4 Reasons Why Business Cards Are Still Effective

In today's times, everything seems to be switching to digital, such as emails. While this can be an advantage, there are some items that need to remain in print like business cards. There are many different advantages that come with having a professional business card. At Lake of the Ozarks' best printing company, we can create business cards for your business that can make you stand out from the competition. Business cards are a great tool to use while networking. While this may seem like an "old school" technique, business cards work, and here are a few reasons why they are still relevant. 

1. They're Personal

While inserting someone's contact information directly into your phone while you're with them may seem like a time saver, it gives you no interaction with them. One part of networking is making a genuine connection. Yes, digital contact information is easy and convenient, but handing someone your business card gives you time to actually talk to them. In addition, if you exchange business cards, you can write on the business card to give yourself reminders on where you met them and what you talked about, which makes contacting them later a little easier. 

2. They're Effective

While modern day advertising, such as email marketing, social media and paid advertising, are all great ways to get your business' name out there, nothing beats an in-person meeting. You could run into a potential lead anywhere and anytime - happy hour, trade shows, airport, so it is important to be prepared i.e. have a business card. It is always a good idea to have a few business cards in your wallet, purse, pocket or laptop bag. 

3. It Makes A Great First Impression

A business card is a lot more than exchanging your contact information. It is a person's first impression of your business, and you want it to be memorable. If you are potentially doing business with someone, you want them to have a certain image of you and your business. Do you want them to think that you are professional, reliable and organized? If you have an effective business card that is made right, it can pass on that message. 

4. It Makes You Prepared

A potential lead could happen anywhere, so you want to be prepared. If you are doing business someone, do you want them to write their name and number on a napkin, or do you want them to hand you a professional business card? Being prepared is important, especially when it comes to business interactions. 

Have Your Business Cards Printed By Smart Postal Centers

Having a professional business card is an important part of running your business. You want to make sure that you are prepared for meeting potential leads. The best printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks can make sure that your business cards look and feel professional by printing them on high-quality material. If you are needing new business cards for your company, give Smart Postal Centers a call at 573-348-3100, or stop by our store in Osage Beach. 

Smart Postal Centers - Here for all your packing, shipping, copying and printing needs!

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Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

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The Power of Color - Yellow & Green

Although the way people view color depends on personal experiences, it is believed that overall people of the same culture still have a universal agreement on the meaning of certain colors. Knowing how these colors affect your consumers is an important aspect of creating a strong ad campaign. The best printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks is taking a look at how certain colors can affect your marketing material. We continue our Power of Color series with two more fun summer colors you can use in advertising for your business.

The Meaning of Yellow

In many cultures, the color yellow represents sunshine, happiness and warmth. However, it is also associated with warning and caution, as it’s the color of traffic lights and signs. Yellow captures our attention more than any other color. Yellow is the perfect color for education, as it stimulates the left side of the brain. The left brain performs tasks that have to do with logic, so the color yellow promotes wisdom and academic proficiency. On the other hand, the color yellow also helps the right side of the brain, as it inspires original thinking and creative ideas. It also helps you focus, study and recall information. Yellow is thought to help with decision making as it relates to mental clarity.

Yellow in Marketing

Yellow is best used to highlight other colors, as too much yellow can cause anxiety for some people. Avoid using this color if you are trying to send a message of stability. Yellow is a good color to promote children’s products, especially when combined with other bright colors, as it is stimulating to their mind and creativity. Yellow is also a great color to promote leisure products, particularly playful and fun activities. In addition, yellow is often used with fast food restaurants to encourage people to eat a lot quickly. Because yellow captures our attention, it is a good idea to incorporate it in the promotion of point of sale purchases. Yellow is the only color that doesn’t react well with black. When mixed, the two colors create a yellow-green color.

Positive Associations: Cheerful, happy, playful, fun, uplifting, logical, confidence, creativity and originality.

Negative Associations: Critical, judgmental, impatient, cowardly, egotistical, non-emotional and pessimistic.

The Meaning of Green

Green is a unique color with lots of different meanings. Its main association is with ecology, the environment and nature. Green has signified growth, rebirth and fertility since the beginning of time. In Muslim countries, it is a holy color and in Ireland, it is a lucky color. In fact, green is a lucky color in most Western cultures. However, green race cars are considered unlucky. Green relates to balance and harmony of mind, body and emotions. Like yellow, it also helps in decision making by helping up see all sides clearly. Darker greens often relate to money, wealth and prestige, while lighter greens relate to growth and freshness.

Green in Marketing

Green should be used for anything relating to health and healing. It is also the color that promotes natural, safe and organic products. A good color to use to promote something new would be green. Dark green is a good color for financial businesses. There are more shades of green than any other color. They range from yellow-greens, such as lime, to greens with a blue hue, such as emerald. Aqua and turquoise are half blue and half green.

