People Pleasing Postcards

Why are more businesses turning to full-color postcards as a key form of promotion? The biggest reason is the simplest: You don't have to open a postcard. It won't get lumped in with all the direct mail envelopes that people toss without opening.

If the postcard shows a very glossy, well-photographed picture of an attractive product, the recipient will very likely look at the picture and turn it over to see who sent it. She/he might well put it aside and think, "Next time I'm near the store, I'll go in and have a look." The postcard often sits out as an easy reminder of your store or business.

Cutting Costs on Mailings

When the economy is a bit shaky, you should increase promotion to keep your name in the minds of customers, but you also have to keep down your costs. To get maximum return for your marketing dollar, you can mail postcards up to 4 1/4 by 6 inches for between 17.5¢ and 19.5¢ each first class (the cheapest letter rate is 19¢ - 24¢). If you find the right company, you'll likely be able to have 5,000 postcards printed for less than $400.

Finding the Right Company

Most businesses don't have in-house marketing departments, so find a postcard company to help you. A postcard company can handle your mailing and save you money. It makes most of its profits from printing, not from consulting, selling, mailing lists and mailing, so it can often find you better deals on such services. The company should:

- Specialize in postcards. It shouldn't just do postcards among other printing jobs. You'll pay less because the company gang-prints cards. In other words, the company will print many different postcards in one large press run.

- Have some marketing knowledge and experience. The company should be able to advise you on mailing lists, design and quantities.

- Offer UV coating (laminated), full-color and 4 1/4-by-6 in. postcards. This ensures you get the highest-quality look and the biggest post card you can for the lowest mailing rate. The UV coating is essential for a very high gloss finish to make your product look good.

- Help with photography. Getting a good picture is vital to the success of your postcard. You might pay $150 to $1200+ for photography and, generally, you get what you pay for. However, some photographers do a good job without charging the earth. Your postcard company should have contacts with photographers. Once you find a company (it doesn't have to be local ? many do business with stores all over the U.S.), ask for advice on creating the postcard. Many companies will help with everything from determining whether you should mail to your existing customers, mailing lists of potential customers or both. The company also will send you proofs. Make sure any corrections you request are made so you're happy with the final product.

David Phillips, writer and photographer, has set up several very successful small businesses in the marketing and communications field. He swears by direct mail marketing techniques which is why he writes for PostcardMania. Joy Gendusa founded PostcardMania in 1998; her only assets a computer and a phone. In 2004 the company did close to $9 million in sales and employs over 60 persons. Visit her website at http://www.postcardmania.com

---

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth? Powerful Lessons In Marketing & The Psychology Of Selling - Part 2

NB: You can read part one here: ... Read More

Basic Brand Building

A brand is the essence of who you are. The... Read More

Top Five Tips For Designing Marketing Strategies That Get Results

"But this won't work" said Steve. "I've tried it in... Read More

Devious and Deceptive Packaging

Have you read anything in the news lately about childhood... Read More

20 Power Marketing Tips

Use these powerful yet simple tips from the national best-seller,... Read More

The Added Effectiveness of Promotional Products in Your Marketing Plan

Recently, I stopped by a new car wash in my... Read More

Stop Your Marketing Leaks

Thirty percent of all the drinkable water that runs between... Read More

Effective Tips For Telemarketers

I had a telemarketer call me recently. Here's a rough... Read More

Boost Your Business With Testimonials

When used correctly, testimonials can boost your response dramatically. They... Read More

Mortgage Marketing - How to Find Your Niche

Ann Landers, Dr. Phil and Roger Ebert take pleasure in... Read More

How to Manage Your Marketing Mix

Here's the deal: advertisement is not marketing. It's like saying... Read More

4 Steps To Increase Your Job Sign Marketing

It's no secret that using a job site sign can... Read More

Postcards Work

What's the fastest, simplest and cheapest way to promote just... Read More

Funnel Your Way to Marketing Success

A funnel is a good way to think of the... Read More

Why Your Business Need a Website

Web Presence gives your business a distince edge over your... Read More

Are You Sabotaging Your Marketing Success?

What?!? Sabotage your own success? Who would do that? Well,... Read More

The Most Important Marketing Principles of All Time

As you have probably experienced there is a lot of... Read More

The REAL Key To Successfully Marketing Any Product!

The REAL key to successful marketing of any product is... Read More

Corporate Gift Tips To Wow Clients & Associates

1) Know the company and their culture. Are they trendy... Read More

Word of Mouth Marketing

'Word of Mouth' is still one of the most effectivemarketing... Read More

Unique Gift Items ? 3 Creative Ideas

With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes,... Read More

A Good Marketer: What?s the Measurement?

As a business owner, you know how valuable being good... Read More

Mastering the ABCDs of Small Business Marketing & Selling

I believe that small business marketing and selling follows a... Read More

Two Steps to Improving Your Marketing Success

Since the human brain seems to be able to focus... Read More

A Simplified Marketing Plan that Works!

When I started my first business in 1981, I researched... Read More

Knock, knock. Whos There? Your Target Market, Are You Listening?

Have you ever had a conversation with a person who... Read More

Direct Marketing Puts Information In The Buyer?s Hands

Direct marketing is advertising from a manufacturer or front-end supplier... Read More

What IS the Difference Between Marketing and Sales?

There seems to be a never ending argument among marketing... Read More

Newsletters - A Great Way to Build Business Relationships

This is an excellent way to grow your business using... Read More

Marketing with Special Reports. 5 Ways to Develop Content Your Prospects Cant Wait to Read

So you've decided to start publishing an e-newsletter, or you'd... Read More

Do You Make These 5 Common Marketing Mistakes?

The famous P.T Barnum once said, "Without promotion, something terrible... Read More

Good Vibes/ Bad Vibes

Have you ever walked into a store or business and... Read More

5 Steps for Developing a Marketing Tag Line for Your Product, Business, or Website

A marketing tag line is the one or two line... Read More