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Got My First Postcard Client

by TeamBringIt
10 replies
Hey Offliners,

well....Got my first postcard campaign, client a few days ago. I truly see the power of postcard marketing and going after high dollar niches, is all I care about.

My question is this: the client wants to see two samples and then he will decide which one he like better...I have a huge (insanely huge) amount of postcards that I collect and I have resources, to create a nice looking/responsive postcard for his business.

What If I show him the 2 samples and then he decides to be clever, and create his own postcards, based on what he saw?

I will make it clear, to him that the designs belong to me...But what if he decides to ditch my business and try it on his own?

This question, can pertain to this client and future ones as well
#client #postcard
  • Profile picture of the author jrod014
    Congrats on the new client!

    Well, he can't really use the same exact design that you provide with out your permission.

    There is really nothing stopping him on using the same concept. Look at most postcards out there. They have a headline, sub headline, image, coupons/offers etc.

    Take a look at his business and see if he is busy. If he is busy running his business, then he will have no problem having you run his postcard campaign. However, if he is on a bootstrap marketing budget, that could be a red flag.
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    • Profile picture of the author Semosnake
      Originally Posted by jrod014 View Post

      Congrats on the new client!

      Well, he can't really use the same exact design that you provide with out your permission.

      There is really nothing stopping him on using the same concept. Look at most postcards out there. They have a headline, sub headline, image, coupons/offers etc.

      Take a look at his business and see if he is busy. If he is busy running his business, then he will have no problem having you run his postcard campaign. However, if he is on a bootstrap marketing budget, that could be a red flag.

      The point about Bootstrap is spot on..
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  • Profile picture of the author Semosnake
    I personally don't think he'll do it as anyone who sees its value would be more likely to work with you for a simple fact - You represent value and they would want to keep you as a resource in future. They know that if they keep you around, they'll be more likely to get their hands on other good stuff as well. Most people do not kill the hen that lays golden eggs!
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  • Profile picture of the author lewistrio2
    Place a watermark on your samples if you are worried.

    But small business owners are buying your ideas and TIME that they don't have themselves to execute your marketing ideas. Bottom line if he does "steal your idea" it's a part of business which involves speculation type work. Learn to deal with it.
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  • Profile picture of the author eClicker
    It happens I don't think there is anything you can do about it. I have had a client to that to me for some Facebook stuff. Just don't share too much with him before you do the work. In my case the only thing the guy knew to do was put a Facebook sticker on his truck....poor tink tink
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  • Profile picture of the author digichik
    Congratulations! Why are you worried about the client(?) stealing your design and doing the mailing on his own?

    When doing a direct mail campaign for any business, you should get paid up front!!!

    The client gets absolutely no artwork until he/she has paid. When figuring out what to charge a client you must take into consideration -- the cost of graphic design, the cost of copywriting, the cost of the mailing list(if one is needed), the cost of printing and shipping, the cost of postage, and your fee for handling it. The total of these things is what the client must pay you.

    You can show him some postcards from your collection, and you can explain how you can do something better for his business. However, you should not do any actual artwork without getting full payment for the direct mail campaign upfront.

    You should not work for free, they get actual artwork after you get actual payment. Period.

    This way you don't have to worry about them stealing your design from you or changing their minds after you have invested hours doing graphic art for them. Protect yourself by getting paid upfront.

    Please keep in mind most business owners know they have to pay upfront for these types of services -- direct mail, printing, etc.. Many of them will hope you don't know this.

    I realize I have been a bit repetitious, but again, don't be afraid to ask for the money, get paid first.
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    • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
      Originally Posted by digichik View Post

      Congratulations! Why are you worried about the client(?) stealing your design and doing the mailing on his own?

      When doing a direct mail campaign for any business, you should get paid up front!!!

