Category Archives: direct mail

5 Tips for Better Direct Mail Pieces

Want to create awesome direct mail? You must always carefully consider the list, the message, and the call to action, but other factors make a highly effective mail piece, too. These include things like the trim size, shape, and texture of the piece. Let’s look at five considerations for creating standout mail pieces.

1. Trim size. For the lowest possible postage cost, go with a standard 4″ x 6″ postcard. However, a nonstandard-sized card will stand out, and while it will cost more in postage, it is guaranteed to get noticed. It might even be the first piece they pick up. What’s that worth?

2. Weight of the stock. Consumers tend to associate the weight of the stock used in the mailing with the brand’s quality and, by extension, the marketed product. Heavier stocks command respect and attention.

3. Texture and “feel” of the paper. In a sea of smooth envelopes, mailers with textured finishes get noticed. Many options exist, from high gloss and spot varnish to specialty processes.

4. Personalized messaging. Even using someone’s name on the front of a card will engage the recipient more than a static card. This extra level of engagement might only last for a split second, but sometimes, that is all you need.

5. Colored stock. Most mailers are printed on traditional white paper. When you print on a colored stock, it grabs attention. Use knock-out type, graphics, and images on dynamic backgrounds to get your mailer to jump out of the box. If your mailbox contains a sea of white envelopes and one bright red one with a white knock-out type, which would you pick up first?

There are many ways to get your direct mailer to stand out from all of the others. Why not try something you have not tried before? You might love the results!

Heavier Weight Paper Is a Better Communicator

Are you creating a brochure? Postcard? Sales letter? When you use heavier-weight paper, it gets more attention. That attention translates into a more positive perception of your brand and, according to a study from SAPPI North America, increases the likelihood that your information will be shared with friends.

The study, conducted by the Eagleman Lab, was run by Dr. David Eagleman, a well-known neuroscientist, and director of the Baylor College of Medicine’s Laboratory for Perception and Action (as well as best-selling author and creator of PBS’ series, “The Brain”). In the study, participants read a brochure for fictitious companies on three different media: high-quality coated paper, lower-grade uncoated paper, and online. The design was similar for all three media, and the brochure for each company was randomly assigned a medium.

The results? When respondents read a marketing message on high-quality paper, they:

  • Understood the content better.
  • Were more likely to remember the content.
  • Had better impressions of the brands they read about.
  • Were more likely to recommend those brands to friends.

The study found that those results held over time, as well. Even one week later, participants still preferred the companies they read about on high-quality paper, with name recall for those brands highest by a factor of 3:1.

“Online reading is often purposeful and utilitarian, a kind of information foraging for a clear goal,” said Dr. Eagleman in a statement to Two Sides NA, which analyzes environmental and social issues related to paper and digital communication. “But paper [heavier weight paper, in particular] directs attention and working memory much differently, with a resulting increase in understanding and retention.”

Heavier-weight papers will cost more, of course, but for the right projects, the message will be better anchored in recipients’ brains and more likely to be shared with others. This will make your marketing dollars go even further.

Is heavier-weight paper right for your next project? Let’s talk!

5 Ways to Motivate Your Target Audience

Are fewer people responding to your direct mail pieces? Maybe it’s because they’ve seen the same or similar design multiple times. It could be time to try something new. Here are five simple ideas to improve your marketing and get more people interested in your offers again.

1. Mix up envelope styles.

Use the same envelope every time, and it will lose effectiveness. Change sizes. Change the color. Add a personalized message (“Special Offer Just for Bob Jones!”) or test a handwriting font.

2. Making responding easier.

In today’s digital world, reply cards are often overlooked, but they are still a highly effective way for people to respond to offers. If you aren’t using a reply form, consider adding one. Prefill it with your customer’s contact information. The fewer steps people must take, the more likely they are to respond.

3. Freshen up the content.

Are you still using last year’s wording in your marketing letters? Write a new one. Or try a new opening paragraph or a change in the level of detail. Not a great writer? Experiment with a free AI writing assistant like ChatGPT.

