Postcards

Postcards.

Yes, postcards are a type of direct mail, but they deserve their own category. Postcards are excellent for generating leads because they are easier to manufacture and ship than full-blown direct mail packages or sales letters. A free report or free present, like in classified ads, frequently works well here. Additionally, postcards are a fantastic way to stay in touch with your clients and potential clients. They also function well when included in a series of mailings.

The US Postal Service website, http://www.usps.com, is an excellent place to go if you want personalized postcards because the USPS has collaborated with a business that will print and deliver your postcards for you! The best part is that you simply have to pay shipping (i.e. FREE printing costs). Ensure that you are listed on the mailing list so that you can receive your own mailing as well.

Even now, direct mail still rules the marketing industry. Marketers today run highly focused campaigns using a combination of fresh concepts and technology. For the best results, businesses can combine their direct mailing with digital marketing activities. However, they must experiment with many pairings to identify the best ones. In doing so, they can succeed in both and increase conversions.

Despite how effective this combo is, some businesses only engage in internet marketing. As a result, they are passing up a lot of chances. But what enhances the effectiveness of direct mail marketing? People are searching for a break because they are overexposed to digital media. A variety of direct mail collaterals are available to help you communicate with your target audiences. These products help you and your prospects communicate more effectively. With the proper offer and CTA, you can turn them into clients. Due of their small size and appealing design, marketing postcards are quite effective, and recipients enjoy receiving them in the mail. Since postcards don't need envelopes, they are frequently opened.

Direct mail marketers have long been interested in postcard marketing. It is the simplest and most economical method of direct mailing. There's no denying that sending postcards back in the day was common. People appreciated the practice of sending and receiving postcards. Whether it's Thanksgiving or a college graduation, postcards make a great means of communication. These factors made the introduction of postcard marketing obvious. Postcards were first used by businesses to market to both prospective and current clients.

Using postcard marketing, a sort of direct mail, you may communicate with your target demographic and make irrefutable offers. Invitations, notices, or offer coupons are the three main types of content on marketing postcards. Even though it can appear a little dated, many businesses still utilize postcard marketing to gain market share. 

Direct mail items are kept by recipients. Postcards including pertinent offers are more likely to be kept for later use. But are postcards effective marketing tools? Postcard marketing has the potential to boost both sales and engagement.

Your mailing lists can be divided up, and data can be gathered from many digital sources. These elements contribute to customization, which in turn aids in attracting more attention.

Does Postcard Marketing Really Work? One of the most advantageous and cost-effective forms of marketing for businesses is postcard distribution. It's time to look into postcard advertising efficacy if you still have any questions about it. 

Postcards Have a Nice Look. They capture the eye. Compared to other direct mail materials like envelopes, they attract a lot more attention. An envelope is not required for a postcard. Anyone may flip it over and have a look, and since the recipient can immediately see the contents when he or she picks up the postcard, it has a greater impact.

Postcards Have a Higher Response Rate. The response rate for postcards is 4.25%, which is higher than that of other forms of collateral. People enjoy receiving postcards in the mail, and the offers tempt them. Many of them also store coupon-containing postcards for future use. Because of their compact size, recipients may easily pin them to their boards or place them on the refrigerator.

Postcards Are Useful. About half of the people who get postcards think them useful—about half of them. On a postcard, there are only a few short phrases written. Postcards give users access to crucial information in the fewest possible words. Therefore, receivers can rapidly skim through postcards. A postcard marketing campaign might help you tremendously if your target market is made up of busy decision-makers and professionals.

Postcards Create Emotional Bonds. People are inundated with emails and display advertisements in today's digital environment. Postcards provide your marketing communications an emotional undertone because there are no emotional values associated with such advertisements, which frequently irritate individuals. They also give recipients a nostalgic feeling. Additionally, this personal touch encourages potential customers to answer the call to action. A research by Royal Mail found that 57% of people who receive postcards feel better appreciated. Postcards, it seems, make recipients feel special.

Postcard Marketing Fits Well With Digital Marketing. Compared to single-channel marketing, omni-channel marketing generates engagement rates that are 250% greater. A further benefit of multichannel marketing tactics is a 90% increase in client retention. Combining offline and internet marketing platforms is preferable. You can profit from both in this manner and get greater outcomes. Any internet marketing channel can benefit from postcard marketing. After an email marketing campaign, print and mail postcards. Alternately, you might combine a social media campaign with a postcard marketing campaign. These cross-channel marketing initiatives raise brand awareness and encourage sales. Since postcard marketing is inexpensive, you can incorporate it into any current or upcoming campaigns.

