OSM Blog Effective direct mail campaign

Effective Direct Mail Campaigns Repeat Themselves

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There’s an adage that says doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. But what is it called when you repeat behavior that has given you great results to get the same good results? I call it genius, especially when it comes to effective direct mail campaigns.   

Sharp business owners know that repeated mailings can be successful, but that doesn’t mean sending out the same cards with the same messages to the same clients. Sending duplicate offers too many times could result in diminishing results.  

Let’s explore why you want to do repeat mailings and the strategies that you, as a business owner can use to elevate your success with each mailing. First, why would you want to mail, then repeat your mailings? 

Effective Direct Mail Campaigns Pay You 

Despite the proliferation of digital marketing, there’s data that shows that direct mail delivers a bigger return than email marketing. Did you know that direct mail sent to house lists had a 9% response rate and a prospect list yielded a 4.9% response? That’s great compared to email, which got a 1% response rate.  

With response rates like that, who wouldn’t want to repeat their mailings? There are other benefits to mailing customers multiple times.  

Brand Visibility 

effective direct mail campaigns man with laptop opening mail webIn marketing, there’s a theory that a prospect must encounter your brand an average of seven times before they are ready to purchase. This theory is creatively called The Rule of 7.  

Whether or not effective direct mail campaigns will get results after the seventh mailing isn’t the point. The point is, when you’re introducing your business or service to a new prospect, you can’t just expect them to whip out their wallet. You need to woo them and get them comfortable with your brand. Multiple mailings will help.  

Build Credibility 

If you’re a new business or new to an area, you must start from scratch. New prospects can’t rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from neighbors or the presumption of reliability that comes with decades in business.  

When you’re the new kid on the block, you must be noticed before you can ask for a seat at the popular table. This means you must trade a piece of chocolate cake for a mushy apple a couple of times to get invited to the popular table. What that means is a tasty offer mailed several times – at least three in my experience, after your prospect has heard from you at least once.  

Beat the Competition 

If you have business competitors, it’s a matter of getting in front of a targeted audience before the other guys do. That means mailing more frequently. A postcard delivered on the right day can make all the difference.  

Take Advantage of the Novelty 

effective direct mail campaigns woman reading a flyer webDid you know that mail volume has been steadily declining in volume each year since 2006? It was 213 billion units in 2006 and in 2020 it was only 129.2 billion units of mail.  

For direct mailers like me, this isn’t bad news – it’s an opportunity! In 2006, there were nearly double the mail in the mailbox and you had to stand out among heavier competition. Today, it’s half that amount and more of your competitors are online.  

Now, holding your colorful oversized is unique, a novelty – and your business stands out.  

Additional Steps for an Effective Direct Mail Campaign

Planning an effective direct mail campaign includes strategies for multiple mailings. This includes the type of mailer you choose, the strategic positioning of each mailing, offers, and lists. If this all feels too overwhelming, no worries. One Stop Mail has a team full of experts who can help you navigate the intricacies of direct mail.  

And, if you need design services or list expertise, we have that, too. Just contact us or give us a call at 602.962.5104. 

OSM Healthcare Marketing Budget Blog feature image

What Should Your Healthcare Marketing Budget be in 2021

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When most healthcare providers attend school, they don’t usually think about what it takes to run a practice; the last thing on their minds is a healthcare marketing budget – or any direct marketing plan. But planning to reach and acquire new patients is crucial if you want a thriving practice.  

Why? Because no matter how exceptional your care, how much your patients love and trust you, some will leave your practice. Some patients will move out of the area, grow out of your specialty, or won’t be a fit for your practice. 

If your patient acquisition plans don’t outpace the rate that patients leave, then your practice is at risk. To get the best results, use the best strategies to attract new patients. 

Healthcare Direct Mail Marketing Delivers

Healthcare Marketing Budget older woman seeing her mail webWhy direct mail? Because people spend more time with it, it stays in the minds of your prospects longer, and it has a good rate of return. This isn’t just lip service, the statistics prove it:

BMC Health Services Research demonstrates that healthcare direct mail marketing is an effective tool for patient acquisition and retention when it’s done properly. The overall message is to use organizations that are proficient in communicating to various patient streams. 

42% of individuals look over their direct mail – which means that if you send out 1,000 postcards in a campaign, then 420 people looked at it. That’s an impressive rate. 

73% of Americans say they prefer direct mail. When comparing direct mail to other methods of communication, including email, people prefer to receive mail. 

