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
Trevor chicago limos ..There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More
Every business regardless of size needs a "Business Image Manual"... Read More
Whether your target audience is in your neighborhood or across... Read More
To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More
You'd like to go into business for yourself, and believe... Read More
Most businesses accept checks as form of payment for goods... Read More
Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes... Read More
Thinking of starting a business on line? If so there... Read More
If you run a pressure washer business you need complete... Read More
If you are looking for a franchise opportunity, the choice... Read More
You only have so much time in a day right?So... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
As a practitioner and student of Small Business Marketing, I... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
Today is a Red Letter Day! It's special because today... Read More
If you own a small business, then you know the... Read More
Want your small business to flip instead of flop?! Statistically... Read More
Paul Leonard's BirthdayCards2Go.com paid greeting card service offers convenience when... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization... Read More
Are you a motivational speaker who consistently gets rave reviews... Read More
If you are a small business and qualify to participate... Read More
Over regulation of small business is so intense it is... Read More
Owning a small business in Wichita, KS might not be... Read More
Baylis taxi from Midway ..Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep... Read More
Starting your own e-commerce business can be quite the adventure.... Read More
If you have a busy private practice, chances are you... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?A Virtual Assistant is a person... Read More
Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ?... Read More
What does buying a fat pig have to do with... Read More
We all know how glorious those first warm days of... Read More
Every employee would like to earn as high a salary... Read More
You bet it's worth it. Publicity via news releases, along... Read More
Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More
Start thinking about buying an established business if you want... Read More
The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More
If you own a small business, you should know that... Read More
Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting... Read More
When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More
Disclosure laws in franchising are suppose to help the consumer.... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Are you responsible for your results?What comes to mind when... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More
Office support services can range from basic data entry to... Read More
Small Business |