How to Make a Travel Brochure Using Microsoft Word

Planning
1. Think about and plan the overall brochure. Remember you are describing this travel destination to your readers. Start with the front panel of the brochure. The picture on the front should pull the reader into the publication. The font size of the title should be bold and large but in balance with the photograph. Include a caption under the photograph being shown in the photo. Real photos always work better than clip art. Sketch out what you would like to place on the front page of the brochure.
2. Open Microsoft Word, click 'File,' 'New.' A template box will appear. If using Word 2007, you will be connected to the Microsoft Office website for a few seconds and then click on 'Brochures' and select the 'Travel Brochure.' The template will appear on the screen after downloading. Skip to section 2, 'Modifying the Travel Brochure Template.'
3. In older versions of Word, click on 'Templates from Microsoft.com'---the option is on the right panel of your screen.
4. A web browser window will open. Key into the search box 'travel brochure,' then click 'Search'. Once the search is complete, click on the 'Travel Brochure' template.
5. You may have to click at the top of your web browser (a yellow bar will appear if using Internet Explorer) and download the ActiveX control. After the template is downloaded, you will be returned to Word and you will see the template.
Modifying the Travel Brochure Template
6. Lay out the front and back pages of the brochure. On page one of the Microsoft Word travel template, the first panel is the back page, second panel is the front page and the third and fourth panels are inner pages. To change clip art and photos, click on the preset clip art then click 'Insert' from the top menu bar and then 'Picture.' Then browse for the pictures you want and insert them in place of the clip art.
7. To change the text, highlight the text and type over the existing words.
8. On the back panel, end with a strong photo and contact information including any phone numbers, website addresses and names of representatives. The company logo should also be easy to read and scaled correctly to the page. You may even want to include a map on where the travel spot is.
9. To add your own logo in the box labeled 'YOUR LOGO HERE,' click on the box then click 'Insert' from top menu bar and then 'Picture.' Then browse for the logo you want.
10. Next, save your brochure, click 'File,' 'Save As,' type in a name and then click 'Save.'
11. Plan the inner panels. On page two of the template, panels one through four are all inner panels. There is a pull quote box on the fourth panel of page two. Use this quote box to add emphasis to a certain aspect of the destination or if you have a quote from a local business person or local resident from the travel spot.
12. Inner panels should have headings, pictures, facts about the travel spot and a brief calendar of major yearly events. Don't overdo it on photographs. Try to have an equal balance between photos and information. Each picture should be clear and free of objects out of place (like a tree coming out of someone's head). Each photo should have a caption. If you didn't take the photograph, give credit to who took the photo or what service you used to obtain the photo.
13. For the information, write grammatically correct sentences that are clear and simple. Use adjectives that are bold and give punch. No one wants to travel to a boring place nor do they want to read boring sentences. Spice the sentences up.
14. Once you have completed the brochure, run spell check and make any corrections. Save your file again.
15. To print, click 'File' and 'Print.' Make sure to set your printer settings to 'Landscape.' You may want to do a 'Print Preview' before doing a final print.