Trust is the name of the game in today’s political climate of ‘fake news’, and direct mail is seen as having the highest credibility among ad campaigns. Direct mail that drives readers online for more information is highly valued as voters want to learn and understand more about what’s happening politically.

Nearly half of those who received political direct mail said it was the most memorable form of political advertising they encountered during mid-term elections, and the highest percent of those who feel this way identify as Millennials. As political campaigns look more like marketing, using tried and true methods can cross over, including a mix of digital, print and personalization.

This downloadable PDF from USPS shows some important stats and ways to maximize a political campaign in 2020.

The post Direct Mail Is a Trusted Source for Political Campaigns appeared first on Mail Masters.

With the rise of the internet, the print industry declined. Phone books vanished, landing pages replaced flyers and direct mail slowed down. But it made a surprising comeback! As email boxes get filled with promotional junk, more consumers value a personalized, informative piece of mail from a reputable source.  

Direct mail marketing is a great opportunity to act upon now. While other businesses underestimate its power, you can get far ahead by combining web technologies with traditional marketing strategies. Here’s how to do it:  

1. Develop a mailing list. Define your goals and align your mailing list with them. Do you want to run a campaign that will generate new leads, or do you need to nurture more sales and/or referrals from current customers? Take time to study your demographics and consider all the prospects. Having a targeted list will result in organic growth and better return-on-investment. 
2. Design mail pieces. Once you have a specific demographic and purpose in mind, begin crafting your message. The presentation is as important as the content itself. Best practices include being concise, using a readable font and incorporating an attention-grabbing component (feel free to experiment with shapes, sizes, colors, textures, etc.). Unique design and personalization will surely impress any mail recipient.
3. Track the campaign. Use predictability of direct mail to your advantage. Be strategic in when and where it’s being sent and how you are going to track the results. Collected data is more accurate than what virtual alternatives can offer, so analyzing it thoroughly ensures future success. 
4. Test engagement and response rates. After the initial analysis, look into what’s working and what needs improvement to enhance your customers’ experience. Consider common patterns, actions taken and make adjustments as needed. With programs like ResponseBuilder it’s really easy to do.
5. Continue managing existing campaigns. As you get to know your customer base, keep updating the message to fit their changing needs. Remarketing is an effective tactic for utilizing resources already in place and growing your business on the budget.  

Do you want to start using direct mail in new ways? Plumb Marketing team can help you craft a personalized marketing campaign that will drive results. As a leader in direct mail, we manage the process at every stage to ensure your message gets across. For more information about our services CLICK HERE.

The post Create a Stellar Direct Mail Marketing Campaign in Five Steps appeared first on Mail Masters.

Plumb Marketing sent nearly 16,000,000 pieces of direct mail for their clients in 2018. Surprised? Then you may not know the power of personal connections in today’s digital age. New studies show that direct mail is popular once again. It gets better engagement than email marketing by triggering an emotional response.  

Emails are easy to discard without opening. Many of them are blocked by spam filters and don’t even make it to the inbox. Online banner ads are often used for retargeting, but consumers have learned to ignore those too. This is where direct mail excels. According to recent research, personalized physical mail creates a real experience, that’s why recipients are more likely to interact with it. 

Don’t miss out on the potential of direct mail – learn how it can be used for political campaigns. 

Why Direct Mail Is Good 

• It’s automated. Direct mail requires planning, but the rest of the campaign runs seamlessly. Just imagine: while you are working hard on reaching the voters, your direct mail pieces are silently hitting their mailboxes, helping you share the message in a personalized and effective way.
• It’s affordable. More and more businesses choose to spend money on direct mail over TV and radio ads. Why? Simply because the cost is cheaper.
• It’s predictable. Measuring consumer response with direct mail is easy. You will know exactly how well your campaign is doing based on the tracking codes and other gathering tools in place.
• It’s data driven. Any advertising that allows for personalization and targeting is more effective than a generic campaign. Direct mail has the capacity to reach diverse demographics and do it in a tangible way that keeps voters engaged.

