Start-Up Business - Postcard Marketing Secrets

For new businesses, advertisement and marketing plays very crucial role to promote the products and services. It is not possible for new businesses to promote their products and services with any high-tech marketing tool due to limited budget. The good news is, they can easily opt a strong marketing tool with their small budget, named Postcard marketing.

Postcards - Smart way of Advertising

You can efficiently promote your business through postcard advertising. Postcard marketing has been used by a number of successful businesses and it is worth to try. Some of the main benefits attached with postcard marketing are: 

1. Don't need to have a large amount of budget
2. Direct mail marketing always generates positive response rates
3. Postcards are versatile that can be used to accomplish many different goals of marketing

Now, look at the details;

Cost effective

No doubt, postcard marketing is a low-cost strategy as compared to other marketing strategies. It is best cost-effective marketing tool. Postcards are ready to read and they don't need to be placed in envelops. With just $0.23 cent you can send one postcard through First Class Mailing. In only $0.50, you can send standard size postcard that will include all production expenses such as postcard material, postage cost and printing.

Generate positive responses

If postcards are well-designed you can get more positive responses from your consumers. Many businesses consider postcards as the best marketing practice. Even people keep their favorite advertising postcard and display them on their doors or refrigerators to decorate. It is the effective way to reach out to your niche market.

Send postcards for different reasons

Goal for sending postcard can be vary according to the goal of the company. A company can send a postcard to the target audience to introduce new products, services or even a new company. You can also send a postcard to let people know about different discount rates, contests and rewards offered by your company. Postcards can be used as discount coupons and gift vouchers to encourage recipients to visit you online or shop. You can even send postcards to your target audience, if you are celebrating any event such as an anniversary.

Track the results and stay updated based on the recipients' response. Print a code on a postcard for those who want to buy online, when they will type that code on your website you can easily see the successful results of your marketing campaigns.

How Companies Are Losing Money By Ineffective Postcard Marketing

Postcards are one of the easiest ways to market just about any business. They not only allow you to sell your company, but due to their form and size, they allow you to easily and quickly spread it over a large region. However, many companies are losing money due to their ineffective implementation. Below are five steps to ensure you're getting the maximum results from your postcard marketing campaign.

Size of the Postcard - Opt for an oversized postcard. This will help you get attention and also give you ample room to properly display your branding, and also allow you to explain your business. This is imperative in making the sale, and also beneficial for explaining to the prospect what your product or service can offer.

Simple Imagery - Use simple imagery that will grab your readers' attention. By using imagery that is non-complicated, you can effectively communicate your messaging and most importantly sell your brand. So try and choose colors within the same hue, clean lines and simple copy and layout.

Colorful - Make sure that your postcard is as colorful as possible. This will help in getting your postcard to stand out from your competitors. By standing out from your competitors, you can easily create brand differentiation. This will help in not only creating interest but will also set the foundation for brand credibility.

Logo Placement - Make sure that your logo placement is not too obtrusive. Having an obtrusively placed logo will sell your company, but will limit the effectiveness. Postcards are one of the best forms of marketing, so be sure that your postcard is representative of your company and falls in line with your marketing. Also be sure that your postcard is telling of exactly what you have to offer.

Contact Information - The contact information you use should be placed at the bottom end of the postcard. Be sure that it is properly highlighted and that there is a call to action. Without a call to action, the recipient will not have any direct need to use your service. So be sure its clear, concise and to the point.

When you are done with your postcard, be sure to ask friends, family and coworkers what they think of the card. This will not only help in getting feedback, but will also help in getting feedback on all future postcard marketing efforts as well.

Effective Postcard Marketing for Just About Any Size Business

Postcard marketing is the easiest way to spread information to a number of people. Postcards can be sent, handed out in person, left behind in public places - or even mailed. With all of the distribution techniques available, it is easy to see which could be the most effective for your business. Below are five tips to ensure that your postcard marketing lives up to its highest potential.