Direct mail offers a 29% return on investment. So, if you spend $5,000 on your campaign, you can expect to make at least $6,450; a $10,000 campaign can expect a return of about $12,900. These numbers only show the results of a one-time purchase, the lifetime value of a new patient is much higher. 

With impressive statistics like this, how much of your healthcare marketing budget should be allocated to direct mail? 

Your Healthcare Marketing Budget

How much should you allocate to marketing? A good rule of thumb is between 5 to 10% of a practice’s revenue should go toward marketing [1], but if you’re building the practice or establishing a new practice, then as much as 12% should be allocated.  

After you’ve determined the marketing budget, it’s time to decide what percentage should be spent on different marketing channels. To determine this, decide which channel will give you the best results. 

Direct mail vs. email

Healthcare Marketing Budget young woman sat in floor checking her mail webYou may naturally think of email and digital marketing as inexpensive, easy options, but they don’t deliver the results that healthcare direct mail does. Plus, an effective email campaign requires an “opt-in” from the receiver – so it’s not the best option to gain new patients. 

Plus, recipients remember direct mail longer than an email –  direct mail has an average lifespan of 17 days. That’s because an attractive offer or colorful postcard will make it to the refrigerator, bulletin, or whiteboard. But emails are often victims of group email purges and not be thought of at all.

If you’re concerned that only older adults like direct mail, the Small Business Association says that younger individuals don’t look at direct mail as “junk mail” and often prefer direct mail to receive service and product offers.  

People spend more with direct mail

According to a 2018 article by Email Insider, not only do they confirm direct mail’s prolonged shelf life and that Millennials like it, but they also show that direct mail recipients spend 5 times more than email recipients. 

Cost of Patient Acquisition vs. Patient ROI

As mentioned above, your initial investment in a healthcare direct mail campaign will get about a 29% ROI, according to SEO marketing guru Neil Patel. Using this formula, the more you’re willing to invest, the bigger your return. 

To calculate your ROI, use this handy calculator. Simply estimate the size of your direct mail campaign and other elements, including the initial fees new patients will pay, the percentage of new patients that will stay with your practice, and more. The tool will help you determine your break-even point and likely revenue for the campaign. 

New patients who return and create long-term relationships with you, your staff, and patients can return a lifetime of value. What is that worth to you? More than the cost of a healthcare direct mail campaign. 

Direct Mail Works for Patient Communication

Although acquiring new patients is important, retaining your patients is essential. You can use your patient list to send direct mail and communicate: 

  • Healthcare Marketing Budget flyer example webSpecial holiday hours – It’s also important to communicate how to receive treatment when your office is closed.
  • Special protocols – The COVID-19 pandemic is creating concerns, which you can ease by sharing sanitation methods and mask-wearing requirements. 
  • How to reschedule missed appointments
  • Telehealth offerings, virtual appointments, and other new services
  • Office and service updates to keep the community close

 

A postcard, flyer-letter, or newsletter are wonderful ways to keep your practice top-of-mind. They also provide the perfect way for your patients to refer you with a “pass-along” communique that can give prospects an idea of what it will be like to become your patient. 

The effectiveness of direct mail demonstrates the importance of establishing a healthcare direct mail budget for your practice. Direct mail delivers the best results and should have a significant portion of your budget. Choosing an expert to partner with you to develop and deploy direct mail campaigns deserves significant consideration.

One Stop Mail has experts who can assist you with every element of direct mail, including creating lists, eye-catching healthcare designs, and the highest quality offset and variable data printing. Contact us or give us a call at 602-233-3003 if you want to raise your ROI on your next healthcare direct mail marketing campaign.  

Crush Your Revenue Goals With a Direct Mail Campaign woman checkin her mailbox web

How to Crush Your Revenue Goals With a Direct Mail Campaign in 2021

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If you’re starting the year with big revenue goals to accomplish, that can be a huge, continuous task. Establishing a target and a plan to achieve it is essential if you want to reach for the stars – and we are here to help. Here is your blueprint to create a winning direct mail campaign in 2021.   

Why a Mail Campaign? 

It converts prospects into buyers.  

Yes, email is a less expensive way to reach customers and prospects, but it doesn’t convert prospects into buyers. According to the Association of National Advertisers’ (ANA)/Data & Marketing Association’s (DMA) 2018 response rate report, an average of 4.9% of prospects who receive direct mail will order from that company. Only 1% of prospects responded to an email. 

When buyers receive a mailer from a company they’ve purchased from before, 9% of them will make another purchase. 

If you want more buyers, go with direct mail.  

How Does Mail Get Sales?  

