Marketing with postcards

[Plan-It Graphics]

The other day I had a customer ask if postcards are actually effective. I explained to him how they are actually one of the most efficient way to get customers. I personally get 90% of my new "lawn care" customers from direct mail/postcard mailings.
The one thing that people fail to do when doing postcards is this... don't send to a potential customer once!! It is IMPORTANT to mail to the same list numerous times during the year. If you have a list of 600 names and addresses, split it up into 3 groups and send 200 per month and alternate. This helps build name recognition, and the most importantly it helps you build denser routes.

The best part about this is the cost. If you only get 12 a year, you sill had a HUGE return on you investment.

Here is how it breaks down using Plan-It Graphics pricing.

5000 postcards $375 (design fee, and printing)

If you mailed out 200 per month, the cards would last 2 years.
Each month would cost $52 postage and $16 for the cards, TOTAL PER MONTH $68

I dare anyone to find a cheaper "cost per sale"! (i know there are cheaper ways but you know what I mean)

This brings me to my next point...DOOR HANGERS. Not that I think they are ineffective, because they are very effective. But I do not think its a less expensive route, like most do.

Lets assume your time is worth $10.00 per hour, could you distribute 200 door hangers in 5.2 hours? ($52 postage divided by $10 per hour)

So this my 2 cents. Take it for what its worth. I hope this didn't come across as a sales pitch. It wasn't intend to be one.

Bob

but now it is... so if you take my advice, get your postcards from
www.plan-itgraphics.com (http://www.plan-itgraphics.com) Ha!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j78/jetskibob1/footer.gif

[LawncareMarketingMagic]

Bob,

Great points all around. Most small businesses make the mistake of doing 'one shot mailings'. It's a HUGE mistake.

Plus, they waste a ton of money trying to build a relationship with 5K prospects simultaneously instead of focusing on a smaller group (1,500 or so) over an extended period of time.

Run the numbers and you'll always come out ahead by spending more time with a small group. Become the big fish to a smaller pond, slowly expand the size of the pond, and soon enough you'll be the big fish in the big pond.

[Plan-It Graphics]

Chestin-
I just sent you a PM but it's not showing up in my "sent items," so if you don't get it, please shoot me an email.

Bob

[pnplawn]

Quote[/b] (Plan-It Graphics @ Dec. 14 2007,4:49)]The other day I had a customer ask if postcards are actually effective. I explained to him how they are actually one of the most efficient way to get customers. I personally get 90% of my new "lawn care" customers from direct mail/postcard mailings.
The one thing that people fail to do when doing postcards is this... don't send to a potential customer once!! It is IMPORTANT to mail to the same list numerous times during the year. If you have a list of 600 names and addresses, split it up into 3 groups and send 200 per month and alternate. This helps build name recognition, and the most importantly it helps you build denser routes.

The best part about this is the cost. If you only get 12 a year, you sill had a HUGE return on you investment.

Here is how it breaks down using Plan-It Graphics pricing.

5000 postcards $375 (design fee, and printing)

If you mailed out 200 per month, the cards would last 2 years.
Each month would cost $52 postage and $16 for the cards, TOTAL PER MONTH $68

I dare anyone to find a cheaper "cost per sale"! (i know there are cheaper ways but you know what I mean)

This brings me to my next point...DOOR HANGERS. Not that I think they are ineffective, because they are very effective. But I do not think its a less expensive route, like most do.

Lets assume your time is worth $10.00 per hour, could you distribute 200 door hangers in 5.2 hours? ($52 postage divided by $10 per hour)

So this my 2 cents. Take it for what its worth. I hope this didn't come across as a sales pitch. It wasn't intend to be one.

Bob

but now it is... so if you take my advice, get your postcards from
www.plan-itgraphics.com (http://www.plan-itgraphics.com) Ha!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j78/jetskibob1/footer.gif
I can agree with you on that 100% Its very affective way to reach customers. Your prices are great! Check out my contest I am running. Maybe you like to join?

[Plan-It Graphics]

Quote[/b] (pnplawn @ Dec. 14 2007,5:39)]I can agree with you on that 100% Its very affective way to reach customers. Your prices are great! Check out my contest I am running. Maybe you like to join?
pnplawn... what contest are you running? I can't find it.

[realhuntin]

Bob thats a great post of information, thanks. For those prices you can't go wrong. Think I'll be ordering some from you , so if you don't mind send me a email with some sample post cards and pricing for them. please.

Thanks Tim

Chestin I agree on the big pond therory.

[Steve]

Quote[/b] ]pnplawn... what contest are you running? I can't find it.

http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum....;t=6545 (http://www.gophergraphics.com/forum/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=6;t=6545)

[Steve]

This is something for everyone to keep in mind when they are considering marketing with postcards.

[Dzielak51]

How would I go about getting a mailing list? I thought about just driving around in the areas i want to market to and write down the addresses.

[Steve]

You can do it that way. One of the forum members uses a mailing list service from Sales Genie. Maybe you might find them helpful as well.

Check out this post.
http://gopherforum.com/showthread.php?t=3920&page=2