Why Go Direct Mail

• It’s a trusted source. Voters are often skeptical of online political campaigns, but if you try to reach out via direct mail, it can make all the difference. A professional, precise message is more likely to stick and spark action. 
• It’s personal. No one wants to be referred to as another number. Especially voters. Direct mail is very flexible with how you can approach your audience and personalize their experience.
• It’s versatile. Direct mail has the strongest engagement among millennials, who, unlike the generation before, find it useful. But since everyone is required to list their address when registering to vote, you can still keep the communication open even with the least enthusiastic groups.
• It’s timely. Modern technology allows marketing teams to integrate direct mail with digital tracking for more accurate results and enhanced user experience. You can follow up with an online prospect by mail, or vice-versa, ask a mail recipient to scan a QR code guiding them to your political landing page. Now that’s commitment to deliver!   

Are you ready to create a one-of-a-kind, action-driven political campaign that will change the game? Plumb Marketing team works together with the politician and/or campaign managers to craft a personalized and data-focused marketing plan to reach your specific audience.

As a leader in political direct mail, we combine effective digital and print strategies to get your message across at the most critical times. Our process is automated, easy and stress-free. Find out for yourself, contact Plumb Marketing today!

The post Direct Mail for Political Campaigns appeared first on Mail Masters.

This article by the Small Business Administration says direct mail is hot again. It’s true. As digital marketing has become saturated, Millennials, as well as others, are looking at the attention grabbing, personalized, hand delivered communication that comes to their mail box.

But disposing of digital isn’t the solution, rather a combination of direct mail and online strategies is generating lucrative results. This article looks at the reasons why direct mail campaigns are effective once again, and strategies to get the most bang for your buck. Check it out here: https://www.sba.gov/blog/direct-mail-hot-again-heres-how-use-it

The post Guess What’s Back in Style? Direct Mail! Here’s How to Use It appeared first on Mail Masters.

What if you could set a marketing plan in place, and then forget it as it automatically works as your focus on your political campaign? It’s not only possible, it’s necessary. In 2018, Plumb Marketing sent over 16,000,000 pieces of direct mail. We understand the in’s and out’s of the industry and what makes it effective. Here’s an inside look:

Automatic

Consistency is one of the most important components of any advertising. One of the benefits of direct mail is that it can be planned out and sent at specific intervals in the future, without the stress of micromanaging it. Plan once, then focus on your other marketing, knowing your direct mail campaign is working.

Affordable

Direct mail is one of the most cost-effective forms of marketing per person, and it offers effective and reliable results. Studies have shown that receivers of direct mail remember it and find it to be credible, often going to online sources to verify and engage further.

Low cost means little if there is no return on the investment. Match the political direct mail campaign to tracking methods to ensure you are meeting your goals, and maximizing your budget for effectiveness.

Timing is Crucial

Plumb marketing understands that timing is crucial, which is why they build a full direct mail marketing program for you so that mail drops at the opportune times in your campaign. Tracking to make sure mail gets to its intended target by specific dates is possible.

Urgency and attention to detail is invaluable when it comes to your campaign, so it can’t be left up to just anyone. A trust-worthy direct mail provider with a solid marketing strategy will be your best fit.

Data Driven

Demographic data is important when it comes to any advertising campaign, and direct mail allows for targeting to the audiences you need to reach. Remarketing services help reinforce the message and encourage action to be taken.

With social media, email, and lead matching technology, you can merge both on and offline methods to create multi-points of engagement effortlessly. Our ResponseBuilder technology will prove that direct mail plus digital is a recipe for success.

When it comes to political direct mail campaigns, Plumb Marketing has the experience to create an effective and powerful campaign that you simply create once and let work. Learn more about how it can be used for amazing results with the downloadable resources at: https://www.plumbmarketing.com/industries-served/political/, or, contact us today to get answers to your questions and a quote.

The post Create a Winning Strategy With Political Direct Mail appeared first on Mail Masters.