Interesting, Die Cut Shapes - Die cut shapes are perhaps the best way to get instant attention of just about anybody. They allow you to instantly make an impression, and enable you to show off your creative side. This is also the easiest way to draw your reader in, and then show how you are best equipped to handle their needs.

Interesting Brand Colors - Make sure that the colors you choose are in line with your company's overall branding. Choosing colors that are too mismatched will lead to a disjointed postcard, and ruin brand recognition. All colors should be the same. From your postcard to your website, to your brochure.

Casual but Enticing Copy - Make sure that the copy is casual in tone. Save the corporate marketing speak for other marketing materials. By having a casual tone, you are better able to relate to your prospect, and speak on the level they are most comfortable with. Also, try and consider having pictures to compliment your copy. This will help in getting your message across much more easily.

Call To Action - Make sure that the call to action is at the end of your copy. The copy should be simple, easy and to the point. It should also be concise and motivate the reader to instantly take action on what they are reading. Try to look at your competitors to see what they are doing, and see what you like and don't like.

In-depth Tracking - Make sure that the tracking system you choose to use is effective. You can track each postcard's design effectiveness by assigning a certain code to each. Then when someone calls or visits your business, they must reference the code in order to receive a special incentive such as a discount. This will help in streamlining your marketing efforts, and also help in seeing what is the most effective route for contacting your customer.

When you are done, be sure to ask for feedback. This is perhaps the most important part to just about any marketing campaign. Feedback from trusted friends, family and coworkers is best to ensure that your campaign is the most effective it can be.

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5 Things You Need to Know About Postcard Marketing

Postcard marketing is perhaps the most versatile form of marketing. Due to their size, they have the ability to not only be handed out, but also have the unique ability to be mailed, left behind in public places as take aways, or even assembled into press kits. However, it is important to remember that postcards, with all of their benefits, also come with extreme risk. Before you create your postcard marketing be sure to take a look at the tips below to ensure you're getting the top results.

Size - Make sure that the size of your postcard is larger. In this case, the bigger the better. This not only helps in getting eyeballs to your postcard, but also helps in properly explaining your business. Properly explaining your business is paramount in gauging your postcard's success, and also key in having a lifelong marketing cycle.

Images - Make sure that the images you choose for your postcard are reflective of your brand. By including images that are in line with your current branding, you are able to bring attention to certain aspects of your postcard, and also able to properly align your messaging with a certain tone.

Font - Make sure that your font is consistent! This is perhaps the number one important tool. The font should not only be able to speak to your audience, but also have the ability to be read quickly and efficiently. As a result, make sure that your font is a serif font. The notches on each letter ensure a quick and easy read and also allow your recipient to skim it as quickly as possible.

Shape - Make sure that the shape stands out. This helps in getting the attention of prospects, and also positions as your brand a creative innovator in the space. Having this unique positioning will help in creating a though leader reputation. This reputation quickly translates into an industry leader which will help in building brand credibility in your company and your founder's vision.

Friendly Copy - The copy in the brochure should be light and conversational - and in the active tense. Many times, readers reject heavy marketing jargon and enjoy having a conversation with the material they read. As a result, write copy that sounds like a conversation with a clear message.

When you are done, be sure that you ask friends, family and coworker what they think of your postcard. This will ensure that your marketing efforts are all inline with your objectives, and will also ensure that you are getting the most from just about every component.

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Real estate agents should find effective tools that can help them in marketing their real estate properties. Postcard marketing is the strategy that they should employ in their business. Postcard marketing is the versatile marketing program that requires a small budget but generates strong positive response rates. Let's have a look at few at postcard marketing ideas:

Testimonials

A postcard marketing campaign can highlight the client's success. Gather the information, report or pictures of people who have succeeded in finding their dream homes through your real estate service. Such people can encourage more people to try out your service. Your postcard will also encourage the people to contact you when they want to buy a new home.

Employ postcard for website marketing

Postcards even effectively generate high website traffic to your homepage. Capture a screen shot of your web site and list down URL and print it on your postcards. Then distribute postcards to your target audience. This way your target clients will visit your website regularly to know more about your special offers, home listing or may sign up for a mailing list.

