Brochure Tips
- Rough-outline a draft or mind map your brochure to get a sense of wordcount and subhead placement. Google “mind mapping” for more information.
- Google “word counts for publications” to gain a sense of how much copy is appropriate for various print projects.
- Set your software program to 3-column landscape view for a tri-fold brochure layout. You’ll get a general sense of flow from panel to panel or page to page. You’ll also see clearly where to position subheads.
- Graphics should enhance the copy and be chosen thoughtfully. Never use them as filler.
- Keep words, sentences, and paragraphs short.
- Keep words short and sweet. Your target audience may respond better if you use simpler words. Google “plain language principles,” they can help you write clearly and concisely.
- Short sentences lead customers from one phrase to the next. Try to keep collateral sentences down to 10-20 words. An exception is a sentence including parenthetical text within dashes –like this—or phrases that follow colons: like this.
- Pack content with benefits.
- Break up heavy text with white space, subheads, bullets, lists, and bold fonts.
- Subheads ideally should be 7 words or less, 10-15 word max in more technical content.
- Don’t overwhelm with data-stuffed text. Whenever possible, present figures with infographics, pie and bar charts, graphs, lists, or bullets, and don’t forget visual images.
- Sidebars let readers take a visual pause. Cordoned text can highlight complementary information and include lists, tips, summaries, case studies, or testimonials.
- Include complete contact information, including web site. Note where to go to receive additional information. The best place for this is the back panel
Research Poster Tips
Biomedical Communications can assist you with any phose of your poster presentation – design through production. Our poster guide is designed to give you all the information you need to know including a handy checklist for creating your poster.