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

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?

saturation mailing lists woman checking mail arriving homeFirst, 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 lists mailboxesSaturation 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?

saturation mailing lists woman opening seeing her mail in front of mailboxThe 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.

 

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Acquiring major donors with direct mail

How to Use Direct Mail Fundraising Campaigns to Acquire New Donors

Nonprofit fundraising campaigns help new and current donors understand the good you do and gain supporters for your work. When a donor holds something in their hand automatically creates more of a connection than seeing an ad online or getting an email. Create a direct mail piece that resonates with people and makes them the hero of the story! Here are some tips for using direct mail fundraising campaigns to acquire new donors.

5 Tips for Direct Mail Fundraising Campaigns

Direct Mail Fundraising Tip #1 – Start With Great Copy

direct mail fundraising woman reading a letterOnce you catch the eye of your potential donors, draw them in with a copy that evokes an emotional response. Start with a greeting, build rapport for your organization, make a case for a donation, and then offer them a way to donate.

To be the most persuasive consider the emotional pain or pressure points of your audience. Your story must resonate with your donor, which can be achieved by being honest, passionate, and direct. Tell them something they don’t already know about your company and ask the questions your donor will ask – “Why should I care about this? How can I help?”.

Consider adding an image that backs up the message. Make it clear that the donor can be the hero of the story! Address the impact that a donation from one person can have.

Direct Mail Fundraising Tip #2 – Use Targeted Lists

Not getting the results you’d like to see, or not sure how to collate a mailing list? One Stop Mail has a team dedicated to creating custom lists with targeted demographics. We have a strong knowledge of the non-profit industry and can help with list segmentation, data management, and appeals.

Some ways in which we can help:

  • Identify the type of donor and audience that your mailing needs to attract.
  • Finding new donors within your targeted area or demographic.
  • Data segmentation through coding to help you keep track of your giving history and levels.
  • Remove non-responsive recipients from the active list.
  • Adding new donors for follow-up collateral.

Whether you’d like a new list or an upgrade to one that’s not performing to your needs, One Stop Mail has you covered.

Learn more about our Targeted List Services.

smiling man with envelope direct mail fundraisingDirect Mail Fundraising Tip #3 – Personalized Mail

Don’t just send out any old direct mail! With modern print technology, it’s easy to personalize the name of the recipient, portions of your message, giving history, and the call-to-action to speak directly to the potential donor.

Direct Mail Fundraising Tip #4 – Upgrade Your Mail Package

There are many additional tools we can offer to make your direct mail fundraising campaign as effective as possible.

We have in-house graphic designers that can create unique materials that won’t get tossed. This unique touch helps get cost-effective results from the mail you send. We’ll work with you to create a mail piece that:

  • Stands out
  • Has a clear and strong call to action
  • Meets postal regulations

Above all, your piece should be easy to read and easy to respond to!

We have the following capabilities to execute any giving campaign plan and design, including:

  • Customizing the classic direct mail elements – letters, lift notes, inserts, brochures, reply forms, and even the reply envelopes.
  • Variable data letters of all sizes including perforation.
  • Including a #10 window or regular 4-color envelope.

Keep in mind that if you have a unique design but use the cheapest materials or packaging, your direct mail might be tossed anyway. Consider upgrading your mail package by using nicer envelopes, thicker or matte card stock, embossing or foiling, or other methods of showing off a high-quality piece.

Direct Mail Fundraising Tip #5 – Use Reply Devices

direct mail fundraising woman posting a letterWhat’s a reply device? This essential piece of fundraising campaigns can also be known as a reply slip, response form, or gift form. By including a pre-addressed reply device with your mailer, you’re making it as easy as possible for donors to return a gift in the mail.

Remember to:

  • Make the donation information clear.
  • Leave plenty of space for donors to write.
  • Include your organization name and address, just in case the reply device and reply envelope get separated.
  • Our variable data team can customize form fields and amounts that are curated for the mail recipient

Get In Touch

We hope these tips are useful for you to begin using direct mail fundraising campaigns to acquire new donors.

At One Stop Mail, we have the knowledge and expertise to help create or improve your direct mail fundraising campaign. We understand the donation process and can help by providing personalized messages and the recipient’s giving history data to each segment of your donor list.