      The client gets absolutely no artwork until he/she has paid. When figuring out what to charge a client you must take into consideration -- the cost of graphic design, the cost of copywriting, the cost of the mailing list(if one is needed), the cost of printing and shipping, the cost of postage, and your fee for handling it. The total of these things is what the client must pay you.

      You can show him some postcards from your collection, and you can explain how you can do something better for his business. However, you should not do any actual artwork without getting full payment for the direct mail campaign upfront.

      You should not work for free, they get actual artwork after you get actual payment. Period.

      This way you don't have to worry about them stealing your design from you or changing their minds after you have invested hours doing graphic art for them. Protect yourself by getting paid upfront.

      Please keep in mind most business owners know they have to pay upfront for these types of services -- direct mail, printing, etc.. Many of them will hope you don't know this.

      I realize I have been a bit repetitious, but again, don't be afraid to ask for the money, get paid first.
      Now, that was a ...heck-of-a-post!

      Thanks, for your input, it makes a lot of sense. For sure, I will get paid upfront, before doing anything. Nothing is free, that's for sure!
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    • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
      Originally Posted by digichik View Post

      Congratulations! Why are you worried about the client(?) stealing your design and doing the mailing on his own?

      When doing a direct mail campaign for any business, you should get paid up front!!!

      The client gets absolutely no artwork until he/she has paid. When figuring out what to charge a client you must take into consideration -- the cost of graphic design, the cost of copywriting, the cost of the mailing list(if one is needed), the cost of printing and shipping, the cost of postage, and your fee for handling it. The total of these things is what the client must pay you.

      You can show him some postcards from your collection, and you can explain how you can do something better for his business. However, you should not do any actual artwork without getting full payment for the direct mail campaign upfront.

      You should not work for free, they get actual artwork after you get actual payment. Period.

      This way you don't have to worry about them stealing your design from you or changing their minds after you have invested hours doing graphic art for them. Protect yourself by getting paid upfront.

      Please keep in mind most business owners know they have to pay upfront for these types of services -- direct mail, printing, etc.. Many of them will hope you don't know this.

      I realize I have been a bit repetitious, but again, don't be afraid to ask for the money, get paid first.
      This all makes a lot of sense. However what if anything do you recommend a marketer bring or use to make the offer more "visual?"
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      • Profile picture of the author digichik
        Originally Posted by TheBigBee View Post

        This all makes a lot of sense. However what if anything do you recommend a marketer bring or use to make the offer more "visual?"
        One can bring examples of postcards you may have received in the mail. Postcardmania will send you a postcard sample kit(just be sure to blankout all of their branding.)

        You can also search Google images and come up with some images of examples of postcards for whatever industry you are selling to. Just print out a sheet with the images on the and use those along with postcard samples you have obtained. Using actual postcards will give the prospect a feel for the cardstock quality and gloss fininsh(if any is to be used.) By using these types of visual aides, the prospect will get to see how others in their industry are using direct mail.

        In reality, most businesses don't want to go through the headache of actually doing a direct mail campaign themselves. Even EDDM, as simple as it is, is more than most business owners want to take on themselves.

        Many business owners understand the value of direct mail; thus, in many cases it's and easier sale than other offline services. It is also a great way to get your foot in the door and sell them on other marketing services afterwards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Iannotti
    Originally Posted by TeamBringIt View Post

    Hey Offliners,

    well....Got my first postcard campaign, client a few days ago. I truly see the power of postcard marketing and going after high dollar niches, is all I care about.

    My question is this: the client wants to see two samples and then he will decide which one he like better...I have a huge (insanely huge) amount of postcards that I collect and I have resources, to create a nice looking/responsive postcard for his business.

    What If I show him the 2 samples and then he decides to be clever, and create his own postcards, based on what he saw?

    I will make it clear, to him that the designs belong to me...But what if he decides to ditch my business and try it on his own?

    This question, can pertain to this client and future ones as well

    Good for you!

    Postcard and direct mail marketing done correctly is very effective.
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