Brochures can be a powerful tool to promote one’s business, service or product but if they are not designed properly they might end unnoticed among the many other brochures on the display rack. So how do you design a brochure that stands out? Follow these simple guide-lines in order to create an outstanding brochure design.

Start with Planning
Every design starts with careful planning. In order to convey the right message to the public, the designer needs to be well familiar with the brochure’s function and its audience. Will the brochure be used alone or in combination with other advertising materials, such as catalogs, print ads, etc.? How will it be used – sent by mail to customers, left behind after client meetings, or placed on a display rack along with other brochures? What would be the audience and what type of information does it need? You need the answers to all of these questions in order to plan the design of your brochure properly.

Experiment with the Shape
Does it really have to be a standard tri-fold or A4 brochure? You would probably have more success if your brochure distinguishes itself from the others with its unique shape. If the budget allows it, definitely use your imagination and try something different that will correspond to the message you would like to send and attract people’s attention.

A Catchy Cover
It all starts with the cover. Will the potential customer pick up your brochure and take a look inside or just leave it unconcernedly? You need to convey a strong message on the cover, something that will motivate them to open the brochure and hopefully read its content.

Organize the Information
The story your brochure tells should be well organized. The reader should be able to look through the pages and easily follow the information flow. Give proper directions and leave clear signposts throughout the brochure (especially when it has multiple pages) to make sure you potential client will not get lost and will not lose interest too.

Briefly and to the Point
Don’t overwhelm your potential customers with huge blocks of text. Boring blocks of text with no headlines and subheads will only push your customers away. Use short sections and make it easy for the reader to grasp the idea at first sight by skimming through the subheads.

Visualize Your Ideas
A single image may be much more influential than the substantial amount of text in your brochure. Whether you will show photos of the advertised product, use images to explain how a service works, or a map to show the company’s location – it is always worth visualizing what you have to say since the potential customers who open the brochure might not read the text but they would at least view the pictures.

Don’t Forget the Call to Action
Finally, let your readers know what you want them to do. You cannot expect a response if you haven’t asked for one. Leave a powerful closing message encouraging your potential customers to do what you want whether it is buying a particular product or service, or calling for more information.