Postcard Marketing Campaign.

For many different kinds of businesses, using postcard marketing to connect with clients has long been an economical option. The mailings are enticing and, naturally, also include the standard print side reminder that one of our dogs is due for a checkup.

Conduct Recurring Campaigns. Recurring postcard campaigns make it easier for you to stay top-of-mind with your target market. Choose a time interval, such as three months, six months, or a year. These recurrent mailings serve as brand reminders to prospects. Therefore, they are more likely to get in touch with you before your competitors the next time they want to acquire anything that matches the items of your brand. Campaigns that are consistent and repeated are significantly more effective than one-time campaigns. Direct mail marketing doesn't work with this "set it and forget it" strategy. You must get in touch with prospects frequently enough to establish familiarity and credibility. Not every postcard marketing campaign needs to be repeated. Postcard campaigns that advertise a seasonal sale with time-limited deals perform better. Decide your marketing kind wisely based on your message and product.

Segment Your Target Audience. The right mailing list is essential to a postcard marketing campaign's success. Actually, mailing lists account for 40% of the success of your campaign. Choose potential customers who fit your consumer character. If your business sells home automation products, for instance, you should focus on homes that can afford your items. Or, if you run an online store offering children's clothing, you should target households with young children. Companies can contact prospects who are most likely to respond to their postcards thanks to laser-focused targeting.

Use a Trackable Call-to-Action. Is postcard marketing effective? is a question that some marketers frequently ask. If you employ all the proper postcard marketing components in the proper way, it might be. The call to action is one such vital component. People are instructed on what to do next through a call-to-action. It points them in the direction of a decision that moves them up the sales funnel.

• Postcards without CTAs are useless. They leave the recipients perplexed and lack any discernible objectives. 

• If they are interested in the offer, the CTAs direct them as to what to do next. They are also employed to monitor replies and participation. 

• As trackable features, you can include QR codes, pURLs, or specific phone numbers. They can serve as a CTA and aid in keeping track of each response.

Here are some examples: 

• To receive a 20% discount, simply scan the QR code provided below. 

• Order now by calling our toll-free number. 

• If you'd like to learn more about our products, click the link below.

Follow-Up After Recipients Receive Your Mail. Once your postcards are delivered, your campaign is not over. Marketers must to have an effective follow-up strategy in place. Never use direct mail campaigns as your only marketing method. Tell your salespeople to contact recipients as soon as possible after they receive your mail. Additionally, you can send them an email or launch a concurrent social media campaign. Increased brand memory and awareness are ensured by these factors. The majority of people require extra encouragement to finish the CTA. Follow-ups act as that prod and aid in generating more responses. In order to seal deals, you should also follow up with your respondents. By contacting cold leads, businesses can turn many of them into hot ones.

Avoid Using Postcard Marketing as Sales Pitches. Postcard marketing is a fantastic idea, but utilizing them to make a sale is wrong. Instead, think of postcards as a way to improve the bond between you and your clients. The space on postcards is extremely constrained. You are limited to adding your headlines, offers, and CTA. Prospective customers might require more details before making a purchase from you. To direct consumers to landing pages, some marketers utilize QR codes and pURLs. Include more information on these pages and inform visitors of how to make purchases from you. On your postcards, you can include your contact information. Allow customers to contact you directly to continue the purchasing process.

Always Proofread. On your sent mail items, misspellings and typos might damage the reputation of your brand. Therefore, before printing your postcards, make sure to proofread their content. A mistake can also be made by unrelated offers and messages in addition to misspellings and typos. Is the audience going to find your offer useful? Will they be intrigued by what you have to say? You can determine the effectiveness of your postcards by finding out the answers to these questions. Once it is designed and prepared for printing, have other people review your draft. It is crucial to get a second opinion because you might not be able to see errors on your own. Perhaps one of the best postcard advertising advice you can obtain is to proofread your postal pieces. You may find it easier to find and correct problems with a new set of eyes. Additionally, these suggestions enable you to tweak your copy and design. You should examine your postcards from the perspective of the recipient.

