Choosing the right colors for your printing and signage - Kelowna

Color - It grabs our attention, it can invoke emotion. If you have you ever wondered (or if you've never considered) what colors to use in your printing and signage for maximum impact, here is a guide taken from our Speedpro Vu newsletter...

Speedpro Signs & Digital Imaging
103- 2307 Enterprise Way, Kelowna, BC V1X7E1
Phone: 250-763-8868
speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com

Banner Brillance

Vertical banners are a popular way to display at trade shows. They’re light, portable, easy to set-up and take down and they’re cost effective. Many companies enjoy their flexibility because you can redesign and reprint the banners as required to adapt to changing communications needs. But what makes a banner brilliant? Here are a few tips to ensure you have a show stopping banner display.

1. STOP! This is what you want people to do. Stop, take a second look and hopefully ask a question. How do you get them to stop? Get out of the box and create a visual difference from the rest. Think of all the images your competitors will/have used. Do you have it in you to go against the grain?

2. Less is more. Yup, once again it’s true. Get their attention with two impactful words instead of 15 bullet points they won’t get close enough to read anyways.

3. Bigger is Better. True again. Make a bigger impact by combining multiple banners BUT creative continuity is key.

4. Clarity vs Clutter. If it looks like a dog’s breakfast, the only thing you’ll attract is …um, ah, dogs. Think modern minimalist and clarify your communication objectives before going to the drawing board.

5. Finally think of all the displays at the tradeshow like a store shelf lined with cereal boxes. How are you going to get your cereal box to stand out from all the others?

Brillant banners can also play an important role at special events like meetings, sponsorships, promotions, luncheons, launches and anniversaries. Once you have them, let their brilliance shine whenever you have the opportunity!


Speedpro Imaging
135-1855 Kirschner Road - Kelowna, BC - V1Y 4N7
Phone: 250-763-8868 - Fax: 250-763-8768
speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com

Not Advertising? Three reasons companies cut back on advertising, and why they shouldn't

Not Advertising?

Three reasons companies cut back on advertising, and why they shouldn't

#1: People do not have the money, so our advertising would be wasted.

Despite being a common view among businesses, studies of every recession since 1940 indicate that recessions have little impact on disposable income. In other words, people may be spending less, but there is money being spent, especially in terms of business to business purchases. All businesses need products and services to stay in business. While the overall spend may be down, they are still buying. If you decide to “turn off the lights” for the next few months and wait it out in silence, your customers will end up buying from your competitors.

#2:Our competitors aren’t advertising.

Measuring what to do by watching what your competitors are doing can be a mis-guided decision. Rather than waiting for business to return to zormal, savvy businesses should cash in on the opportunity that the rival companies are creating for them.

If you are courageous enough to stay in the game and keep promoting when everyone else has backed down can bring about an increase in market share.

#3:The money saved on advertising helps us to control cashflow.

Even more tenuous is the argument that advertising should be cut in order to free up cashflow. Playing “catch-up” to your competitors is costly and risky. What if you don’t regain that favourable position? Your “freed-up” cashflow won’t help much if you’ve lost customers. When a business stops advertising, they are likely to experience a fast erosion of their brand, making room for competing brands to grow.

Consistent advertising message and frequency will help you through the tougher economic times than any drastic measure you may be taking, and you’ll endup in a better position because of it.

Speedpro Imaging
135-1855 Kirschner Road - Kelowna, BC - V1Y 4N7
Phone: 250-763-8868 - Fax: 250-763-8768
speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com/

Kelowna Trade Show Event Signage

Display Stands

From simple to elaborate, and from banners to large pop-ups, we love to stop them in their tracks by providing graphics that WOW and hardware that lasts.

Looking for something new or just looking to refurbish the graphics of an old display in, let our Kelowna graphics department create a custom masterpiece that will stop them in their tracks.

Banners

Banners are one of the most flexible and efficient ways get your message across, indoors or out. From full colour; full graphic images to vinyl cut lettering on light or heavy weight vinyl or fabric.

The options are endless as is the hardware, from horizontal to vertical to traditional banners with grommets. Your wish is our command. Not sure what you need?

Talk to our experienced staff and we’ll provide signage recommendations to best suit your event and communication requirements.

We can assist you with all your Kelowna and British Columbia tradeshow event signage needs:

Banners, Posters, Aboard, Sandwich boards, A Frames, Sidewalk signs , Retractable banner stands, Pop up displays, tradeshow booth displays, Panel displays , Stands, Literature racks, Display Booth, Table Top, Literature Racks, Panel System, Truss Displays, Motorized & Outdoor, and Cases & Lighting

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Speedpro Imaging
135-1855 Kirschner Road - Kelowna, BC - V1Y 4N7
Phone: 250-763-8868 - Fax: 250-763-8768
speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com/

Speedpro Imaging is a proud sponsor of the Okanagan Winter Sport Show & Swap in Kelowna

Kelowna Winter Sport Show and Swap

Date: Sep 12nd, 2009 to Sep 13rd, 2009
Time: 09:00am to 12:00am

Venue: Kelowna Curling Club
Address: 551 Recreation Avenue, Kelowna
Cost: $2/person or $5/family

The biggest Winter Show & Swap in the Okanagan is filled with discounted equipment and clothing plus displays and demostrations of all things winter!

The Winter Sport Show and Swap is hosted by the Canadian Ski Patrol Ogopogoo Zone and features thousands of new and used winter sport equipment and clothing! Plus prizes, displays and ski pass sales from ski resorts, lodges and more! For winter gear, fun and fitness, the Winter Sport Show and Swap is the place to be!


