What works better postcards or letters for mail-order?
This has long been a big debate over the years..what works better for your direct mail campaign? Well, I have to say postcards…Why? Because you don’t need to open an envelope to read the message!
Statistics show that a large percentage of direct mail pieces are thrown into the trash unopened! There is a right and a wrong way to prepare an envelope for your mail order campaign, but the fact is most people dont’ do it right!
8 out of 10 envelopes I get from people advertising their home business opportunity usually have a white label that is slapped on crooked and they use a rubber stamp for their return address that is also crooked or half faded. Now what does this say to you at first glance? To me, it screams “amateur”…It tells me that this person didn’t care enough about their business to make sure the label was straight and the stamp rubber stamp was better quality!
Your mailing piece is your “sales person”… You need to project a professional image, because like many other situations, you only get one chance to make a first impression!
Let’s say you did it right, your envelopes were good quality, you laser printed the labels or hand wrote the addresses (with good penmanship)…Did you know that your envelope message can still go largely unnoticed? It’s true!
You NEED to stand out in the sea of credit card offers, and other mail people get on a daily basis! When sorting through the mail, a postcard has a way of sticking out saying hey look at me! TIP- Use astrobright colors like green, orange or yellows…Pastel colors are ok too, but the bright ones pull better…
On a postcard it is accepted to use a label instead of worrying about hand addressing, because you don’t have to worry about it being opened! Using postcards for direct mail or as some call it “mail-order” is a smart way to ensure you didn’t blow your ad budget!
Your message is there for the whole world to see, including all the hands that touch it while on it’s journey to your mail box! I dont’ have to sell you on the price of postage either! Postcards take .27 cent stamp verses at .41 cent stamp…This can be a big savings!
Postcards are less work to prepare for a mailing campaign! No folding letters, no sealing envelopes, they will save you time! If I were you I’d use postcards instead of direct mail letters. They are a great way to get the word out about your hot new business opportunity! Make sure your website is on them! You never know, maybe the postman is looking to make some extra money!
Tip #2- When adding a message at the bottom of your cards, keep it about 3/4 of an inch up from the bottom…The bar codes the post office uses won’t be printed right over your message…This might be the critical part of your message and you need it to be seen!
