There are times when it makes sense to spend a lot of money on a direct mail package For example, when you really need to make a giant splash, when your mailing list is small and you can afford a high cost-per-piece or when you’re doing a one-shot drop and you don’t have to worry about saving money for remailings.
However, there are times when going with a humble postcard makes a lot of sense. No one knows this better than retailers. If Nordstroms, for example, wants to announce a shoe sale, they don’t send you a letter in an envelope that you have to tear open. They’ll mail you a postcard that instantly screams “Get 15% off on all women’s shoes! Sale ends March 15!”
Yes, retailers know that postcards get read. But you don’t have to be a retailer to put these easy-to-produce, low cost self-mailers to work. You can use a postcard accomplish the following goals:
- Cost-effectively re-contact non-responders to your previous mailings and urge them to act
- Create an inexpensive monthly marketing campaign
- Drive people to your Web site with a special offer
- Tease prospects — let them know that they should be on the lookout for something valuable coming in the mail
- Announce a private sale for recipients of the postcard only
- Thank customers for their business
- Remind customers to do something: “Get ready for summer,” “Rotate your tires,” you name it