“Brochure” is French, and it comes from brocher, meaning to stitch. According to The American Heritage Dictionary, a brochure is “a small booklet or pamphlet, often containing promotional material or product information.”
Accurate, yes. And also incomplete.
For one thing, brochures arent always small. Sometimes theyre quite large. As for brochure contents, they vary greatly depending on the situation. A brochure definitely can be more than a pamphlet or small booklet, coming in all shapes, sizes and a range of folds.
While brochures are found practically everywhere — used by businesses and organizations of all types and sizes — theyre not the answer to all communication needs. Nor are they obsolete due to the Web.
What Can a Brochure Do?
Actually, a lot. First, determine your purpose or objectives.
Will your brochure generate sales or leads? Fulfill inquiries, support the sales force or be displayed at the point of sale? Will you use your brochure as a direct-mail piece or a leave-behind?
The brochure can do one or all of the above with careful planning. Here are some more...