Generate More Responses With Personalization. Personalized and unique postcards are present in some of the top marketing postcard examples. Personalization provides you the advantage and makes it easier for you to instantly engage with your target audience. Mail with their names on it is more likely to be kept. Therefore, personalization lengthens the life of your letter and raises brand awareness. 

• Customers are displeased with impersonal shopping experiences in 71% of cases. 

• Personalization in marketing communications is appealing to 90% of US consumers. 

• 2.1 times as many customers are likely to value individualized messages.

These figures demonstrate how personalized postcards may attract attention and greatly raise response rates. Marketers should convey to their customers that these postcards are personalized for them. There is a higher likelihood that your postcard will be read and remembered if the recipient's name is highlighted on it. Other variable tags that you can utilize include a person's firm name, age, likes, and preferences. The recipients of your mail can benefit from these items. As was already said, personalization works well with pURLs. Your postcards gain a personal touch that makes them distinctive to the recipients.

Add Exciting Offers. Is postcard advertising successful? Many marketers frequently ask themselves this question. The answer to this query is very debatable. If you send out postcards with nothing to offer and use generic mailing lists, you risk getting a "no." But if you make the appropriate adjustments, you may make it a "yes." Always include pertinent and practical offers with all of your mail, especially postcards. Many individuals mistake marketing postcards for discount cards and coupons. You ought to meet their standards. Offers encourage recipients to take advantage of them. There are other offerings you can highlight, including:

• Buy One, Get One Free.

• Receive 10% off of your first purchase. 

• On your subsequent purchase, receive a flat $50 cashback. 

• Use the promo code “BEEBEROCKS69” to receive a 69% discount and credits worth $20 each when you refer a friend. 

• Enter Your Information to Access a Free One-Year Subscription.

Those are a few compelling offer samples for you to think about. You might think of a few that are pertinent to your brand.

Include Your Contact Details. Even though this is one of the most fundamental procedures, some businesses overlook it. Don't forget to include your contact information, such as your email address, phone number, and website link. These information should be included on every postcard in addition to the CTA. Use the reverse of the postcard on the left if you don't have enough room. To preserve clarity and consistency, make sure to add your company's name and logo as well.

Talk About Benefits. Always focus on the advantages of your product or service, not on its disadvantages. Let's look at an example to explain it clearly. Vacuum cleaners are purchased to clean homes, not because they are made of plastic. Prospects are more receptive to hearing about the advantages of your product than the features. You may highlight these aspects on your website. Postcards, however, don't have much room. It is advisable to make judicious use of the space and concentrate on initiatives that will increase sales. Consider representing your features as advantages as a further clever tactic. For instance, "our lawnmower, constructed of plastic, is simple to handle and easy to clean."

Set Clear Objectives. Clarify your goals for the project. You ought to be clear on the goals for your campaign. Typical objectives include: 

• Maintaining current clients. 

• Producing new leads. 

• Taking advantage of a new market sector (for selling a new product line). 

• Reengaging past clients. 

• Increasing sales through promotions and contests with discounts. 

Your next stages, such as choosing the layout and wording for the postcard, are guided by clear and well-defined goals. Your marketing objectives will also affect your mailing list.

Add Testimonials. Testimonials and other forms of social evidence aid in persuading customers of your brand's dependability. They demonstrate that customers value your offerings and frequently make purchases from you. You can include one or two quotes even when a lot of testimonies cannot fit on a postcard. You can also choose a few of your previous postcard advertisements and reuse them. Use the same artwork while making a few little adjustments. Does the market for vintage postcards exist? Vintage postcards are constantly in demand. A lot of individuals really sell them online. As a result, you can reuse your old postcards. It's probable that folks will like your retro aesthetic and react to it.

Postcard Copy.

When writing a copy, be careful with your word choice. Your writing should be helpful and tailored to your target. Power words such as: 

• Try This.

• Special.

• Bonus Offer.

• New.

• Improve.

• Now.

• Valuable.

• Customized.

• Save.

• Easy.

• Free.

• Guarantee.

These phrases pique prospects' curiosity and encourage them to learn more about you. The headline is a further consideration. Your postcard's headline needs to be direct and concise. The goal of your mailing should be clear to recipients at a quick glance. Leave no opportunity for ambiguity or speculation. Your message is summarized in the headlines. They encourage readers to continue reading your postcards. To create a catchy title, you might employ any of the following strategies: 

• Ask a question to pique readers' interest. 

• Fix a specific issue.