Learn more about our options for direct mail fundraising campaigns

Call us at – (602) 223-3003 or request a quote online!

 

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direct mail marketing envelopes

Direct Mail Marketing Envelopes

The magical potion that Alice in Wonderland consumes to begin the once-in-a-lifetime adventure said, “Drink me.” As the magical potion, your marketing offer can start a life-changing journey for your customer. That’s why your direct mail marketing envelopes should say, “Open me.”

Arguably, envelopes are the most overlooked direct mail marketing element – yet they play a pivotal role. Your envelope can say, “fun,” “mystery,” ”sophistication,” and can pique a viewer’s interest. Here’s how to leverage their unmistakable allure –

DIRECT MAIL MARKETING ENVELOPES Girl with envelopes in background Tactic #1 – Size Matters

When most folks think about envelopes, their minds turn to a plain, white business-size envelope with or without the cellophane window, typically used to send invoices. These types of envelopes DO NOT say, “Open Me!”

In terms of direct mail sizes, use atypical large envelope sizes. Larger envelopes get a better response rate than postcards and standard-sized envelopes. Because they attract attention and sometimes create curiosity, oversized envelopes have the greatest response rate with 6.6, with postcards getting a respectable response rate of 5.7%. The average email click-through rate is about 2.6%.

If you use a large envelope, your mailer must fit the larger size, otherwise, it creates an unfavorable impression of your business. And larger or oddly shaped envelopes cost more to mail. If oversized mailers and envelopes don’t align with your brand or budget, consider using 9X12 envelopes to stand out.

 

Tactic #2 – Mesmerize with Color

White envelopes are boring. Try using an eye-catching color or a color that matches your brand. Colored envelopes are 20% more likely to be opened than white envelopes.

You can even use color on your envelope marketing to create a mood. Not only does color stand out in the mailbox, but you have the opportunity to influence how your customers and prospects respond to your direct mail marketing envelope:

  • Red – Conveys excitement – often used for limited-time sales
  • Green – Calmness, nature, growth – can inspire trust
  • Blue – Experience, strength – offers a sense of security

Keep in mind that dark colors make logos and printing more difficult to read – stick with lighter colors.

#3 – Ignite Action with Offers

DIRECT MAIL MARKETING ENVELOPES hands holding yellow envelopeThe face and back of an envelope are useful for more than addresses and postmarks. Create an added incentive to open your envelope by adding an intriguing line on the outside of the envelope, like:

  • Hurry! Limited Time Offer Enclosed
  • You’re one of a few to get this special offer.
  • This preview is just for you …

Entice customers and prospects with a few choice words that generate excitement and ignite curiosity to get your envelope opened!

You can also ignite action using envelopes with QR codes. This strategy combines online and offline marketing and helps to drive traffic to your website. An appealing offer paired with a QR code can get customers to engage before they even open the envelope! And don’t forget to include a powerful call to action on your direct mail envelopes.

#4 – Create Curiosity

 Guy holding an envelopeThe examples above definitely create curiosity about what’s in the envelope – but you can also do that with other elements, including:

  • Clever graphics and images
  • Make it look like a personally addressed envelope
  • Tease, tease, tease

The last item is about creating fun, even flirty relationships between your brand and your customer. You could include a short teaser that hints that there’s something fun inside.  Here are some of the best direct mail envelope teasers:

  • You’ll love what’s inside…
  • Excitement awaits…
  • Can you stand not knowing what’s inside?
  • Shhh! It’s a Secret >>

Of course, the tactics have to fit your brand, so if you are an investment firm you may want to be more professional in your approach.

Tactic #5: Engage the Direct Mail Marketing Experts

DIRECT MAIL MARKETING ENVELOPES Colourful EnvelopesIf you don’t want to spend time and money on costly re-dos, hiring direct mail professionals can save you time and money. Seasoned pros can tell you techniques for direct mail envelopes that work, suggest cost-saving hacks that still get results, and make recommendations for ongoing campaigns that pay off year after year.

Although technology has made direct mail marketing more affordable, who wants to spend more when they don’t have to? When you rely on a direct mail marketing professional, you can spend your time doing what you do best – running your business.

