Offline marketing with an online resource

rlrlphs

15 years ago

I haven't heard anyone has success in that type of marketing.

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Corwinnx 15 years ago

Bakai,

Postcards can be extremely effective when using direct mail marketing, but...

1.) you need to used 'direct response copywriting'- call to action to DO something, call an 800#, visit your website, come into your office

2.) Need a very good 'promotion' to get them to take the action- give something away that has a high percieved value.

3.) Need to follow up.

Postcards work well because they don't have to be opened, but there is still follow up required in direct mail. This could be more mail, or a phone call or email follow up. This will depend on 'call to action' you gave them.

Warmest Regards,
Marcus
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macD231

15 years ago

I never follow this method, so can not tell you about it. Moreover I have heard nothing about it from my friends also. So you need to do a deep search about it.

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rmholla

15 years ago

The best way to know for sure is to test it yourself. Just because it did/did not work for someone else doesn't mean it would be the same for you.

Don't be afraid to jump into the water yourself, you cannot rely on the results other people are getting. Those results are a good indicator but not proof positive.

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marciayudkin

15 years ago

I was thinking of contacting some local businesses using postcards, and found this site: http://www.usps.com/createmail/welcome.htm

It is run by the USPS and it looks like it can be an easy and effective way to get your message across through snail mail, controlled completely online.

It is not actually run by the USPS. They outsource the design, printing and mailing of the postcards to two other companies.

I've used one of the USPS-recommended vendors and much prefer PostcardBuilder.com. I am not an affiliate of theirs, only a customer.

Recently I did a one-hour interview with the co-founder of PostcardBuilder.com, in which he revealed quite a number of interesting and helpful perspectives on postcard marketing. The recording is free at www.yudkin.com/postcards.htm - just fill out the opt-in box in the middle column.

Cheers,
Marcia Yudkin

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Izesta 15 years ago

I have used postcard marketing for many years and it was much more successful than letters. Gotta get the right message.

Success depends on your business, your audience, and your message.

I am doing offline marketing now. Though I am not using postcards to market my services to businesses, I do use a 3x5 postcard as my business card/leave behind card. With a slightly larger space, I can include some unique info for my prospect.

For example, on the back of my card, I have a beautiful full-color screenshot of a partial web page that fully illustrates what I do - well, almost. When people look at it, they like it and it gets them to ask questions.

Call me weird, but I do not like regular business cards. They are virtually useless. I look at some of the many I have and I do not know who the people are.

With my card, it's like no other they have and they WILL recall who I am and what I have to offer. And that is my intent.

FYI, I use Vista Print for my cards. I am an affiliate too. Vista Print works for my needs. Great pricing. Unbelievable turnaround time. The last batch of cards I ordered on a Thursday morning. They were delivered via UPS the following Tuesday. And they call that regular shipping. Vista gets everything out quickly, so do not pay extra for 2 or 3 or 7 day shipping

For what I do, the customer must do all the setup and design online, so Vista Print is merely acting as a printer. I use Snagit/Powerpoint to create my masterpieces.

One last thing. Tons of coupons online for Vista Print. Never order w/o a coupon. You can always find a coupon at Bradsdeals.com. But their coupons are everywhere online. Usually at least 50% off, sometimes 60% off.

They also have a service like the OP mentioned where they will print and mail to your list. Never used it.

Go to vistaprint.com.

Good luck.
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dmail333

15 years ago

I use their post card service for Real Estate investiing and it worked very well for me at the time [about 2 years ago] Don't know if that'll help you. Test Test Test is the answer

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Maria Gudelis

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Bakai

I was thinking of contacting some local businesses using postcards, and found this site: http://www.usps.com/createmail/welcome.htm

It is run by the USPS and it looks like it can be an easy and effective way to get your message across through snail mail, controlled completely online.

This might be an effective way to make initial contact with small companies for selling websites (what I'm doing) or offering SEO/consulting.

Anyone have any experience using postcards for this type of marketing?

Bakai - you've stumbled upon the 'closey guarded secrets' of how we can make alot of $$ with offline clients!

I've used this (vistaprint to usps integration) very effectively in my marketing campaigns that made me well over 6 figures with!

