Comments on: A Tale of Two Brochures http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2007/09/11/environmental-writing-comparison/ Make a splash with your communications! Sat, 19 May 2012 09:55:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Libby http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2007/09/11/environmental-writing-comparison/comment-page-1/#comment-1550 Libby Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:36:00 +0000 http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2007/09/11/a-tale-of-two-brochures/#comment-1550 Interesting observations, and my views differ. I think you are comparing apples to oranges because the brochures have different objectives. The first is generating awareness about an event, the second is trying to get people to join the organization. (Of course, I can't look at the inside of the brochures to see if that is really the case.) I would have been much more likely to pick up brochure 1 than brochure 2, regardless of whether I wanted to be in the bike ride or join the organization. The call to action "Join and be a friend" might be big, brassy, and bold on the brochure's front cover but it sounds to me like the same old boring pitch from every environmental group around. An environmental group that organizes fun bike rides sounds like a group on the move, one to be part of, and one whose brochure I would pick up and look at. Cheers! An old environmentalist Interesting observations, and my views differ. I think you are comparing apples to oranges because the brochures have different objectives. The first is generating awareness about an event, the second is trying to get people to join the organization. (Of course, I can’t look at the inside of the brochures to see if that is really the case.)

I would have been much more likely to pick up brochure 1 than brochure 2, regardless of whether I wanted to be in the bike ride or join the organization. The call to action “Join and be a friend” might be big, brassy, and bold on the brochure’s front cover but it sounds to me like the same old boring pitch from every environmental group around. An environmental group that organizes fun bike rides sounds like a group on the move, one to be part of, and one whose brochure I would pick up and look at.

Cheers!
An old environmentalist

]]> By: Kelly Stettner http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2007/09/11/environmental-writing-comparison/comment-page-1/#comment-1525 Kelly Stettner Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:17:38 +0000 http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2007/09/11/a-tale-of-two-brochures/#comment-1525 Thanks for this comparison...both brochures have nice graphics, good visual interest, and attractive colors. But you're right, only one prompts you to pick it up and DO something. I'm coordinating a brochure to be published about invasive Japanese knotweed management, in partnership with the local natural resources conservation district and our regional development council. This sort of visual PUNCH is just what we should aim for, as well as some good background on the plant, why it's a problem in most cases, and what can be done, who to turn to for more information, and how to stay informed and involved. Thanks! Thanks for this comparison…both brochures have nice graphics, good visual interest, and attractive colors. But you’re right, only one prompts you to pick it up and DO something.

I’m coordinating a brochure to be published about invasive Japanese knotweed management, in partnership with the local natural resources conservation district and our regional development council. This sort of visual PUNCH is just what we should aim for, as well as some good background on the plant, why it’s a problem in most cases, and what can be done, who to turn to for more information, and how to stay informed and involved.

Thanks!

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