1. Keep Your Workforce Flexible

In today’s labor market, many companies are scaling down their staff. Outsourcing your publication design to a vendor means that you can stay flexible with your staffing. Even if you currently have a dedicated staffer who handles all aspects of your publication, they are at risk of burnout. You can alleviate their workload, or if and when they leave you can choose not to hire a replacement. Outsourcing is also often cheaper than hiring a full-time staff member who requires benefits and a dedicated work space. With a design agency, you’re only paying for the time you’re actually using. This arrangement is perfect for publications that are published less frequently.

2. Work with Expert Designers

Let’s face it—associations often operate with smaller budgets than other businesses. Your ability to afford the top talent you’d find at a design firm is not likely! Working with a design agency gives you access to the very best designers, elevating the design of your publication. But partnering with a vendor not only impacts the aesthetic of your publication. More talented designers are often more efficient since this work is their specialty. You’ll get a faster turnaround on your projects and be better able to meet deadlines.

3. Keep Your Focus on Your Essential Activities

If you don’t have a dedicated staff member working on your publication, their attention and time can be pulled in many directions. This affects not only your deadlines but also the quality of their work. By using an outsourced vendor, you can free up staff time to focus on core responsibilities that directly affect your members. Even if you do have a dedicated graphic designer on staff, you likely have other projects besides your publication. They’ll be able to get a lot more done when that massive project is off their plate.

4. Outshine Your Competition

It’s true that many associations don’t have direct competition in a business sense. But it’s arguable that any other publication is competition for your members’ attention. You can gain a competitive advantage by leveraging your partnership with a design agency. Their work will be superior to your in-house designer and they’ll bring new ideas to your publication. You’ll also get a free boost in marketing as they showcase their work—which also shines the spotlight on your association.

5. Explore Innovative Solutions

When you partner with a design agency for your publication design, you open the door to all the solutions they provide. Your vendor will have innovative suggestions to expand your reach and become more accessible. For example, electronic versions of publications are increasingly popular in today’s digital world. Your design partner can help you establish a new way for your members to interact with your publication—and possibly unlock access to an entirely new demographic of readers.

Selecting the Right Partner

Now that you know the benefits of outsourcing your association’s publication design, it’s time to select an agency. Look for a company that is established in the industry and have proven success over the years. It’s best to find an agency like Bonotom Studio, which has catered completely to associations for over 30 years. Their immersion in the association world means that they understand the challenges you face as well as the benefits you bring. Bonotom Studio can provide your association with the best ideas while working within your budget.