Do we have any annual report enthusiasts out there?
Anyone?
Anyone at all?
Oh boy.
Okay, so annual reports don’t usually top anyone’s list of publications to read for pleasure. But since many businesses are required to churn one out each year, let’s chat about some dos and don’ts.
When you are putting together your annual report…
DO…
- Include photos. The large amount of data that is required in an annual report can make your readers’ eyes sting. Pictures add some much needed life to facts and figures.
- Make the layout interesting. Again, some of the information you have to include is about as alluring as a scoop of canned dog food. Having a good layout is key to keeping your readers awake and emphasizing the key points within your annual report.
- Keep it true to your brand. Everything – colors, graphics, fonts, tone – should be in line with what you’ve been doing for your other marketing efforts. Your annual report should look like it belongs to your company.
- Entrust the copy to a good writer. The quality of the writing in your annual report, or any document with your company logo on it, is a reflection on your business. You need it to be as interesting as possible and, most importantly, clear. So make sure your writer leaves out the SAT words and compound-complex sentences and makes your message accessible to your readers.
- Proofread the living daylights out of the thing. Noebody likkes speling mistakkes, or, Grammatical, errors.
- Get it printed by experts. Your investors are likely to get a little nervous if it’s clear that you printed out your annual report on a printer with a dying ink cartridge and stapled it together with your trusty Swingline. High quality paper and printing will help your annual report look professional.
DON’T…
- Hesitate to contact imPress if you need help with any of the above.
