So why am I recommending that you TRY it?

Because when done creatively and none too quietly, it can be your MOST EFFECTIVE tool for reaching huge numbers of potential clients at any given time -- and even for getting free publicity for your business as well!

But out of all "enter & win" / "click & join" competitions already out there on web, is there really any chance of YOUR standing out from crowd and making fresh new waves on Internet?

The answer is YES, in four easy steps:

1. Capture their imagination!

Because last thing you want is for people to hear about your contest and shove it to back of their minds, simply because it's something they've already seen, heard about, or joined before.

So be creative, be exciting, be interactive!

Invent kind of contest that doesn't just promise a prize, but also an experience:

- chance to interact with other surfers in same industry

- adventure of trying something that few people have ever tried before

- or simply opportunity to have fun and be entertained for just a few minutes in their day.

If there are two things any harried business owner would welcome any day, it's chance to be entertained AND get something useful out of it for free...

...and your creative contest can instantly do both!

2. Challenge their skills!

People are also competitive in nature, and chance to be called "the best" at what they do is often reason enough for them to join anything.

So challenge their intellectual, physical, and even emotional capabilities and give them chance to show off.

This is wonder that we call POSTCARDS, and many marketers haven't yet used them as effectively as they actually could.

Here are 7 ways YOU can use postcards in your own marketing campaigns -- and increase your chances for better sales and higher profits:

1) Use It As A Sales Letter

When you have a special offer in mind -- AND a list of specific clients who will appreciate a nudge for unique opportunities -- then send your announcement through a postcard rather than a fax, letter, or email.

Postcards are easy to read, instantly giving your prospects all information they need in one quick glance.

Plus -- when designed attractively enough -- they stand a much better chance of being kept on as bookmarks & keepsakes, compared to more disposable paper faxes & email print outs.

2) Use It For Your Press Release

Do you want your press release to stand out from flood of faxes & emails that media people often face in front of their desks?

Then send them your news release teaser & photo on a brightly colored postcard...

...Just make sure they can easily contact you once they perk up & take notice.

3) Turn It Into A Newsletter

This may be a bit more expensive to maintain than an online mailing list, but with everyone now getting at least 5 ezines in their inbox everyday, it could come as a relief (and a welcome surprise) to have a newsletter coming in through mailbox for a change.

Postcard newsletters are especially effective for keeping in touch with clients who've already made actual purchases from your company.

Besides fact that they are more likely to respond to marketing messages from you, you can also work in cost of postcard marketing into any subscriptions/purchases they make, making your campaign profitable AND economical as well.

So what kind of articles / information can you cram into a regular postcard-sized mailing?

Recipes / Activities -------------------- Whether it's for cooking, crafts, or some other hobby, step-by-step instructions for a new & creative activity will appeal to anyone aged 3 to 93, especially if it targets their specific interests.

This kind of newsletter becomes particularly profitable when your company sells most of materials needed for each activity -- you can package each set of materials into a complete do-it-yourself kit, ready for ordering through web, fax, or phone!

Tips & Ideas ------------ Useful for any business that provides a service, "tips & ideas" newsletter serves you best by making you more dependable and approachable to clients -- two qualities that will inspire their loyalty to your company and YOU.

Inspirational Stories --------------------- Turn client testimonials & experiences into inspiring stories, and you will have kind of content that makes people feel positive about doing business with you.