Engage a direct mail marketing firm with more than 20-years of expertise, like One Stop Mail for creative marketing envelopes and profitable direct mail marketing campaigns.

With list experts, graphic designers, writers, printers, and more on staff, the One Stop Mail team can take your campaign from conception to distribution.

Get a quote online or contact us at (602) 223-3003.

 

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How to Create an Effective HVAC Direct Mail Marketing Campaign in 5 Easy Steps

Businesses that rely on local, in-person customers—like HVAC companies—can greatly benefit from running a direct mail marketing campaign to reach more people. Direct mail marketing campaigns gather regional data to contact prospective customers by mail. HVAC HVAC Direct Mail Marketing OneStop Mail blog repair technician working on AC unti outside webdirect mail marketing can introduce a company to many more clients all at once, and at a fraction of the cost of digital marketing.

Direct mail is one of the most cost-effective marketing options out there for companies by offering a significantly higher response rate (up to 10x!) than digital marketing.

When working with a direct mail partner like One Stop Mail, HVAC companies have experience and resources on their side to target ideal customers, create eye-catching mailers and make a big enough impression to draw clients in.

If you’re thinking about running a direct mail marketing campaign, follow these five easy steps to get it underway.

1. Get the Right Mailing List

Getting the right mailing list is key to a successful direct marketing campaign. There are several ways to gather a mailing list.

An excellent base for a mailing list is current and previous customers. However, if you are looking to drive new introductions with your campaign, this may offer limited options.

You can buy or rent lists from list compilers and brokers. They make lists that are easy to revise based on particular industries. By providing a customer profile based on your current customer list, you can show them exactly what kind of customer you’d like more of.

Another option to consider is every door direct mail (EDDM). Working with the USPS to get mailing route information, you can have access to large geographic swathes of potential customers. The only thing they have in common is living near each other, but for local HVAC companies supplying a general product or service that virtually everyone needs at some point, this can be enough to start building contacts.

2. Design Your Mailer Intelligently

One Stop Mail Blog colorful envelops webBoth the content and the design of your mailer matter when it comes to getting noticed in someone’s mailbox. There are many ways to make direct mail intriguing enough to deserve a second glance, such as specialty envelopes or tapping into some color psychology.

Postcards are a common go-to for direct mail. These are a cost-effective option for direct mail with a lot of real estate to include visual cues and information. Opting for slightly larger postcards can get you more space without a significant increase in cost.

Incorporating digital elements into postcards, like QR codes or scannable coupons, is a simple, effective way to take the recipient to a next step.

3. Make an Impression

In marketing, an “impression” is each time potential customers come in contact with your brand. Industry wisdom says it usually requires around seven impressions before someone truly recognizes a brand.

Each time your mailer ends up in the hands of a potential customer, you can make a new impression. By building on design, incorporate information that will help them remember who you are. Snappy slogans or directions framed as, “Find us right next to the Dunkin’ on Main,” can start to build connections for the customer.

4. Utilize Tripwires in Your HVAC Direct Mail Marketing

One Stop Mail HVAC Direct Mail Marketing team strategizing with charts and graphs webThe goal of HVAC direct mail marketing is not always to make a huge profit. Typically, it is a way to extend a business service to new customers. By offering a low-cost service, such as HVAC inspection, and leaning on a discounted promotion, you can connect with new customers, let them see the type of work you do, and hopefully add them to your client list for higher-priced projects.

This is known as a “tripwire.” Price items and services at can’t-resist low costs. Provide something convenient and desirable that clients may have been skimping on until they found the right price.

5. Learn Something

You can’t think of a direct marketing campaign only in terms of the number of dollars it fetches in precise response to this single wave of your marketing strategy. Instead, think of your direct marketing campaign as one of the best options for market research.

Strengthen your mailing list by seeing which neighborhoods responded best to your campaign. Any returned addresses can be removed from your list to streamline your targets and save money on the next wave of the campaign.

Work with One Stop Mail on Your HVAC Direct Mail Marketing

If you’re ready to take on the direct marketing world to enhance brand recognition and introduce yourself to more customers, work with One Stop Mail on your HVAC direct marketing campaign.