Unique designs and message

Make sure that your postcard design and message appeal your target market. Your postcard should be inspiring so that people who want to sell or buy new house, can contact you.

Offer something different

Several real estate agencies offer free consultation services to their clients. But you need to think about the special services that you can provide to your prospective clients. For instance, downloadable buying and selling guideline for different types real estate properties, offer them weekly updates for the transactions according to the needs of specific client. This way you can dramatically boost your real estate business.

Thus, real estate agents should be creative in designing their postcard marketing campaigns. Real estate clients need trustworthy agents for their real-estate property dealing. Your postcard will show them that you are trustworthy. You can recommend them to visit your website where they can see former client's reviews about your service. Update your website on a regular basis.

Even update your target audience by sending postcards periodically. Your customers need your support and encouragement. So, if you design your postcard according to above mentioned guidelines, we guarantee at the end of the day you will surely realize that postcards are really very cost-effective and powerful marketing strategy indeed. Try it, post marketing is a worth!

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Checklist of Postcard Marketing- Important

If you have decided to promote your business through postcard marketing, you should have to follow checklist for successful marketing campaign.

Checklist

Budget

It would be great if you set a specific amount of money for postcard marketing campaign. You should try this method if you are trying it out the first time. This principle can be applied to any type of marketing strategy. This way you can avoid overspending.

Professional printer

You can print your own postcards but, it will take you too much time that you can spend on other important business tasks. So considering a professional printer can be a good idea. If you do research the market you will the find number of postcard printing companies. These companies offer quality printing at affordable rates.

Goal setting

You can send postcards for different reasons. You should remember that one postcard should be sent for only one definite goal. Don't send one postcard for multiple goals.

Message

Message is the information that you want to tell your consumers. A effective message can capture recipient's attention. Do spend your time to conceptualize your message and write down an effective message.

Design

You have just few seconds to attract recipient attention. A great design can do that. Combination of bright neon colors with a beautiful image can really work.

Mailing list

For successful marketing campaigns, it is important that you should choose right mailing list. Your marketing campaigns may fail if your postcards fall into wrong hands. You can use your own database for this purpose. So, regularly update your consumer's information. If you have planned to buy in-house mailing list, make sure you have considered a reputable broker for this purpose.

Result tracking

Track your success result. With postcard marketing, marketers can easily track their results even more easily. If you don't get the desired response with only one postcard marketing campaign, don't consider that you have failed. Keep in mind, to get best results you should repeat the postcard marketing campaign process over and over again.

You can see how easy the postcard marketing is. By following some simple steps you can get your desired response in a cost-effective way. For the lowest rate per card you just need to search the market. You can do this work yourself or hire a professional for this purpose. There are many online printing companies that offer low rates for bulk orders. Don't forget to offer something value to your consumers. Tell them what to do next with postcards to get this offer!

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TOP TIPS FOR POSTCARD MARKETING

Postcards are perhaps the easiest way to clearly define a message, as well as communicate a set of ideas that come across in a clear and vibrant way. Below are the top tips to ensuring that you get the most our of your postcard marketing. They not only will optimize your postcard campaign, but will also help in getting your key messaging out there quickly.

Below are five top tips to ensuring you get the most.

Verbiage - The postcard copy should be something that is short and simple. Marketers are constantly looking for ways to best utilize their corporate marketing collateral. For that reason it is best to start there, and dumb down the language as much as possible. Simplifying your existing collateral is not only is easier, but also provide a roadmap for your writer to follow.

Layout - Having a postcard that has equally balances lights and darks is best. Having a symmetrical design is not only attractive, but also allows people to easily see the ideas you're trying to convey. As a result, try and go for a layout that does not confused the reader, but instead guides them through a series of thoughts and messages.

Distribution - Your postcard distribution tactic should be something that is easy for you to execute, as well as affective. The single way to do both, is to hand them out face-to-face at locations that your prospect frequents. Second to that would be mailing. Mailing a great way to connect with your prospect on a personal level.

