Lists & Data Services Archives - One Stop Mail

5 Signs You Need A New Direct Mail Vendor

July 10, 2023/0 Comments/in Direct Mail, Direct Mail Marketing, Graphic Design, Lists & Data Services

Are you happy with your direct mail vendor? Do you think they could be doing a better job?

There is a lot that goes into an effective direct mail campaign. Choosing a highly qualified direct mail vendor can be the difference between a successful direct mail campaign and a poorly performing campaign.

Here are 5 signs you need a new direct mail vendor.

They Provide Incomplete Success Metrics

Tying your marketing investments to profit is critical to understanding what type of marketing works for your business and which ones don’t. Direct mail companies that don’t track your performance will hinder your ability to be successful.

Metrics you should expect from your direct mail company include or help you calculate:

Detailed response rates
Conversion rates
Cost per lead
Cost per acquisition
Lifetime value

With the detailed data that comes from these metrics, you can identify which campaigns are working and better focus your marketing on your most likely prospects. You will see better engagement, more conversions, and you’ll eliminate the cost of targeting unlikely prospects.

They Can’t Integrate Into Other Marketing Efforts

Direct mail is generally one part of your larger, overall marketing plan. To reach your customers where they are, which is everywhere, your direct mail efforts should be choreographed with other marketing efforts such as email and social media.

Integrated multichannel marketing can increase the success of your direct mail campaigns and marketing strategy as a whole. Look for companies that can:

Target customers through direct mail AND online
Online and social media follow-up
Allow for multi-media efforts (QR codes, unique purchasing incentives)

See increased success with a direct mail vendor that can help you combine direct mail with digital marketing. Marketers see conversion rates of 40% in campaigns that combine direct mail and digital marketing. Also, customers targeted with multichannel marketing spend three to four times more than single-channel customers.

Reach out to learn how you can boost success with One Stop Mail’s integrated marketing platform- LIFT.

They Have Ineffective Graphic Design

It’s not enough to have a good product and just send a mailer. You have to get the customer’s attention to tell them about it. That’s why graphic design is crucial.

Not all direct mail providers do graphic design for mailers in-house. Even providers that claim to offer graphic design services, don’t necessarily do it well.

While this is subjective, ask yourself how the results of your direct mail campaign match up with your expectations. If there’s a gap between expectations and results you may need to find a vendor with better graphic design.

Compare your results with industry standards. The average response rate for most direct mail is between 2% and 4%. Response rates can fluctuate depending on your industry and the type of direct mail sent (postcards have the highest response rate). Higher response rates can be seen in

Real estate
Car sales
Charities
Medical practices
Home improvements

If your direct mail campaigns are not meeting expectations, maybe you need a more effective graphic design that is eye-catching, on brand, and has a clear call-to-action.

They Have Bad Targeting & Lists

Direct mail success starts with targeting the right customers and knowing which type of list to use. The right list will put your mailer in the hands of the most likely prospects and valuable customers.

Similar to graphic design, you can look at your direct mail results and key performance indicators to see if your direct mail vendor is targeting the right customers.

Look for companies that provide you with different types of lists and good reasoning on when to choose which type of list:

EDDM lists by zip-code/mailing routes
Demographic-based targeting
Consumer behavior-based targeting
Business-to-business mailing lists

They Treat You Like A Source Of Profit – Not A Partner

There are no statistics to cite when evaluating this – it’s a feeling you have as a customer. Yes, you want a direct mail provider with industry experience and expertise, but you also want a partner who that understands no two businesses are the same and is driven to help you succeed.

Ask yourself questions like:

Has your mailing house taken the time to get to know your organization’s unique needs?
Do they respond timely and thoughtfully to your questions or requests?
Do you know members of their team or just the person doing the selling?

If the answer is no, then it’s time to find a direct mail partner that is invested in your success.

Partner With a Direct Mail Vendor That Does it All

If you’re not happy with your current direct mail provider, it’s time to make a change and partner with one of the best mailing companies.

One Stop Mail has nearly 40 years of print and direct mail services. Your success is our success, and we believe that you deserve quality direct mail design, printing, and mailing services. We work to discover your business’ untapped potential and find ways to continue to expand your influence in your market and succeed in your business.

One Stop Mail provides everything you need for a successful direct mail campaign from start to finish. Our innovative team is committed to crafting direct mailing solutions to meet the needs of your business.

Contact the team at One Stop Mail to learn how we can help boost your direct mail results and request a free quote.

Why A Mailing House Is Better Than A Printer For Direct Mail

February 25, 2023/0 Comments/in Direct Mail, Direct Mail Marketing, Lists & Data Services, Mail Services

Running a successful direct mail campaign requires more than an idea and a mailing list. To get your campaign into the mailboxes of prospects it takes graphic design, a curated mailing list, a quality printer, and a marketing strategy to tie it all together. Then you need a way to track and measure it all to know what worked and what needs improvement.

As a business, handling everything it takes to get a direct mail campaign off the ground can be overwhelming. Luckily, you can choose from several business partners to get the job done, including direct mail printers and mail houses. While it’s true that most direct mail printers offer some mailing house services, and most mail houses offer printing services, that doesn’t mean they are equal.

Direct Mail Printers vs Mail Houses

Is there an advantage to choosing one over the other? Yes, there are several and we’re going to talk about the top four reasons you should partner with a full-service mail house for your next direct mail campaign.