4. Create new offers.

Are your customers seeing the same offer over and over? Change it up! Offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee. Try a new level of discount or a BOGO offer. 

5. Add a time limit.

Time limits are potent motivators. Use a personalized message on the outside of the envelope (“Charley, offer expires in 10 days!”) or create a piece of art that looks like you’ve rubber-stamped the time limit across the top of the letter. “Joan, your offer is set to expire. Respond now!”

If you make changes, test them to see which ones are most effective. Create control groups to compare current designs or offers with the previous ones. You begin learning what motivates your audience by testing design, content, and offer changes. Then roll those things back into your next campaign and watch your results soar!

Need ideas? Give us a call!

Customers: “Give Me a (Digital) Break! Use Print!”

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Communicating with customers using formats they love makes them more likely to pay attention. When it comes to marketing materials, that means sending more print.

Over the years, there have been dozens of studies on the impact of print on human comprehension and learning. Information read in print is embedded more deeply in the brain, is more easily recalled, and is recalled more accurately. But buyers don’t love print simply because they remember things better. They love it because it makes them feel good.

For example:

  • Consumers find hard-copy versions of books, magazines, and newspapers more enjoyable than electronic alternatives.
  • Consumers see print as more relaxing to read than computer screens, e-readers, and (yes, even) smartphones.
  • Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of (and concerned about) the health effects of spending too much time on electronic devices. 

Health concerns about the over-use of digital media are growing, and that concern is increasing the “feel good” factor of traditional printed materials, whether books, magazines, or direct mail.

One study from Two Sides/Toluna found that, even several years ago, consumers were already starting to show signs of concern. The study found that consumers…

  • believed they spend too much time on electronic devices,
  • were concerned that the overuse of electronic devices could be damaging to their health, and
  • believed in the importance of “switching off” and reading more in print.

These feelings have only been amplified since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the time children spend staring at their screens up 52%. As the number of news reports on the impact of over-digitalization on our culture rises, more and more consumers ask themselves, “Am I spending too much time on my screen, too?”

The takeaway? If you love your customers, then love what they love. Digital communications have their place in the multichannel mix, but when it comes to “feeling the love,” it’s still very much about print.

What Does an Award-Winning Campaign Look Like?

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What does an award-winning marketing campaign look like? Sometimes it’s stunning imagery. Other times, it’s the application of a specific technique. Most often, however, it’s not one thing or the other. It’s how the company understands its audience and creates innovative, captivating content that is specific to that audience in a truly memorable way. Let’s look at four components of such campaigns.

1. An innovative strategy that breaks away from the traditional marketing approach. Award-winning campaigns use the “same old, same old” techniques to engage viewers in surprising ways. Think unusual folds, die-cuts, and dimensional inks and coatings. One award winner used a vertical gatefold tipped onto the cover of a magazine to catch attention. Imagine using personalized teasers in your marketing to get recipients to open a tip-on, then exposing them to a customized message underneath!

2. Captivating content that engages readers and leaves a lasting impression. Award-winning campaigns leave you thinking about them long after exposing you to the initial message.  It’s a headline you can’t stop thinking about or an image you can’t get out of your mind. For example, one award-winning book cover, Lyrics for Rock Stars, features a picture of a guitar spread out like a highway leading toward a city skyline. It tells a powerful story without a single word.

3. Knowing your audience. Award-winning marketers know their audiences. Award winners know precisely who their audiences are and how they behave—and why. An image that captivates and enthralls one audience may not captivate another. A combination of marketing channels that breaks through for one demographic may be ignored by another. Truly and profoundly knowing your audience requires more than demographics. It requires behavioral and psychographic data, as well.

4. Tracking and measuring goals and results. Award winners carefully track and monitor their results. That’s how they know what works! When you see what works, you can build on what’s effective and ditch what isn’t. This gives you the freedom to innovate and maximize your profits . . . and maybe even win an award or two along the way.

