Is postcard marketing effective?

Question

I'm researching a marketing program and I need to know an expected response rate when sending to a target market. I would also welcome suggestions as to where to purchase postcards and if mailing services are prudent. Should the cards be printed or handwritten?

Answer 1

Not for me. I get so much junk mail, all little postcards go into the recycle bin.

Answer 2

Yes, it is highly effective, and I have made over a million dollars in the last few years using it. I have also helped other small business owners successfully implement direct mail and other direct marketing strategies. Anyone who tells you direct mail or direct marketing doesn't work simply hasn't applied it correctly.

Direct mail and direct marketing is responsible for billions of dollars a year in income for major companies. Anything and everything can and has been sold through direct mail.

That said--it is very easy to screw up, and most people who use it simply do not set their campaign up correctly. 70% of your success is dependent on the right list--20% on copy--and only 10% on design. Most people do it all backwards--they make a pretty card, write some good-sounding stuff on it, and then throw it to the wind and hope something happens.

Direct mail also must be consistent--do not mail ONCE and expect a result. 3-6 months is a bare minimum, and response rates will rise once you pass the 6 month barrier.

Over time, a 1-3% repsonse rate is a very reasonable expectation. Also, do not handwrite cards. There are handwriting fonts out there that do the job just fine.

If you need help designing a campaign, shoot me an email and I'll be happy to help.

Answer 3

Direct Mail - if used correctly - can yield 2-4% return. Using 4x6 postcards is cheaper for postage - 5x7 or larger is the same postage as an envelope. Postcards display your campaign out front so at least you have a shot at getting the recipient to read the headline vs an envelope which would have to be opened. We have found a photo is useful in holding attention - such a picture of your product, yourself or your location. Most cards end up in the round file - so repeat mailing to get recognition is suggested. Use a good mailing list, the best is a list of your past customers.

We have used http://www.galleriaventures.com/postcardwebbiz for creation, printing and mailing services. They offer good personal attention to your marketing efforts.

Have some postcards on hand to mail out as follow up, and be sure to leave a space on this kind of postcard for a personal note.

Rgds, BGC

Answer 4

Postcards are a form of direct marketing. With direct marketing you will get a 1% response rate if your are lucky. Direct marketing is not cost effective when you look at the costs in comparison with the response rate. It is costly because you have to pay for a good target list, for development of the piece and for distribution.

Direct pieces are more effective at maintaining contact with an existing customer base than establishing a new one. For example, that birthday card from your dentist when your family may not have sent one! Thank you cards and appointment reminders are also great and I prefer to handwrite them.

Answer 5

I read a biz statistic 2 years ago saying the mass-mailing response rate is 0.2% at best. So I personally think it is better if used to get your name spreaded wide rather than used to get sales in the short term. Using printed or handwritten cards will depend on the nature of your marketing program.

Answer 6

IT ALL DEPENDS on what your trying to sell ..,...if your trying to sell a service and it is something like FREE oil change with every 4 tires you buy .... it will work for only .03% of your mailer so compared to your cost it is not cost effective...I at one time had a printer set up a postcard that looked like, By useing a different color ink with a signature that looked like I signed every piece myself had a .02 responce.... It cost more than it is worth ...most people consider it junk mail no matter how it is presented....It is not worth it ....try something else....Most people no matter if you hand wright ever piece will never get the message...do not waste your time it won't work good luck but It has been tried and it doesn't work.....Even if you put something in the mail that said anyone who buy's a "whatever" can feel Brittney Spears boob all you will get are the cheap mooches that come just for that.... It is a bad advertising dollar not well spent

Answer 7

not something is greater low-value or greater clever than sturdy old shaped direct merchandising. build up a community via getting to be responsive to distinctive human beings. pass to community agencies or persons (finding on your company) and ask them what they do. tell them that they could desire to sense that it is substantial to maintain their materials maintain and point out which you're interior the protection company. From there, grant your sales pitch. confirm you have a sturdy sales pitch it is to the factor. in case you don't be responsive to lots approximately sales pitches study some books or look at some examples in video clips or different places. no person likes chilly-calling or direct merchandising, in spite of the shown fact that it is probable the main suitable thank you to get your company accessible and start up off construction referrals.

Answer 8

No (less than 2% at random is the norm) -- Recycle and save a tree

Answer 9

It depends. Most people just throw them away. If you made enough money off the .1 percent or whatever who would answer it might be worthwhile...

Answer 10

Hi,

Yes, it is used by a lot of companies and it is very successful too...

The article below answers your question in more details: http://www.advertising-world.info/advertising%20articles/3/does-post-card-advertising-really-work.php

Karl