Why You Should (Almost) Always Choose a Mailing House

Exactly what is a mail house? A mail house, or mailing house, acts as a one-stop-shop for all your direct mail needs. They print your materials, handle the mailing process through the United States Postal Service (USPS), obtain viable mailing lists for your campaign, and track campaign results. In many ways, mail houses become a temporary team member, helping your company execute on your direct mail campaign ideas.

A direct mail printer may offer services that appear similar at first, but in reality, their expertise centers on the printing process. While having quality printed materials is important, it means very little if you can’t get those materials in front of the right people. On the other hand, a mailing house not only prints your materials, but has expertise where it matters most – getting your campaign into the homes of prospects.

Mail houses have industry-tested strategies and tactics designed to make your direct mail campaigns successful. When you add it all together, it’s easy to see why mailing houses are usually the best option for businesses. Still not convinced that mail houses are the best choice? Let’s look at some of the specific ways they excel compared to direct mail printers.

Direct Mail Automation

One of the key benefits of working with a mail house is direct mail automation. This streamlines and automates some of the more tedious aspects of your direct mail campaign. The end result is a hassle-free experience with no time wasted on the logistics of mailing thousands of pieces of mail. It also reduces the cost of direct mail campaigns, stretching your marketing dollar.

Better Mailing Lists

Another advantage of working with a mailing house is having access to, and help with, mailing lists. Experts agree that direct mail is a viable part of a multichannel marketing strategy but it only works if your mail ends up in the right hands. This requires a good list but you also have to understand mailing list options and select the best one for your campaign. A mailing house has a great deal of experience with lists and can help you make choices that set the stage for a successful campaign.

USPS Address Verification

Mailing houses help ensure that you’re sending mail to updated and accurate addresses by verifying them through the USPS address verification system. This helps your campaign materials get to the right people, but it also saves postage and printing cost by reducing the risk of undeliverable mail. Direct mail printers generally have less experience with this, so you may spend money sending your campaign materials to bad addresses.

Optimized Campaigns

Mail houses have specialized knowledge and experience tracking and measuring the success of direct mail campaigns. This means you don’t need to have a direct mail expert on your team to leverage direct mail in your marketing efforts. The right mailing house can help you launch, optimize and evaluate the success of your campaign. They can even confirm delivery and help mitigate postage price fluctuations by finding ways to reduce costs, such as bulk mail discounts.

While a direct mail printer may have considerable printing knowledge, they may not have all the tools you need for your campaign to be a success. This makes choosing a mailing house a smart decision for your business, especially if you have a small marketing team, limited direct-mail experience and are budget-conscious. Not only will a mailing house print your campaign materials, but they can also deliver those materials to high-value prospects and offer insight and guidance along the way.

Full Service Mail House

One Stop Mail is more than just your average mail house- we are a direct mail marketing partner. The experts at our full service mail house are here to help with your direct mail campaign from start to finish. We will help you find the right mailing list to meet your goals, create customized direct mail designs, personalize your mailers with variable data printing, and mail your pieces in an efficient and timely manner.

If you have questions about direct mail campaigns, how to leverage the services of a mailing house, or how One Stop Mail can help improve your campaigns, call (602) 233-3003 or drop us a line today.

One Stop Mail Healtcare Messaging Mailing List

3 Do’s & 3 Don’ts Of Healthcare Mailers & Messaging

November 3, 2022/0 Comments/in Direct Mail Marketing, Direct Mail Postcards, Lists & Data Services

If you have a healthcare business, you know the value of healthcare mailers as part of your holistic healthcare marketing strategy. However, there are certain things you can do to maximize the impact of healthcare messaging in the mail. Healthcare advertising isn’t as straightforward as traditional products or services, there are several nuances and guidelines you should know. Here are some marketing tips, 3 do’s and 3 don’ts for anyone using direct mail marketing for healthcare-related services or products.

DO Leverage Targeted Lists Most Relevant To A Condition

Have you utilized targeted lists in your healthcare marketing plan before? If not, this is an excellent way to make sure you get the best return on your investment. We have a few blogs about how to get an effective list.

Healthcare needs can be very broad or very niche, depending on your service or product.

A broad tactic is sending out flyers about a new dental office opening in a specific neighborhood, while a niche list is important if you are looking to advertise a certain treatment for a specific illness or condition.

Broad lists can be narrowed down using:

Location (Example: Proximity to a new office, or an office accepting a new type of healthcare plan)
Age (Example: A dentist office specializing in cleanings for children)
Gender (Example: Mammograms)

Niche lists should be relevant to a specific medical condition. For example:

Diabetes prevention
Hormone imbalances
High blood pressure patients

DO Use CTA’s For Appointments Or Calls On Patient’s Terms

All marketing messaging needs a clear CTA, or Call to Action. For healthcare messaging, this means leading the potential patient to create an appointment.

Contact methods can include a:

Phone number
Website
QR code
Email address

Putting the CTA in an obvious spot means that the mailer can be saved for later reference, and appointments can be made on the patient’s terms.

It is important that the reader has a sense of urgency and doesn’t toss the mailer in the trash, but instead saves it for later. Messaging like, “Appointments filling up, don’t wait!” or “Limited spaces available, call today!” are good CTAs.

