So I passed by a poster the other day, on my way to the grocery store, and thought: We don’t always have to complicate storytelling.

Actually, it was an 8 1/2 X 11 piece of white paper, scotch tapped to the door of an empty locale with the following words printed on it:

Art Gallery Opening in November. Visit us @ X Facebook page.

It’s simplicity caught my eye. Also, it told me everything I needed to know:

• What was happening: a Gallery is opening at that location
• When was it happening: in November
• How I can connect or learn more: follow them on Facebook

Sometimes the old (or odd) way is the best. 

Sometimes you can simply print it on a 8 ½ x 11 and scotch tape it to a wall or bathroom stall. 

(I’ve seen an example of the former at a golf course, and I immediately read it thinking the bathroom was out-of-service, only to find out it was announcing a 30% sale at their boutique—they caught me!). 

It doesn’t always have to be an extravagant digital rendering using the latest AI tool.

Sometimes that physical catalog in the mail is so vintage, it’s cool. It’s so different, it gets read. 

Sometimes that physical catalog in the mail is so vintage, it’s cool. It’s so different, it gets read.

Sometimes that handwritten letter inviting us to attend an event, is just what’ll inspire us. 

As marketers we shouldn’t always try and keep up with the latest, most digital trend. Sometimes the good, old-fashioned, will do more than fine.

Will stop us in our steps.

Catch us off-guard when we’re fed up being wired.

Entertain those of us who simply want to sit down and flip the pages of a fantastic book or magazine with our fingers.

You can also try to:

• Create an incredible visual inspired by vintage posters, and print it
• Write a letter on luxurious stationery paper inviting your clients to that fundraiser (they’ll love the touch–pun intended)
• Print a catalogue of your products, situated in stunning stories, and send it to your customers
• Put up a chalkboard with an inspiring poem, on a daily basis; so that passersby remember you and have something to break the ice
• Fashion a thought-leadership magazine (if you have more time and budget on your hands) that your customers receive in the mail once or twice a year
• Send a letterpress card to your customers, thanking them for using your services

Why does it work?

Because we are back at the personalized, the human, the simple. Things people crave in addition to (and sometimes even more than) the digital.

Once again: we are but humans talking to other humans, seeing how we can help. Let’s not lose sight of that as we tell our story.