{"id":6523,"date":"2020-04-22T10:44:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T17:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fssi-ca.com\/staging\/?p=6523"},"modified":"2022-01-06T15:02:28","modified_gmt":"2022-01-06T23:02:28","slug":"get-the-most-out-of-your-transactional-documents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fssi-ca.com\/staging\/get-the-most-out-of-your-transactional-documents\/","title":{"rendered":"Increase ROI with Well-Designed Customer Documents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Document Design Tips for Transactional Documents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Transactional customer documents are an integral part of any business. They offer the opportunity to regularly communicate with your customers. Whether you produce your monthly transactional statements in-house or work with an outsourcing print-mail vendor like FSSI, understanding the structure and value of statements, bills, invoices or marketing letters can help you maximize the impact of each interaction with a customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looks do matter! The old saying goes, \u201cyou only get one chance to make a first impression,\u201d and truer words have never been spoken when it comes to marketing communications. Proven design optimizations and call-to-action strategies can bring your company valuable business. Document design is a lot like your wardrobe. You wouldn\u2019t want your wardrobe screaming old-fashioned and out-of-date, and stuck in the 80s (kids nowadays might disagree), so why should your monthly mailings be any different?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At FSSI, we have 40 years of experience with layout, whitespace management, personalization and call-to-action optimized design elements to enhance your document communication strategy. We\u2019ve seen what works and what doesn\u2019t. Our simple but effective document design checklist will help you create impactful communications and identify how to improve the usability of your company\u2019s marketing efforts. Even everyday letters and notices can benefit from these time-tested layouts and design insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Begin the Design Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For best results, we recommend approaching document layout from the customers\u2019 perspective. Be honest and objective. Put yourself in their shoes and view each page as if for the very first time. If you believe customers would respond positively to the content and layout, you\u2019re probably on the right track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fssi-ca.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/Effective-Customer-Communications-Strategies-600x464.png\" alt=\"Elements of a Communication Strategy Graphic\" class=\"wp-image-9584\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer Document Design Checklist &#8211; 6 Essential Elements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are six essential elements of an effective transactional document:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Intended Purpose: <\/strong>Is the document meant to summarize information, encourage payment remittance, or fulfill a compliance requirement? Is the communication effective? Could a simple message, graphic, or color highlighting important information enhance the intended purpose?<\/li><li><strong>Age: <\/strong>When was the document last reviewed or improved? By today\u2019s standards, does it seem old or dated? Does it feature the company\u2019s latest logo and\/or corporate branding scheme?<\/li><li><strong>Layout:<\/strong> Does the design seem cramped or cluttered? Does the information flow logically and seamlessly from one section to the next? Is everything easy to find and understand?<\/li><li><strong>Color:<\/strong> Are you intentionally using color to emphasize or draw attention to vital information, such as transaction dates, account balance, payment due date and amount? Have you made the switch from black and white documents to full-color to enliven on-page graphics or imagery?<\/li><li><strong>Voice<\/strong>: Is your company&#8217;s message clear, friendly, accurate and informative? Are you taking advantage of <u><a href=\"\/capabilities\/statement-messaging\/\">on-page messaging<\/a><\/u> as an economical and effective method of educating, cross-selling, and upselling?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you\u2019ve gathered the essential elements of well-designed documents, you are ready to analyze the functionality of your documents. Compliant production, digital color, and customer understanding can all increase the business benefit of your documents. Transform customer-facing financial statements, documents and marketing mail beyond merely fulfilling their original intended purpose. Below are five document design layout tips to get the most out of your customer documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fssi-ca.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/Customer-Document-Design-Best-Practices-600x314.png\" alt=\"5 Design Best Practices for Customer Documents\" class=\"wp-image-9583\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Document Design Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Utilize white space:<\/strong> Include all the important information, but don\u2019t overwhelm customers with too much text. White space guides the reader\u2019s eyes through your document to help customers better retain information.