Need help designing a marketing campaign worthy of attention that gets results? Let us help!

The Power of Simple Graphic Design

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In marketing, a well-designed logo or website can differentiate between a successful campaign and one that falls flat. But what makes for good design? Often, it’s simplicity. The most straightforward designs can be the most effective. Here’s a look at how simplicity can generate trust and credibility.

The Role of Color

Color is one of the most critical elements of any design, and it can be used to great effect in simple designs. When choosing colors, it’s essential to remember both the psychological effects of color and the brand identity you’re trying to create. For example, blue is often used in designs intended to convey trustworthiness and reliability, while green is associated with growth and harmony. By carefully selecting your colors, you can create a subliminal message that resonates with your audience.

Less Is More

In general, simpler designs are more effective than complex ones. This is because they’re easier for viewers to understand at a glance. When someone sees a busy or cluttered design, their first instinct is often to look away. On the other hand, a clean and simple design is more likely to hold their attention. Simplicity also conveys confidence. A complex design can make it seem like you’re trying too hard to impress viewers. At the same time, a simple one signifies that you’re confident communicating your message without needing bells and whistles.

Repetition Works Wonders

Another way to create a simple yet effective design is to use repetition. This could mean repeating some aspects throughout the piece or reinforcing points made in the text using visuals. Repetition helps create visual stability, which in turn, makes your design more credible. Additionally, by repeating elements such as color or shape, you can create an instant sense of cohesiveness, something that viewers will subconsciously respond positively to.

When it comes to graphic design, simplicity should be your watchword. From choosing the right colors to removing clutter to tapping into the power of repetition, there are many ways to create a design that says “trustworthy” and “credible” and resonates with your audience. Keep these tips in mind the next time you sit down to brainstorm the design of your postcard, brochure, or web page!

Want Healthy Forests? Use More Paper

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Would it surprise you to learn that by using forest products (including paper), you are helping to increase the number of trees around us? Improve overall forest health? It’s not something we talk about as much as we should, but the use of paper and paper-based products has a positiveimpact on the environment. Here are three facts about paper and forests that many people don’t know:

1. Using paper-based products preserves our forestland.

More than half (58%) of the forests in the United States are privately owned. Forest products provide landowners with a revenue stream. If they didn’t, those forests would be at risk of being sold for other revenue-producing uses, such as agriculture or development. By using paper, you are protecting forests for future use.

The net forest area in the United States grew by 18 million hectares between 1990 – 2020.

2. Sustainable forestry makes forests healthier.

Many landowners (and nearly all U.S.-based paper mills) practice “sustainable forest management.” This isn’t just letting the trees grow for a while before cutting them down. This is the strategic management of the forest to maintain maximum health. Trees are carefully inspected and harvested on a cycle that promotes healthy forest growth, for example. Different species of trees are cut on a rotating basis, and trees at risk for a disease are culled. Riparian areas (waterways) are protected.

By using paper, you are not only promoting the expansion of our nation’s forests, but you are also encouraging them to be healthier.

3. Paper promotes the protection and support of wildlife.

When forests are sustainably managed, they can be controlled in ways that support different types of wildlife. For example, a forest groomed to promote lush undergrowth will attract more deer and small game. A forest groomed to have more open areas will encourage the growth of certain grasses and bushes that draw different species of birds.

By using paper, you are helping to expand the biodiversity critical to the health of forests and the planet as a whole.

When marketing with print and paper, you are doing more than providing a beautiful product that your customers trust. You are investing in the future of our planet.

5 Reasons Print Stubbornly Refuses to Be Replaced

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No matter how frequently marketing gurus prophesy the demise of print, and no matter how loudly and publicly they do it, print marketing remains the bedrock of any successful multichannel marketing program. Let’s look at five reasons why print is here to stay.