• Guarantee benefits.

• Promote limited-time offers.

Each industry has an own writing voice and style. The copy on an insurance postcard is substantially different from the copy on a healthcare postcard. Keep your material original and pertinent to your audience at all times. Consider the words and phrases that will wow your potential customers and employ those. Writing your text internally saves money and time. You could spend $100 to $2,000 outsourcing the task, and you would still need to proofread it.

Postcard Design.

Your campaign's design will determine 20% of its success. One of the best postcard marketing techniques is to create an attractive and eye-catching design. Follow these guidelines to keep your postcards visually balanced: 

• Pick the proper hues. To increase brand recognition, the majority of businesses exclusively employ the colors found in their logo. However, make sure that every hue complements your messaging. 

• Pick the appropriate arrangement. Clear adequate space to prevent clutter. 

• Insert pertinent images. Using the right picture can help you effectively deliver your message to your audience and capture their attention. 

• Observe all USPS design specifications. They assist you in managing your spending. 

• Add your CTA and offers in prominent locations. These elements need to be clearly highlighted.

Postcard Size.

The success of your postcard marketing campaign is significantly impacted by its size. A small-sized postcard is easily lost. Additionally, it is unable to attract much attention. A huge postcard may be discarded because it is cumbersome to handle. Because of this, marketers should take these factors into account when choosing the optimum postcard size. Your money is a further factor in why size is so important. The price of a postcard increases with its size. Additionally, you must adhere to USPS size and weight requirements. All of your postcards must be rectangular, per USPS regulations. Minimum dimensions should be 3.5" x 5" x 0.007". Additionally, they shouldn't be larger than 4.25" x 6" x 0.016". If you go beyond these limits, your sending expenses may go up. Because of this, most marketers stick to smaller sizes, but it's best to choose a postcard size that works with your message and offer.

Choose a larger size if your message requires you to include more photos and phrases. If not, a compact postcard ought to work well. Make careful to provide adequate white space and avoid making your postcard overly cluttered. Additionally, choose a finishing that gives your postcards a nice appearance. B2C postcards typically have a glossy finish, while B2B marketing postcards typically have a matte finish.

Mailing Lists.

When it comes to mailing lists, you have four main choices. Your decision will depend on your financial situation, business model, and marketing goals. It's possible that your target market may not reside nearby. Prospects are typically dispersed throughout the state or nation; tiny eateries, shops, and retail establishments may cater to a local clientele. However, there may be a large audience for eCommerce stores, educational institutions, and other businesses. As a result, decide on your company type and the objectives of your postcard marketing campaign.

In-House Mailing Lists. The mailing lists that your business creates are known as in-house mailing lists. These prospects are probably already on your contact list, and you want to improve your relationship with them. This mailing list information is true and helpful. Furthermore, there is no cost associated with them.

Outsourced Mailing Lists. You can rent or buy lists from a third party if you don't have any of your own. You can get assistance from a number of agents or list brokers during the process. You can only make a few uses of a mailing list that you are renting. With your agent, be certain of the terms and circumstances. Such a list can never be completely accurate. They can have typos, incorrect addresses, and useless data.

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). The greatest choice for targeting particular neighborhoods is EDDM. With this USPS service, you can send to each and every residence in a particular ZIP code or locality. For instance, let's say you own a pizza delivery service and want to advertise your menu in your area. You can run direct mail campaigns with EDDM even if you don't have a mailing list.

Postcard Mailing.

Compared to the expense of mailing letters and other products, postcards are a relatively inexpensive option. Other strategies to reduce mailing expenses include pre-sorting, adding Intelligent Mail Barcodes, and using ZIP+4 codes. Postcards can be sent using one of three methods. They are First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, and Bulk Mail. If you mail at least 500 postcards in a single batch, you can take advantage of first-class postage rates. However, you need also make sure that the size and weight requirements for USPS first-class mail are met by your postcards. Postage for sending postcards using this option starts at $0.34 per piece as of this writing. A business mailing at least 200 postcards can use this option for standard mail and starts at $0.47 per piece. To send bulk mail, you must have a USPS permit. Additionally, you must presort every postcard before delivering it to the central mailing facility. The price depends on the volume of mail you send. Your prices decrease as you send out more postcards.

Campaigns using postcards for marketing are inexpensive and quite effective. Postcards are a great way for any small, medium, and large brands to increase conversions.