DO Demonstrate Expertise To Prospective Patients

Part of healthcare direct mail marketing is building trust with patients. A great way to do that is to show your expertise. Longevity of practice in the community or of a particular product is a great lead-in. National or local awards or certifications prove results and expertise, so should be highlighted on mailers.

You also need to prove a point of difference to set you apart from your competitors. A specific expertise typically not shared by your competition is a good start. Include any other relevant practical information that would help potential patients choose you.

DON’T Be Alarmist With Medical Messaging

Keep in mind that health-related issues are stressful for everyone. Don’t take this as an opportunity to alarm or scare potential patients! Focus on messaging, and:

Assure rather than alarm
Avoid “should” type messaging
Treat it like an opportunity – not a burden

Don’t list the statistics of a condition unless it’s in a positive light. For example, “This many people benefit from earlier treatment”. You want potential patients to feel safe and comfortable, and let them know that they can reach out with questions at any time.

DON’T Use Too Much Jargon

Jargon is technical language and it can be confusing to people who are not heavily involved in your industry. It can be especially confusing when using medical terms related to conditions or treatments. Avoid long, hard-to-pronounce, or unfamiliar terms.

DON’T Ignore Seasonality

Depending on your practice, certain times of the year may be better or worse for investing in healthcare mailers.

Pay attention to your industry’s seasonal trends. Send your healthcare messaging leading up to and in the heart of the busiest times of the year for your office or product. For things such as dental appointments, remind patients to book early, before school breaks fill up with other activities. Routine physical exams and vaccinations are best (and sometimes necessary) before school starts.

Certain procedures are more easily done in different weather, which varies based on your location. For instance, the Midwest has a lot of snowstorms in winter, while the Southern states can be hit with heat waves, floods, and power outages in summer. Keep these things in mind when encouraging patients to come in at certain points during the year.

More About Healthcare Messaging

Do you have questions about how to get a healthcare mailer into production? Our team can handle every step of the process, from conception to mailing! Read more about using direct mail to serve your healthcare patients here. Contact us for a quote today!

Private Schools Science Exploration looking at worm

5 Tips for Direct Mail Marketing for Private & Charter Schools

August 16, 2022/0 Comments/in Direct Mail, Direct Mail Marketing, Lists & Data Services

Parents are bombarded daily with digital marketing advertisements. Between email, social media, commercials, etc. it can become overwhelming. The average person receives over 100 emails every day! While people’s inboxes may be flooded, their mailboxes are less so, with an average of only 16 pieces of mail received each week. This makes direct mail marketing efforts highly effective.

Parents do not have time to open, let alone read, all those emails, reflecting the email open rate of only about 30%, whereas direct mail open rates can reach up to 90%.

Use direct mail marketing to avoid getting lost in the sea of digital marketing offers parents receive every day. Direct mail is a compelling and unique marketing strategy perfect for:

Schools
Community mailers
Higher education
Family attractions
Family events
Tutoring services

The majority of people prefer direct mail marketing because it is more personal than online interactions. Direct mail is also sent to a household, whereas email is sent to one specific person. This is significant for educational marketing since it is a personal topic that is likely to be discussed among family members.

The lifespan of marketing materials is also an important factor. Products and services related to education may require a longer decision-making period. An email has a lifespan of only a few seconds, while direct mail’s lifespan averages 17 days.

Parents juggle countless responsibilities, but they will always prioritize educational opportunities for their children that will set them up for a successful future. Use direct mail to quickly show parents how your product or service will improve their child’s life while making their lives easier. Follow these four tips to increase your campaign’s efficiency using direct mail marketing to parents.

Find Family-Friendly Zip Codes to Mail to

You may have informative and well-designed marketing materials, but if they aren’t sent to an appropriate household, then they will not be effective. Looking at all American households, there is an average of less than one school-aged child per housing unit. So it is important to locate zip codes where high percentages of families with children reside.

When compiling or procuring a mailing list of parents, look for:

Households with an average size of three or more people.
An average age of about 30 years old. Studies have found that parents between the ages of 25 and 44 are more influenced by direct mail marketing than digital marketing.
Persons under the age of 10. These children are entering elementary school or preparing for middle school.
Persons aged 14 to 20. Children of this age are preparing for high school and college.

Surprisingly, the type of home can make a difference, too. A study by the National Association of Home Builders found that detached single-family homes have the highest number of school-aged children per unit. Rented units also have more children than owner-occupied units and existing homes have more children than newly constructed homes.

Prioritize zip codes containing larger households with Millennial-aged parents and high numbers of single-family homes. Avoid zip codes with small, older households and newly constructed neighborhoods. The more specific you can get with your target list, the more likely you are to be successful.

Educational Direct Mail NOT Advertorial

You’re not selling the parent a shiny new widget – you are selling an experience, product, or service that will positively impact their child. As such, your marketing materials should be more informational and less advertorial.

Of course, you want to get the parent’s attention, but direct mail affords the unique opportunity to give consumers a tangible experience with your brand. Use the opportunity to show parents why your school, experience, or product is right for their child.

Share information like:

Why kids will enjoy this experience
What the product or service means for parents
Why the barrier to entry is low
Concrete facts and statistics about your service’s impact
The versatility of your product or service
Images of your product in action
Testimonials
Upcoming events (like open houses or summer camps)

Direct mail, like postcards or event flyers, have a limited amount of space. Studies show that direct mail campaigns are most effective with a digital call-to-action directing them online for more information.

