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How Much Does Direct Mail Cost? How to Make a Marketing Budget

How Much Does Direct Mail Cost? How to Make a Marketing Budget

The average person receives approximately 128 work emails and 117 consumer emails per day. Not to mention the dozens or hundreds of ads we’re exposed to on a daily basis.

Considering these facts, it’s not surprising that a growing number of consumers are expressing their preference for direct mail. Flyers, postcards, and other types of mail take up to 21 percent less cognitive effort to process than online ads and emails.

When used right, these promo materials can generate leads, build brand loyalty, and deliver highly personalized customer experiences.

But how much does direct mail cost? More importantly, is it worth it? Here’s how to budget for an effective campaign that drives business growth!

Factors Affecting the Cost of Direct Mail

As an entrepreneur or business owner, you know that every penny matters. That’s why it’s important to estimate your advertising costs and invest in those areas that bring in the highest ROI.

Direct mail advertising costs depend on several factors, such as the size of your mailing list, format selection, and postage rates. Consider the following aspects as well:

  • Graphic design
  • Personalization
  • Copywriting
  • Volume
  • Colors
  • Type of paper

How much you’ll pay depends largely on the size of your advertising materials, the number of colors in text and images, and the type of paper used. The more pieces you order, the lower the price per unit.

If you opt for high-quality materials and complex designs, expect to pay more. A flyer with multiple folds, for example, comes with a higher price tag than a basic model printed on one side.

While there are ways to lower your costs, it’s not always recommended to do so.

One option is to create the designs yourself in Microsoft Word or another program. There are hundreds of templates you may use for this purpose. However, unless you’re a graphic designer yourself, you won’t get the same results as a professional print designer.

The same goes for copywriting. You can either write the text yourself or hire a professional copywriter. Remember, your copy needs to be compelling and outline your competitive advantage.

Distribution and postage costs vary from one carrier to another. One way to reduce your expenses is to partner up with a wholesale direct mail provider. Our company can handle all your printing, fulfillment, and mailing needs at affordable rates.

How Much Does Direct Mail Cost? Get a Rough Estimate

As you see, direct mail advertising costs can vary, depending on the type of paper, consumables, designs, and more. The final price also depends on the marketing agency and shipping carrier you decide to use.

Most business owners will spend anywhere between $0.5 and $3 per unit. Again, it’s hard to determine the exact price before knowing all the details.

The best thing you can do is to reach out to a commercial printing company, present your ideas, and request quotes for each type of project. However, direct mail pays off for itself in the long run. The average response rate is around 21 percent — that’s significantly higher compared to other marketing channels.

Get the Best Deal on Direct Mailing Services

Direct mail makes it easier to target your audience with personalized messages. Plus, it’s cost-effective and can give you a competitive advantage. For best results, use it along with digital advertising.

Still wondering how does direct mail cost? Contact our team for a free quote! Let us know what you need and what your marketing budget looks like, and we’ll get back with an offer you can’t refuse.

Posted in: Campaigning Help

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Colors in Advertising: How to Choose the Best Colors for Direct Mail Marketing

Colors in Advertising: How to Choose the Best Colors for Direct Mail Marketing

If you thought direct mail was a thing of the past, thing again. In today’s fast-paced online world that’s full of distractions, direct mail is one of the best ways to get your customers’ undivided attention.

In a recent survey, 54% of customers said that they enjoyed receiving direct mail about new products and services. So if you want to reap some extra ROI on your marketing spend, direct mail is a great add-on for your next campaign.

Here’s how to ensure you attract the right kind of attention and get the most bang for your buck by using the science of colors in advertising.

How Colors in Advertising Work

Colors can evoke powerful emotions in people, and advertisers have long used color as a way to press the right buttons with prospective customers.

There are four ways you can incorporate these tactics in your direct mail flyer design:

To Highlight Your Call-to-Action

An effective call to action is one of the most important parts of any design. Make it pop with an irresistible eye-catching color.

You want your customers to take action, so a vibrant hue is your best bet. Some of the best colors to encourage a response in people include tones of yellow, orange and red.

These colors really stand out, especially when they’re the brightest shade on the page.

To Set the Tone 

Using color is one of the quickest ways to set the tone of any correspondence. Bright action-inducing colors like those above give your design an energetic feel, while muted pastels create a more relaxed ambiance.

Other examples of mood-setting colors include:

  • Black for Drama
  • Gold to create a luxurious feel
  • Green brings fresh energy and life to designs
  • Grey represents reserved elegance

While you’re designing your flyer, play around with colors to see what feelings the design evokes in you. You can also look for examples of similar campaigns for comparison.

To Portray Your Services and Products in the Best Light

From the above, it figures that your color scheme depends on what you’re advertising via direct mail.

Remember to match your colors to your target audience. Bright pinks might be ideal if you’re talking to teenage girls – not so much if you’re targeting middle-aged men.

If your brand has a particular color or vibe associated with it, you should be sure to include that too. A youthful, fun brand should make use of light, bright colors. More serious or refined brands are better off with more traditional, subdued colors.

Make sure your flyer design doesn’t clash with your logo colors and that the tone of your copy complements the colors chosen.

Important Things to Consider When Using Color in Design

Before you seal the envelopes and send your beautifully-designed direct mail campaign out into the world, there are still two more steps to complete. Always choose a printer you can trust and ask to see a sample of your design before you print thousands of flyers.

Colors look different on the screen and in print. So, if you want to get the best benefit from using colors in advertising, don’t give your printer the go-ahead until you’re totally satisfied with the result.