Crush Your Revenue Goals With a Direct Mail Campaign young woman opening mail webResearch shows that Americans prefer mail. 

Marketing research heavy-weight Marketing Sherpa says 76% of people trust ads that they receive in the mail. 

The organization points to the scarcity of print that makes it so valuable to recipients. Think about how many ads, catalogs, mailers that you receive daily and compare it to the number of emails that you receive. If you’re like most, you get 121 emails each day on average. How much harder is it to be noticed in the inbox versus the mailbox? 

If you want your message to reach your recipient, use mail.  

Create a Mail Campaign in 2021 

If you don’t already know who your best customers are, research your target market to determine demographic markers, such as whether the decision-maker is male or female, what’s their age and education level. Your marketing message will vary depending on who your customers are and what you’d like to offer.  

Are you trying to generate business with new customers? Are you looking to retain current customers? Are you trying to win back customers who haven’t used your services for a while? Answers these questions to understand your overall goals and what your mail campaign will help you accomplish.  

Craft a Compelling Offer 

When you want to reach specific revenue goals, make it attractive for customers to say yes by giving them an exciting offer that makes them want to say, “Yes!” 

You don’t have to discount your products or services if you frame your offer to appeal to your best audience. Or get loyal customers to offer a genuine testimonial. To learn more about how to craft an offer to help turn prospects into customers, read on. 

Build your List(s) 

Crush Your Revenue Goals With a Direct Mail Campaign managing mail webWhat makes or breaks your direct mail campaign in 2021 is your list. If you’ve been using a mail list that isn’t performing the way that you want, it’s time to upgrade.   

Scrub the non-performing addresses from your list and rebuild it with addresses that will perform better, like recipients that fit the demographic profile of your best customers. To find them, you’ll need expert list builders, like One Stop Marketing’s professionals.  

In addition to cleaning up your house list, they’ll be able to put together a customized prospect list or can provide you with all new movers in your neighborhood or will work with the post office to complete Every Door Direct Mail, or EDDM.  

Put Together your Mail Schedule 

If you’re like most business owners, you may have noticed a seasonality to your business. During certain times of the year, there’s a spike in business. If you scheduled mailers to reach your customers, could you increase those spikes in revenue?  

Pre-plan for the year and create your compelling offer to get the best result.  

Mailer, Flyer, or Postcard? 

Decide which mailed collateral will help you stand out in mailboxes and get you the best result. If you’re unsure, work with an experienced print and mailing house to help you balance the attention-grabbing graphics and size of your mailer with your budget.  

If you require graphic design expertise, One Stop Mail has that, too.  

Crush Your Revenue Goals With a Direct Mail Campaign flyer postcard web

Personalize Your Offer with Variable Data Printing 

Research shows that people who see a letter or postcard with their name on it have a better feeling about the sender and are more likely to buy. A survey shows that 59% of buyers say that personalization influenced their buying decision.  

Fortunately, digital printing has brought the cost of variable data printing down in recent years, making it an affordable, as well as profitable, option.  

Get the Right Partner for your Direct Mail Campaign

When it comes to developing a successful direct mail campaign in 2021 and beyond, a solid partner with experience is essential. One Stop Mail has more than 14 years in direct mail and guides you at every step of your campaign development. 

If you have big revenue goals to hit, the professionals at One Stop Mail are waiting to help you get started. Contact us, or call 602.932.0276 and get started today. 

OSM BLOG Tax Postcards

Accountants Get Hefty Returns from Tax Postcards

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It’s the start of another tax season! Although most humans find the first quarter of every year cringe-worthy, accountants well-versed in taxes, like you know it can be a highly lucrative time. How do you make it even more profitable and maximize the need for your expertise? Two words: tax postcards.

Consider what happens if you don’t reach out to prospective clients – lost revenue. Today there are online accounting services that charge minimal fees along with budget tax-preparers that provide basic, production-line service and are happy to collect fees that could be coming to you. 

Uninformed taxpayers could be attracted to the price, not knowing that you offer added benefits, like tax savings for the current tax period and strategies to reduce taxes in the coming year. What happens when you don’t secure new clients? As attrition naturally eats away at your customer base, your thriving practice could slowly die. 

Let’s explore how you could get a larger share and attract more clients with an affordable strategy that allows you to advertise your accounting practice to a legion of individuals who need your expertise. 

Direct Mail Is Still Popular & Profitable

These days, everything is online – that doesn’t mean that everyone likes it. The novelty of receiving something colorful, fun, and informative in the mail can help small businesses be more memorable. 