Use Private Schools Marketing To Show Parents Long-term Impact

Education is an investment and parents want to see how that pays off. Demonstrate the value of your opportunity, product, or service by showing parents the long-term impact it will have on their child. It is especially important for charter schools and post-secondary institutions to demonstrate how their school will influence their child’s academic prospects, future career, and success.

Convey impact by including metrics and qualities such as:

Lasting skills developed such as creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills.
New friendships that teach social skills and relationships for potential networking.
Long-term success such as graduation rates, acceptance rates, or increases in test scores.
For college-bound students or career/tech schools, include job placement statistics and how your school will equip them to meet workforce demands.

Consider sharing a short success story. Parents want to be able to identify with real people and hear about their experiences with your product. Your current students and their parents are often influential spokespersons.

Parents want to know that they are providing their children with the best opportunities and it’s hard to argue with facts. Sharing information like that listed above is both relevant to your service and a great way to resonate with moms and dads who want the best for their kids.

Speak to Parents’ Direct Needs with Direct Mail

The day-to-day needs of parents will always vary, but a constant is occupying their children with enriching activities that will set them up for future success and ideally are fun and entertaining. This should be a clear message in your direct mail postcards and materials.

Be sure to include:

Approximate time activity or school will occupy
What their child will enjoy
What their child will learn
The level of parent commitment
How do you provide a safe and supportive community

Parents are busy and appreciate efforts to make their lives easier. Help them by making the message simple and easy to scan for significance. Make additional information easily accessible. Try including a QR code that leads to your website and be sure your contact information is clear.

Above all, parents need peace of mind.

Use your education direct mail to demonstrate the value of your service and show them the benefit and enjoyment their child will receive. Make it a clear and easy choice that gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is happy, well cared for, and receiving enriching opportunities.

Charter Vs. Christian Vs. Private School Marketing

A school could be considered one or any combination of a private, charter, or parochial/Christian school. Use your direct mail messaging to highlight which of these is most core to your school. While these aren’t mutually exclusive to one another, they give your marketing a targeted approach to likely households targeted with mailings.

Private Schools – messaging geared towards parents looking to provide a better education/experience for their child.
Charter Schools – messaging around alternatives to traditional public education options.
Christian Schools – messaging about how faith will help inform and shape a child’s education.

At One Stop Mail, our experts help you with your Direct Mail Marketing from start to finish. From mailing lists to design and fulfillment, our cost-effective services help deliver your message to your ideal customer.

Learn more about our Direct Mail Marketing Services or reach out online to tell us about your project and request a quote.

How to Choose Between EDDM, Targeted, or Saturation Mailing Lists

December 28, 2021/0 Comments/in EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail), Lists & Data Services, Mail Services, Variable Data Printing

Searching for new ways to reach out to potential leads and turn them into customers? Every business must develop its own unique combination of three common lists to gain an edge over its competitors and effectively reach its audience. EDDM, saturation, or targeted mailing lists are three direct mail marketing strategies that can be a great addition to any direct mail plan.

Despite so much of today’s advertising being digital, direct mail marketing is a very effective way to bring in new potential customers. In fact, direct mail still accounts for the largest portion of U.S. ad spend. Knowing exactly which direct mail marketing strategies are best for your business can help you get even greater results.

In this article, we will go over the 3 main types of direct mail tactics that your business can employ, weighing the pros and cons of each. Equipped with this information, you’ll be better prepared to work with a direct mail agency to get your business in front of valuable new leads.

EDDM vs. Saturation vs. Targeted: What’s the Difference?

First, let’s start with the difference between EDDM and saturation mailing lists. These two options are often confused with each other, but there are some key differences between them. EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) is a program designed by the USPS as an easy and cost-effective way to get a business’ ads to customers without the need for a mailing list (as no direct addresses are listed).

Saturation mailing is a very similar program to EDDM, but it does require a mailing list, and addresses are included on the mailed advertisements.

The third option, targeted mailing, is far more personalized. Rather than sending mailers to everyone in a specified area, this method uses specific criteria to send advertisements to the addresses of qualified leads.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which direct mail marketing strategy is best for your business. Next, we’ll go into more detail about each service and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using one method over another. Ultimately, direct mail marketing experts can provide you with all the information you need to help you choose the best option.

EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail)

EDDM is an efficient way to distribute your business’ advertisements to every mailing address within a specific region. Since these advertisements don’t require a name or address, they save you the trouble of purchasing mailing lists.

There are many pros to using EDDM, but the most important may be that it is one of the more cost-effective options. Since the post office doesn’t have to do any special handling or preparation, and the program follows a carrier’s regular postal route, you can save on postage and avoid the costs associated with purchasing mailing lists.

There are also a few drawbacks to EDDM. First, the service is only meant to be used for flats (like postcards, newsletters, or folded pamphlets), meaning the mail you can send is limited to very specific sizes. A second disadvantage to EDDM is that, without names or addresses, it can feel less personalized than other methods.

Saturation Mailing Lists

Saturation mailing campaigns are a more personalized version of EDDM. Saturation mailing works mostly the same way as traditional EDDM, but names and addresses are included on the mailers (or more commonly “Current Resident). In contrast to EDDM, this method does require you to purchase a mailing list.

