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Casual Articles - It's Probably Time for Your Marketing to Go OFFLINE! How to Get Started With Direct Mail
"PRAISE LOUDLY, BLAME SOFTLY" - Catherine the GreatIn a Leadership position, the pressure to perform is ceaseless. Hitting your numbers. Achieving your goals. Meeting your metrics. That's what's expected quarter after quarter. But, why is the race getting more intense? Why does each day seem like a perpetual revved-up Indianapolis 500? And, why is it that the pressure you are getting from above, that you send below and place within, seems to be getting "louder, longer, meaner"? That's what Aubrey Daniels, in his performance management bible Bringing Out the Best in People, contends. We're all hearing and sending the same messages:Work harder. Work faster. Work smarter. Be more crea
5. DO give them a reason to take action NOW (and not wait until later).
Include a deadline or expiration date on your offer, even if it's for something free, or emphasize there are a limited amount of spots/products left. Of course this will all depend on what you're offering, but you get the idea! You don't want to risk the recipient putting your postcard or letter in the "get to later" pile (which never gets touched).
6. DO track your mailings carefully so you can judge your return-on-investment.
If you are driving people to a website to opt-in or buy something, make sure you give them a separate and simple URL (web address) that is ONLY for the purpose of this mailing. You don't have to create a new website or anything, just make sure you can track it. For example, I bought BlueprintWorkshopPostcard.com and then had that redirect to a
Postage stamps are an adhesive label stuck on envelopes and other postal packages, as proof of the deposit of fee paid for postal services. The first country to issue postage stamps was United Kingdom.Postage stamps are traded through various outlets of the post office, and are issued by the government. Postage stamps are available in various forms and dimensions. There are memorial postage stamps committed to various important events. Postage stamps are also issued to give respect to national personalities, or other extremely important personalities. There are also a range of other types of postage stamps available that depict diverse cultures and geographical features. Many postage stamps also have birds and anima
Well, I can tell you I've changed my tune based on several mailings I've done over the past year. A test of sending out few simple postcards and one sales letter mailing helped me exponentially increase my response to two of my programs over the last several months. I'm now SOLD!
If you aren't collecting any physical addresses right now from your clients, customers, and ezine subscribers, please get started now. Because not only will offline marketing supplement your online efforts immensely, but email deliverability gets trickier and trickier to maintain.
Email can (and will) change in the future. How, I can't tell you. But the good old U.S. Postal Service will be around for a long, long time just the way it is. (And if YOU want your business to be around a long, long time, you'd better start getting those addresses now!)
Best of all, direct mail marketing will supplement your online efforts for even better results. It's a no-brainer, folks. Time to get with it.
So, if you're ready to venture into direct mail, here are a few dos and don'ts I'd like to share with you before you get started...
1. DON'T blow your whole budget on one mailing!
Imagine Nissan coming out with a new car and running ONE single television ad spot, never to be repeated. Ludicrous, yes? But many small business owners somehow think one mailing will do the trick. The biggest mistake most new marketers make when venturing into direct mail is doing ONE mailing, and judging the response solely from that. You should plan a campaign that involves at least three steps, and five to seven for best results. (If you want to keep it super simple, you can just mail the same darn thing repeatedly!)
2. DON'T do an expensive mailing your first-time out, even if you can afford it.
Why? I learned this the hard way when I did an exciting, pricey mailing without first realizing how many undeliverable addresses there were on my list. Remember that some people mistakenly mistype their addresses into your system, and people often move, sometimes with no forwarding address. I recommend doing an inexpensive mailing such as a postcard first time around in order to help weed out the undeliverables on your list! (Remember to include your return address so you'll get these back.)
3. DON'T overlook how important your copy is in order to get attention and get response.
The great thing about mailing a postcard is the recipient reads what you have to say right then and there. If you send something in an envelope, it has to get opened first. That's why master marketers recommend printing a headline or teaser on the outside of any mailing that's done in an envelope. Example: "Look inside to learn 5 ways you can increase your sales by next week!" I say just do a postcard to keep it simple (and less expensive than doing an envelope mailing).
4. DO keep your graphics simple and attention-getting.
Don't go crazy paying some designer thousands of dollars to create a mailing for you, when you can keep things simple and get just as good - if not better - results. I used to pay an artist beaucoup bucks on a regular basis to make everything I sent out looked picture perfect. Once I stopped that and started focusing more on the message, I started making (and keeping)a LOT more money. Remember it's WORDS that sell, and the job of graphics is to get attention and support your message.
5. DO give them a reason to take action NOW (and not wait until later).
Include a deadline or expiration date on your offer, even if it's for something free, or emphasize there are a limited amount of spots/products left. Of course this will all depend on what you're offering, but you get the idea! You don't want to risk the recipient putting your postcard or letter in the "get to later" pile (which never gets touched).