Shape - As with anything, the shape of your postcard is perhaps the number one thing that will help it stand out. The shape goes a long way in terms of getting attention. As a result, try and go for a shape that embodies your industry. For example, a dentist could do a tooth shapes postcard.

Color Scheme - The color scheme goes a long way in terms of branding. The scheme should embody the whole brand. That means that the color you use on the postcard, should be the same as the website, flyer, brochure, etc. Cohesiveness is perhaps the best way to build a reputable and reliable brand.

When you are finished, be sure to pass your postcard around to friends, family and coworkers. Getting their feedback is perhaps the number one way to not only making the best postcard, but also creating a brand that is easily identifiable and will get just about anybody's attention.

Direct Mail: Test, Track and Succeed

Direct mail suffers from longstanding myths about its effectiveness. Most novice marketers get the wrong idea about direct mail- often in the area of what to spend and how much to mail.

You should determine what you are able to spend for your direct mail budget, spend it, and figure out the maximum number of leads you can create. For instance, I hear this statement quite often: "We aren't a big company. How could we send out 2,000 postcards all at once?" I understand "What if they all call?" seems like a valid concern, but in reality, it isn't.

The unfortunate truth is they won't all call. Honestly, there is no sure way to tell how many people will call if you haven't done this type of marketing before. Think of it this way: What would happen if they did all call? You may not be able to handle all of them, but you would handle as many as you possibly could, right?

In this scenario, direct mail would maximize your income for that time period providing you close all those callers! You can also explore the idea of expanding your operation to handle the number of leads you create.

What if you didn't send as much direct mail as you could in the beginning? Say you can afford to send 4,000 direct mail pieces every two weeks, but you think you will get too many calls to handle them all. So instead, you send 2,000 and the response is decent. However, you still have some down time and have to "manufacture" sales.

You saved $400 in marketing money, but had enough down time where you could have closed quite a few more sales than you did. The question now is "Which gives me more money in my pocket - saving $400 on marketing or closing more sales?" More than likely the answer is to send more marketing material and close more sales.

Okay, Time to Track Results.

Hopefully you have more than one way to recruit new customers. So how do you know which ones are working and which aren't? Set up a system to track the results.

For example, say you start a direct mail campaign for your business. The first week you send out 3000 postcards and get 30 calls. Did all of these leads come from the postcards? Probably not - because the week before you got 8 calls and hadn't sent any postcards yet. So how do you know who responded to the direct mail?

The answer: ask them. "How did you hear about our company?" The hard part is making sure all employees who answer the phone remember to ask the question every time. The fewer prospects who answer this question, the less accurate your information will be when making future marketing decisions.

Now let's assume that you have been direct mailing for a while and you have a good number of calls coming in. If you ask the question "So how did you hear about our company?" they may respond, "I got your postcard in the mail." But, by now you have sent direct mail to four different lists, three times each. How do you tell which list and mailing this customer was from?

The answer: Put a marketing code on your direct mail that tells you which postcard they received and when it mailed.

Give each list a name and work the date into your marketing code as well. And the only thing your employees have to ask is, "Would you mind reading me the marketing code above your address?" This code gives you all the info you need and helps keep your direct mail results tracking as accurate as possible.

Try not to operate off of assumptions about "how to market" if you haven't educated yourself about this type of marketing. And make sure you collect all the data and make your future marketing decisions based on facts.

How to get the facts:

There are many ways to get information on which of your marketing actions work. Embrace new technology and use a service, which supplies you a tracking phone number and helps you keep all of your tracking and follow-up straight no matter how many marketing channels you use.

Those are great services, but by no means do you have to get that technological. Many times, especially for smaller campaigns - keep it low tech. Start by putting a promotional code on every direct mail piece you create. Then get your receptionist a note pad and, when a new person calls, have them make a note of which code they received. This way you can start collecting the data you need to make informed decisions about where to cut or increase your direct mail budget - no new staff or expenses necessary!