One standout benefit of this method over EDDM is that a saturation mailing is not limited by size, which can give you more options for your bulk direct mail tactics. Even though you’ll have to pay for mailing lists, the postage will still be inexpensive compared to targeted advertising. Saturation lists qualify for the lowest bulk postage rates of all three methods because of their delivery efficiency.

As with EDDM, one disadvantage to using saturation mailing lists is that they aren’t as personalized as targeted efforts. This means that, although you are reaching more households, you may not always be reaching the right potential customers.

Targeted Mailing Lists

If you’re looking to narrow down your direct mail tactics to a more specific audience, then targeted mailing lists may be the right choice for you. With this strategy, instead of sending your mailers to everyone within a specific geographical area, you purchase one or more mailing lists with the addresses of qualified leads who are more likely to need your products or services.

One obvious benefit of a targeted mailing is that it allows you to focus on the right audience, which can help significantly increase response rates. This is especially helpful for businesses whose products are geared to a more specific or “niche” customer base.

However, one of the biggest downsides of targeted mailing is that it is more expensive than the previous two options. You also need to be sure that you purchase your data-driven mailing lists from a reputable source. When you partner with a full-service direct mail agency, they can even create customized, targeted lists for you.

Which Option Is Right for Your Business?

The right option will depend on your marketing goals and the results you want to see from your campaign. Does your company want to generate more potential leads, drive up sales, or increase customer loyalty? To get the most out of a direct mail marketing strategy, you’ll need a clear objective and metrics for tracking your results.

Before you make your decision, take some time to think about the kinds of customers you want to attract and the best ways to reach them. Each of the three direct mail tactics has its own benefits and drawbacks for specific businesses and industries.

For example, larger businesses that want to reach a broad range of potential customers might be better off using EDDM or saturation mailing lists. For businesses that have a specific niche and know exactly who their target audience is, the extra cost of targeted mailing could be offset by the ability to engage with pre-qualified potential leads directly.

A Direct Mail Agency Can Help You Choose

Even if you think you know which option you should choose, you may be missing critical information that could help you make the most effective decision. Partnering with a direct mail agency helps to ensure you get the most out of your direct mail marketing campaign.

Having experienced direct mail marketing experts in your corner can give you all the tools you need to fine-tune your strategy to achieve the best results. Not only will they help you pinpoint your method and create your direct mail campaign, but they can also show you the best ways to execute your plan to achieve maximum results.

Ready to learn more about your options and create your direct mail marketing plan? Reach out to us today at (602) 223-3003 or contact us.

Want Help Crushing Your Sales Goals? Get our 25-page Strategy eBook Free! Click the image below.

Use Customized Mailing Lists for Massive Results

October 7, 2021/0 Comments/in Lists & Data Services, Mail Services, Variable Data Printing

Marketing campaigns can be time-consuming and costly. Make sure your collateral is seen by the right people with customized mailing lists! Use Variable Data Printing to your advantage.

Our goal is to provide you with a cost-effective solution that will provide the highest response rate. Read on to learn why personalization in marketing matters and how well-researched mailing lists get you massive results.

Why You Need a Customized Mailing List

In a direct mail marketing campaign, the most important factor is the number of eyes on the page. This means that when your mailer arrives in a potential customer’s box, it’s actually looked at instead of just tossed in the trash. To achieve this, your mailing list needs to be accurate and capture the correct audience. The list of people who receive your marketing mail needs to be individually created, just like your marketing strategy.

Targeted marketing exponentially increases the chances of response and conversion of leads into clients because you only communicate with the customers who are interested in your product or service. This can include timing as well as messaging. If you have enough information about the client, you can pitch your product in a way that is bound to strike a chord with that person.

But how do you get a customized mailing list?

Expert Data Services

One-Stop Mail’s Mailing List Service provides access to thousands of target criteria to help you deliver your products or services to your ideal customer. Reach prospects across diverse demographics with segmented lists, built just for you.

Some examples of mailing lists are:

Consumer Residential
Business to Business
Saturation
Every Door Direct Mail
New Mover

It’s very important to ensure your mailing list is as up-to-date as possible, or you’re just throwing your money (and results) away. One Stop Mail always removes duplicate data as part of our service. Our data specialists are here to help enhance your response rate and merge multiple fields of data for truly personalized direct mail pieces.

The Importance of Personalization in Marketing

Potential audiences differ from campaign to campaign. For that reason, marketers cannot keep using the same marketing strategy for every product.

A majority of people prefer a personalized customer experience over a traditional, generic one. Personalization helps you:

Attract new business
Keep proven customers returning
Remind infrequent customers about services/products

The personalized approach pays off in the long run by winning customers over and earning their loyalty.

Your content should be targeted toward a broad enough audience so that it’s read by many, but has the most emotional appeal for your narrower audience. Some examples of potential audience groups include:

New homeowners
New businesses
Residential or commercial
Area-specific (within a certain radius of retail locations)
Age-specific
Income-specific

Get the best outcome for your goal. Make sure you’re hitting your target while still fitting your campaign within the desired budget.

One Stop Mail Can Help You with Customized Mailing Lists

With the overwhelming amount of customer data available, finding the right mailing list for your specific direct mail campaign can be confusing. Our team of data experts will research and suggest the proven criteria and type of direct mailing list to pull off a successful campaign.