With the new year comes our innate desire to make changes in our lives. For business owners who target these changes, this is a perfect time for a boost in advertising, and one of the most effective is direct mail. Attract more customers to your gym, health food store, or medical office by targeting new movers looking for the health you provide in the new year and beyond.

Benefits of Direct Mail

While many people have considered direct mail to be a bit of a dinosaur in the advertising world, it is resurging. Why? People have become numb to endless emails and banner ads, while direct mail, especially when personalized, shows up directly in their mail box in tangible form to be interacted with.

Direct mail that offers a deal, and a way to connect digitally, can provide reliable, consistent ROI (return on investment) to business owners. It is also one of the most affordable and effective forms of advertising available.

Why New Movers

Sending mail to everyone isn’t particularly effective. Technology allows us to gather data and create lists that are more specific and connected to demographics, which makes for a more powerful and targeted distribution of advertising than ever before.

By targeting new movers, you are capturing a market that is specifically looking to fill health needs in their new community. Build brand awareness and trust with a personalized direct mail piece that welcomes them to the neighborhood, and invites them to your location.  

Ideas for Campaigns

If you’ve resolved to add direct mail to your marketing mix for the new year, congratulations! To make it the most effective, choose a marketing company who understands how to add this piece to your existing advertising and work together to create a plan that builds on and feeds itself. For example, make direct mail pieces that connect to online platforms, such as including a special code or URL. Make sure discounts are tied to the mail pieces using tracking numbers or physical coupons to be turned in. Make sure the pieces will land in prospect hands at the perfect time – before a sale, in time for a birthday, or as special offers to increase traffic.

Tracking your return on investment will help you tweak it for even more consistency and impact through the year. New mover campaigns are a great way to reach a target looking for changes, and now is your time to capitalize on it and make 2020 your best year yet.

The post It’s Resolution Time! Get Customers in the Door With Direct Mail Advertising appeared first on Mail Masters.

As the new year approaches many people consider what changes they want to implement when the calendar turns. Businesses do this as well – evaluating what’s working, what isn’t, and what fresh changes they can implement for greater results, whatever those desired achievements are.

Marketing is one of the biggest areas business owners look for higher returns. Better sales and marketing efforts directly result revenue, so it makes sense that a fresh perspective or tactic would be time well spent investigating.

One of these strategies could include adding direct mail to your 2020 marketing plan, or freshening it up.

Why Direct Mail?

Affordable. Direct mail is one of the most cost effective forms of marketing, and new studies are showing the popularity is once again growing. While many business owners abandoned direct mail for online and digital platforms, e-mail marketing and online ads have created confusion, overwhelm, and suspicion. 

Direct mail, especially if personalized, is seen as reputable, especially among Millennials. Combined with digital tracking and retargeting, direct mail allows you to speak to your clients, or prospects in ways not possible before.

Predictable. When combining direct mail with technology such as Response Builder, tracking is possible. Equipped with this data, adjustments can be made to create predictable results, and consistent Return on Investment.

Lead Generation. There is a good reason that direct mail is popular among restaurants, retailers and service providers. It’s easy to track where customers are coming from, because they are redeeming the coupons and special offers only made through the campaign. Not only that, but they often share the experience with others, building loyalty and generating more leads.

Automated. Whether your client list, a purchased and targeted list, or a combination of both, your direct mail provider handles all the details. Choose your direct mail pieces and on a month to month basis, the mail will be sent. Use tracking codes for both on and offline activity and see what’s working, and make adjustments to get even better results.

Some Fresh Direct Mail Ideas

Use amazing personalization. Personalization gets mail noticed and opened. Digital technology has some fun and exciting new ways to customize mail including writing the customer’s name in a unique pattern (like icing on a birthday cake, for example).

Digital print on demand offers beautiful templates for you to just enter your info and go. It’s easy and convenient to choose a look and send it out quickly, and affordably.

