
Mistakes To Avoid
For Your Direct Mail
Postcard Marketing Campaign
By Toni Grundstrom
The postcard is an inexpensive
yet powerful marketing tool. It's success is with the use of repetition
and avoiding these common mistakes.
There are common mistakes
made creating and sending marketing campaign postcards, that will be
the difference between success and failure of your campaign, that are
easily avoided.
Not Targeting the Best Prospects
Business
to consumer marketing with postcards is only effective if you segment
out your target audience. Once you have a list of consumers who have
similar needs you can send them information on the postcard that is
relevant and personalized. This creates the scenario that the recipient
thinks you are talking directly to them
This list of prospects is
one of the most - if not the most - important factors of a successful
postcard marketing campaign. Analyze your current customers and
generate a list of prospects that have similar traits and interests. If
you do not have your own list you can generate one on many Internet
sites or rent one from a list broker. For a fee, you can rent
subscriber lists of specialized publications and newsletters read by
prospects in your targeted market.
Lack of Repetition
Create
a postcard marketing campaign, not just a one-time mailing. Consistent
and repetitive mailings are more effective than a one-time, I hope this
works mailing. When someone sees your company name over and over again,
it builds credibility and familiarity. Although it may take a number of
contacts with a customer before it leads to a sale, the eventual
increase in revenue usually far offsets the small cost of postcard
printing.
A Personalized Postcard Gets Read
Your
postcards look professional, but at the same time, must carry a message
that produces an emotional reaction from readers. Include a personal
message on your postcard and it will generate more replies than those
that read like an advertisement. This is for branding and recognition,
not to close any deal.
Keep The Message Simple For a Quick Read
You
have enough space on the postcard for a couple of brief sentences.
Think through the goal you have for the campaign and avoid the 'cookie
cutter' messages such as 'I provide the best service' or 'My product is
the best because...'. Look through the yellow pages at the ads and
avoid writing anything that is repetitive within those ads. Keep your
message to one subject and use bullet points is possible for easy
reading.
Avoid Mailing Missteps
Avoid using indicia
(imprinted postage) because that is associate with junk mail. A first
class stamp costs a little more per card but adds another touch of
personalization which will gain more leads. The stamp also provides all
of the services of the U.S. post office including the "return to
sender" feature. Use this to maintain you lists.The best days
for recipients to receive their mail has been proven to be Tuesday and
Wednesday. Avoid them being delivered on Fridays and Mondays.
Stay Within Your Budget
You
can do your own printing, but for professional quality and service,
professional printers should be used. They can send out a variety of
graphics, provide assistance with targeting your list, and sending out
your postcards with a postage stamp.
If you choose to print your
own check the postal requirements for cost of postage, size minimums,
and limitations. There are postcard options at many stores which
include different sizes and finishes.
Marketing Postcards Used As a Sales Pitch
Remember
that a postcard is used to stay in touch with and drive the recipient
to your call to action, not as a sales pitch. Use direct mail marketing
postcards to generate leads not sales.
Provide Your Contact Information
This
common sense detail is, too many times, forgotten to be included on the
direct mail marketing postcard. Provide a telephone, cell and fax
number, as well as an email, website and return address. Be sure to
include your company name as well.
Pay Attention To The Details
Use
a brightly colored and relevant graphic and make your headline grab the
reader's attention or you will lose them. You have about three seconds
to get them to pay attention and flip the postcard over to read your
message. The back side message should reinforce your headline and your
call to action leads them to take the action you desire.
You Must Proofread
Your
lack of using 'spell check' AND proofreading your marketing postcard
yourself will reflect poorly on you. Read each word backwards to ensure
they are spelled correctly, read your message out loud, or have another
person read it to catch anything that you may have missed.
The
marketing postcard will produce leads. Your quality postcard will make
a greater impact on your customer. The reader quickly sees your
headline, and very little effort is required to evaluate the piece.
They will be more likely to act on your 'call to action', thus
producing more leads and generating more sales.
Toni
Grundstrom is a freelance writer with emphasis in the Marketing field.
She has worked for a professional legal association, government entity,
and small businesses. With 17 years of experience I provide valuable
content in all aspects of Marketing. Mistakes
To Avoid For Your Direct Mail Postcard Marketing Campaign. To
stay in contact with your
customers using direct mail postcard marketing use the effective and
low cost selection from MyPostcardCompany.com.
buy-direct mailing-lists.com does not
endorse or claim any of the content in the above article to be factual.