With almost 40 years in the direct mail and print services industry, One Stop Mail has the knowledge and experience to support your direct marketing campaigns. Our wide variety of services include mailing list, data service, print, and graphic design, offset, digital printing services, direct mail service, and easy fulfillment. We are truly your one-stop direct mail service!

To expand your customer base, request a quote from One Stop Mail. We can offer you information about how to get started and what your best options might be. Reach out to us today at [email protected] or (602) 233-3003.

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Using Direct Mail Campaigns to Increase Donations

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?

How to increase donations senior in blue shirt with envelopes in hands#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.

How to increase donations personalized envelope web 1#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. 

How to increase donations opening a thank you note web#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. 

OSM Top 7 Direct Mail Statistics

Top 7 Direct Mail Statistics You Can Use

With the business world about to enter into the last quarter of the year, it is a good time to take stock of direct mail’s effectiveness in 2017 so far. Although the volume of direct mail went down last year, direct mail garnered a larger percentage of all mail. With technology and other tools to improve the timing of direct mail, this year’s statistics have shown that direct mail is not only still relevant in the marketing world, but that it is, in fact, one of the most successful channels available to marketers. Here are the top direct mail statistics you can use for this year.

#1 Direct Mail Statistics You Can Use – Household Response Rates Are at 5.1%

Yes, that decimal is in the right spot. According to compu-mail, direct mail has earned the highest response rate, with email and paid search at .6%, social media at .4%, and online display at .2%. Part of the reason why response rates are so high with direct mail is an increase in tools and information through technology that has enabled well-timed and personalized direct mail marketing campaigns.

OSM Mailboxes mathyas kurmann fb7yNPbT0l8 unsplash direct mail statistics you can use77% of People Sort Through Their Mail

Many marketers are finding it difficult to get prospects to open emails. I personally usually delete without even looking any extraneous emails and promotions. It has just become routine, which is unfortunate for marketers, for I can only imagine how many other people are like me. Average open rates are typically below 20% in comparison to mail. I for one always sort through my mail, and when I see something that stands out, I usually take a few seconds to see what it is, which bodes well for direct mail.

Every $167 Spent On Direct Mail Resulted in $2,095 Of Sold Goods

I believe that ROI speaks for itself, but one must ask what industries reaped the most benefit from direct mail. The largest users of direct mail include companies that offer financial services and also consumer packaged goods. With print still playing such a large role in marketing, coupled with cost-effective green methods of print, one can only imagine that direct mail will still be a major component of marketing campaigns going forward.

98% of Consumers Bring Their Mail In The Day It’s Delivered

Many are concerned that after putting all of the effort to create a personalized direct mail piece that it will just end up in the trash with the rest of the junk mail. If it does, it is probably not due to a diminishing trend in the public’s responsiveness to direct mail, but rather the direct mail piece itself missing the mark. As the direct mail statistics you can use from the U.S. Postal Service exemplifies, whatever you send out will get eyes on it. Whatever happens after will, for the most part, be within your power to control.

Customer Response Rates Increased Year-Over-Year by 48%

Companies who have never thought of using direct mail would be smart to start considering using it as one of their marketing channels. Not only did customer response rates increased, but prospective response rates more than doubled with a reported 190% increase. As noted by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), this is in part due to the “pairing of mailings with digital intelligence. “

Adding A Person’s Name and Color Can Boost Response Rates By 135%

We have discussed the importance of personalization time and time again, and if for some reason you didn’t believe it before, then perhaps this statistic can lend some credence to this idea. Personalization, particularly with the introduction of variable data printing, is now within reach of most budgets. And in turn, can improve your ROI, and make the money you spend go a greater distance.

Print Is 43% Less Annoying than the Internet

Bottom line, we all hate spam. I for one get irritated when advertising videos start on websites yet it is nearly impossible for me to find it to shut it off. Many of us have become blind and aggressively against online advertising in many ways. That is why direct mail is refreshing to most since it is usually personalized, relevant, and recognized as something that took a lot of effort on the part of the company sending it. This makes the consumer feel important and valued, which at the end of the day, is just good marketing.