I've also negotiated with a printer in Peru that does marketing collateral for companies like Porshe and she prints postcards for me at 1/10th of the price including shipping to the U.S.! (I used this with one of my bank clients -

step 1 - send oversized postcards to local businesses
step 2 - directed traffic to get them to go to a webpage to sign up for webinar
step 3- give webinar

step 4 - make money!

(in the example above, 400 businesses signe up for the webinar!)

I'll shoot over a f.ree copy of my "offline postcard profits" I've had done Since march for fellow warriors...even have testimonials for it too .... but just never launched it with all the other stuff I had going on and consider it a "ANCHOR" to my business for marketing.... didn't want to flood ya with WSO's!

Simply one of the best tactics out there and you can also use a 'twist ' to the marketing witih postcards as well - use an adtoon on the front - higher conversion rates - I've split tested it!

or if not an adtoon - put a picture of your smiling face somewhere on the front of postcard - higher conversion rates!

then bring them back to a free offer - free website repair, free workshop valued at $297, free one hour consultation or free "profit analysis for your business you can implement today!" worth over $297

Cheers and enjoy - watch for my pm...

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Izesta

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Maria Gudelis

Bakai - you've stumbled upon the 'closey guarded secrets' of how we can make alot of $$ with offline clients!

I've used this (vistaprint to usps integration) very effectively in my marketing campaigns that made me well over 6 figures with!

I've also negotiated with a printer in Peru that does marketing collateral for companies like Porshe and she prints postcards for me at 1/10th of the price including shipping to the U.S.! (I used this with one of my bank clients -

step 1 - send oversized postcards to local businesses
step 2 - directed traffic to get them to go to a webpage to sign up for webinar
step 3- give webinar

step 4 - make money!

(in the example above, 400 businesses signe up for the webinar!)

I'll shoot over a f.ree copy of my "offline postcard profits" I've had done Since march for fellow warriors...even have testimonials for it too .... but just never launched it with all the other stuff I had going on and consider it a "ANCHOR" to my business for marketing.... didn't want to flood ya with WSO's!

Simply one of the best tactics out there and you can also use a 'twist ' to the marketing witih postcards as well - use an adtoon on the front - higher conversion rates - I've split tested it!

or if not an adtoon - put a picture of your smiling face somewhere on the front of postcard - higher conversion rates!

then bring them back to a free offer - free website repair, free workshop valued at $297, free one hour consultation or free "profit analysis for your business you can implement today!" worth over $297

Cheers and enjoy - watch for my pm...

Great stuff Maria. Do you recall how many cards you sent for the 400 sign-ups? How targeted was the mailing?

Sounds like something I will put in my arsenal. Thanks.

Thanks
1 reply

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Maria Gudelis

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Izesta

Great stuff Maria. Do you recall how many cards you sent for the 400 sign-ups? How targeted was the mailing?

Sounds like something I will put in my arsenal. Thanks.

Hey there - that campaign got a 2.7% response rate - mailing was targeted to businesses in Nevada. No real qualifying of the business.

Cheers, Maria

ps - i use another twist to the postcards alot of people don't use - I use them to not just mail - but as biz cards too! think about it- who else remembers the hundreds of cards you get at a networking event...who would remember your postcard!

AND...a great way to follow up via phone to a 'warm lead" - Hi, my name is Maria Gudelis, we meet at last nights/weeks xyz event. I was the one with the postcard that had _______ on it.....

Thanks
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Izesta

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Maria Gudelis

Hey there - that campaign got a 2.7% response rate - mailing was targeted to businesses in Nevada. No real qualifying of the business.

Cheers, Maria

ps - i use another twist to the postcards alot of people don't use - I use them to not just mail - but as biz cards too! think about it- who else remembers the hundreds of cards you get at a networking event...who would remember your postcard!

AND...a great way to follow up via phone to a 'warm lead" - Hi, my name is Maria Gudelis, we meet at last nights/weeks xyz event. I was the one with the postcard that had _______ on it.....

Thanks for responding Maria. Those numbers give me an idea as to what to expect.

Postcards as biz cards are the best. I mentioned above that I use postcards as biz cards. Something I have done for years. And in the offline business, it works even better.