Positive Association: Growth, renewal, reliability, tactful, calm, natural, practical, sympathetic, generous and adaptable.

Negative Association: Envious, selfish, inconsiderate, possessive, materialistic and greedy.

Have Smart Postal Centers Print Your Marketing Material

Knowing how these colors affect your consumers can help you create strong and effective advertisements. Make your advertisements stand out by using a professional printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Smart Postal Centers can print all your marketing materials from business cards to banners. Visit us today in Osage Beach or give us a call at 573-348-3100 to learn more about our services.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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The Power of Color: Red & Orange

Color has a strong influence on the consumer market. It is believed that different colors have an impact on how people view certain things like ads. Although culture, upbringing and other factors have an effect on these views, it is believed that certain colors will generally give all people the same feelings. Smart Postal Centers is looking at how these colors affect businesses, specifically in marketing. Continue reading to learn more about how the colors red and orange impact your business’ marketing efforts.

The Meaning of Red

Red is an extreme color. It’s often associated with love, adventure, danger and anger. Approximately 77 percent of flags around the world use the color red. Red is a powerful color and can stimulate emotions such as love, or even evoke revenge and anger. In Asia, red is considered the color of good luck and it is very popular in China. In East Asian stock markets, red is used to indicate a rise in stock prices. However, in the American stock markets, it indicates a drop in stock prices.

Red in Marketing

No matter how it is used in a design, a little goes a long way. In small doses, red can stimulate the body, and in some cases even raise blood pressure and heart rate. It is also known to stimulate appetite, which is why so many restaurants use it in their logos and marketing materials. However, it could also cause anxiety if it is used too much.

Positive Associations: Physical courage, strength, warmth, energy, survival, stimulation, masculinity and excitement.

Negative Associations: Defiance, aggression, visual impact, strain.

The Meaning of Orange

The color orange is a unique color. People either love it or hate it. It is also the only color whose name was taken from an object. Orange symbolizes energy, vitality, cheer, excitement, adventure, warmth and good health. However, it can be harsh and it may suggest a lack of intelligence and even bad taste. There are many different shades of orange. Some shades are more appealing than others. The darker oranges, such as terracotta, offer a sense of comfort, while lighter oranges, like salmon or melon, are more soothing and healthy.

Orange in Marketing

The color orange is perfect for suggesting adventure, fun and cheerfulness. Many people see orange as cheap – don’t worry, though, this isn’t a bad thing! They see orange as a good value. It will encourage sales. Orange stimulates appetite, just like red does. Because of its association with adventure, businesses in tourism should consider using the color orange in their advertising.

Positive Associations: Comfort, food, warmth, security, sensuality, passion, abundance, fun.

Negative Associations: Deprivation, frustration, frivolity, immaturity.

Print Your Business Materials at Smart Postal Centers

Having full-color advertisements for your business is important. If your business needs marketing materials printed, visit Smart Postal Centers. Lake of the Ozarks’ professional printing company can produce great marketing materials to help your company succeed. We can print anything from business cards to flyers, brochures and even menus. Visit us in Osage Beach or call us at 573-348-3100 today to see how we can help with your company’s marketing materials.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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The Power of Color

When creating print items for business use, color is an important factor to consider. According to Strathmoor Press, ads in color are read up to 42 percent more often than the same ads in black and white. In addition, color can affect the way consumers feel about products or services, and can even influence their buying decision. Do you know how it affects the way consumer buy products? In this blog, Smart Postal Centers looks into the power of color and how it affects the marketing for your business.

Branding

Researchers found that up to 90 percent of initial judgments made about a product can be based on color alone, depending on the type of product. The relationship between brands and color is based on the perceived appropriateness of the color being used for the particular brand. Color has a direct effect on how the brand’s personality is perceived. According to a study by the University of Loyola, color also increased brand recognition by up to 80 percent, which makes it an important factor when creating a brand identity.

Gender

If your target market focuses on a certain gender, it may be important to know what colors men and women like and dislike. The color blue is favored among men and women, while the color purple is only favored by women and, for the most part, strongly disliked by men. Both men and women dislike the colors red and brown, while women dislike the color grey. Additional research found that men prefer bold colors, while women liked softer colors. Men additionally liked shades of color (color that added black), and women liked tints of color (color that added white).

Emotion

Although color plays an important role in business, there isn’t always a universal response to one particular color. People with different backgrounds, culture and upbringings will all respond differently to the same color. The key to using color in your business is to look for practical ways to make decisions about color.

Color at Smart Postal Centers

Our Lake of the Ozarks’ printing company can help your business succeed with high quality, full-color marketing materials. We can print anything from business cards and brochures to menus and table tents. We offer fast turnaround on all custom orders with delivery services available. The next time your business needs marketing materials come to Smart Postal Centers!

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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Find Thrilling Events at the Lake of the Ozarks This Weekend!

