post cards
- Thread starter johnny altman
- Start date
Michael DeRose
New member
Not if you have the right post card and market to the right area.
Plan-It Graphics
New member
I agree with Michael. Ironically I just posted on another thread about a similar topic. I personally think the postcard design and layout hold great weight, but the special offer needs to be the most intriguing. Something needs to convince them to call YOU. However, postcards do not return the same rate as they used to. I know for my lawn care company I get 1/4 of the return that I used to(8yrs ago). I'm THRILLED with 1/2 percent return.
I can't speak for your time wasted, but I can speak of money wasted. How are you mailing them? And have you heard of the EDDM(Every Door Direct Mail) program from the USPS. It really is a good system, and I would be happy to discuss as much as I know with you if you want to contact me. But the program in a nutshell is mailing to carrier routes(don't let scare you until you have signed up on the USPS website and looked at how detailed the maps and carrier routes are) and oversized(can be a VERY big card actually, for 14.5 cents each. Really cool program.
If you want a better return, but TIME(And leg work) is going to be needed. Do door hangers!! I personally never have done them for my Lawn Care Biz because I'm a little lazy, but customers who have purchased both, have said the hangers get usually 2x the response, if not more.
I can't speak for your time wasted, but I can speak of money wasted. How are you mailing them? And have you heard of the EDDM(Every Door Direct Mail) program from the USPS. It really is a good system, and I would be happy to discuss as much as I know with you if you want to contact me. But the program in a nutshell is mailing to carrier routes(don't let scare you until you have signed up on the USPS website and looked at how detailed the maps and carrier routes are) and oversized(can be a VERY big card actually, for 14.5 cents each. Really cool program.
If you want a better return, but TIME(And leg work) is going to be needed. Do door hangers!! I personally never have done them for my Lawn Care Biz because I'm a little lazy, but customers who have purchased both, have said the hangers get usually 2x the response, if not more.
johnny altman
New member
iam thinking of trying the EDDM system next time
Doug Rucker
Roundtable Host 2009
Post Cards must be simple and then they work....
Chris Francis
Member
Doug how simple of post card are you talking.
Doug Rucker
Roundtable Host 2009
Just like your sig, but without your name....or the city and county....
Christopher
Moderator
I have heard that post cards need to be simple, like promote only one thing so that it does not distract the customer and keep their attention on the 1 service you want to promote.
I have heard from marketing professionals that you can make cards look pretty and if they don't have a good marketing message, there is no reason for them to call.
You need to have a good marketing message or it is just another postcard that will get thrown away like all the other worthless junkmail that people get every day.
That is the biggest problem I have found, how to get a good marketing message as I and most people I know are not professional marketers and our opinion of what we think will work is not what will really work out in the field unfortunately.
I have had postcards made in the past by reputable companies and they looked great but not a lot of calls from them and less jobs from those calls but now I realize it is because even though it had nice pictures and was put together nicely, there was no good marketing message on the card, in other words, no reason for them to call.
You can buy blank or generic cards or cards that supposedly work for some people and find out after spending hundreds or thousands that they were not professionally made by marketers and were just a huge waste of time and money since nobody called when you sent them out.
One way to see if something might work is hand one of them over to strangers (no friends or family because they will tell you what you want to hear, not the truth) and ask them if they would call for this product or service if they got the card in the mail and see what they say. If they hesitate, that is a no. Any answer than yes is a no and you have your answer.
I think that if you had some done by a professional marketer (not a wannabe marketer or self-proclaimed marketer or anyone else that says they can do the marketing for you), get some of them and ask people and see what kind of results you get, you might have to change the message around and do some testing until you get a good message, then it will be golden and should get you a lot of calls and work.
I have heard from marketing professionals that you can make cards look pretty and if they don't have a good marketing message, there is no reason for them to call.
You need to have a good marketing message or it is just another postcard that will get thrown away like all the other worthless junkmail that people get every day.
That is the biggest problem I have found, how to get a good marketing message as I and most people I know are not professional marketers and our opinion of what we think will work is not what will really work out in the field unfortunately.
I have had postcards made in the past by reputable companies and they looked great but not a lot of calls from them and less jobs from those calls but now I realize it is because even though it had nice pictures and was put together nicely, there was no good marketing message on the card, in other words, no reason for them to call.
You can buy blank or generic cards or cards that supposedly work for some people and find out after spending hundreds or thousands that they were not professionally made by marketers and were just a huge waste of time and money since nobody called when you sent them out.
One way to see if something might work is hand one of them over to strangers (no friends or family because they will tell you what you want to hear, not the truth) and ask them if they would call for this product or service if they got the card in the mail and see what they say. If they hesitate, that is a no. Any answer than yes is a no and you have your answer.
I think that if you had some done by a professional marketer (not a wannabe marketer or self-proclaimed marketer or anyone else that says they can do the marketing for you), get some of them and ask people and see what kind of results you get, you might have to change the message around and do some testing until you get a good message, then it will be golden and should get you a lot of calls and work.
AZ PowerWash Pros
New member
Anyone tried mailing brochures? residential or commercial wise? Just wondering I know that Keith makes them with a spot for a stamp so was wondering if you got any results from this...
johnny altman
New member
wonder how many even read them befor puting them in the trash
The Institute of marketing Says 3%
Mike V
Member
3% is fine by me so long as I determine EXACTLY where the cards go. I no longer send 10's of thousands of cards out and hope the list I am using nets some decent accounts. Refining your list to the exact areas, neighborhoods or even streets is how that 3% makes sense.
I love postcards and we have had much success with them. But everyone is right, SIMPLE and to the point with a strong call to action.
I love postcards and we have had much success with them. But everyone is right, SIMPLE and to the point with a strong call to action.
And half out of the three still get filed under g
Text me anytime for question 480-522-5227
Text me anytime for question 480-522-5227
Mike V
Member
I disagree, I think a huge percentage read them, I think a huge percentage then quickly throw them out and forget about it. But the next time, or possibly the 3rd, 4th or 5th time they get a post card (a good card with a good call to action) they might actually save it or call. That is why precision mailings are key and repetition is a must if you want to have a succesful postcard campaign.