At first glance, you think you’re looking at a special interest magazine chock-full of important, timely information. The plush cover promises fascinating articles, refers you inside to page numbers where you can learn more. Inside are articles and side bars, just like a normal magazine.

By the time you realize you’re holding a full-color sales piece—a magalog—in your hand, you’re hooked.

That’s the key to how magalogs have made many direct marketers very successful. They offer hard facts using direct response copy and graphics to an information-hungry and/or skeptical prospect. And they get through to people because the format is unexpected. Magalogs can be for both consumer and business-to-business marketers.

The magalog is an infomercial in print. It is used for investment products, health supplements, magazine and newsletter promotions, and services for diverse audiences as human resource directors of large companies.

The magalog format has been so exciting and successful that even some traditional retailers are experimenting with it. For instance, one upscale retailer now publishes a magalog called A&F Quarterly, which promotes “the Abercrombie & Fitch lifestyle.” Magalogs are a minimum of 16 pages long up to 28.

For business marketers, a major advantage is that the magalog has a far better chance of getting by the mailroom, secretary and to the prospect’s desk.

The magalog can also be used as a presentation at a trade show, carried by a salesman or as part of a fulfillment package. It might be your most successful marketing tool. Here are 7 tips that will help you create a magalog that’ll make your product stand out:

Tip #1

Create a front cover that grabs your reader and doesn’t let go

Your front cover is what people notice first. Tease your reader inside, promise substantial information, and encourage them to see specific pages (include the page numbers!) for fascinating articles.

For best results in extending the life of a magalog, change the teaser copy and art of the cover, just like you would on an outer envelope. And don’t forget to test several front covers against each other.

Tip #2

Use pages 2 and 3 to make your magalog a success

What you do with pages 2 and 3 can make your magalog a success or failure. It looks professional, adds a human element, and keys the reader to what’s inside if the prospect immediately sees a letter from the editor stating the purpose of the magalog.

To pack a real punch, though, place the first few paragraphs of your most informative, most beguiling article at the very beginning of your magalog.

Tip #3

Include a lead article

The strongest response magalogs have one well-focused, single-themed main article that sells the product or service and pulls the prospect to the order form at the end.

Tip #4

Use side bars liberally

Side bars are small articles that accompany a lead story in a newspaper or magazine. Editors use them to break out and expand on a point, or give a different perspective. You can use them for that, or use them to highlight a benefit, make a call to action, offer a free special report, or draw attention to the order form.

The side bar is an ideal way to draw prospects who have a special interest in a benefit you offer.

Tip #5

Woo your prospect with your order form

The last one or two pages of your magalog are an extremely powerful place to put your order form.

On one page, pack extensive information on the bonuses and guarantees. On the other, present your offer, all the components of a traditional response device, and the most important selling points of your product.

Most importantly, don’t forget to include clear instructions, a savings certificate, and your money-back guarantee.

Tip #6

Use the back cover to sell information and add product credibility

Your back cover is one of your most powerful places to place thought-provoking copy.

Use it to influence your prospects into turning the page and reading what’s inside the magalog immediately. Make them want to read the entire article, and make it easy for them to find the facts by using bullets.

Another important element to consider adding to the back cover is one or more testimonials. They’ll add an element of human interest and let your prospect know this is a product they can trust.

Tip #7

Make your magalog look professional

Your magalog represents your product. Use 4-color throughout, and a substantive paper weight (60 lb. for the cover and 50 lb. for the inside pages).

To save money, create a magalog that is 16, 20, 24, 28, or 32 pages. Printers usually work in pages of 4 or 8 and can sometimes give you an even better rate if your magalog’s pages are in multiples of 8.

Create a breakthrough

If you’re looking for a breakthrough marketing promotion that will deliver better than average growth, or if you’re looking for a way to distinguish yourself from your competitor, consider the magalog. Magalogs can be the creative solutions to help you meet aggressive marketing goals.