Rising Postal Rates? Don’t Cut Down the Direct MailWritten by Joy Gendusa
The United States Post Office in past had some trouble with its finances and their solution was to raise postal rates. Whether or not you agree with this approach to trying to stay in business, like weather and government in general, it’s something you have to live with.Many companies have used this as a reason to send out fewer or smaller mailings in an attempt to keep their costs down. Here’s a quote from an issue of Direct Marketing News: “Despite a string of healthy annual increases, growth of direct mail expenditures is expected to slow over next four years. Direct mail continued to grow in 2001 but slowed because of anthrax scare”, study said. The study also said, "Direct mail will continue to expand during forecast period but at a slower pace than in past because of emergence of e-mail marketing and postal rate hikes, which will force marketers to limit mailings." The question is: should you agree with this and follow trend, or should you turn it to your advantage? Just think, with fewer mailing pieces arriving in your customers’ or prospects’ mailboxes, your glossy, full-color postcards are going to stand out even more and have a greater chance of producing desired response.
| | 4 Ways to Double the Power of Your Business CardWritten by Brett Curry
Sure, everyone needs business cards. But why not make your business card do double or triple work of an average business card?Here are 4 proven ways to supercharge your business card into a powerful business tool. 1.Use back of card to include sales info. Good marketers know that customers need to be reminded at every opportunity how your product or service will help them. Even though business cards are small, you can still include some information on back of card that will remind customers how you are unique, better, and valuable. You could include a short bullet list of features and benefits. You could display some stats and figures, mention awards your product has won, or list a brief testimonial or two. Just a little bit of extra sales information can make a big difference in building relationships and encouraging sales. 2.Use back of card as an appointment card. Dr.’s and dentists do this frequently. But other businesses can use same concept. Sales people of all kinds, realtors, consultants, professionals and more can use back of their business cards as an appointment card. This is a good idea for several reasons. First of all, it increases likelihood that a prospect will keep your card close by – at least until you have appointment. Second, it gives you a reason to give customers more than one business card. The more cards they have more likely they are to always have one handy when they need it. This is especially important if they are referring you to a friend or relative. They may have an extra card of yours laying around that they can give to someone.
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