One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization can use is postcards. Even before the arrival of online postcard printing and mailing services, postcards had a good reputation amongst guerilla marketers because:
What is particularly nice about postcards is that nearly any business or organization can benefit from a structured, targeted postcard marketing strategy. Take a look at some of the ways postcards can be used.
Thank you notes. You can send a quick thank you to anyone for any reason and they will be so surprised and pleased that you took the time. If someone sends you a referral or business lead, gives you some information you needed, mentions you in an article - send them a note that shows you appreciate it!
A follow-up offer or service. Within 30 days after a purchase of a product or completion of a service, send them a discounted offer for a related service or product. Don't miss the opportunity for an after-sale contact.
Gift certificates or coupons. Show your best customers that you appreciate them by sending a gift certificate that they can use any time in the next year. Even better, leave a space on it for them to fill out a friend or colleagues name and give it to someone else to introduce them to your business.
Announce a new project or completed work. Postcards are perfect for photographers, web designers, architects, graphic artists, or anyone else who wants to keep their clients in the loop on what they are working on, with something visual and tangible.
Secret sales and pre-sales for preferred customers. Treat your existing and favorite clients to a sale that no one else knows about - or give them an advanced peak at your new product line.
Introduce products or services. Postcards are an economical way to inform people about your product or services, or announce new ones.
Announce a new web site. Create an announcement of your new web presence and invite everyone you know to come check it out.
Remember special days. Send your contacts a holiday greeting or thank you note for Thanksgiving. If you keep track of special dates in your customer's lives like birthdays or anniversaries, you can send them a colorful postcard letting them know you are thinking of them.
Reminders. Businesses that rely on repeat business can take advantage of postcards to send reminders and its not just for dentists any more! Why not remind your past customers of upcoming birthdays or anniversaries, or special holidays like secretaries' day or thanksgiving, at just the right time? Or perhaps your database tells you when they have likely run out of whatever they bought so you can send them a reminder that its time to visit you again.
Just staying in touch. People like to be remembered and postcards are an economical and easy way to say "thinking of you."
Recognition. Send out a postcard to let people know your good news about accomplishments and awards or reviews you have received.
Invitations to an event. Postcards can be used to announce seminars you are speaking at, open houses, book signings, and any variety of special events.
Think about all the ways you can use postcards, and then explore the many ways that you can automate the process of sending them out quickly and cheaply. This is one of those marketing strategies which looks much more costly than it really is, and will return more than you put into it. The best part is, practically any small business can benefit.
? 2003 Eileen P. Parzek, SOHO It Goes!
About The Author
Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek is a veteran marketing designer and online communications consultant who has been working from home and virtually since 1995. You can subscribe to her free monthly newsletter called Increase Your Reach: Infuse Your Marketing with Technology at http://www.soho-it-goes.com
NOTE: You're welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to http://www.soho-it-goes.com
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
If you are in the professional car care business you... Read More
The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More
Your business account comes with an ATM, Debit card. Pick... Read More
At first blush this idea might be difficult to wrap... Read More
Pet Transportation Services are needed as the number of pets... Read More
Buying a franchise is not for everyone. This guide will... Read More
If you're serious about wanting to start a business, the... Read More
Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More
We all know that a building has to have a... Read More
The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More
No matter how small your small business is, it is... Read More
Competition in the business world is often viewed as a... Read More
What does it take to grow a business and run... Read More
Have you been searching for the perfect home-based business? I... Read More
What are the 5 best ways to gain new contacts?There... Read More
Cash is the lifeblood of any business. As humans need... Read More
There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More
Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More
Start thinking about buying an established business if you want... Read More
Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More
There is a great deal of abuse going on in... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..Over the years I heard the best way to learn... Read More
Senior citizens are generally not a large marketing segment for... Read More
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) is a program that... Read More
Service Cleaning Businesses must maintain their equipment in order to... Read More
Being a small or home-based business owner can be loads... Read More
Self-cleaning glass has been talked about a lot, with such... Read More
Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More
It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose... Read More
I have to admit, I was curious. When I saw... Read More
Get maximum results with minimum effort. Sounds great doesn't it?... Read More
You can't imagine how many people ask me how I... Read More
Sexual Harassment is a disturbing part of employment life in... Read More
First you have to start with knowing your budget and... Read More
What's your job profitability? I meet with business owners every... Read More
When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
Is this you?You dreamed of owning your own business, doing... Read More
-- Beyond Cold Calling, "Warm" Calling and Sending E-mails --Many... Read More
One of the biggest fears people have about starting a... Read More
"If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't... Read More
What is the satisfaction & expectation review of the business... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
There is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More
You've come up with the best idea since sliced bread,... Read More
The efficiency of debt collection is the difference between a... Read More
Small Business |