How to create digital brochures: All you need to know

We consider a PDF to be a Pretty Dull Format when it comes to marketing. Invented in 1993, PDFs are simply not designed for today’s digital world.

Every marketer wants their message to cut through the noise. And let’s face it – the internet is noisy. You could have the best product or service on the market but fail to present it in a clear and engaging way. In seconds, your target customers move on to your competition quicker than you can say “PDF”.

Customers don’t have the time (or patience) to sift through hefty PDFs to find the information they’re looking for. And in all honesty, why should marketers spend time writing them, when they deliver lackluster results?

Times and technology have changed. It’s time to put PDFs in a box in the loft with floppy discs and MP3 players, and enjoy the benefits of the digital age.

A digital brochure (also an e-brochure or online brochure), is a digital representation of a traditional printed brochure. It’s a way to showcase information about a product, service, organization or event, and can be easily accessed and shared online. In a nutshell, it’s an interactive alternative to print that drives better engagement and results.

Benefits of using a digital brochure

Digital brochures can greatly enhance your overall marketing strategy in several ways.

Increased accessibility

Digital brochures allow you to reach a wider audience, as they can be easily shared and accessed online. They can be distributed through email campaigns, shared on social media platforms, embedded on websites, or downloaded from your online resources. This accessibility increases the chances of your brochure being seen by potential customers.

Cost-effectiveness

Creating and distributing digital brochures is often more cost-effective compared to traditional print brochures. Printing and distribution costs are eliminated, and you can update and modify your digital brochures without incurring additional expenses. This flexibility allows you to adapt your marketing materials to changing needs and trends.

Interactive elements

Unlike static print brochures and uploaded PDFs, digital brochures can include interactive elements such as clickable links, embedded videos, polls and maps. These elements provide a more engaging and immersive experience for your audience, helping to capture their attention and convey information – dynamically.

Analytics and tracking

With digital brochures, you can track and measure various metrics, analyze user behavior and gain insights into the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. This data can help you understand what content is most engaging, which sections are being ignored, and help you see which content is performing, so you can improve your marketing strategy.

Eco-friendly

Interactive digital brochures are a better way to showcase your products and services, elevate brand awareness, and capture the attention of potential customers. Think printed catalog, except now you can provide a memorable, multimedia content experience in a digital format – designed to maximize reader engagement.

From easy-to-follow formats to sleek designs and interactive features, here are some interactive examples of what can be created with Turtl’s digital brochure software:

Various types of businesses can benefit from using digital brochures as part of a B2C or B2B content marketing strategy. Here are some examples.

Tourism and travel

Travel agencies, hotels, resorts, and tourist destinations can showcase their offerings, attractions, and services through digital brochures. They can include high-quality images, interactive maps, videos, and links to booking platforms, providing potential travelers with an immersive experience.

Real estate

Real estate agents, property developers, and rental agencies can use digital brochures to showcase properties, floor plans, amenities, and virtual tours. These brochures can be easily shared with potential buyers or renters through email, websites, or social media, allowing for a more efficient and visually appealing presentation.

Event planning

Event planners and organizers can use digital brochures to showcase their event management services, venue options, catering menus, and previous event highlights. Digital brochures can be customized with event branding and include interactive features such as RSVP forms or links to ticketing platforms.

Product catalogs

Businesses in various industries, such as retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing, can benefit from digital product catalogs. Digital brochures allow businesses to showcase their products with high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and pricing information. They can be easily updated and shared online, reaching a wider audience and facilitating online purchases.

Health and wellness

Health and wellness centers, spas, gyms, and medical practices can switch to digital brochures to promote their services, facilities, and wellness programs. These brochures can include information on treatments, memberships, schedules, and testimonials from satisfied clients.

Non-profit organizations

Non-profits can use digital brochures to raise awareness about their causes, showcase their projects, and highlight their impact. They can include compelling visuals, success stories, donation information, and links to fundraising campaigns, making it easier for supporters to engage with the organization.

Get solid attribution points, improve lead generation and make your marketing more engaging. Here’s how to use digital brochures to ramp up your marketing results:

1. Lead magnets

Include a lead capture form within the digital brochure where users can provide their contact details, such as name, email address, and phone number. Offer an incentive, such as exclusive content or discounts, to encourage users to provide their information.

2. Landing page integration

Direct users from the digital brochure to a dedicated landing page on your website. The landing page should provide additional information related to the brochure content and encourage users to take further action, such as filling out a form or signing up for a newsletter.

3. Email marketing

Digital brochures can be used as super-engaging newsletters themselves, or embed one into email campaigns and give your recipients a better way to discover your products, services, or promotions. The right platform will help you personalize content to suit recipients’ interests or preferences.

4. Social media engagement

Give social communities interactive, interesting digital brochures that are easy to read, enjoy and share. Embed charts, graphs, videos and GIFs, and survey your followers using interactive polls and start an insightful feedback loop.

5. Landing pages and adverts

Capture more leads by promoting your digital brochures in adverts and landing pages. Target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, or browsing behavior – and if you’re really clever, draw people closer to your offer by using a Flippy GIF (we would say that, but it’s true!).

6. Content marketing

Create informative blog posts, articles, or videos that complement the content of the brochures. Include links or embed the brochures within the content to provide in-depth information to your audience and pull them deeper into your funnel.

Make sure to use polls to discover more about your audience and add a CTA on your back cover that signs them up for an offer of more content, a promotion, or a call.  If you’re a B2B marketer, take a look at our B2B Content Marketing Guide and align your entire content marketing strategy to your audience and your product/service, in perfect tandem.

7. Trade shows and events

When heading to trade shows or events, replace traditional printed brochures with digital versions. Set up interactive displays or kiosks where attendees can access and download the brochures. Collect contact information from interested visitors to follow up later. Use a digital brochure in your follow-up communications to see exactly what sort of content these fresh leads like to consume.

8. QR codes

Include QR codes in your marketing materials, such as advertisements, posters, business cards and printed or digital brochures. When scanned, these QR codes can lead users directly to wherever you want them to go next: a page on your website or a dedicated landing page.

9. Personalization

Tailor the digital brochures to specific target audiences or segments. Customize the content, visuals, and messaging to resonate with the needs and preferences of your target audience. Personalization can enhance engagement and increase the likelihood of lead generation.

10. Follow-up communication

Develop leads into customers and nurture the leads you’ve captured with email marketing campaigns, personalized offers, or targeted content.

11. Tracking and analytics

It’s easy to track users and monitor engagement with digital brochures because digital assets provide data points. Use analytics tools to measure the number of downloads, views, and conversions. This data can help you understand user behavior, identify potential leads, and optimize your lead generation strategy. (Turtl software includes inbuilt data insights for its users via a comprehensive and user-friendly Analytics dashboard.)

12. Campaign measurement

Evaluate marketing campaign effectiveness so you can see what’s working and report on ROI. Analytics tools track the performance and engagement of digital brochures, with the best platforms showing metrics such as downloads, page views, time spent, and conversion rates.

Make it easy for users to find brochures online – the insights you gain from moving to digital marketing platforms, help you do just that. Remember to create good-looking digital brochures that align with your overall marketing messaging and branding.