively, plan efficiently, and post your content properly with these tools below! Tap Link If you have an instagram account already, you probably have noticed that you are only allowed to have one link in your bio at a time. We all know that having only one link isn't enough. With Taplink , you are able to create a landing page that allows you to place as many links as you desire. Have a specific landing page for your products or services that's different to your contact page? Link them! You can also have other widgets located on your TapLink landing page like instant message integrations, other social media accounts and special offers, all on one page. How cool is that! Google Docs/Google Drive Did we ever mention we love the word free? We also love things that are free-like Google Docs and Google Drive . The only requirement to have access to these platforms is a Gmail account (which is also free). From there you can use the Google Drive for free cloud storage that works on multiple platforms and updates in real time. The same goes for the Google Docs -real time data syncing at no cost. If you have to share the information on either your drive or just a specific document, you can via email. Google is a great platform with various integrations to streamline not only your social media process, but your overall process for business. Adobe Spark Staying relevant with the trends are important, but having a messy page with no true consistency is bad. Take a look at Cocacola’s Instagram page for reference. Their content always shows the same colors, fonts and graphics. It is smart to do this for your business as well, so your customers can easily identify and become aware of your business easier. Which is why keeping it consistent has never been easier with the Adobe Spark Platform . This nifty integrated suite of applications is accessible from a mobile device or a PC. Developed by Adobe Systems, it has three parts to its suite: Spark Page, Spark Post, and Spark Video . All which are equipped with easy tools- no design degree needed! Plus, you can upload all your branded fonts, colors and graphics easily; so you don't have to waste time branding post to post! Canva Here we go again using the word of the day; free. If you are not ready to start paying for a subscription to create social media content, then Canva is the choice for you. Canva is a marvelous graphic design platform! It is loaded with pre-designed templates that can be used for multiple types of content such as: social media posts, presentations, posts infographics, documents, graphics and more! Canva can be downloaded to your mobile device or accessed from the web on your PC. If you really enjoy utilizing this platform, you can go ahead and upgrade your plant to a paid subscription. The pro subscription allows you to have full access to the platform’s features, while some things are locked to the free user. Creator Studio This platform is extremely useful if you predominantly use facebook and instagram to showcase your products or service. Facebook has released a platform integrated into your facebook account (that is also linked to your instagram account), that allows you to easily schedule your Facebook and Instagram posts. The Creator Studio platform also provides insights on how your content and pages are doing. Google trends Alright, for the last time we are going to be mentioning the word of this blog; FREE! Google Trends is a free website; no gmail or Google account needed for access. This site created by google is amazing because it analyzes all the popular search queries in the google search engine. It scans across various regions and languages, so Google Trends can be accessed and used anywhere in the world. Once you’re on the sight, you will notice there are graphs. Those graphs are used to compare the volume of searches from different databases over time. How is this useful for you, you might ask? Well, knowing what your clients are searching for is important! And you can compare which key words they are using more of. If you find the website hard to use, don’t worry, google integrates over 40 lessons that help you understand and navigate the platforms easier. The link for the lesson database is here . If you want to find out more about platforms that you can use to streamline your social media creation process, click here to contact us, or call at +1 (609) 645- 1940. WRITTEN BY OMEGA’S DIGITAL MARKETING INTERN, DANIELLE ELIA