Speedpro Imaging
135-1855 Kirschner Road - Kelowna, BC - V1Y 4N7
Phone: 250-763-8868 - Fax: 250-763-8768
speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com/

Kelowna Signs

10 tips for attending a Trade Show in Kelowna

When attending a trade show or convention, the greatest challenge can be rising above the visual roar of neighbouring booths. You need to convey your message forcefully and effectively in just the few seconds that someone spends walking by your trade show booth. Follows are some tips to contribute to a successful show:
1. Promote your participation – this will increase the number and quality of attendees who stop at your booth to discuss your products and services.
· Personally invite your key prospects – Over 50% of attendees come because an exhibitor has invited them. Phone invitations can triple attendance.
· Advertise - let people know that you will be participating in a trade show. Letting them know about a show promotion will give them a reason to visit your exhibit

2. Use graphics, signs and products to clearly state the purpose of your exhibit, to clearly show what your company does. Your booth has two main functions:
· To gain the visitor's attention
· To support your sales message.

3. Set measurable goals – measure – follow up
· Set a goal – Whether it is a dollar value for sales made that day or the contact information collected. This will allow you to measure the shows effectiveness. Follow up on leads.

4. Choose the right location for your booth – try to consider these points when choosing a location
· Close to the center of the exhibition area as possible
· On the right side of the exhibition area. Most attendees start on the right and get tired by the time they get to the left side of the venue
· A corner location will give you access to cross aisle traffic
· Avoid dead end aisles
· Avoid adjoining booths with distracting demonstrations

5. Set a call to action – why should they buy now rather than later
· Offer a bonus for buying now – a special price, a free gift

6. Have a draw or contest – Having some kind of prize draw or contest is a great way to collect contact information from booth visitors. You can give away promotion items to encourage people to participate.

7. Plan your booths layout in advance
· Find out the dimensions of the are you will be allocated
· What will be included – a table, a table skirt – is there any kind of a back drop, electricity
· How will you display your literature

8. Create an interactive display- Use an interactive display, such as a quiz or game on a computer, a contest draw, a product demonstration. Get them to cluster around your trade show display rather than the others. Remind your sales staff to sell, they are not there just to enjoy the special activities.

9. Use promotional items - Small items that people can take away and use (while being reminded about your business) are best. Be sure you place these items in a location where people will have to walk into or through your trade show display to get them.

10. Make it easy for booth visitors to get information - Use signs in your trade show display to give information about prices, minimum orders, shipping costs, or any other basic information they might need to know, to save them the trouble of having to wait to ask when you're busy with another potential customer.

Follow up promptly - Send out email, regular mail, or make the phone calls to follow up on the contacts and leads you made during the trade show as soon as possible. The faster you send them out, the more your business will stand out from the rest.

Trade shows can be incredible sources of contacts and customers for your business - if you choose your trade show venue carefully and plan in advance to have a successful trade show experience.

Speedpro Imaging
135-1855 Kirschner Road - Kelowna, BC - V1Y 4N7
Phone: 250-763-8868 - Fax: 250-763-8768
speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com/

Kelowna Signs

6 Essential Tips for Ads That Get Results in Kelowna

You don't need money to create a memorable message.

One of the toughest jobs for any startup is to produce stellar ads without the help of a big-budget ad agency. The key is to engage your target audience, because for advertising to succeed, it has to be remembered. Even on the tightest budget, you can create successful ads by following these six vital tips.

1. Design for the ad environment. There are literally hundreds of forms of advertising—from billboards, websites and taxi-tops to ads on supermarket clocks. And ad environments sometimes differ within a single medium, such as when magazines offer four-color display advertising and small-space shopper ads. Become familiar with the nuances of the media you choose, and design your ads to meet their specific visual and editorial requirements.

2. Address the right audience. How well do you understand your target audience? Your ads should immediately appeal to prospects and speak to them in their own vernacular, including buzzwords. The ads must ring true, without the use of gender or cultural stereotypes, or exaggerated claims, so prospects automatically understand that your offer directly relates to their needs and wants.

3. Have a visual focal point. Unless you’re creating a sale ad for a newspaper featuring multiple products, use a single, eye-catching visual to provide the central focus. Competing visuals can make a small-space print ad or online ad appear cluttered. With so much competing advertising, make your ad stand out by virtue of clean, clear design, with an appealing focal point and simple elements.

4. Create an “aha” moment. If you’ve ever wondered why the word “new” is used so often in advertising, it’s because our brains are actually alert for new information. One of the most exciting parts of creating advertising is that great ads have the ability to open minds. Your ad can show your customers a new way to achieve a goal or provide unique insight. The rewards will be greater audience attention and elevated response rates.

5. Make something happen. Any ad worth its salt should move a prospect to take some kind of action. If you highlight a strong benefit in your headline and include details in your body copy, your prospects will be excited to learn how to take advantage of what’s promised. It’s essential to close by providing a call to action that takes prospects to the next step, whether that means making a purchase or visiting your website to learn more. Great ads build interest, are remembered and get results.

6. Present a powerful benefit. Want to create a headline that pulls in readers? Use it to highlight a desirable benefit or offer. Understand what your customers want that you can provide. Put your promise up front in your headline, then use your ad’s body copy to explain how you’ll deliver that benefit.

By Kim T. Gordon Entrepreneur's StartUps - June 2009

Speedpro Imaging
135-1855 Kirschner Road - Kelowna, BC - V1Y 4N7
Phone: 250-763-8868 - Fax: 250-763-8768
speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com/

Kelowna Signs