Do you often wonder why your mailbox is filled with so many postcards and letters from both large and small companies alike? Do you question the decisions of big marketing companies who send you mailer after mailer week after week. What do they understand about direct mail postcards that would compel them to spend millions to send postcards out on a weekly basis?

The answer: Direct Mail Advertising Works

A good return on investment from a direct mail campaign is not something left to chance. You must be deliberate with your marketing efforts to get predictable results. Below are some key marketing principles, that will allow you the best opportunity for a successful return on investment in your next direct mail marketing campaign.

Key #1: Capture you readers attention immediately.

Reports vary, but all marketing studies agree that you have about 3 - 8 seconds to capture the attention of your potential prospect before your postcard hits the trash can. There is actually a simple marketing formula that should be used every time you run a marketing campaign of any kind. If you ever watched a infomercial you can see this formula in action. Below is a breakdown of this simple, yet powerful formula.

• Capture your prospects attention.
• Engage them to read or listen more.
• Educate them on your services.
• Make them an offer to use your services.

Key #2: Regular, repeated mailings create huge predictable results.

Have you ever been placed on a major department store’s database? It seems like every month you get a postcard or letter from them. What do they know that you do not? Answer: People respond to repetition.
One big reason for this is the "Buyer's Box" principle which simply states that at any given time in a large group of people, a certain number of those people will be ready to make a buying decision for whatever product it is you wish to sell.
Every day of the week there will be a large number of consumers in the "buyer's box". Regular repeated mailings are a way to capture them.

Key #3: Determine who you are trying to reach before you write a word of advertising copy.

Age, education, income level, family status - all are important variables you must take into account when writing your ad copy. You must speak your reader's language if you expect them to read what it is you have to say and then respond to it.
If your business appeals to primarily housewives, why would you design ad copy that appeals to businessmen.
Study your neighborhood demographics. Find out what kind of people your prospects are, what they look like and what they respond to. Then design your postcards around them.

Key #4: Every ad you write must have a strong headline that captures the interest of your target audience.

“The wickedest of all sins is to run an advertisement without a headline”. That's a direct quote from David Olgilvy, often considered the father of modern day advertising, when it comes to the world of advertising, truer words have never been spoken.
Never, ever place an ad in any medium unless the headline used has the potential to stop a reader in their tracks and cause them to say “Yes, that’s for me.” “I can see a benefit in what you’re trying to speak to me about, and I know this ad is for me".
The headline is the gateway into your ad. Without its power to draw people deeper into your ad, people won’t waste their time trying to figure out if there’s something of value in there for them. They're too busy and have too many other things clamoring for their attention.
Please, don't spend your hard-earned money on any ad and then allow the graphic designers to neglect this non-negotiable rule.
The main purpose of the front of your postcard is to catch the consumers attention. Failing to get the attention of your target audience accomplishes only one thing, getting your postcard tossed in the trash can. Remember, you will be competing with a great deal of other offers, bills and magazines in the mailboxes on any given day. You must have a postcard that will get their attention, get your offer read, and get them to call you.

Key #5: The "what’s in it for me" principle.

You must look at your postcard from your reader’s perspective. “What’s in it for me?” “How can I benefit from spending my hard earned money with your company?”
These are questions people will ask when they get your postcard in the mail. If you fail to answer these questions in your card, you will fail to capture their business.

Key #6: Your offer.

Yes, it’s nice to have a pretty logo and photos that can help paint a picture in the reader’s mind about what it is you’re trying to convey. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that great art can be a substitute for a great offer.
Determine in advance what a new client is worth to you. Then, offer the best coupon or special you can afford to run. People want a deal. Your competitors are making them offers. Make sure you do not negate your advertising by trying to save a few bucks on your offer.

Key #7: Avoid bloviating.

As Bill Oreilly would say - NO Bloviating. Your accomplishments are something to be proud of, but they are better left to your web site, than your direct mail postcard. Don't waste precious space that you can be fill with offers or simple bullet points about your services with long paragraphs about where you went to college at, or what your hobbies are.

Key #8: The more your ad costs to produce and mail, the less people you can reach.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand this principle, but hang with me a few more seconds and hear me out.
Why not get the most out of your advertising budget and reach 15,000 people instead of 10,000 or 25,000 instead of 20,000 - all without sacrificing quality and with improving your likelihood of success.
We can do this because when you work with Dental Marketing Agency you are working directly with the manufacturer. From our state of the art design studio to our 32,000 sq. ft printing and mailing center, you simply will not find a better price to produce your product.

Key #9: Ask yourself these 5 questions before mailing for more success.

1. Am I using the best coupon/offer I can to attract new clients?
2. Have I listed services that would appeal to my target market?
3. Have I listed any special services I offer that my competitors may not?
4. Have I given my prospect a real and valid reason to try my services?
5. Have I conveyed a level of trust and confidence that my business will perform as advertised?

Key #10: Use The Direct Mail Agency.

You have many choices when choosing to partner with a agency to handle your next direct mail marketing campaign. You simply won't find more helpful, committed marketing consultants in the industry today. We have been in the direct mail marketing business for over 20 years. Call us today and let's get started helping you grow your business tomorrow.  1- 888-424-1980 ext 1830.