Whether you know what already works for your business or need advice, we are here to help! Find out more about what we do here or call us at (602) 223-3003

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Welcome to the Neighborhood! The Unbeatable Rewards of New Mover Mailers

September 21, 2021/0 Comments/in Direct Mail, Direct Mail Marketing, Lists & Data Services, Mail Services

In the English language some words evoke pure delight – “thank you,” “yes,” and “welcome” are among them. You can start your relationship off on the right foot by welcoming future customers with new mover mailers.

That first greeting should be more than an invitation, it also provides information. You’re telling new neighbors about services/products available in their new community – that’s so neighborly.

If you are wondering “Why target new mover mailers in this way?”, let’s start with taking a closer look at new mover lists and why they belong in your direct mail campaign.

Is New Movers Flyer Right for Your Business?

In 2020, nearly 30 million Americans reported moving, and they need everything, drug stores, and grocery stores to new service providers, like a handyman, plumbing, contractors, pest control, dry cleaners, etc. They also need medical providers like dentists, vets, and optometrists.

If you offer a service or product that people usually access in their location, then your business would benefit from a list that will target new movers.

Now, let’s address what to do to capture a percentage of those 30 million movers.

Empathy Creates Loyalty, Thanks to New Mover Lists

new mover mailers family holding boxes moving into a new house Approach mailer creation from what your audience needs (empathy) and your new mover lists become a platform to launch long-term and fruitful relationships.

Moving is stressful. After home inspections, paperwork, loan processes, getting into a new home is a relief. But then there’s more stress enrolling kids in school, hiring new service providers, and figuring out where to shop.

When you make new movers feel welcomed and understood, you’re on your way to establishing a connection with them. Following up with another mailer in a few weeks may help them feel comfortable with your brand.

Get on Shopping Lists

As mentioned earlier, new movers must choose the grocery and drug stores, clothing and shoe stores, hair stylists, masseuses, and other providers to frequent in their new community.

Get in the door before your competitors to cement a place in new customer’s consciousness and persuade them to try you out!

Give Them Reasons to Shop

Coupons and offers work for physiological reasons. According to recent statistics, 38% reported higher oxytocin levels, which are feel-good hormones usually associated with cuddling and kissing, and 32% lower stress hormone levels.

Shoppers feel good when they get a bargain. Put together a new mover discount to get that first order.

Extend Your Reach with New Mover Mailers

new mover mailers young men checking mailbox Did you know that you can choose to target an entire region or just certain types of people within that area?

For instance, if your business involves kids younger than 12 you can save by not mailing to the senior community within a targeted zip code.

One Stop Mail’s direct mail marketing professionals can help trim time and expenses without sacrificing quality.

Managing the entire campaign on your own is complex and time-consuming. That’s why an experienced direct mail marketer with list-building, data analytics, and variable printing capabilities must be part of your team.

Ready to get started building profits for your business by welcoming new movers to your neighborhood? Contact Marty at 602.223.3003. He and his team of pros will help create new mover mailers that attract attention and new customers.

Want Even More Strategies? Get our 25-page Strategy eBook Free!

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5 Pool Service Marketing Tips To Attract New Customers

June 28, 2021/0 Comments/in Digital Print Postcards, Direct Mail Postcards, Graphic Design, Lists & Data Services, Mail Services, Variable Data, Variable Data Printing

“Summertime and the living’s easy” or so the song goes. A clean, cool pool makes summer living super easy. If you’re a pool service pro, this season is likely your busiest and most lucrative time of year. Keep your calendar full and hold off the competition with the latest targeted pool service marketing tactics.

Whether you have an established route of customers, you’re building from scratch, or expanding into new territory, these 4 steps can make summer an easy, fun season for pool owners in your area!

Pool Service Marketing Tip 1: Stay Within Their Sights

If you’re not ready to expand, it’s smart to stay visible. Even your best customers could be tempted by a “new customer offer” from a competitor. Remind your customers and tell prospects what your super-power is to maintain your customer base.

Remind them why they want your services – you’re the best pool maintenance and repair service with hundreds of perfect Google reviews, or perhaps you include an extra service like basic deck-washing at no additional fee, or maybe you offer pool accessories at rock-bottom prices.

Now that you’ve determined that you need to communicate to your customers, what’s the best reminder? Swimming pool postcards – here’s why:

Postcards have staying power

The results are in, and surveys show that marketing mail stays around an average of 17 days. Imagine how long pool owners will keep a colorful postcard or killer offer. It’s the perfect size to hang on a refrigerator, bulletin board, or tape to a whiteboard giving decision-makers repeated exposure to your service.

People read marketing mail

The same survey says a whopping 42.2% of people read or scan their mail; 59% say that they look forward to receiving it. That’s good news for you and your pool service because your message will probably be well-received in most homes.

Pool Service Marketing Tip 2: Speak Directly to Customers

There’s a reason why major online brands present browsers with a personalized experience – it’s because they get better responses. And, a 2020 Forbes article tells us why – shoppers prefer personalized experiences.

If it’s true online, wouldn’t it be true for postcards received in their mailbox? Using a customer’s name tells them that they are important to you and can be a door into their world.

Today, the marketing pool services business can personalize every aspect of a postcard – the recipient’s name, the offer, the call-to-action without emptying the piggy bank. Personalization, also called variable data printing, is within reach thanks to digital technology.

