Create a brochure to spread the word about your product or service
One-page brochures are a versatile way to let people know about your products and services. You can leave them in display racks, mail them out to potential customers and include them in folders. Readers expect brochures to look flashier than business letters, so they are fun to design.
Instructions
Basic Tools
1. There is an easy-to-use template in Microsoft Word. Select "File," "New," "Templates," "On my Computer," "Publications," "Brochure."This template is laid out to fit on a standard sheet of copy paper, which will fold over twice into three panels. It includes formatting options. Pick out two or three options you like and use them throughout your brochure by cutting and pasting. You can hit the "insert" key to type your text right over the instructions.
2. If you have an older version of Word, or if you did not install the templates, try selecting "File," "New Templates," "Online Brochures," "Event Marketing Brochure (Accessory Design)." This design is particularly useful if you plan to send out your brochure as a self-mailer without an envelope, because your return address is oriented correctly in the upper left corner of the back panel.
3. If you do not have Word or internet access, you can lay out your brochure manually. Rotate a sheet of paper 90 degrees so the long side is horizontal. Type text in columns 2 3/4 inches wide. You will cut up the columns and attach them to the paper with non-reflective adhesive tape.
4. Artwork will grab your reader's attention quicker than just words. If you are in Microsoft Word and you have internet access, go to the "help" box. Type in "clip art." Select "Microsoft Office Clip Art and Media" for access to 150,000 pieces of art to decorate your brochure.Under "clip art" replace the words "Search all media types" with the subject that you want to illustrate and hit "enter." Check the box under the pictures you want to use. When you are done selecting, click "Download X items," then "Download now" and "Open." The pictures will go into your "My Pictures folder," in a subfolder called "Microsoft Clips Organizer."
What to Say
5. Three ideas maximum. Even though you use both sides of the paper, if you use enough pictures to attract your reader, you will really not have a lot of space for writing. Select three main ideas you want to share.
6. Create a flap. Your most catchy idea should be on the front flap to encourage the reader to look inside. If you want, repeat the catchy idea on the inside as well.
7. For best versatility, lay out the back panel so it looks like an envelope, with your return address in the upper left corner and no artwork running along the bottom or upper right corner. With this layout, you can either hand out the brochures or mail them.
Color Your World
8. The least expensive way to reproduce your brochure is on a black and white photocopier. Color photocopies cost about four times more than black and white. If you have a color printer, you know how expensive the ink is.
9. Color will catch your reader's eye. Consider photocopying onto colored paper.
10. If you are making a couple hundred brochures or fewer, try a rubber stamp with colored ink for a look that replicates expensive professional two-color printing.
Tags: your brochure, your reader, about your, back panel, black white
