Post Card Marketing VS Standard Letter Mail

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by energywiz, Apr 2, 2008.

  1. #1
    What yields the biggest return on investment. Post cards are cheaper to mail, but do people really take the time to read them?

    I created a home fuel search site to try and create a one stop place for people to find all types of fuel oil, pellets, bio, wood, coal, etc....

    Any thoughts? Post Cards or Standard Letter Mail

    Thanks in advance,
    energywiz
     
    energywiz, Apr 2, 2008 IP
  2. brodaiga

    brodaiga Active Member

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    #2
    people here know more about the net i suggest go read a book about direct mail
     
    brodaiga, Apr 2, 2008 IP
  3. energywiz

    energywiz Peon

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    #3
    Thanks for the tip. Can you recommend a good one?
     
    energywiz, Apr 2, 2008 IP
  4. experienceadvertising

    experienceadvertising Peon Affiliate Manager

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    #4
    I have some experience with this...letters get opened more fruequently and are usually looked at a little closer than postcards. If you do use postcards use the large ones..I think they are 5" x 7"
     
    experienceadvertising, Apr 2, 2008 IP
  5. energywiz

    energywiz Peon

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    #5
    No seriously… Most old school fuel distributors don’t use computers believe it or not. Mail is my best bet to make contact with them.
     
    energywiz, Apr 2, 2008 IP
  6. Perry Rose

    Perry Rose Peon

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    #6
    Try them both. Example: 1,000 post cards, 1,000 letters, and see which one is the best.
     
    Perry Rose, Apr 2, 2008 IP
  7. energywiz

    energywiz Peon

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    #7
    Two good points. I like the idea of trying half and half.
     
    energywiz, Apr 2, 2008 IP
  8. MarketLeverage

    MarketLeverage Peon

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    #8
    With sending a letter the reader has to go through more than one step to read it. You may have more success with postcards because the only action they have to do to read your letter is take the postcard out of the mailbox. The shipping cost will be less with a postcard as well if you are on a budget. If the letter requires an action you can place a different code on each of the postcard and the letter to see which had the better response. When they call or log on to your site they will need to enter this code.
     
    MarketLeverage, Apr 3, 2008 IP
  9. energywiz

    energywiz Peon

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    #9
    Yes each reponse will be unique so I will having a tracking method. I'm learning towards doing a sample mailing of 100 jumbo post cards and 100 standard letters.
     
    energywiz, Apr 3, 2008 IP
  10. uca

    uca Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Small postcards didn't work out very well for me a little while ago.

    I am going to try letters soon, but giants postcards could stand out really nice.

    Just remember to make sure that people are not in vacation when you send them (one of my mistakes with one of the batches). When they come back, they'll find them anyway, but buried in a pile of crap and/or important corrispondence. Your postcard isn't likely to be noticed and read thoroughly as you would like.

    A catchy image is a must!
     
    uca, Apr 3, 2008 IP
  11. SmallPotatoes

    SmallPotatoes Peon

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    #11
    Different people have different styles, I guess. For me an eye-catching postcard would work best, because I don't open letters very often if I don't know who they're from. Obvious spam gets tossed in the bin unopened. The unknowns go in a big bag that I sort through three or four times a year (just often enough to catch any cheques before they expire).
     
    SmallPotatoes, Apr 4, 2008 IP
  12. rlj19

    rlj19 Peon

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    #12
    Postcards , Postcards , nothing fancy plain white nver mail a letter ..Look at it this way no matter who the decision maker is eveyone reads postcards ...The person that picks up the mail, who evers desk it is laying on everyone will pick it up

    Pm me I have a report I will share with you ....
     
    rlj19, Apr 4, 2008 IP
  13. uca

    uca Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Can you share that report with any of us also, please? It sounds useful
     
    uca, Apr 5, 2008 IP
  14. rlj19

    rlj19 Peon

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    #14
    I can tell you postcards are the way to before the internet it was number 1 form I may have a book to help me let me look . Did you search postcard marketing? I was getting a newsletter on the subject I will try to track him down .....but can tell you from my 40 years in business ......regular size , white no glitz or glitter ..short to the point . a letter is read one time a postcard up to 5 times , down side may take 3 to 4 times before a customer reacts .....You will think I am crazy here if a guy reads it sitting down he will toss it in the trash , if standing he will put it in the center draw of his desk ....I could go on but postcards 100%
     
    rlj19, Apr 23, 2008 IP
  15. lenworx

    lenworx Peon

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    #15
    Postcards work much better than letters. Even if they are going to throw away the postcard, they have to see it. Also, more than one person will see the content, where in a letter only the person that opens it will. You can go to my site and get an idea of how much you should pay for the service.
    www.dmailusa.com
     
    lenworx, Apr 23, 2008 IP
  16. zinruss

    zinruss Notable Member

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    #16
    energywiz, why not give calendar a try? I belive your customers will not toss it in the trash. Alternative, you may consider sponsoring wrapping papers for christmas, other holidays and any special occasions.
     
    zinruss, Apr 23, 2008 IP
  17. energywiz

    energywiz Peon

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    #17
    I like the calendar idea. I have seen them used before by real estate agents. The ones with the magnet attached to it. I'll have to look into the cost tho.

    Thanks for the tips!
     
    energywiz, Apr 28, 2008 IP