Read Neville Medhora’s informative article: “How to Write A Brochure – with Examples and Visual Attention Scans.”
Looking for more reasons to distribute brochures?
Looking for more reasons to utilize brochure distribution? Check out the 2014 IAPBD Results Brochure
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Does anyone still use the brochures you find in hotels, now that we all have smart phones?
(From Yahoo Travel August 20, 2014)
They received 227 comments. Only 9 people said no, and this is a group of active computer users!
Some of my favorite responses:
Sherise McKinzie:
Yes. I love to look at them in my room while I unwind. Brochures and coffee for about 30 minutes helps the whole trip.
Monica Nebe:
Yes! Love looking at them, especially when in a new place. Get tired of looking at a phone screen
E Elaine Pichay:
Yes, I do. As a Travel Agent it is nice to have available for my clients. There are times being online is not feasible. May they never go away! Personally, I like them.
Yes, I do. As a Travel Agent it is nice to have available for my clients. There are times being online is not feasible. May they never go away! Personally, I like them.
Carolyn Jones:
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone has a smart phone or media for that matter!
Renee Richard: I like to hold them in my hand and read. So, yes
Christina Burke-Gagnon:
Yes. I like to have a physical map in hand.
Earline New Gualdoni:
Yes, we do! And it helps us plan out our time and kids use them to vote. I love my Smart Phone, but having it on paper in your hand is a must.
Stephanie Manson:
I work at a hotel and yes they still do, its easier to just pick up and go instead trying to find the exact location of somewhere they wanna go or something they want to do.
Amanda Meals:
Yes….there is stuff out there I wasn’t aware existed…. grabbed one today…had a great time
April Thomas:
I work at a visitor center and yes even with all the technology people still flock in for brochures & paper guide books and maps.
Jeannie Do:
Actually yes, when I’m in a different state, great way to see whats around
Stef Stef:
YES! I still use them!
I always find more things than I found online, many have coupons, and I can also use them for scrap booking!
Jill Andrews:
Yes, constantly. You can’t get the same quality of information on a Google search. Anyone can make a website or have a Facebook page these days. You always know that a place has some level of accountability if they go through the process of creating and distributing a brochure.
Becky Esaw:
Yes, Nothing beats thumbing through info like this.
Michael L. Burdick:
They’re fun to look at while having your free continental breakfast.
Looking for more reasons to distribute brochures?
- Brochures are the #1 In-Market Visitor Information Source! (*Bentley University Study).
- 69% of Leisure Travelers say brochures had an impact on their travel-making decisions.
See these links for details: 2014 IAPBD International Survey and also 2010 Research Paper
Top Ten Tips For An Effective Tourist Brochure
- Big Bold Heading: There is no room for subtlety in brochure design. Your brochure will not be framed, or hung on a wall. It has to compete with lots of brochures in a crowded rack. The larger the type the better! If you are well known, use your name, i.e. “Ben & Jerry’s”. Lesser-known Fred’s Ice Cream, should feature “Ice Cream” or “World’s Best Ice Cream” in their heading.
- Heading on Top: It is very important that all of your vital information is in the top 2 1/2″ of your brochure. Sometimes that’s all you see in a rack. Also place that info on the top of the back side, in case your brochure gets returned to the rack backwards.
- Size: Sorry, there is not a lot of room for creativity here. All pieces should be folded to become 4″x9″ for proper rack display. Some businesses are expanding their brochure to 10″ in height, but that along with top folding increases your chances for the dreaded flopping factor.
- Paper: Cheap paper makes your business look cheap. We recommend no less than 70 lb. coated stock for a three-fold, full color brochure and no less than 80 lb. coated cover stock for a rack card. Grain direction should always run vertically.
- Brochure Quantity: Regions of service desired, months of distribution, placement at Welcome Stations, Chambers and Travel Shows all go into deciding your quantity needed. Be aware your first delivery run will take a lot of brochures to initially stock the racks. There is a huge quantity difference in replacing your old brochures with a new one and using the same piece year after year.
- For the Modern World: Be sure to list your full mailing address, with zip code, for the traveler equipped with a GPS system. Also, be sure to include your area code with your phone number, as cell phones require them even if you are calling from around the corner.
- Design: Keep it simple and clean. Colored photos are great. Be sure to include a map, hours, phone number and e-mail address. Be wary of listing prices and hours if they may change. Large type (above 7 point) is a must. Be sure not to redo your whole brochure just because your staff or graphic artists are bored with it. We have new tourists every year. A good brochure can be timeless.
- A Good Map: Be sure your map is large enough for those of us who hate to wear our glasses. Get in your car and see if your map/directions work.
- For The Printer: Please band your brochures in bundles. Paper bands or rubber band are fine. Brochures in a bundle should face the same direction. The maximum weight of each box should not exceed 40 pounds. The side of the box should be marked with your name and the quantity of brochures inside.
- Save Money: Combining runs with another company printing a brochure of similar size and quantity may save you money. Also try printing off-season. You can benefit tremendously from giving your printer your order very early and allowing them a long time to print your brochure.