Keep reading our blog for more tips on direct mail marketing or get in touch to set your next campaign in motion.

Posted in: Design Tips

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Why Your Business Needs Direct Mailing Services

Why Your Business Needs Direct Mailing Services

Direct mail has been around for decades — and it won’t go away anytime soon. Despite the rising popularity of digital advertising, people are still eager to read their mail and get personalized offers. Whether you’re a small business owner or an established company, direct mailing services can increase your sales and revenue. On top of that, you’ll find it easier to build lasting relationships with your customers and keep them engaged.

According to a recent report, four in 10 Americans look forward to checking their mailbox. Over 40 percent either read or scan their mail.

The same report states that direct mail has a 21 percent return on investment. But that’s not all.

Consumers who receive offers by mail spend nearly 30 percent more money than those who don’t get those flyers, brochures, and other promotional materials.

Need more proof? Read on to find out how direct mail can benefit your business and improve customer experience!

Target Your Customers More Effectively

When you use social media, targeting your audience is a breeze. Direct mail, though, is tangible and allows you to connect with your prospects on a more personal level.

With this advertising method, you can laser-target your customers and send them the right offers at the right time. Consider working with a wholesale direct mail provider to lower your costs and reach a wider audience.

Build Trust in Your Brand

More than 293 billion emails were sent in 2019. This number is expected to reach a whopping 347.3 billion by 2023.

In addition to hundreds of emails that end up in the trash folder, consumers are exposed to dozens of banners and online ads on a daily basis. Many of these offers fail to meet their expectations because they are poorly targeted.

Direct mailing services, on the other hand, can help you build trust with your customers and increase brand awareness.

According to the report mentioned earlier, over 70 percent of Americans say that direct mail is their favorite way to connect with brands. Additionally, nearly 60 percent enjoy getting mail about new products from their favorite brands.

However, this doesn’t mean you can send a bunch of flyers and catalogs to your customers every week. Personalize your offers for each target market. Make your promo materials stand out by using the right colors, fonts, and other branding elements.

Gain a Competitive Advantage

Another reason to use direct mail is that it can give you a competitive edge.

This advertising strategy is becoming less common. Some of your competitors might not be using it at all.

By sending promotional materials to your clients by mail, your offers have a higher chance of standing out. The Internet, on the other hand, is full of ads that customers may or may not trust.

Leverage the Power of Direct Mailing Services

From memorable customer experiences and higher ROI to increased brand awareness, direct mailing services can benefit your business in a multitude of ways. This marketing strategy is highly targeted and personalized, creates a sense of trustworthiness, and comes in a familiar format.

On top of that, you can choose from a wide variety of formats and styles for your marketing materials. Oversized catalogs, brochures, postcards, and flyers are just a few to mention

So, what are you waiting for? Leverage the power of direct mail to reach more customers in less time. Contact us today to discuss your needs and find the best mail and print solutions for your business!

Posted in: Business Resources

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4 Goals Every Direct Mail Campaign Should Have

4 Goals Every Direct Mail Campaign Should Have

Do you think a direct mail campaign is outdated? Think again.

No matter how beautifully you craft your marketing emails, the average viewer will only look at it for 2 seconds. That’s it.

Compare that to a piece of direct mail, which has an average shelf life of 17 days. Would you rather your potential customers consider your marketing materials for 2 seconds—or 17 days?

The advantages of direct mail marketing campaigns are clear. Still, for your best chance of success, you have to start out with clear goals in mind.

Here are 4 goals you should consider before planning your next campaign:

1. Address Business Challenges

Is there a specific hurdle you’re trying to overcome as a business?

Maybe you’re new and no one in the community knows who you are yet. Perhaps your community has mistaken beliefs about your company, like the notion that you’re too expensive.

Perhaps you’re trying to boost those seasonal dips in sales with an off-season special. Or maybe you’re ready to launch a new product or service.

Before you build your marketing materials, think of any current challenges you have and how this particular campaign can overcome it.

2. Build Brand Awareness

Consistent branding can increase your overall revenue by up to 23%.

Even if your marketing campaign doesn’t result in an immediate sale, you’re still raising customer awareness. Most direct mail pieces are short, sweet, and to the point—perfect for leaving a favorable impression of your business.

When used with other marketing channels (email, social media, etc), you’re further increasing your brand’s visibility. The more familiar people are with your brand, the more likely they’ll be to buy from you.

3. Generate New Leads & Conversions

90% of direct mail gets opened, compared to less than 30% of emails. This makes direct mail marketing a premier way to get your business in front of potential customers.

When you target new customers, at least some of the recipients will respond to your call-to-action. If you offer a free trial product or service, that’s likely to lead to repeat business down the road.

You can also target past customers and offer an incentive to return to your company. Direct mail is also a good tactic for upselling, cross-selling, or repeat selling to existing customers.

4. Improve Customer Retention & Loyalty

Mass marketing efforts often fall on deaf ears—people who aren’t actively seeking your product or service.

In contrast, direct mail allows you the chance to fine-tune your marketing efforts to those most likely to buy from you. This personalized service gives you the chance to communicate one-on-one with potential customers.

After a sale, keep your customers happy with follow-up pieces like coupons or vouchers. Offer further incentives if they refer a friend or make a repeat purchase.

Ready to Launch Your Next Direct Mail Campaign?

Now that you’ve got clear goals in mind, what’s next?

Once you’ve planned out your direct mail campaign, all that’s left to do is find a reputable printer near you.

Are you lucky enough to live in the Tampa/St. Pete area? Click here to learn about our printing company and how we can make a success of your next campaign.

Posted in: Campaigning Help

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