OK, anyone wanting to make constructive comments, welcome! I would like to know opinions about the most effective forms of advertising that might accompany ecommerce sales - for example what to include as marketing in delivered parcel: (a) % discount offer on next product (b) business card (c) post it notes (d) recommend to a friend for discount (e) free hot air balloon ride (!) (f) other suggestions...
I have many years experience in direct marketing. I'm after sending out 50,000 envelopes or more over the years. I have found that a business card or some sort of contact info should accompany any package - even a purchase - but I wouldn't count that as "marketing". A discount offer on the next product may apply, but it depends on the products you sell. For example, if I purchased a digital camera from your website - odds are that I won't need a new one for 2 more years. How long will your discount be applicable for? Expiry date, etc... However if it was a t-shirt or something that I might buy again next week - sure thing, discount offers are great. Lastly, one thing I have found that helps (especially with a physical or walk-in business) is your post-it idea, or more specifically, notepads. You can get a watermarked image with your information across the top or bottom of the notepad (company name, site, ph #) - and I've visited clients MONTHS later and my notepad is right there on their desk. For some reason - people don't throw away notepads! Sending a 50-page 4.25" x 5.5" notepad (very cost effective when printing 250+ pads - like 35 cents each) keeps your business name or website on top of people's desks or in their vehicles for weeks and weeks. Not only are you kept in mind each time they use it, but often they will be writing a note to give to someone else and they'll see your design/info as well. A 50 page notepad might end up in 8 or 10 different people's hands (multiply by the # of packages you deliver, etc). Hope this helps a little.