Thanks
1 reply

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Izesta 15 years ago

For anyone still looking to see a postcard used to market offline services, here is one I saw online:

http://www.toprankedwebsites.net/newred101.pdf

I didn't see the back side but I think there is something on it about doing a free video for the biz owner.

This "editorial" style tends to fare pretty well.
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- cscarpero 15 years ago
  
  SendOutCards.com is better and cheaper for this type of thing.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  I'm an online marketer and mortgage loan officer.
  
  Connect with me at www.Scarpero.com
  
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  Jillian Slack 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by cscarpero
  
  SendOutCards.com is better and cheaper for this type of thing.
  
  The problem with SendOutCards is that they are odd-looking. At least they are odd-looking in my opinion.
  
  The ones I have received from local businesses appear to have come from out of the state, even though I know the business sending the card to me is here in town.
  
  Yes, I understand that they are printed somewhere else and mailed.
  
  But it really loses the personal touch to get something from out of state.
  
  Also, the cards I've received have been printed in an odd font that was hard to read.
  
  Jill
  
  Thanks
  
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Izesta 15 years ago

[quote=Maria Gudelis;

I'll shoot over a f.ree copy of my "offline postcard profits" I've had done Since march for fellow warriors...even have testimonials for it too .... but just never launched it with all the other stuff I had going on and consider it a "ANCHOR" to my business for marketing.... didn't want to flood ya with WSO's!

......................
Cheers and enjoy - watch for my pm...[/quote]

Maria, I forgot to mention I would love to see your "offline postcard profits" - if you don't mind. Sure sounds like a winning WSO to me.

Thanks.
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Bakai

15 years ago

Thanks Maria,

That is the kind of info I was looking for. I do not want to offer a webinar but maybe some other less involved service.

Mike

Originally Posted by Maria Gudelis

Bakai - you've stumbled upon the 'closey guarded secrets' of how we can make alot of $$ with offline clients!

I've used this (vistaprint to usps integration) very effectively in my marketing campaigns that made me well over 6 figures with!

I've also negotiated with a printer in Peru that does marketing collateral for companies like Porshe and she prints postcards for me at 1/10th of the price including shipping to the U.S.! (I used this with one of my bank clients -

step 1 - send oversized postcards to local businesses
step 2 - directed traffic to get them to go to a webpage to sign up for webinar
step 3- give webinar

step 4 - make money!

(in the example above, 400 businesses signe up for the webinar!)

I'll shoot over a f.ree copy of my "offline postcard profits" I've had done Since march for fellow warriors...even have testimonials for it too .... but just never launched it with all the other stuff I had going on and consider it a "ANCHOR" to my business for marketing.... didn't want to flood ya with WSO's!

Simply one of the best tactics out there and you can also use a 'twist ' to the marketing witih postcards as well - use an adtoon on the front - higher conversion rates - I've split tested it!

or if not an adtoon - put a picture of your smiling face somewhere on the front of postcard - higher conversion rates!

then bring them back to a free offer - free website repair, free workshop valued at $297, free one hour consultation or free "profit analysis for your business you can implement today!" worth over $297

Cheers and enjoy - watch for my pm...

Thanks

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Anthony J Namata

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Maria Gudelis

Bakai - you've stumbled upon the 'closey guarded secrets' of how we can make alot of $$ with offline clients!

I've used this (vistaprint to usps integration) very effectively in my marketing campaigns that made me well over 6 figures with!

I've also negotiated with a printer in Peru that does marketing collateral for companies like Porshe and she prints postcards for me at 1/10th of the price including shipping to the U.S.! (I used this with one of my bank clients -

step 1 - send oversized postcards to local businesses
step 2 - directed traffic to get them to go to a webpage to sign up for webinar
step 3- give webinar

step 4 - make money!

(in the example above, 400 businesses signe up for the webinar!)

I'll shoot over a f.ree copy of my "offline postcard profits" I've had done Since march for fellow warriors...even have testimonials for it too .... but just never launched it with all the other stuff I had going on and consider it a "ANCHOR" to my business for marketing.... didn't want to flood ya with WSO's!

Simply one of the best tactics out there and you can also use a 'twist ' to the marketing witih postcards as well - use an adtoon on the front - higher conversion rates - I've split tested it!

or if not an adtoon - put a picture of your smiling face somewhere on the front of postcard - higher conversion rates!

then bring them back to a free offer - free website repair, free workshop valued at $297, free one hour consultation or free "profit analysis for your business you can implement today!" worth over $297

Cheers and enjoy - watch for my pm...

