"Local Presence" direct mail?

4 replies
I know a lot of people who do cold-calling will purchase local numbers to use in the area where they are calling - i.e., people are more inclined to answer their local area code than a distant or a toll-free.

I'm considering trying to do the same with direct mail when marketing in an area in which I used to live. Wondering what you all think.

My sales letter will not claim that "I'm local" - but the return address will be local, the letterhead will have the local address, and I have a local phone number for the area where I'll be marketing (everything I sell is over the phone, 99% of the time - my business is B2C - I sell insurance).

I purchased a "local address" through anytime mail box but I know there are some other companies which will allow you to get a local mailing address....

I'm trying to strike the balance of marketing well, without being unethical.

[back story, after I had moved, I sent one of my letters to the same area that has always pulled very well for me, and the campaign flopped - likely partially because my return address is now 600+ miles away]

If the prospect asks me if they can meet with me, or if I'm local, I'll let them know that I've moved out of the area but I kept a local address since I have a lot of local clients - 100% true.

Again, trying to market well without compromising.

What do you think? Go for it?

Thanks!
#direct #local presence #mail
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  • Originally Posted by sshafran View Post

    What do you think? Go for it?
    Go for it! How will you know what will happen, if you don't give it a try?
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  • Profile picture of the author jmosticc22
    I don't see anything unethical about this, the local address will help get good feedback. Plus you still have clients there, I would go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author palmtreelife
    How would you feel if you were on the flipside as the potential customer? Would you feel offended/played/had/tricked? Would you reply if the offer was good and not care where the seller was from?

    It's like the old saying goes, "if you wouldn't want it done to you, don't do it to others"

    I don't see anything wrong with your approach. Adding value to someone's life shouldn't matter where you're adding that value from.

    I'd say go for it! Good luck!
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  • Originally Posted by sshafran View Post

    I know a lot of people who do cold-calling will purchase local numbers to use in the area where they are calling - i.e., people are more inclined to answer their local area code than a distant or a toll-free.

    I'm considering trying to do the same with direct mail when marketing in an area in which I used to live. Wondering what you all think.

    My sales letter will not claim that "I'm local" - but the return address will be local, the letterhead will have the local address, and I have a local phone number for the area where I'll be marketing (everything I sell is over the phone, 99% of the time - my business is B2C - I sell insurance).

    I purchased a "local address" through anytime mail box but I know there are some other companies which will allow you to get a local mailing address....

    I'm trying to strike the balance of marketing well, without being unethical.

    [back story, after I had moved, I sent one of my letters to the same area that has always pulled very well for me, and the campaign flopped - likely partially because my return address is now 600+ miles away]

    If the prospect asks me if they can meet with me, or if I'm local, I'll let them know that I've moved out of the area but I kept a local address since I have a lot of local clients - 100% true.

    Again, trying to market well without compromising.

    What do you think? Go for it?

    Thanks!

    Buy a box at a local UPS Store. Boxes at those stores a legal physical" addresses and this statement is backed up by court decisions which have said so.
    A Post Office box is NOT a "physical" address so don't waster your money there.


    If you are to far away from one you can contact one of the stores and open the box via email and phone. You will have to provide identification docs though.
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