Ten Ways to Create a Brochure that will Generate Buzz

Let’s be honest: between everchanging TikTok trends, lofty Instagram followings, and YouTube professionals, marketing against such dynamic competitors can feel overwhelming. So why don’t we veer away from the great tunnel of buzz marketing on social media and instead get back to our roots— that is, our digital roots. 

Maybe you want to highlight a luxury house listing. Perhaps you want to advertise your summer camp programs. Or possibly you want to help park visitors visualize their upcoming hikes. For the answer to these scenarios plus more, look no further than a brochure. Offering a unique design format for content across all realms and niches, brochures ensure that your information is accessible and stylish. They are timeless, simplistic, and available in both print and digital formats. 

For brochures for beginners, Issuu has you covered; check out our information page to learn how to upload your first brochure on Issuu. But if you don’t know where to start or just need some inspiration, check out the ten tips below on how to create a brochure that will generate buzz.  From free brochure templates, brochure layouts, and brochure examples, these ideas will ensure your publication is distinguished, creative, and visually stimulating.

1. Select a Color Scheme 

What comes to mind when we hear the word vacation? For many, it might be lounging on a clear beach, pina colada in hand. For others, it’s hiking deep into a mountain range, surrounded by green. For some, vacation is visiting the Northern Lights, awed by its natural beauty. Vacation depends on the person and the place. But what do these different variations all have in common? Color! Color is a dependable element that will elevate your brochures, enticing, captivating, and appealing across all languages and cultures. Integrating a color scheme into your publication is a simple way to connect your content, whether you opt for a light, summery scheme or a robust, autumn template. This tried and true marketing strategy is not limited to vacation however. From food to photography to even education, color theory and schemes can be applied to all forms of content and can be the game-changing element that will transform your brochure. Check out our recent blog post to learn even more about how to choose color schemes that will impact your audience. 

2. Use Photographs Intentionally 

Like color, photography is a universal language. No matter a person’s age, gender, or background, everyone can appreciate a meaningful photograph. In turn, photography can pose as an effective marketing tool and a brochure is the perfect vehicle to utilize it. When incorporating photographs into your brochure, it is important to keep in mind that each image should signify a message or insight to your audience. What’s worse than reading a publication filled with random photographs? Well, arguably a lot, but it’s certainly something to avoid. To learn how to take expert photographs, visit our blog post, which covers angles, symmetry, and more. Whether your brochure is advertising weddings, travel, cultural events, or cuisine, photographs offer an engaging break from reading and can visually stimulate all audiences. 

3. When in Doubt, Write Less

We are all familiar with the publications that are just brimming with words. We also have no doubt that you have a lot to say. However, there is a delicate balance between informing your reader and overwhelming them. Rather than filling your brochure with sentence after sentence, consider how to condense your written content. What are you really trying to say? What is necessary and what is fluff? How can you make your point clearer? In the example below, notice how the user alternates between pages of photography and writing. This creates an aesthetically pleasing content balance. When crafting your brochure, take a moment between each step. Words are powerful, so breathe, reflect, and ask yourself, what is it you want to give power to?

4. Utilize the Power of Fonts

Although traditional education has instilled the words “professional and academic” into our minds when choosing fonts, brochures leave room for a little more creativity. Rather than stick to just Arial and Times New Roman, experiment with different fonts. Play around with unique ones, unusual ones, fonts you never previously encountered. The cover of the brochure below is a perfect example of how fonts imply different ideas and target different audiences. In one cover and two different fonts, this company was able to communicate to their audiences their dual identities between professionalism and leisure.

5. Design Your Page Layouts Purposely

As much as we don’t want to read pages and pages of text, is page after page of images better? Brochure page layouts are important in guaranteeing an engaged audience and a variety of content. Begin by determining the length of your brochure. How many pages will suffice? Do you need to include a table of contents in a shorter publication? Do you need it in a longer one? While designing your brochure pages and layout, keep in mind your reader and their attention span. If a page is becoming text-heavy, try including an image. If a page is becoming image-heavy, incorporate a pull quote. Issuu has you covered with a variety of readily-available templates (check them out here), so take inspiration and try your hand at intentional page design.  

6. Keep Your Target Audience in Mind

Who exactly are you targeting? Is it home buyers? Children? Cooking enthusiasts? Travel connoisseurs? As you create your blog, always turn back to your consumer. Envision yourself in their shoes: What are they looking for? What will ensure they read your brochure? Understanding your audience is essential for buzz marketing, so when designing and writing your brochure, keep their interests in mind. Perhaps you tease a new hair product on page two, or you advertise a limited edition car model on page six, or you include jokes at the bottom of every page that will appeal to children. Whatever your tactic or trick, write for your audience and create for your consumer. 

7. Be Sensitive to Length

No one, or at the very least, few people want to read pages and pages of content. Even if the content is varied, our attention spans only last so long. As you create your brochure, be mindful of the number of pages your publication is reaching. While some stretch to several dozen pages, others communicate their content in far fewer. Less is not necessarily better, but by keeping in mind your brochure’s length, you are not as likely to include unnecessary information. Avoid setting hard page limits, you can always add more or take away content. Instead, focus on the pages themselves, stopping every once in a while to reevaluate the brochure’s length. 

8. Include Interactive Features

If your publication is stretching to a long length (or even if it’s short), include interactive features within your brochure to increase engagement and boost reader’s attention. The best part? If you’re reading this, you are at the right place. One of the perks of using Issuu to publish your brochure is we have all the tools you need. For tutorials on embedding links and other dynamic features, check out our blog about flipbooks. Don’t worry— the same tools can be applied to brochures. For more suggestions, take a look at our list of interactive features to transform your content. Whether you are directing readers directly to your website or including a video of your product, interactive features offer variety, customization, and personality.

9. Create a Point of Focus

Start off by considering the following question: What is the goal of your brochure? Do you want to sell a beauty product? Do you want to advertise a travel destination? Do you want to spread the word about an adventure experience? By reflecting on your brochure’s objective, you can center your content around fulfilling that aim. In other words, the content of your brochure stays focused. This helps with clarity, length, and other tips we covered above. As you add content to your brochure, ask yourself if it is contributing to your main objective. Every word, image, and feature should assist in helping your brochure communicate its message to readers. 

10. Embrace Design Changes

Every success is often accompanied by trials. Brochure creation is no different. Some designs work and others simply don't. Try to not let one lackluster brochure draft deter you from starting fresh or experimenting with something new. Lucky for you, Issuu has all the resources, tools, and tricks to make the process just a little easier. Check out some writing tips to help elevate your written content, and don’t forget about the template, photography, font ideas and more above! 

Brochures are varied, customizable, and seamless: no wonder they are so popular. We know, getting started on your own brochure can feel overwhelming. However, if you keep in mind these ten tips, your creation will be sure to stand out. You have the tools and the knowledge for top-notch brochure creation, so go get started! We’re so excited to see the final product on Issuu. 

Join Issuu today to distribute beautiful, actionable brochures that will lead to more sales and brand awareness.