Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Boost Direct Mail Visibility with Promotional Products

I tend to write what's on my mind at the moment, namely at 2:42 am tonight.

As I spent the day sourcing retro products for a high-end corporation (which I will ultimately customize packaging for the products with custom sound--then fulfill and mail) it got me thinking.

The campaigns I do for this company generate a high response due to many factors.
It's an innovative fulfillment campaign (not a flat static postcard) which will increase visibility to their prospects and be the first or third step in generating sales (as we mail to the same list 3 times at least).

For the creative concept, dream big first, logistics second. Because there is ALWAYS a way if you work with an agency that can start at concept, or take yours to make it a reality. There are many sources and agency has access to, companies that won't sell directly to one person.

Here are some rules to guarantee success once you have your creative concept down:

1. Above ALL, make sure your mailing list is accurate. Your mailing is as good as your list. The more you have narrowed it down, the better.

2. Get a business reply account at your local post office. You will save a ton in postage. Instead of being charged postage for every reply card you include in a mailing, you'll only get charged for the ones that get mailed back. Visit usps.com for more information on business accounts. $500 a year is worth it if you do direct mail.

3. What makes a promotional product mailing? When it's mailed as a "dimensional": in a box or tube. Recent research from Baylor University shows that such a dimensional mailing can increase response rates by as much as 75 percent!

4. Send something that is related to what your company offers, and make it interactive (anything that they will want to stay on their desk, play with, or show to other people within their company).

5. Use "delayed" mailings: create anticipation when doing a 2, 3 or 4-tier mailing to the same mail list. Target prospects receive only one part of an item with another "theme matching" piece to follow. This is key that maybe I should have made it #1.

Good day, and good mailings!