Filed under: Business, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design | Tags: Direct Marketing, Variable Data, Marketing Campaign, print and direct mail, print to mail solutions, printing facilities, direct mail, direct mail data, direct mail printing companies, variable printing data print mail, direct mail printing, print to mail, variable data marketing, direct mail print, variable data mailing, direct mail marketing, print and mail services, Timesaving Techniques, Business Function, daily tasks
This is a perfect time to take stock of your company’s marketing program, so take a look at your recent advertisements, direct mail pieces, business cards, and any other relevant materials. Do the materials work well together? Do they present a consistent, reliable image to clients? Do the graphics and color schemes carry a similar theme?
If the answer is yes, then your company is ahead in the game. Image consistency is a key factor in the success or failure of any successful marketing campaign. If current and potential customers are presented with messages that carry a similar theme in both content and imagery, they will be much more receptive to the message your company wants to get across. If the images and content clash with and contradict each other, the result is confused, frustrated clients who have no clear idea what your company is all about.
Developing a marketing approach for the whole year allows your business to present a unified message and image to potential as well as current customers. This is a key part of creating a brand, and there are four proven steps to making a brand stick:
Step 1: Decide on a Personality – What is the personality or attitude of your business? Conservative and solid? Fun and outgoing? How do you differ from the competition? Find one quality or selling point and emphasize it.
Step 2: Create a Professional Image – Whatever you do, make sure that the image your business is projecting is professional and attractive. A professional look comes in all sizes, shapes, and budgets.
Step 3: Stick with the Image and Use It Everywhere – Vigilantly promote the brand at every opportunity. Make it a part of the business culture, voice mail, internet domain, letterheads, and any other communications used by your company.
Step 4: Have Patience – Developing a strong brand doesn’t happen overnight, but it carries with it huge rewards. The more the brand is used and the longer it is out there, the more customers it will attract.
If you find yourself scratching your head and wondering what your company’s image is while you look at your marketing materials, MPI can help you find the perfect solution to getting a better return on your marketing investment. Give us a call and talk with our branding experts today!
Filed under: Business, Direct Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Variable Data Printing | Tags: direct mail, direct mail data, direct mail marketing, direct mail print, direct mail print and mail, direct mail printers, direct mail printing, direct mail printing companies, direct mail variable data, Direct Marketing, direct marketing printing and mail, mail, Mail Marketing Basics, mail out printing, mail print, mail print manager, mail prints, Marketing Campaign, Print Advertising, print and direct mail, print and mail services, Print Marketing, print to mail solutions, printing facilities, Variable Data, variable data direct mail, variable data mail, variable data mailing, variable data mailings, variable data marketing, variable data print, variable data printers, Variable Data Printing, variable direct print, variable print marketing, variable printing, variable printing data print mail, VDP, web to print
One of the most effective marketing tools is direct mail. Grabbing people’s attention and making your brand memorable is not as easy as it used to be. Today, consumers are inundated with a plethora of advertisements and special offers. Direct mail has an advantage over other types of media because it is more personal and can involve the reader. Here are the who, what, when, where, and why of direct mail.
1. Who should you mail to?
Mail to your current customers. You can also buy lists of prospective customers and mail to them. Mail to anyone you think might use or could use your product or service.
2. What should you mail?
The great thing about direct mail is that you can send just about anything you want. Try to use a variety of mailing such as letters, postcards, brochures, and free samples.
3. When should you mail?
Send something to your customers whenever you can. Use mail to promote an upcoming event, sale, or new product line. Send postcards to loyal customers advertising your private sale. You can also send birthday and anniversary cards for a special touch.
4. Where do you send mail?
Again, send mail to all current and prospective customers. You should also consider sending your mailings to other businesses that might be able to use your products or services. If there is demand for your business in other states, consider branching out. You could send your mailings nationwide, or even internationally. Adjust accordingly as your business grows.
5. Why send mail?
Mail marketing is extremely effective when done right. Mail is addressed to a specific individual and can be customized to each person. When you send mail, you always get at least a brief moment of that person’s attention as they flip through their mail. Incorporate great design and copy to keep them reading and make the sale!
