You have probably heard it said that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. This is even more so when you send a promotional binder to a customer to represent your company. Without the advantage of having someone there to overcome possible objections from your prospect, the custom binder has to do the talking for you.
With so much on the line, it’s important to consider your many options for binder accessories to make your written presentation as effective and professional as possible.
What Should You Include in Your Promotional Binder?
When it comes time to choose binder accessories, think beyond your own personal tastes and put yourself in your potential client or customer’s position. How will it look to someone who has no previous experience with your company? The binder should be neatly organized so it breaks up large blocks of information in an easy-to-read format. It should also include several ways for the prospect to get in touch with you if he or she has additional questions.
To achieve these things, you may want to include some or all of the following accessories:
- Business Card Holder: You don’t want your prospect to have to leaf through the binder to find a way to get a hold of you. With a business card holder, he or she won’t have to. If all of your pertinent details are on one side of the card, a single holder will do. However, consider two business card holders if there is essential information on the back of the card your prospect might miss.
- Inside Pockets: Including inside pockets at the front and back of the binder makes it easy for your prospect to add sheets of paper later. You can also include information you don’t want to three-hole punch or get buried in the binder, such as a list of telephone numbers for each department in your company.
- Padded Covers: A padded cover makes the binder easier to hold in addition to protecting it from nicks and scratches.
- Ring Choices: The typical binder comes with three rings in a size of either three and one-half or four inches in diameter. To make your presentation stand out, you may want to consider other ring and size options. You could also make the binder itself a different size than the traditional 8 ½ by 11. If you do choose something that is not a standard business practice, remember to keep it professional and ensure that it’s easy for the prospect to navigate.
- Sheet Lifters: When turning a page on a binder, it can sometimes get caught on one of the rings and tear. A sheet lifter prevents this from happening.
If you’re having trouble deciding which accessories to include in your custom binder, be sure to seek assistance from the company that is producing it for you. A sales representative can give you input on what to include in the binder as well as tell you his or her impressions once you have completed it.
