All layout & graphic design, typeset, location map, full color logo, photo scans, and a full color proof for your approval prior to printing.

Special 10,000 "Full Color Both Sides"  4"x 6" postcards on  14 point card stock.                        Includes Design!         Only $599.00+ S&H (Offer expires March 31, 2008)

Where to Start...

The best place to start a rack card project is by obtaining a half a dozen or more competitors rack cards. Next, make several lists of your Business' features; area attractions; items promoted by your competitors which may apply to you; the reasons people stay at your hotel, bed & breakfast, or use your service. Make a few notes on positioning, and finally any new ideas you have as to features or services you may want to add to attract guests. Offering a discount or complimentary item with the return of the rack card can allow you to track your marketing.

Specs. to Follow.

Your corporate guidelines (if any) should be followed very closely, particularly on the front side. It defeats the purpose of affiliating if you don't tie to the chain's marketing theme and presentation. You may get away with some deviation on the inside and/or the back. Usually It is not necessary to adhere to the guidelines there, but there are exceptions. 

Design Specs.

There are several design elements to remember when designing your rack card. For instance, the top 1.5 inches can be the only thing visible, when placed in the racks of hotels, or roadside rest areas. Also rack cards will occasionally be placed backwards in a display case or left lying upside down. As a result you may wish to design the top of the front & back of your rack cards to be very similar.

The bottom of the back can also include a space for travel agents or other referral sources to stamp their names, addresses and phone numbers. Or it can also be an excellent place for a savvy business owner to trade advertising with another local establishment. Bed & breakfasts can trade/sell a spot with a local restaurant or spa. We have even printed golf scorecards and campground maps with enough local advertising to more than pay for the printing.

Features Lists.

A list of features should be refined and listed in order of importance to prospective guests. In a rack card you'll only be able to list 5-10 depending on the room you need for area attractions, directions, a map, location information, and reservation instructions. If you're doing a brochure, more features can be used because you have more space. Some may be used in a list format while others may be expressed as benefits that attract guests or used as part of photo captions. Your list of features should be adapted to include features that place your property in a better competitive light and worded very concisely and grammatically correct.

Include Logos. 

Whenever its reasonable consider including logos for the corporate programs that your business participates in. Logos for equipment and supplies your business uses can also be included. In the brochure for a Best Western you might include the logo for, Gold Crown Club international, their frequent guest program; AAA in bright red, because they have an official appointment; Visa & MasterCard and any other affiliations relevant to name in your marketing. Using known brand names and logos gives your business credibility if those brand names are held in high regard by your prospective guests.

Highlight Area Attractions.

Area attractions and demand generators need to be listed relative to your business location. Mall of America 12 miles (or whatever), Biltmore Estates 5 minutes and Harrah's Cherokee Casino 11 mile are examples of this. Again, in a brochure these might be incorporated into the copy or referred to through a photograph's caption.

Define your Target.

How you want your business positioned is an important Item to consider. If you want to attract more mid-week commercial business, consider using a photograph of a businesswoman checking in. A photo such as that covers a number of issues simultaneously. If you need more winter business and it's appropriate use a snowmobiling or skiing action photograph. Set the tone with your largest photograph. It should usually be a destination shot. While you may be proud of your hotel nobody but the owner and the General Manager will travel very far just to see it!

Front Layout 

A rack card's front layout should have some standard features. The place name should be at the top followed by the business name. Those two should take up no more than 1" to 2".(**Please see the rack top of page) Below that it's up to you and your corporate specifications but keep in mind that if it's too cluttered the reader will get lost. Have a front which looks as good or better than a brochure and a back that is jammed full of important information in an orderly way.

Brochures and rack cards are the foundation piece of even the simplest marketing effort including responses to inquiries, they should be reinforced by all subsequent promotional activities such as radio and television advertising, personal sales calls, and public relations.