6. DO track your mailings carefully so you can judge your return-on-investment.
If you are driving people to a website to opt-in or buy something, make sure you give them a separate and simple URL (web address) that is ONLY for the purpose of this mailing. You don't have to create a new website or anything, just make sure you can track it. For example, I bought BlueprintWorkshopPostcard.com and then had that redirect to a
Put Your Investments on the Right track!Starting a business is not as complicated as it seems. In fact, all you really need to get started is a positive attitude, and the desire to be self employed! The supply of something that's in demand, and money. For now let's focus on the second component of having a business, what's in demand?There is a continual need for nurses in this country as evident should you come across the health care classified sections of your local newspaper. And this will continue to grow as at the aging population continues to increase. needless to say, the medical field is a one. Therefore, careers related to the field are sure to be worthwhile.So what do nurses have to do with st
Best of all, direct mail marketing will supplement your online efforts for even better results. It's a no-brainer, folks. Time to get with it.
So, if you're ready to venture into direct mail, here are a few dos and don'ts I'd like to share with you before you get started...
1. DON'T blow your whole budget on one mailing!
Imagine Nissan coming out with a new car and running ONE single television ad spot, never to be repeated. Ludicrous, yes? But many small business owners somehow think one mailing will do the trick. The biggest mistake most new marketers make when venturing into direct mail is doing ONE mailing, and judging the response solely from that. You should plan a campaign that involves at least three steps, and five to seven for best results. (If you want to keep it super simple, you can just mail the same darn thing repeatedly!)
2. DON'T do an expensive mailing your first-time out, even if you can afford it.
Why? I learned this the hard way when I did an exciting, pricey mailing without first realizing how many undeliverable addresses there were on my list. Remember that some people mistakenly mistype their addresses into your system, and people often move, sometimes with no forwarding address. I recommend doing an inexpensive mailing such as a postcard first time around in order to help weed out the undeliverables on your list! (Remember to include your return address so you'll get these back.)
3. DON'T overlook how important your copy is in order to get attention and get response.
The great thing about mailing a postcard is the recipient reads what you have to say right then and there. If you send something in an envelope, it has to get opened first. That's why master marketers recommend printing a headline or teaser on the outside of any mailing that's done in an envelope. Example: "Look inside to learn 5 ways you can increase your sales by next week!" I say just do a postcard to keep it simple (and less expensive than doing an envelope mailing).
4. DO keep your graphics simple and attention-getting.
Don't go crazy paying some designer thousands of dollars to create a mailing for you, when you can keep things simple and get just as good - if not better - results. I used to pay an artist beaucoup bucks on a regular basis to make everything I sent out looked picture perfect. Once I stopped that and started focusing more on the message, I started making (and keeping)a LOT more money. Remember it's WORDS that sell, and the job of graphics is to get attention and support your message.
5. DO give them a reason to take action NOW (and not wait until later).
Include a deadline or expiration date on your offer, even if it's for something free, or emphasize there are a limited amount of spots/products left. Of course this will all depend on what you're offering, but you get the idea! You don't want to risk the recipient putting your postcard or letter in the "get to later" pile (which never gets touched).
6. DO track your mailings carefully so you can judge your return-on-investment.
If you are driving people to a website to opt-in or buy something, make sure you give them a separate and simple URL (web address) that is ONLY for the purpose of this mailing. You don't have to create a new website or anything, just make sure you can track it. For example, I bought BlueprintWorkshopPostcard.com and then had that redirect to a
One of the key factors to a successful fundraising event and future fundraising events is to follow up with the supporters, volunteers and participants after the fundraiser is completed and the numbers are tallied!Taking the time to add that personal touch will go a long way in the eyes of your supporters, participants, volunteers and sponsors. Take the time to send them a thank you card and thank them for the time spent helping through out the fundraiser. This will help assure that they are pleased as well and they will want to participate again next year.Not only should you thank your supports, merchants, volunteers and supporters for their participation and contributions within your fundraising event but t
2. DON'T do an expensive mailing your first-time out, even if you can afford it.
Why? I learned this the hard way when I did an exciting, pricey mailing without first realizing how many undeliverable addresses there were on my list. Remember that some people mistakenly mistype their addresses into your system, and people often move, sometimes with no forwarding address. I recommend doing an inexpensive mailing such as a postcard first time around in order to help weed out the undeliverables on your list! (Remember to include your return address so you'll get these back.)
3. DON'T overlook how important your copy is in order to get attention and get response.
The great thing about mailing a postcard is the recipient reads what you have to say right then and there. If you send something in an envelope, it has to get opened first. That's why master marketers recommend printing a headline or teaser on the outside of any mailing that's done in an envelope. Example: "Look inside to learn 5 ways you can increase your sales by next week!" I say just do a postcard to keep it simple (and less expensive than doing an envelope mailing).