Tax postcards create lasting impressions

According to a number of sources, direct mail has an average lifespan of 17-days while an email will only stay on your prospects’ minds for a few seconds. 

Not only will you stay top-of-mind with your targeted audience, but you can touch their friends and family, too. An attractive offer may end up under a refrigerator magnet. When a friend says they need tax help, all the recipient needs to do is share your name and phone number on the mailer or pass along the tax postcard!

Tax Postcards millennial receiving mail webMillennials like mail 

This generation has grown up using digital resources, banking, going to school, and work online. It’s logical to assume that they prefer to get all of their information online. 

Quite the contrary, surveys show that 76% of Millennials say they feel special when they receive personalized mail. With the personalization costs plummeting, thanks to digital printing, it’s worth the cost to make future clients feel special by sending a personalized postcard.

Take the stress out of tax time with tax postcards

Busy clients have a lot on their mind and often have competing priorities vying for their attention. By sending reminder postcards, you’re easing their stress by letting them know that you’re ready to offer expert advice and take a stressful task off their hands. 

Turnkey Tax Postcard Solutions

Attract more revenue by targeting your best clients with a postcard that’s 4.25”X6” in size. According to Accounting Today, this accounting postcard size that gets the best results. 

Next, how to position your accounting and tax service practice to reach your ideal customer? Choose an experienced direct mail marketing service and commercial printer, like One Stop Mail (OSM) to drive the right leads to your business. 

Tax Postcards business woman opening mail webList services that target new clients and movers

Mail lists are critical for successful direct mail campaigns. If you don’t get the results that you want from each mailing, experts in list building and direct mail can suggest how to improve results, from changing your demographics or reach new movers in your neighborhood. 

You can also customize a list that’s specific to your practice to optimize your budget and return on investment.  

Eye-catching graphic services for your tax postcards

Reaching your targeted client-base requires standing out among all of the “noise” in the mailbox. If you want to create a one-of-a-kind look for your accounting postcards, OSM’s professional graphic designers can create a design that aligns with your quality, trusted brand. 

Affordable printing options

As mentioned, personalized messages are more memorable and appreciated. OSM’s digital printing services allow you to greet every prospect by name without costing you an arm and a leg. Ask our printing pros the cost of a printed message, and you may be pleasantly surprised. 

EDDM

“Every Door Direct Mail” may be the answer if you want every household on a specific mail route to receive your tax prep postcards. OSM will make sure that all of your neighbors receive your message, and it saves you the cost of a mail list, too. 

Consider More Than Tax Postcards…

Tax Postcards promotional products webClient giveaways pack a punch. When you provide clients with pens, magnets, and other promotional products with your name, logo, and contact information, you’re reminding them of your service and providing them a way to contact you. 

If clients are presented with copies of returns in a folder that’s personalized with your name and number, they’ll remember you when it’s time for next year’s taxes. 

In today’s competitive business environment, savvy business professionals leverage every advantage they can. When you have direct mail marketing and printing experts like One Stop Mail in your corner, you can create a unique campaign tailored to your practice. 

Don’t delay getting your tax prep postcards on the press – contact us or call 602.962.9243 and start maximizing your tax time revenue today!  

Fitness postcards Work postcard example web

Hey Fitness Industry. Direct Mail Works!

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Pack Your Gym with Next-Level Fitness Postcards Target Marketing

Everybody needs a good kick in the butt every now and then. Fitness postcards, combined with targeted marketing are the best way to drive memberships, especially after those New Year’s resolutions, summer-bod goals, and holiday parties. Gym postcards are an easy, efficient way to stay ahead of your competition and in front of potential new customers, right in your neighborhood. 

There are Many Potential Targets

One of the great advantages of fitness industry marketing is there are always new prospects available. With fitness postcards, gyms and health clubs can saturate the neighborhood to offer great membership benefits.  

Fitness postcards Work direct advertising webWhen I want to hit the gym at 5:00 a.m. before work, I’m looking for a place that’s close to my house and easy to get to.  Targeting the neighborhood of gyms’ locations, especially with fitness postcards that highlight specials, classes, personal training, and smiling, happy people with dream bodies your prospects hope to have is a great way to capture attention.

Lists to use in fitness industry marketing are easy, affordable, and accessible. Keep it simple with an EDDM, a saturation list to keep your costs down and increase your target area.  These types of lists are like a good hot yoga class — they help you stretch your budget farther. You can even create a more targeted list that looks at age, household income, and much more if you offer specialty services or classes.