  1. It’s just prettier. It doesn’t matter how gorgeous your JPGs are; a beautifully printed piece will blow away your screen graphics every time.
  2. You can’t avoid it. When you communicate by email, recipients can’t see beyond the subject line until they open the message. With clear envelopes, windows, and exterior envelope printing, you start communicating your print message as soon as the piece arrives in the mailbox.
  3. Print is one of many touchpoints. Today’s complex marketing environment requires multiple touch points. According to the Online Marketing Institute, it takes six to eight marketing touches to generate a viable sales lead. Repetition is critical, and print is a critical channel in the mix.
  4. Print influences buying decisions. Marketers once thought that with the growth of e-commerce, printed catalogs would fade away. History indicates otherwise. Surveys find that consumers who receive printed catalogs are more likely (in one study, twice as likely) to make online purchases at the retailer’s website as those who do not.
  5. Consumers trust print more. Open your e-mail. How much junk email do you receive? Unless it comes from a known brand, people are skeptical of claims made by email alone. Print carries greater weight and authenticity than digital marketing. People continue to trust messages communicated in print.

Print remains irreplaceable in today’s “what’s in it for me?” world. While e-marketing is a necessary component in any multichannel marketing campaign, print carries benefits that online channels just can’t touch.

 

 

When Is Personal Too Personal?

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One of the benefits of 1:1 marketing is the ability to increase the relevance of each communication by making the message more personal. By using the information you already know about the recipient, you can communicate on a more intimate, 1:1 level.

But this approach can also be misused. Individuals and businesses are very protective of their privacy these days, and rightly so. Customers want to know that their data is not only safe but that the marketers they do business with won’t misuse it.

What are some first steps you can take to ensure that your customers and prospects know that you care about their privacy?

  • Include an official privacy statement in your information-gathering materials.
  • If you are collecting data, include a notice of physical and data security procedures and a promise of confidentiality.
  • When personalizing your marketing messages, don’t disclose overly personal details (“Hey, Bob! Ready to default on that sky-high mortgage?”).
  • Be transparent. Provide full details about what respondents have to do to receive any prizes or promotional items.
  • Follow all opt-in regulations, including double opt-ins for email lists and providing the option to opt-out of future marketing contacts.
  • Assure that respondents’ information will not be sold to third parties.

Privacy standards, both in print and online, are always evolving. So stay abreast of the discussion. Talk to your customers to find out any other concerns and address them. The more you can assure your customers that their personal information is safe with you and that it will be used appropriately, the more you will win their trust.

 

 

Did You Know Personalized Printing Is Green Printing?

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When you think about personalization, do you think about lower cost per lead, higher per order values, and increased ROI? You should. But you should also get excited about how personalized printing helps you go green.

Here are three reasons why:

  • Targeting means you send out fewer pieces of mail—saving trees, chemicals, and fossil fuels.
  • A cleaner database means that your recipients deliver fewer pieces right to the trash can.
  • Digital production has many green benefits, including no plates, no chemicals, and no spray powders.

Say you are a small college printing four-color catalogs to mail to prospective students. Each catalog is 252 pages, covering the full range of disciplines and activities. As a result, only 25% of the material is relevant to the prospective student. Now, instead of printing 252 pages, you print 64 pages of material relevant to each student. Not only does this increase the effectiveness of each booklet, but you’ve just reduced your consumption of paper, ink, and chemicals by 75%.

As another example, in a static mail campaign, you might send out 15,000 postcards to a generic list. With personalized mail, you are likely to select only a percentage of that list. This might be the top 10% of your customers, customers who are most likely to purchase certain products or customers who, based on defined triggers (such as an expiring auto lease), are most likely to be in the market for a new purchase. Now, instead of mailing 15,000 pieces, you might mail only 1,500. Not only are these offers more targeted and relevant, but you’ve just reduced your printing and mailing volume by 90%, a huge slash in your carbon footprint.

It pays to be green. Not only should you consider green alternatives because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s good business. Consumers want to do business with companies that are good stewards of the environment.

So double marketing dip