Brochures (sometimes referred to as booklets) are not a new concept.  In fact, brochures and booklets have been around for hundreds of years.  When Voltaire wanted to spread the word about the intolerance and wrongs he saw in France during the 1700s, do you know what one of the mediums was that he used to spread his thoughts?  That's right; brochures!

The reason that brochures are still around after centuries of use is simple: they get results.  While many people will criticize brochures as outdated, ineffective or tacky, the people making these criticisms aren't actually criticizing all brochures.  Instead, they are criticizing brochures that are poorly made.

In order for a brochure or booklet to be effective, it's needs to be well-created and thought out.  While people will simply throw away brochures that suck, they will not only hold on to quality brochures, but actually read them.

To ensure that your brochure stays in people's hands instead of ending up in a trashcan next to a week old box of take-out, here are five tips for making a killer brochure:

It's Not About You

Nobody cares that you think your business is the greatest.  What they care about is what your business can do for them.  The biggest mistake a brochure can make is when a business talks about itself instead of the customer.  If all a brochure does is talk about how great a business thinks it is, it's going into the trash.

If you want to keep your brochure in people's hands, make sure that your booklet dives right into telling the reader the benefits they will get from your business.

Talk to Readers, Not at Them

When you're explaining what your business can do for the reader, remember to talk to the reader, not at the reader.  While big corporations probably aren't going to give up their dry, boring writing style anytime soon, you can set yourself apart by making your writing personal, and actually establishing a connection with the person reading your brochure.

Break It Down

People have short attention spans.  Unless they're reading a book they like, they don't want to read page after lengthy page.  When you're writing your brochure, break down your points into smaller chunks.  By using formatting elements like subheadings and bullet-points, you can ensure the reader can find the information they want before getting bored and giving up.

Don't Forget It's a Visual Medium

People look at brochures, so don't settle for a boring or tacky design.  While your writing will be the substance of your brochure, what people initially see when they glance at your brochure will decide whether or not they actually ever dive into its substance.

Since you're obviously passionate about your business, you would never describe it as boring.  Therefore, don't let the design of your brochure be boring!  Your brochure is a reflection of your business and its brand, so be sure that its design shows the world that your business is special.

Tie It All Together

If you tie together all of these tips, you will avoid having a bland brochure that gets tossed next to a banana peel in a trashcan, and will instead create a top notch brochure that attracts new customers to your business!