Studies show an effective direct mail campaign should draw a .5 to 1 percent response.

These 10 tips will help you get results you want:

1. A clear, bold headline.

On envelope or front of mailer there should be one central message. The best way to achieve that is with a bold, clear headline that’s not cluttered up with other text. A good guideline is to have headline fill up at least 15% of front of mailer.

2. A graphic that supports message.

The graphic should be easy to understand and add to message headline is trying to convey. For instance, if you are trying to get people to list their home you would want to show a home with SOLD sign clearly visible out front. That graphic reinforces message more than a simple picture of a home.

3. Color that pops.

Make headline and other text stand out by using a color that stands out from background color. When you look at card, ask yourself, "What do I see first?" If your answer isn't headline, you might want to tweak colors. 4. Subheads that lead into text.

The biggest single factor in success of your postcard mailings is who you send your postcards to.

You need a list of people or businesses to send your postcard offer to.

This can be a list of existing customers or prospects who have inquired as a result of any of your marketing efforts or a list which you purchase.

The list must contain names of people who are likely to be interested in benefits of your products or services. If you send a postcard offering a free 6 pack of beer with purchase of 2 large pizzas to a list of purchasers of a "pay-per-view" boxing match (a list which you purchased from your local cable TV company), you are more likely to get a big response than if you sent same offer to a list of ladies auxiliary bridge club. This concept is known as targeting.

You either have a list (existing from your own records or records of a person or business willing to cooperate with you by letting you use list), buy a list (of people who are likely to be interested in your product or service because they have purchased a related product or service, such as a magazine subscription on a topic related to your product or service), or a list can be compiled using characteristics about your target market. When You Don't Pay Enough Attention To Your List:

When you don't pay enough attention to list you select to mail to, you get a list which is poorly "targeted". This means people on it are not likely to be interested in your products and services. A "good list" is a list which is a good match for interest in your products and services. A "bad list" is a list which is a bad match for interest in your products and services.