FREE Postcards!
Well...kinda, sorta, something like that, anyhow, lol.
I was going to use my regular postcard mailing service recently, until I found out that my cards weren't going to be sent out until almost a week later!
That wasn't going to work. I needed them sent to my prospective clients within a day or two. So, I came up with a quick, inexpensive and fairly capable method for about $10.
As I know that money or time can sometimes be tight for my fellow Warriors, thought I'd pass along the tip...
I simply headed over to my nearest office supply superstore (rhymes with Maples) and picked up a batch of non-ruled, plain White index cards. Cost: seven bucks and change for 300. I also purchased a pack of roll-on glue sticks for under $3.
Once I got home, I simply designed my postcards in Mac Pages, however, almost any word processing or paint program will allow you to do the same. I then printed them out on regular, white copy paper. After cutting the designs, I used the glue sticks to adhere them to the postcards.
Total Cost: $10.48 (tax included)
Time to Complete: About two hours to design, print, clip, paste, and prepare for mailing 50 cards
Since l sent the "homemade" postcards out about two weeks ago, I've already received (3) of them back on a ice cold mailing - no prior relationship. That's more than a 5% return!!! All using cheap, ugly, granny-esque mailers. Plus...
I still have 250 cards left over for future mailings
I was pretty surprised at how well these last minute, 'Macguyver-ed' postcards worked. Couple of things to consider...
* Although I did a good job at making them look nice, they obviously didn't appear as professional or polished as real postcards would've. However, I STRONGLY believe this worked to my advantage. It came across as more personalized, white-glove & individual. Folksy. Not corporate. This is always good
* Goes to prove the theory that, if the copy and the offer is good enough, you could probably scrawl your sales pitch on a cocktail napkin and it would work just as well. Make the words shine, they're the stars of the show. Think of the offer as the plot, the idea, the premise.
* I sent these postcards in a 8.5 X 11 manilla envelope, WITH A HANDWRITTEN TO & FROM, ALONG WITH LIVE POSTAGE. Surely, this made a big difference as well. When Mr. or Mrs. Prospect sees that big, hunky envelope sitting in their box, their curiosity is peaked. "Hmmmm, what is this and who sent it to me?" They HAVE to open it. And when they do, out comes my dinky little mailing with an offer too-good-to-refuse.
So there you have it. My "How to Design, Print & Send Postcards for Under $10", tip.
Since it worked so well, I'm going to be doing the same exact thing again, very soon.
For larger quantities, I think it would be too much of a hassle. However, if the pocket's are a little flat, time is an issue and you're just looking to send 50 to 100 pieces or so, try it. The price is surely right
I was going to use my regular postcard mailing service recently, until I found out that my cards weren't going to be sent out until almost a week later!
That wasn't going to work. I needed them sent to my prospective clients within a day or two. So, I came up with a quick, inexpensive and fairly capable method for about $10.
As I know that money or time can sometimes be tight for my fellow Warriors, thought I'd pass along the tip...
I simply headed over to my nearest office supply superstore (rhymes with Maples) and picked up a batch of non-ruled, plain White index cards. Cost: seven bucks and change for 300. I also purchased a pack of roll-on glue sticks for under $3.
Once I got home, I simply designed my postcards in Mac Pages, however, almost any word processing or paint program will allow you to do the same. I then printed them out on regular, white copy paper. After cutting the designs, I used the glue sticks to adhere them to the postcards.
Total Cost: $10.48 (tax included)
Time to Complete: About two hours to design, print, clip, paste, and prepare for mailing 50 cards
Since l sent the "homemade" postcards out about two weeks ago, I've already received (3) of them back on a ice cold mailing - no prior relationship. That's more than a 5% return!!! All using cheap, ugly, granny-esque mailers. Plus...
I still have 250 cards left over for future mailings
I was pretty surprised at how well these last minute, 'Macguyver-ed' postcards worked. Couple of things to consider...
* Although I did a good job at making them look nice, they obviously didn't appear as professional or polished as real postcards would've. However, I STRONGLY believe this worked to my advantage. It came across as more personalized, white-glove & individual. Folksy. Not corporate. This is always good
* Goes to prove the theory that, if the copy and the offer is good enough, you could probably scrawl your sales pitch on a cocktail napkin and it would work just as well. Make the words shine, they're the stars of the show. Think of the offer as the plot, the idea, the premise.
* I sent these postcards in a 8.5 X 11 manilla envelope, WITH A HANDWRITTEN TO & FROM, ALONG WITH LIVE POSTAGE. Surely, this made a big difference as well. When Mr. or Mrs. Prospect sees that big, hunky envelope sitting in their box, their curiosity is peaked. "Hmmmm, what is this and who sent it to me?" They HAVE to open it. And when they do, out comes my dinky little mailing with an offer too-good-to-refuse.
So there you have it. My "How to Design, Print & Send Postcards for Under $10", tip.
Since it worked so well, I'm going to be doing the same exact thing again, very soon.
For larger quantities, I think it would be too much of a hassle. However, if the pocket's are a little flat, time is an issue and you're just looking to send 50 to 100 pieces or so, try it. The price is surely right
Deliver Bigger.