<\/li><li><strong>Don\u2019t be repetitive:<\/strong> Every single inch of a customer document is a new opportunity to communicate; don\u2019t waste space by repeating messages.<\/li><li><strong>Keep it simple:<\/strong> Simplify your messaging by removing duplicate fields and redundant text to focus on your company\u2019s target message. Keeping things simple leaves space to add marketing messages, coupons, announcements and other call-to-actions.<\/li><li><strong>Maintain consistency:<\/strong> Keeping design elements consistent across all communication channels with an omnichannel marketing strategy grants your customers a seamless experience across all platforms, making it easy for them to quickly find information.<\/li><li><strong>Use a legible font:<\/strong> Find a font that provides a good user experience and aesthetically complements your brand.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fssi-ca.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/Advantages-of-Good-Document-Design-600x314.png\" alt=\"Advantages of Well Designed Customer Documents Infographic\" class=\"wp-image-9582\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of Well-Designed Customer Documents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Improved Readability<\/li><li>Increased Customer Comprehension<\/li><li>Reduced Printing and Mailing Costs<\/li><li>Prompt Customer Response<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your documents are ready, you\u2019re not quite done just yet. Combining your transactional documents with your company\u2019s marketing efforts can be an effective way to get more bang for your buck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Combining Transactional and Marketing Strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many of FSSI\u2019s clients have taken advantage of combining transactional documents with marketing strategies, such as variable data printing, omnichannel advertising, eStatements and SMS integration to streamline their customer communications campaigns. Creating a balance in your statement design is essential to your overall customer communications strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Complimentary Samples from FSSI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For a complimentary second opinion about any of your current documents, including layout, color use, whitespace management, or copywriting\/content, contact an FSSI <u><a href=\"mailto:yolandabishop@fssi-ca.com?subject=Priority%20Inquiry:%20Document%20Value%20Consultation--KS%20Blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marketing Services Specialist<\/a><\/u>&nbsp;today. We have a seasoned staff of designers, writers, programmers, and color experts in-house ready to help you improve your overall customer experience. You may also request samples from our before-and-after archive. Click to see a list of <u><a href=\"\/industries\">industries served<\/a><\/u>, including credit unions,&nbsp;auto finance,&nbsp;banks, and other financial institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about document design best practices, check out&nbsp;<a href=\"\/capabilities\/document-redesign\/\">Document Redesign<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"\/contact\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fssi-ca.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/CTA-Button-Logo-Placement-800x273.png\" alt=\"Contact Us Button\" class=\"wp-image-12248\" width=\"800\" height=\"273\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Sources:<\/p><cite><a href=\"http:\/\/universaldesign.ie\/Products-Services\/Customer-Communications-Toolkit-for-the-Public-Service-A-Universal-Design-Approach\/Written-Communication\/Document-Design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/universaldesign.ie\/Products-Services\/Customer-Communications-Toolkit-for-the-Public-Service-A-Universal-Design-Approach\/Written-Communication\/Document-Design\/<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/how-to-make-document-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/how-to-make-document-template\/<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.csgi.com\/capabilities\/customer-experience\/creative-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.csgi.com\/capabilities\/customer-experience\/creative-design\/<br><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.jmagroup.com\/ten-tips-to-communicate-more-effectively-with-customers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/blog.jmagroup.com\/ten-tips-to-communicate-more-effectively-with-customers\/<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Document Design Tips for Transactional Documents Transactional customer documents are an integral part of any business. They offer the opportunity to regularly communicate with your customers. Whether you produce your monthly transactional statements in-house or work with an outsourcing print-mail vendor like FSSI, understanding the structure and value of statements, bills, invoices or marketing letters [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":16424,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[57,40,46],"tags":[28,44,45,51,32,41,53,43],"class_list":["post-6523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-customer-experience-and-engagement","category-document-design","category-how-to-guides","tag-advertising","tag-banks-and-credit-unions","tag-branding","tag-customer-experience","tag-direct-mail","tag-document-design","tag-millennials","tag-roi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ 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