There is no doubt the Lake of the Ozarks provides a lot to do for residents and visitors alike. This weekend is no exception. Whether you decide to spend your time on land or water, there is a thrilling time to be had! Here are some events to look forward to this weekend:

Lake of the Ozarks Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals
May 5 - 8, 2016

Bagnell Dam Strip

The 28th Annual Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals is back this weekend to the Lake of the Ozarks. Central Missouri's biggest car show takes place each year on the historic Bagnell Dam Strip and is a fantastic display of all makes, models, and years of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Although "The Strip" will be closed to regular traffic during the street meet, there will be a variety of shops and vendors including crafts, souvenirs, t-shirt shops, restaurants, arcades and amusements.  This massive car show gives away a brand new muscle car to one lucky car enthusiast, adding to the excitement of the event. Don't miss over 1,000 show vehicles this weekend at "The Strip".

Spring Harbor Hop at the Lake of the Ozarks
May 7, 2016
Lake of the Ozarks Restaurants and Bars

Get a jump start on the boating season and try for a winning poker hand at Spring Harbor Hop. You can draw cards at over 40 participating restaurants and bars before you have to turn in your hand at 7 PM. Enter by stopping at any of the official checkpoints listed below and draw your first card, where you purchase a hand. Draw six additional cards by "hopping" to more checkpoints and drawing one more card, per hand, at each location. Your hand is complete once you draw your seventh card.

Checkpoints Gravois Arm - Section I
Cabana Jones (Formerly Bump's) - 3.5 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Jolly Rogers Grub & Grog #1 - 4.5 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Jolly Rogers Grub & Grog #2 - 4.5 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Westport Yacht Club - 5.5 MM Gravois Arm - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Beauty View Resort/Gas Hole - 5.5 MM Soap Creek - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Jerk Shack - 5.5 MM Soap Creek - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
T's Fish Tales - 6.5 MM - Gravois Arm - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar & Grill - 7 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Hillbilly Yacht Club Bar & Grill - 7 MM Gravois Arm - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Frog's Bar & Grill - 8 MM Gravois Arm - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tap and Grill Lakeside Brew Haus - 7 MM Main Channel - 11 am to 7 pm

Checkpoints Dam, Main Channel, 10 mm - Section II
Beavers at the Dam - 0 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Ozark Yacht Club/Lakeside Cafe - 1MM Jennings Branch Cove - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Boathouse Lakeside Bar & Grill - 3 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Glencove Marina/Sea Store - 3 MM - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Shady Gators #1 - 7 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Shady Gators #2 - 7 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Camden on the Lake/H.Toads #1 - 7 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Camden on the Lake/H.Toads #2 - 7 MM - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Alhonna Resorts/Bobber's - 8 MM - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Franky & Louie's #1 - 10 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Franky & Louie's #2 - 10 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Checkpoints 13mm - 26 mm, Main Channel - Section III
Point Oasis Marina/Rentals - 13 MM Chimney Cove - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Backwater Jack's - 17.5 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Dog Days - 19 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Topsider - 19 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Kelly's Port - 19.5 MM - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Bridgeview Marina & Shipstore - 1.5 MM Grand Glaize Arm - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Formula Boats of Missouri - 1 MM Grand Glaize Arm - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Surdyke Port 20 - 20 MM - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Shorty Pants Marina & Lounge - 21 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Redhead Yacht Club - 21 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Paradise Tropical Restaurant #1 - 24 MM - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Paradise Tropical Restaurant #2 - 24 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Papa Chubby's Food & Booze - 26 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Extreme Marine 26 - 26 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Checkpoints 28 mm - 38 mm, Main Channel & Big Niangua Arm - Section IV
Miller's Landing - 28.5 MM - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Larry's on the Lake #1 - 31 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Larry's on the Lake #2 - 31 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
The Fish & Company - 31 MM Linn Creek Cove - 11:00 to 7:00 pm
Bulldog's Beach House - 33 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Captain Ron's Bar & Grill #1 - 34.5 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Captain Ron's Bar & Grill #2 - 34.5 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Niangua Falls Entertainment Complex - 2 MM Niganua - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Nautifish Rum Bar - 3.3 MM Big Niangua - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Pier 31 Restaurant & Marina - 31 MM - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Pirates Point Gas Dock & Boat Rentals - 35 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Bear Bottom Resort - 38 MM - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Smart Postal Centers Can Help Promote Your Next Big Event at the Lake of the Ozarks 

It takes a lot of planning and perceptive marketing to pull off these outstanding events that draw thousands of people to the lake. If you are in the tourism industry, now is the time to get your promotional materials printed before peak season. Smart Postal Centers can create your signs, banners, and event displays for your business and events. We have vast experience in printing at the Lake of the Ozarks for boat show banners, real estate signage, restaurant promotions, and more! Contact us at (573) 348-3100 for fast and affordable printing and shipping at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

Follow us on:

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