Send a customer loyalty building birthday campaign. Invite customers back into business with you by sending a birthday card, and a special gift or offer.

Special occasion or holiday? Target the audience ready to make a buying decision – for example, gym discounts or smoking cessation products for the new year.

Service reminders are also a great option for direct mail. Let your customers know when it’s time to change their oil, schedule their dental check-up, or do a furnace tune-up. If you are in a service industry, use direct mail to stay relevant and top of mind and watch repeat sales climb.

To learn more about our direct mail programs, contact us today or visit us at https://www.plumbmarketing.com/packages/. We are ready to help you build something greater in 2020.

The post Ready to Kick Off 2020 With a Stellar Automated Marketing Plan? appeared first on Mail Masters.

How much fun is it to receive a birthday card in the mail? Isn’t it nice when a business acknowledges you on your birthday? Do you enjoy receiving a gift to feel special on your big day? So does your customer!

Sending a direct mail campaign to your customers on their birthday can be a fun way to build customer loyalty and increase sales. Affordable and with a predictable return-on-investment, a birthday direct mail campaign can be a win-win for both you and your clients or prospects. Letters, greeting cards or postcards can automatically be addressed and sent on your behalf every month, and is already a popular model for retailers, restaurants and personal service providers.

Here are some tips to make it extra special (and effective):

Personalize It

Studies have shown that personalized mail is more effective than general bulk mail, and there is no better time or way to personalize than by wishing a happy birthday! Graphics that have their name will really pop – such as writing their name in frosting on an image of a cake!

Make an Offer

Offer a free gift, discount, or other special birthday offer to celebrate the client/prospect and encourage them to do business with you. Make the gift unique – something they can’t get any other way, to encourage customers to sign up for a birthday list and stay active year-round.

Keep It Fun

While many people can get bombarded with ads, a birthday card allows you to cut through the “noise” and grow brand awareness with a soft approach. Track interest and return with corresponding online methods using Response Builder.

Invite Others

Birthday mailer programs are popular for restaurants, personal services, home and vehicle repair services, and retailers because they know that when they market to those having a birthday, that person will likely bring a friend (or more), and tell others about it. Make your offer shareable in a way that others will also want to participate (while also creating an upsell).

Interested in learning more and how it could work for your business? Learn more about pricing, features and how to maximize your direct mail campaign with online methods, visit us at https://www.plumbmarketing.com/birthday-mailer-program/.

The post Building Customer Loyalty With Birthday Direct Mail appeared first on Mail Masters.

Greeting cards can be an important component to any great marketing retention program. The power behind this type of direct mail comes from it’s intention. Greeting cards are usually sent in to let someone know you are thinking about them during a special time, such as a birthday, holiday or anniversary. They are an excellent way to share with clients, partners and vendors that you are grateful for them without any type of “selling.” Enjoy this article from Vivid Greetings that shares 9 reasons to send greeting cards, especially during the holidays.

https://vividgreetings.com/8-reasons-why-greeting-cards-work/

The post 9 Reasons Why Holiday Cards Work appeared first on Mail Masters.

The Secret Weapon of Business Owners to Increase Revenue is the Newsletter…. but ONLY When You Do It Correctly.

Regular, consistent communication with your past customers who already love you is critical to increasing your sales. Sales don’t just come from them coming back to your store, they come from their friends too. To be effective, a newsletter has to have several components in place. Let’s look at two of the most effective components that are missed by 97% of business owners who put out newsletters.

• A newsletter must go out consistently in the physical mail on a monthly basis. Once a consumer is trained to expect your newsletter they will wait in anticipation and with baited breath for it to arrive in their mailbox monthly.
• The newsletter should have information that they want and need to read. The information should not just be about your business and promoting yourself. It should contain information that they need in order to have a better quality of life.

Printed, mailed newsletters may seem like a thing of the past. Yet, when done correctly can be a powerful to build brand trust, share knowledge to improve the buyer’s experience and generate more business.

The post Power of a Mailed Newsletter appeared first on Mail Masters.