4. DO keep your graphics simple and attention-getting.
Don't go crazy paying some designer thousands of dollars to create a mailing for you, when you can keep things simple and get just as good - if not better - results. I used to pay an artist beaucoup bucks on a regular basis to make everything I sent out looked picture perfect. Once I stopped that and started focusing more on the message, I started making (and keeping)a LOT more money. Remember it's WORDS that sell, and the job of graphics is to get attention and support your message.
5. DO give them a reason to take action NOW (and not wait until later).
Include a deadline or expiration date on your offer, even if it's for something free, or emphasize there are a limited amount of spots/products left. Of course this will all depend on what you're offering, but you get the idea! You don't want to risk the recipient putting your postcard or letter in the "get to later" pile (which never gets touched).
6. DO track your mailings carefully so you can judge your return-on-investment.
If you are driving people to a website to opt-in or buy something, make sure you give them a separate and simple URL (web address) that is ONLY for the purpose of this mailing. You don't have to create a new website or anything, just make sure you can track it. For example, I bought BlueprintWorkshopPostcard.com and then had that redirect to a
Today, there are more and more female executives making it into the higher ranks and large corporations. We have seen many very large companies such as Hewlett-Packard with female presidents. We see more and more female vice presidents and board members in today's modern corporations and this is a good thing.Most female executive officers have accepted that although things are changing, they are changing slowly. They realize for the most part corporations are somewhat of a man's world, but over time this will change completely and that is obvious. As a man, of course, yes I totally understand that. I realize how the real world works.The glass ceiling is alive and well and well it is unfortunate. Actually it
4. DO keep your graphics simple and attention-getting.
Don't go crazy paying some designer thousands of dollars to create a mailing for you, when you can keep things simple and get just as good - if not better - results. I used to pay an artist beaucoup bucks on a regular basis to make everything I sent out looked picture perfect. Once I stopped that and started focusing more on the message, I started making (and keeping)a LOT more money. Remember it's WORDS that sell, and the job of graphics is to get attention and support your message.
5. DO give them a reason to take action NOW (and not wait until later).
Include a deadline or expiration date on your offer, even if it's for something free, or emphasize there are a limited amount of spots/products left. Of course this will all depend on what you're offering, but you get the idea! You don't want to risk the recipient putting your postcard or letter in the "get to later" pile (which never gets touched).
6. DO track your mailings carefully so you can judge your return-on-investment.
If you are driving people to a website to opt-in or buy something, make sure you give them a separate and simple URL (web address) that is ONLY for the purpose of this mailing. You don't have to create a new website or anything, just make sure you can track it. For example, I bought BlueprintWorkshopPostcard.com and then had that redirect to a
I recently heard a technology presentation from a young but experienced CEO of a big ‘clicks and mortar’ organization. He told the large audience confidently, ‘Beta means never having to say you’re sorry.’‘That’s right,’ I thought to myself. ‘When launching the beta test of a new web-enabled process, customers must understand it’s only a pilot run and should be forgiving if things mess up or don’t work out as planned.’I was totally wrong about his point of view.In direct contrast to my thinking, this e-commerce veteran explained that new web-based interactions often do not work properly during a beta test.However, from the customer’s point of view, he insisted, your pilot run must be successful
5. DO give them a reason to take action NOW (and not wait until later).
Include a deadline or expiration date on your offer, even if it's for something free, or emphasize there are a limited amount of spots/products left. Of course this will all depend on what you're offering, but you get the idea! You don't want to risk the recipient putting your postcard or letter in the "get to later" pile (which never gets touched).
6. DO track your mailings carefully so you can judge your return-on-investment.
If you are driving people to a website to opt-in or buy something, make sure you give them a separate and simple URL (web address) that is ONLY for the purpose of this mailing. You don't have to create a new website or anything, just make sure you can track it. For example, I bought BlueprintWorkshopPostcard.com and then had that redirect to a tracking link I set up using the easy ad tracker program in my shopping cart system. This way I could tell exactly how many people typed in that URL, AND also how many people also actually registered for the workshop from the postcard! (VERY valuable information.)
7. DO work with a vendor who can make this all EASY for you.
I tried several different companies this past year, and now I only work with and recommend TWO. For full-color postcard design, printing, and mailing, I use Modern Postcard. (They did all my postcards for the Online Success Blueprint Workshop, including design, printing, and mailing, with quick turnaround too!) For mailings with goodies (called "premiums") inside them and more creative stuff, I use my friend Mitch Carson at Impact Products. He's the consultant I pull in when I truly want to make a BIG impact in the mail!
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