The Who, What, Where and When of Color In Your Documents

This article will help you to assess and maximise the impact your use of color in your documents and presentations will have on the readers. First of all you need to identify the following;

• who your readers are
• what your purpose is
• when to use color
• where to use color

Who and What?

Determine who your target readers are and what the specific purpose of the document is. Is it an internal product for your employees or is it for the eyes of potential or existing customers.

What is the purpose? Is it to advise, explain, sell, market etc. How many documents are involved? Is it just documents or are multimedia presentations needed. What results are you expecting? All these parameters need to be covered.

Are your target audiences conservative or more open to vibrant colors in documents and presentations. Some cultures associate serious business messages with black and white. Just give your specific situation some thought.

When and Where?

If you are sending a marketing proposal document to a client you will be looking to impress your existing or potential. But beware, the use of bright, fluorescent colors might not go down too well with a firm of accountants or lawyers but may well be appreciated by a music/video company.

If it is an internal document, do you need to use color at all? Consider the cost implication of doing this - Ink cartridge and laser toner usage etc. Unless the purpose of the document is, for example, to explain some major change in company structure, then I suggest you keep to black and white or minimise the color involved.

A situation where you may consider color for internal purposes would be for the production of safety messages. These need to stand out and be noticed.

Finally remember:

• Don't use too many colors or too much colored text. You may lose the impact and readability of the work.

• White text on a black background is harder to reader than black on white.

• Similarly, avoid placing too many color pictures, images or icons on a page.

• Use a color photograph in preference to an illustration or drawing..for selling in particular.

• Used correctly, color can break up the monotony of black-and-white text reading.

• Whatever color theme you have, stick to it throughout the document or presentation.

• Graphs and charts in particular will capture more attention if in color.

• For the graphs etc, don't forget to explain what the colors mean though!

• And don't forget to put captions under pictures. Apparently people read these more than the copy!

• Don't use too many different font types. One type for 'headers' and one for the body text should be sufficient.

• Carry out a readers test on various samples before settling on your final selection.

• Ask several people for their opinion on the samples. Ask them about the readability and the impact factors.

This article may be reproduced in its entirety provided the resource paragraph below is included and all urls kept active.

(c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at this discount ink cartridge & laser toner store, providing discounted brand name compatible ink cartridge and laser toner supplies. Sign up for the feed on our web site or the blog showcasing the products.

---

10 Tips For Bringing Your Event To Life

Your job as an event planner doesn't stop with the... Read More

How to Teach: Lecture vs. Discussion

WHEN ONLY A LECTURE WILL DO: Under certain circumstances, of... Read More

Your Unique Point of View

I had a chance to go to one of those... Read More

Winning The Big Pitch - The 7 Deadly Sins Of Business Presentations And How To Avoid Them!

Are poor presentations costing you business?The ability to deliver a... Read More

Presentation Skills: Be More Productive Using a Facilitator Mode

There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there... Read More

8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills

8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Sharpen His Presentation Skills

Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More

After the Speech

Usually the emphasis on making an effective speech is what... Read More

Tough Talk: Bad News Delivered the Right Way

Communicating Bad News The Right WayIt's the rare executive who... Read More

Move Key Audiences to Actions You Want

How?Try a blueprint like this: people act on their own... Read More

Create A Better Impresion With Your Emails

How do you come across in your emails?As I receive... Read More

Powerpoint Sales Presentations Are Boring - Stop It!

As the meeting began, the project manager of the buying... Read More

Media Training 101: Mastering the Television Interview

As I travel around the world I always enjoy sampling... Read More

Cell Phone Dos And Dont During A Meeting

What would we do without our cell phones? Wow, there's... Read More

Keeping Meetings Productive

KEEPING MEETINGS PRODUCTIVE: Whether participants approve or disapprove of an... Read More

Plasma Screen Hire ? What Do You Need to Know for Presentations

How many people will need to see the screen? A... Read More

Audience Respect

One of the biggest mistakes most presenters make is in... Read More

Using Your Audience to Your Advantage

Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More

Writing The Query Letter

The query letter is simply a business letter that serves... Read More

10 Profitable Tips for Creating Better Sales Presentations

No matter what your business is, you will enhance your... Read More

Facilitating Panel Discussions

A client recently called to say she was going to... Read More

Creating a Powerful Sales Presentation

The quality of your sales presentation will often determine whether... Read More

Just Say No to PowerPoint: Enough is Enough!

Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More

Projector Hire - Choosing the Right One for Your Presentation

Calling a projector hire company will often get you confused... Read More

How to Prevent Presentation and Speaking Disasters

I just got back from my whirlwind speaking engagements and... Read More

Chairing A Meeting The Most Effective Way

How many times have you attended a meeting where the... Read More

Group Meetings: Being Prepared Makes a Difference

MANAGING MEETINGS--BEING PREPARED MAKES A DIFFERENCE: You can schedule all... Read More

The Who, What, Where and When of Color In Your Documents

This article will help you to assess and maximise the... Read More

Polishing Your Sales Presentation

Summer is here! It's time to bring out your summer... Read More

Presentation Paranoia

"The human brain starts working the moment you are born... Read More

Leaves Your Audience Hungry For More! -- Presentations That Get Results

Regardless, if your goal is to make a sale or... Read More

Being Real From the Platform

"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation... Read More

Qualities of Good Communication

Webster's Dictionary defines communication as "a giving or exchanging of... Read More