When it comes to designing direct mail, copy is definitely the most important, but to attract the attention of today’s consumers your marketing materials have to stand apart from the competition and boost your sales In case you’re not the most creative business owner, I have started a small list with some great direct mail tips and ideas.
1. Mail Often: Mail on a regular basis and mail often, but make your postcards relevant and exciting. The more often you mail to your mailing list, the more you’re at the front of those customer’s minds when it comes time to purchase.
2. Draw on Testimonials: Ask your clients to write a review of your business or product, then send a copy to your mailing list with an invitation to visit you…As an added bonus add a coupon with an expiration date as an extra incentive!
3. Use a Loyalty Program: Reward your loyal clients for continuing to do business with you. Setup triggers that alert you when customers have reached a certain purchase level and mail them out a postcard recognizing the accomplishment along with a coupon or discount as a special thank you.
4. Create a Referral Program: Ask your top customers to provide you with names and addresses of friends and colleagues whom they think might benefit from your products and services. Send these referrals a promotional offer and also reward the original customer with a gift as well. Don’t forget to use some incentive to persuade your customers to join the program.
5. Celebrate Special Events: Make sure you note special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries of customers, then use that information to show your appreciation. About two weeks before a special occasion, mail out a couple of coupons… One for something FREE and one with a special discount. Clients love free stuff.
6. Give back to the Community: Send out a letter to all your customers announcing that a certain percentage of sales during a specific period will be donated to a local charity and ask them to be partners in that endeavor. I would strongly suggest donating to local schools. You can easily find the boundry lines of the schools to send to.
7. Mail Customers convenient Reminders: “You’re due for a follow up visit”, “Time for Fido’s grooming again”, “Wow, Anthony’s turning 10! Time for some bigger shoes!”. Customers respond well to reminders like this and recognize the value of you taking the time and effort… Even though it’s an ad, it’s still a nice reminder for a product or service they know they need.