Maria,

I'm gonna need that Peru contact of yours, if you don't mind, please? Offline is where it's at. Most IMs just don't know it yet (or something).

Anthony

Anthony

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Preben Frenning

15 years ago

For the highest response rate, I would send out letters instead. Preferably having someone to manually write the address on it, and a letter written in a personal style, informing them that you will call them next week or something, as well as they can call you any time.

For getting signups, the postcard method might work extremely well.
It all depends on how you like to get your customers.

For an even CRAZIER response rate, add a chocolate or something to the letter. It might be more expensive, but it shows them you are dead serious, and they will definitely remember you

P.S. I would love a copy of your postcard WSO Maria. There's always something new to learn, and I like the idea =)

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JohnMcCabe 15 years ago

I just pulled a postcard from my swipe file that I know worked quite well for the sender...

The front was a picture of a guy with his sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, looking a little frazzled.

The back had the address block on one side, the offer on the other. The offer was a list of three white paper titles with check boxes. The call to action was to mark which reports the receiver wanted and fax the card back to the sender.

I've seen the same approach in a book (Perry Marshall's white paper course?), and the follow-up call references the prospect's selections. By choosing one or more of the reports, the prospect identified a potential hot button issue. The follow up call was low key, told the prospect the report was on its way, and did a quick Columbo.

'I'm sending you the report you asked for on [subject] today. What are you using [product class] for? How's that going for you?'

If the prospect opened up with an issue, the sender could offer advice or pinpoint specific sections of the report. The report itself had a strong call to action.
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JonTuckerUSA

15 years ago

I just tried click2mail (USPS's outsourced solution) and also PostCardBuilder.com. I found postcardbuilder to be a million times easier to use...maybe it's just my computer, but click2mail wouldn't work, took awhile to get to the pricing page, etc.

Any other tools anyone can suggest for this? I plan to use this and will be figuring out which tool to move forward with.

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Rob Canyon

15 years ago

Bakai,

I have to agree with Maria. Not sure what you're selling but hopefully
it has a healthy price point attached to it.

Yep, Offline sales letter still work... Drop 1,000 in the mail and presto.

The phone starts ringing one or two days later.

Give it a try, but don't bet the farm.

You'll get results, but you'll want to tweak to improve conversions.

Rob

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jhollar

15 years ago

Hi Maria,

Would love to get a copy of your offline postcard profits as well.....am doing a lot of postcard marketing, so its always good to learn about new techniques to improve response rates..

Ron

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sikaz

15 years ago

I've not used postcards before,but l think l would want to try this some time soon.

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SeanSupplee

15 years ago

Very successful But what I use it for is for members who sign up to my site. This gives your company or web site a little over the top from all the others. Joining a site for some report is great but when you get a little something though snail mail welcoming you to the system it gives that person a little extra comfort in that this company is serious!

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marciayudkin

15 years ago

The problem with SendOutCards is that they are odd-looking. At least they are odd-looking in my opinion.

Also, the cards I've received have been printed in an odd font that was hard to read.

I agree with Jill. I have had a bad impression of every single SendOutCards item I've received. They use a handwriting font that they tell their customers passes for real handwriting. To the recipient, it just looks fake and pathetic. Sorry to have to say this!

The out-of-state postmark is another valid point!

Marcia Yudkin

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Bennette 15 years ago

Hi Maria,

It's one of your students here. Do you mind extending the offer and sending me a PM with a copy of your offline postcard profits?

Thanks

Bennette
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Preben Frenning

15 years ago

Originally Posted by SeanSupplee

Very successful But what I use it for is for members who sign up to my site. This gives your company or web site a little over the top from all the others. Joining a site for some report is great but when you get a little something though snail mail welcoming you to the system it gives that person a little extra comfort in that this company is serious!

That's a great tip! Getting them to sign up using postcards and other advertising platforms, then sending them a real snailmail letter, written in a personal way! Awesome!

At least I would be happy if I got a *good* free report and a personal letter

(If I was a customer that is!)

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Offline marketing with an online resource

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