Pool Service Marketing Tip 3: Target Best Customers

If you’ve been in business for a while, you know the characteristics of customers who get the high-cost services and stay with you long-term. They probably live in a particular neighborhood, are of a particular age, have kids, and have a college degree.

Compiling a mail list of potential best customers to receive your swimming pool postcards offers the best chance of success.

Reach out to new homeowners. Since they’ve recently moved to the area, they’ll be looking for local service providers – including pool professionals! Remember to include a new mover special to attract their business.

Sure, you could send a postcard to your entire service area, but why not save some budget to do multiple mailings? Remember – you want to target your best new customers, stay in their sights and that means multiple exposures to your service and superpower.

Take Your Pool Service Marketing to the Next Level

If you want to stand out in a crowded mailbox, a professionally designed postcard is a must. The design and offer should be so compelling that the recipient wants to give it an honorary spot in the kitchen or office.

Additionally, mailing list professionals can help you create ideal lists to reach the customers you want. Don’t waste time and cash by using a scattershot approach to pool service marketing – if you want results, get experienced pros.

One Stop Mail has worked with business owners to reach their sales goals through direct mail marketing. They’re mail list experts with professional graphic design services on-site.

For 15+ years, they’ve offered exceptional printing and fulfillment services, and have created direct mail campaigns for business customers of all sizes. They can recommend the type and frequency of mailings to help you meet your goals.

Want more tips to help you reach your business goals? Check out these direct mail resources.

To get a quote on your next pool service marketing project, contact us or call (602) 233–3003.

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6 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Get More Leads with Bulk Direct Mail

June 17, 2021/0 Comments/in Digital Print Postcards, Direct Mail Flyers, Direct Mail Marketing, Direct Mail Postcards, EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail), Lists & Data Services

These days it seems like everyone is about building an email list. Customer relationship management exists in solely online spaces and is built to target those whose information can be collected digitally. Is it possible that so many industries are missing out on bulk direct mail services?

This print service offers a variety of ways to reach potential leads and build out your contact lists. And not only does direct mail work in a variety of industries, but it also fits many budgets. You can tweak a direct mail plan to be affordable or more expensive with just a few simple changes. In the end, you collect more leads.

Discover the six ridiculously simple ways to collect more leads with bulk direct mail services.

1. Increase Brand Awareness

They can’t become your customer if they have never heard of you before. Direct mail is an excellent way to get your name, branding, and value propositions in front of people by delivering directly into their hands.

Bulk direct mail services offer an opportunity to send flyers, coupons, postcards, and more to every address in a given area. For a new business, this can be particularly important as a way to build brand awareness.

2. Get Your Message Out Faster Than an Ad Campaign

Ad campaigns take time and often have multiple stages of rollout. Ad campaigns may also be dependent on the release schedules of the publications they appear in, such as newspapers. Marketing advisors may even suggest scheduling a budget ad campaign over 40 weeks to get the right amount of notice.

A direct mail campaign, however, takes only the time of design and printing to get in the hands of new potential leads. Though you may schedule waves of your direct mailings similar to a traditional ad campaign, you can feel confident that you are getting more individual notice faster as potential leads hold your independent flyer or postcard.

3. Reach Millennials with Bulk Direct Mail Services

One of the most surprising direct mail statistics is how much it appeals to the Millennial generation. Known for their digital upbringing, Millennials are often thought of as strictly digital prospects. But the novelty of direct mail seems to attract this segment of buyers in a unique way.

In fact, 88% of Millennials look at their mail. They are checking to make sure nothing of value is missed and the vast majority—80%—say they look forward to this chore. When it comes to direct mail, Millennials remain just as engaged, with 66% bringing pieces such as coupons to brick and mortar store locations or following directions to a website.

For businesses that are looking to target Millennials—a group now squarely in their 30s and invested in career-building, homeownership, and childrearing—enacting a direct mail marketing campaign could glean unexpected results.

4. Use Precise Customer Targeting

Bulk direct mail services offer a surprising number of ways to precisely target customers. That’s because most direct mail campaigns are based on curated lists that lump customers together by commonalities.

For instance, a pool company can purchase a list of local, high-income individuals who own their own homes. This can help them target people with the income and space to purchase a pool or pool services. Instead of wasting money accidentally targeting potential customers who rent homes, this curated list betters the chances of the pool company connecting with new customers.

Another approach to use in precise customer targeting is every door direct mail. This permits geographical targeting via mail routes. Businesses work with the United States Postal Service to get contact information from specific neighborhoods. This helps businesses really target groups of people for whom a local business—like a pizza place—would be relevant due to proximity.

5. Stand Out in a Digital World with Bulk Direct Mail Services

Standing out is a goal for every marketing campaign, but it may be easier to reach than you might think with direct mail marketing.

Mail is novel in a day where you might receive 50 emails but just one envelope. Successful direct mail campaigns capitalize on the immediacy of holding a piece of mail in your hands. From glossy, bright postcards to richly printed, tactile envelopes, using something physical in your marketing campaign can help you stand out from the on-screen inundation most potential customers live with each day.