When it comes time to rely on direct mail experts, don’t leave it to chance. Go with an organization with vast experience and diverse mail services so you can be sure that your goals are taken seriously. One Stop Mail’s mail and list services will target the audience that will respond to your specific offer. Learn more by calling 602.932.7984 or send a request and we’ll be ready to help.

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Making Data-Driven Decisions To Improve Your Direct Mail Campaigns

The best way to improve the results of your direct mail campaigns starts with your data. It is important to have a system in place to monitor your direct mail results so that you can make more informed decisions later down the line. Whether this is about what copy works best or what color schemes are the most effective, data can help you change your direct mail game.

Audience Segmentation

Though it may seem like a no-brainer, one of the most useful things to help inform your direct mail campaign is information about your customers.

It is crucial to have lots of data on your customers, such as name, age, profession, and other metrics so that you can not only personalize but also see how certain groups respond to your direct mail campaigns. This is called audience segmentation, and its purpose is to not only give you more data to target specific groups of individuals more effectively but allow you to monitor certain groups behaviors so that you can improve the performance of future campaigns.  

Data Drives Personalization

You have probably heard it time and time again, but there is a reason why personalization is gaining ground in the marketing world. The use of data has grown over the last decade, and this has allowed companies to target their customers down to a specific individual.

Need more help? Here are some things that you can use to make your direct mail campaigns more relevant for someone is by using their name, be aware of their gender, use their purchase history to your advantage, and make an offer relevant to their location.

What Sort Of Data Should You Be Collecting?

Basically, you want to be collecting data that is going to be driving your decision making. If the data you are collecting is not doing this, then it is probably time to reconsider what data you are collecting.

Next, you have to infer what the data means and determine if you are getting your desired results. Remember, if you’re not currently getting the results you want, this could be either a misinterpretation of the data or the data is not relevant to what you are trying to accomplish.

Having a defined strategy will help to ensure you are collecting data with an accurate system. It’s important to determine what your process will be to weed out data that isn’t relevant. 

We’re Here to Help

If you’re unsure or need help with your direct mail campaign and analyzing your results, give our experts a call at (602) 233-3003 or contact us online – we’re happy to help!

 

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Data and Direct Mail: The Marketing Dynamic Duo

Direct mail remains as one of the most rewarding marketing assets available for anyone’s multichannel strategy. Marketers today now have better data to inform them on their target audience, allowing them to make their direct mail copy more impactful and well timed. This is why I am calling these two the dynamic duo, for they will be able to help you win the marketing battle with your direct mail campaign.

With Data Comes Deeper Personalization

 

Data tells us all the things we want to know about our target audience: their preferences, what they are most interested in, and where they are located. Rather than blasting out general direct mail pieces, you can now incorporate this data so that you can achieve deeper personalization and connect with people more meaningfully than ever before.  In fact, according to a JWT report, almost eight out of ten Millennials—the biggest segment of B-to-B buyers

—said print makes them feel more connected than digital.” Moreover, according to an Epsilon study, more than half of the US consumers prefer direct mail over email. It seems we have achieved a role reversal. Before, most mailboxes were cluttered, making it more difficult to stand out with direct mail. Now, as mail volume has declined and email has gone up, it has made it easier for someone to engage with a direct mail piece since it removes the delete button out of the equation.

 

Direct Mail Is More Likely to Get A Response

 

With consumer interest still high with direct mail, you can expect greater engagement with your materials as well as an increase in consumer response. Email is much easier to ignore than a piece of direct mail. Most of us would expect that people would just shred their unwanted mail or open it while standing over their kitchen trash bin. However, 70% to 80% of consumers actually open most of their mail, including the stuff they would label as “junk.” according to a 2014 poll by the DMA. But the big kicker is how direct mail is able to transcend demographics, especially with younger people who you would assume respond significantly more to digital marketing campaigns over direct mail. On the contrary,  another study found that 92% of young shoppers prefer direct mail for making purchasing decisions. By informing your copy with data, you can give these shoppers the information they want to better influence their next purchase.

 

If you haven’t heard it enough before then here it is again—print is not dead. Though we are in an ever growing digital age, this has only allowed us to make our direct mail campaigns more effective. Take advantage of the data your team gathers, and use it to help you make more impactful print advertising materials for your next multi channel marketing campaign—  sharpening the spear tip for your direct mail.