People Need Motivation, Catch Them at the Right Time

While there is never a bad time to recruit new members, there are definitely great times to invest in fitness industry marketing materials, especially fitness postcards.  People are always more motivated before and after the holidays, at the start of a new year, and in the summer. While it’s always a good idea to stay in front of potential customers consistently, blasting your fitness postcards during these times can only help drive memberships.  

Another pro tip: stand out from the crowd!  Competition in the fitness industry is high. The best way to catch attention is with high-quality, unique fitness postcards that stand out in the mailbox.  

Entice people with new membership offers, motivate them with pictures of fitness enthusiasts in their natural setting (ahem – a gym!), and have a clear view of all the great classes you offer. Utilize great offset or digital print options at One Stop Mail to customize your message, as well as our expert design services to help make sure you stay on top of your competition in the mailbox.   

The Value of Repeat Gym Postcard Mailings 

Fitness postcards Work big printer webYou don’t want prospects to only visit your gym once, so why would you only mail to them once?

In the direct mail advertising world, it’s important to market constantly and consistently.  Salesforce notes it takes six to eight touchpoints to drive a buying decision. 

I know when I try out a new gym and take advantage of a few free workouts, my first stop isn’t at the bench press, it’s to a representative to talk through my needs. That’s a touchpoint.  Direct mail marketing is no different and the most cost-effective way to attract new members is fitness postcards mailed multiple times.  We highly recommend at least three to four touchpoints through the mail over a nine-week period, minimum. Again, utilizing cost-efficient list and data services, high-quality printing, and quick turnaround times extends your budget.

Need to Fill a Class? Send Fitness Postcards Today

Driving membership traffic is always needed, but keep in mind your postcard must stand out with dynamic images, new membership offers, and relevant information about fun classes. Let the professionals at One Stop Mail help you design an eye-catching postcard that will fill up those classes. We can also help you highlight personal trainers, or new equipment, or the gym facilities that set you apart from the competition.

Start a Campaign with Fitness Postcards with One Stop Mail

Pump up your membership numbers today by speaking with one of our direct mail experts.  Highlight your great classes and membership offers to get people off the couch and into your gym. There is no better way to attract more business than fitness postcards in a direct mail campaign to get your neighbors motivated and in front of your sales reps. Contact us or call 602-233-3003 and talk to one of our experts today!

Effective Direct Mail Tracking

Effective Direct Mail: The Benefits of Tracking Your Results

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When you design an effective direct mail campaign to get more sales or to build awareness, you don’t have to be anxious and wait for an increase in calls or sales if you track your results. When you measure the results, you’ll know when sales roll in and if your campaign was successful. 

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4 Ps of Direct Mail Advertising

The 4 P’s of Direct Mail Advertising

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While the marketing world has its own 4 P’s of marketing, we in the direct mail advertising corner of the industry have our own “mix”. Our 4 P’s – People, Print, Preparation and Postage – also promote your products or brand to customers and prospects! Learn the industry leading formula for a successful direct mail advertising campaign at One Stop Mail with the 4P’s of Direct Mail Marketing.

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Financial Services Direct Mail guy working in printing company web

Direct Digital Printing Allows For Creative Marketing Outreach

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Welcome back!  This is part three in our series of articles highlighting some of the less-known or less-often used products that can be produced with direct digital printing services.  (Here are Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them.)

There’s no need for more buildup; let’s just get right into more great ideas for integrating digital print into your marketing and outreach!

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Digital Printing Service Ideas

More Possibilities In Digital Printing Services, Part 1

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AD_E_combo_01 digital printing service ideas
It’s easy to neglect real-world advertising and outreach when there are so many new and trendy ways of engaging in e-marketing.  However, while electronic media have gotten all the press, digital printing service options have been continuing to get ever-better.

Digital printing now offers numerous new options for getting your message out, and physical media is still one of the most effective forms of local outreach you can engage in.  So, we wanted to write a few blogs highlighting some of the lesser-used forms of printed marketing, in hopes of giving you new ideas for your local campaigns.

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digital printing company

More Possibilities for a Digital Printing Company, Part 2

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Welcome back!  This is Part 2 in our ongoing series exploring many of the lesser-used options in marketing when businesses uses a digital printing company.  (You can find Part 1 here.)

Digital printing has revolutionized print marketing in many ways, as well as re-energizing some older forms of advertisements which had previously been seen as passe‘ thanks to the outdated technologies behind them.  However, with today’s digital print options, there’s a new world of options for reaching out through printed mediums.

So, we have some more ideas you might be able to employ to kickstart your local marketing campaigns.

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