6. Use Variety to Be More Relevant

Variable data printing makes it possible to deliver more relevant information to customers within the same campaign. You may be targeting middle-class citizens of a particular town with your new store. But amidst that group, you have an even distribution of men and women. What if you could tailor your flyer to hold most of the same information, but slant in the interests of either a male or female reader?

That’s precisely what variable data printing allows you to do, by hyper-targeting within the same printed campaign. This printing technology is simply a better way to create printed direct mail with some personalization.

It also allows you to add contact information rather than a stand-in like “Our Neighbor” so leads feel attention has been paid to them specifically. With over half of shoppers saying personalized advertising helped them make a purchase decision, it’s a smart idea to embrace variable data printing.

Direct mail marketing is a tool your business needs to generate more leads for less time and cost. With these six ridiculously simple ways to get more leads using bulk direct mail services, why aren’t you using them already? Reach out to One Stop Mail today to get a free quote on your direct mail project or call (602) 233-3003 with questions today.

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Using Direct Mail Campaigns to Increase Donations

April 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Direct Mail, Lists & Data Services, Mail Services

How to Increase Donations with 5 Sure-Fire Direct Mail Tactics

In good and bad economic times, achieving your fundraising goals is essential. Not knowing how to increase donations to hit the numbers you need puts your mission in jeopardy. You know what failure could mean – reprioritizing initiatives, delaying, or abandoning them altogether.

Fortunately, we are sharing 5 proven direct mail services for nonprofit organizations to help fundraising managers hit those all-important goals.

How to Increase Donations with Direct Mail

We’ve shared many statistics about the effectiveness of direct mail – so you know it gets great results. Here’s a variation –

Direct mail is 37 times more effective than email response rates according to the Direct Mail Association.

The smart money says to go with direct mail. According to recent statistics, 42% of recipients read their direct mail and it hangs around the household for an average of 17 days which gives all members of the household time to review it. Explaining sustained giving options may have a better chance to be read and understood in a carefully crafted letter.

Now that you know how direct mail will deliver, what should you do with it?

#1 – How to Increase Donations? Reach Out to Current Donors

You’ve heard the old saying that it’s easier to sell a customer than a prospect. Well, the same is true of your current donors.

Because your donors have shown they are aligned with your mission and want to help your organization achieve it by donating before, they don’t have to be convinced. This group is the most likely mail recipient to give during your next campaign. Yet, it’s easy to overlook them.

If it’s awkward to start the conversation with someone who has already been generous to your organization, just say thank you for their past support and invite them to continue that support.

#2 – How to Increase Donations? – Use Targeted Lists

Your nonprofit probably knows the type of donor who is the most generous and consistent in their donations to your organization. Create a custom list and use the donor segments that have worked best for you – or send variations of your campaign letter to current, lapsed, and long-lapsed donors to increase donations.

Sustainer Giving

Instead of requesting a large contribution, consider sending lapsed donors a sustained giving proposal that’s built from their prior giving history. For instance, if they’ve routinely given $200 a quarter, you can suggest they pledge $70 a month to make donations more manageable.

Major Donors

Send a separate communication to your largest donors, who have a bigger stake in your organization. They may be more interested in special initiatives, the benefits, and how you will use their money. In addition to a special message, the communication may require higher quality stationery.

Want to know how to increase donations from new major donors? Target high-income neighborhoods on customized lists as 93% of these women donate to nonprofits while 87% of men also donate.

#3 – Personalize Your Marketing to Increase Donations

Nearly every business influencer and sales guru, from Dale Carnegie to today’s experts, know the power of using a person’s name. It immediately draws the reader’s attention and provides a personalized feeling to the mailer.

When you’re approaching a donor – current or new – with the reasons why they should donate to your cause, using their name can be influential.

Fortunately, with today’s digital marketing printing solutions, the cost of personalization, sometimes called variable data printing, is much more affordable, making it a must-do!

#4 – Pro Tip: Use Reply Devices

This is simply a way to make it easier for the recipient to act. A mail-back card and a pre-addressed envelope can encourage donors to include a check or complete a form to demonstrate their commitment to donate on a regular schedule.

Why is a pre-stamped, pre-addressed envelope so important? With a marked decrease in mailing (in 2000 there were 103,526,000,000+ mailed; in 2020 it was nearly half the volume, 52,624,000,000) what’s the likelihood that your recipient doesn’t have an envelope or first-class stamp?

Why take the chance that a well-meaning donor wants to give, but they have to get stationery supplies or go to the post office to do it? How many will set aside the letter with the intention of getting back to it, and then forget it? Instead, make it easy for donors to give.

#5 – How to Increase Donations – Keep in Touch with Donors

Even if you’re between donor campaigns, keep in touch with your donors to let them know how their donations have made a difference within your organization. Keeping them connected to the organization can make it easier for donors to say “Yes” to your next campaign.

This step applies to lapsed donors, too. If you’re reluctant to stay in touch, keep in mind that you don’t know why they stopped donating to your nonprofit. It may be that they lost their job – fortunately for many, this is a temporary situation. Put your nonprofit front and center when they’re ready to give again.

These 5 steps can help your nonprofit to have the best chance of increasing donations in good economic times and not-so-good times. Partnering with a direct mail campaign and print experts with nonprofit experience, like One Stop Marketing can make your campaigns easier to execute and your goals easier to achieve.

Contact us or give us a call at 602.962.9243 to find out just how committed we are to helping you hit your big goals.