What kind of Direct Mail Campaign could you Setup with $10K BUDGET?

I would hire a professional copywriter to create two pieces that will sell.
This way you can split test them.
Combine that will lumpy, FedEx mailing... to help with open rates.
Making sure you have a targeted list of buyers.

I would do a smaller mailing at first, to determine which piece will convert better.
Then, do a larger mailing with the better converting piece.

Another route you could go, is creating an e-book.
Becoming a published author on those subjects.

Then, mailing your e-book to the prospects on a cd/dvd. You can get them created pretty cheaply through somewhere like Kunaki.

You will stand out, and it will make the mailing piece bulky.

MrPaul I have a $10k marketing budget and Ive hear direct mail has nice ROI, but ive never done it.

1st get a copywriter. Best money is on the copy.
2nd. Split test the rest as far as postcard or lumpy mailing?

1st get a copywriter. Best money is on the copy.
2nd. Split test the rest as far as postcard or lumpy mailing?

Its depends on work and price you want to pay.

Selling commodities to businesses rarely succeeds without massive effort and investment. Try target marketing

What is your compelling, engaging Offer?

Does your offer provide a solution to a specific business problem?

If so, can you target a specific segment that commonly has this problem?

What material about your business and your websites would you provide a copywriter?

Until you have those answers I'd recommend you take your $10k and keep it in the bank for now... until you have a tested, proven business model targeting a specific category of USA businesses.

Targeting

Marketing is about finding the buyers. We talk about targeting... but what does that mean if you don't have a proven solution to offer that resonates with a specific market. That's who you target. Until you know that target market exists, you have nothing to say that grabs attention. What gets my attention? A believable solution to my most frustrating problem

First Steps: Problem > Solution > Results > Verification

If you want to build a solid profitable business you can't just sell "websites to businesses" in today's marketplace. What is your marketing message? The market for 'vanity billboard websites' has been work over thoroughly. You can make some money with them, but there are a huge number of businesses looking for optimized lead-generation websites... even if they don't know what they are.

Businesses are only interested in buying solutions to problems. Be sure you have a real solution and go find those business with the matching problem.

Choosing a vertical is probably the single best decision you could make early in the game. Preferably a niche you know a lot about. Plumbers. Electricians. Cosmetic Dentists. Horse Riding Academies.

And preferably a niche that has a lot of businesses desperate for help getting new customers... laying on the road bleeding-out-desperate.

The Compelling Offer

The offer is everything in a direct mail campaign. I've been in direct response marketing for 26 years and never start a campaign until I have done test mailings to find the best offer and headline.

You have nano-seconds to grab attention and that means a shout-it-from-the-rooftops headline with a tangible benefit that resonates with the reader.

Until you have the concept and the Offer and the Headline... you can't make an informed decision on the type of mailing or delivery vehicle that will work best. Don't get hypnotized with the appeal of lumpy mail and other attention devices and disregard the Offer and Headline. Words sell. The right words get attention and sell. I use every mailing device in the toolkit but only if it fits my offer and the target audience.

Up above someone offered postcards... these are an excellent vehicle for testing Offers and different market segments. But postcards, lumpy mail and all the rest are nothing without a great offer sent to the right list. So my advice is find that first and be sure it exists, then let loose with a creative campaign and make your $10k a good investment.

Best Regards,

Jan Gregory

P.S. Copywriting is hard work and requires some skill... but it's not voodoo. A great copywriter can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.