Sending
Direct Mail During Uncertain Times
By Debbie Allen,
Rights Reserved
With
the latest Anthrax scares, you may want to think twice about sending promotional
pieces that go 'bump' in the mail. More than 60% of
Americans are at least concerned that letters they
receive may contact anthrax bacteria, according to the Washington Post.
During these uncertain times our world is
more aware and nervous of anything out of the
ordinary.
During
periods such as these when envelopes are suspect, consider shortening your
message and sending out postcards or a folded one-page
newsletter that is stapled at the bottom. This
will not only eliminate any suspect envelope, it will save
you marketing money and get your message noticed
quickly.
In
my book, Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters,
contributing author, W.
Mitchell shared his success secrets about sending
postcards. He calls his postcards breadcrumbs and sprinkles them out to
his database on a regular basis.
W.
Mitchell states - Most people don't care what you can do for them because they
are too focused on their day to day tasks. You must find
a way that will interrupt their thinking and then leave
'breadcrumbs' so that later they can come back to
find you. Otherwise they are not going to remember you.
Send them something that people will have an interest in
retaining. I send out 3 x 4 inch postcards monthly
that states a message that helps people take
responsibility for change. I have discovered that some people
keep these messages around for years because of the useful
quote or tip.
When
W. Mitchell confessed his marketing secret with me, I instantly changed my direct
mail strategy and began a postcard campaign containing different quotes
and/or tips every other month. It
works! I have even had clients call me on the phone
and ask if they could use my tips or quotes in their
company newsletters or post them on their Website. More
free exposure and marketing! This shameless self promoter
just loves when that happens.
Use
postcards to generate leads, close sales, persuade customers to buy more
and encourage prospects to give you a try. But do this by
sharing special tips or strategies based around your
expertise.
Examples
of some successful postcards mailings:
-
Webcards
to promote your Website or online newsletter
These are postcards that feature your Website photo on the front of the card. I
used this postcard to promote my online newsletter and
update my database by getting e-mail addresses from my
existing customer list.
Check out www.Web-cards.com to
easily order online.
-
Top
10 Tips or Strategies by YOU the 'Expert'
This postcard featured my top ten success strategies. It received lots of
attention and I'm sure it is hanging on many office
walls around the world. Check out my success strategies
posted online at http://www.businessmotivator.com/success.htm
-
Quotes
that will motivate people to remember YOU
Often my postcard contain a motivational quote similar to the strategy shared by
W. Mitchell. The front of the card displays my quote
along with my photo. The back of the card includes my
mission statement and expertise. Check out this great resource for
unique postcard ideas and low prices http://www.colorforrealestate.com
-
Testimonials
by satisfied customers
On the front of the card a photo is posted again and features my expertise. My
photo puts a face with my message and is always on
all my postcards. You may want to feature your
product photo or rendering of your business location.
Whatever you feature keep it consistent with each
mailer.
The
back of this card features testimonial quotes from satisfied clients. Give
your prospective customers a good reason to do business with you - people want to do business with
successful people and with people they know they can trust.
Testimonials from your clients are powerful marketing tools.
-
Touching their hearts and giving back
My latest postcard addressed the tragedies of Sept. 11th. The front of the
card featured my photo draped with a red, white and blue flag
and the message - Your audience's competitive advantage (photo) Debbie
Allen. The back of the card featured
the statement - Don't just choose a good speaker, choose
one that makes a difference! Donation of $100 to American Red Cross for
any bookings before December 31st.
Quality
and low price postcards:
http://www.modernpostcard.com
http://www.1800postcard.com
Quality
and low price color brochures:
http://www.Tu-vets.com
Use
these ideas and brainstorm your own to stand out from your competition. Always
remember to add your visual, expertise, catch
phrase. Tell them why they need to do business with you,
what makes you the expert and why they should pick up the
phone and call YOU today.
by
Debbie Allen
Word
Count 781
Bio: Debbie
Allen is one of the world’s leading authorities on sales and marketing.
She is the author of five books including
Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters
and Skyrocketing Sales.
Debbie has helped thousands of people around the world attract customers
like crazy with her innovative, no-cost marketing strategies and secrets
to sales success. Her expertise has been featured in
Entrepreneur,
Selling Power and
Sales & Marketing Excellence.
Sign up for her FREE 6-week e-Course
Business Success Secrets Revealed ($97 value) and take the
online business card quiz to rate your marketing online now at
www.DebbieAllen.com.
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