Large Format Printing

Large format printing is a versatile tool that many businesses are utilizing to take marketing to the next level.  Vehicle wrapping is the latest craze in the utilization of large format printing, taking advertising and branding to a completely new world of possibilities.  Recently, Professional Print and Mail put large format printing to work for them by wrapping the delivery van.  Wrapping not only transforms a boring vehicle into a bright and attractive one, it also takes advertising to the streets.  With a delivery vehicle traveling so many miles a day, the benefit of print media becomes a daily reward.  A one-time fee to wrap a vehicle can essentially replace monthly phone book advertising costs, plus give you the option of making changes more frequently than once a year.  Many businesses are looking to this type of large format printing due to its affordability and flexibility; making it a rival of outdoor billboards, yellow pages and newspaper ads.  Perhaps you may be considering what large format printing and vehicle wrapping can do for you?  Come in and see what a custom quote looks like!

12 Steps to the Perfect Direct Mail Piece

The Perfect Direct Mail Piece in Twelve Easy Steps

by Barry Fieg

The main trick is to keep your communications hard hitting and flowing. Here are the twelve steps to a successful direct mail piece.

1. Target your audience carefully. Sales are directly related to how accurately you can identify your most likely customers.

2. Use the "you" word as often as you can. Direct Marketer Bob Serling, in his book Direct Marketing Hotseat, suggests you use "you" four times as often as you use "I".

3. Send your letter under the "President's" signature. People prefer to deal with the person in charge. Build and foster your relationship with your customer in all your sales materials.

4. Make a charter offer. People like getting in on the ground floor of an enterprise. Charter offers have strong pulling power.

5. Create a continuity program, like "the Fruit of the Month Club." You can be sure of sales every month. Start your customers slowly with a trial membership so they can see how the program works without making a large investment.

6. Offer multiple versions of the same product. A "good" -- "better" -- "best" (or best buy) strategy or a "standard" -- "deluxe" -- "super deluxe" strategy allows people to make choices. Use these variances instead of a "take this product it or leave it" offer.

7. Make your envelope work for you. Put a message on it like "Here's some inside information." Words like "free," "new," "announcing" and "important dated material" also motivate people to open the envelope.

8. Use reply cards and make the 800 number large. Make it easy for people to order or call for more information.

9. Use odd sized envelopes and experiment with textured papers. They make your mailing piece stand out from the crowd.

10. Test one variable at a time and use the results of the mailing for future mailings. Keep close track on who's buying from what ad.

11. Remember, the consumer has not actually touched the product. They're taking your word that the product is good and will be delivered in a timely manner. Offer free help lines and a super-strong guaranty.

12. Create a headline like you might find in a tabloid newspaper. My favorite was in the New York Post, It said, "Headless woman found in topless bar." I admit you can't use that headline in many direct mail campaigns, but it certainly caught my eye. Headlines can make or break a direct mail postcard. So don't settle for your first attempt. Even professional copywriters rarely hit the mark on the first try. More on headlines in the next installment.

Source: businessknowhow.com

14 Tips for Producing Postcards with Pizazz

Here are 14 tips for making sure yours stand out and generate response, whether it’s a click, call or store visit.

1) Size—Mail a non-standard size that doesn’t stack nicely. Even if you have to pay a bit more in postage or printing, this could be a sound marketing investment.

2) Color—Rather than printing on white stock, how about using neon green or hot pink? Any color will stand out from the plethora of white postcards.

3) Weight—The heavier the card stock, the more important and valuable your postcard “feels” as your reader or mail screener sorts through the mail.

4) Texture—Add a bit of luxury, mystery or even fun by using a textured card stock. If you can’t find the right textured paper, ask your printer about using a special varnish that’s more tactile.

5) Perforations—Build in a retention device with a perforated coupon, business or appointment card

6) Peel-Off—Include a peel-off reminder sticker to place on a calendar or computer monitor. Or how about a peel-off sticker that reveals a private discount?

7) Diecut—With 99.9 percent of all postcards perfect rectangles, make yours stand out by investing in a die-cut. I once wrote a postcard offering a free piece of pie with a “bite” cut out of it.

8) The Unexpected—How about affixing a peel-off magnet—perfect for getting your phone number on your reader’s refrigerator. Or what about a scratch-off that reveals a surprise discount for Web-only orders? Or a Post-It note with a PURL offer?

9) Picture Postcard—People love getting picture postcards from faraway places. Find an appropriate reason to send one. They look more personal—especially when you use a live postage stamp.

10) Short Copy—You’ve heard this from a copywriter: Don’t try to say too much on a postcard. Keep copy short and offer-focused.

11) Eye Flow—Use type and design to move the reader’s eye wherever you want it to go, especially your call-to-action.

12) Get Over It—Give readers a reason to turn your postcard over and read both sides. Reinforce your “get over” message with an arrow or teaser, “See back for discount.”

13) Postage—When appropriate, invest in a live stamp vs. printed indicia or metering. It’s a small detail that can make your postcard look more important and personal than others in the stack.

14) VDP—Use variable data printing (VDP) to not only personalize but also customize postcards—making them individually relevant. Consider individualizing headlines, offers, even images.

Remember, it’s not just another postcard. It’s your direct marketing piece responsible for generating response.

Source: Direct Marketing IQ report, “Design & Formats for Boosting Direct Mail Response.”

Ballantine’s New Case Study Compares Response to Envelope Color

WAYNE, NJ—Sept. 25, 2012—The Ballantine Corp., a full-service direct mail company, has published a case study examining the response rates of a direct mail campaign based on two envelope color options.


Lapham’s Quarterly, a publication focused on history and ideas, currently employs a mailer for subscription offers that includes a reply card, accordion brochure, lift note and BRE contained in a black #10 envelope package. The mailer with the black outer envelope did have a good record of performance. However, the magazine was curious to see if changing the color of the outer envelope to white, but keeping the rest of the mailer the same, would have any effect on response.

A limited test mailing of 25,000 pieces with white envelopes resulted in a comparable response rate to mailers with black envelopes. However, a side benefit of the switch from black to white envelopes is a decrease in production cost because of the significantly reduced ink coverage. Lapham’s Quarterly plans to retest the white envelopes later this fall with a larger mail quantity.

“Changing the color of an envelope may seem like a small thing,” says Ryan Cote, director of marketing for Ballantine, “but it can have a significant impact on whether or not your envelope is opened by the recipient. In this limited test, the response did not change, but the reduced production cost may make the white envelope the new control if its performance continues.”

While the goal of testing is often to determine which options increase response, reducing costs while maintaining response is also a viable outcome. Read the case study here.
Source: Ballantine.

Foster Business Relationships With Holiday Cards

By Janice Jenkins

The holiday season can get too busy and crazy for small business owners. There are a lot to do during this time, from organizing holiday events and sales to sending warm wishes to customers. Things can get overwhelming especially if you will be working on a limited budget. However, there is one great marketing tool you can use to send your warm greeting to your customers and prospects during the holidays - the holiday cards.

The holiday cards. have long been used by businesses to keep in touch with their customers during the holiday season. Because people still love receiving cards in their mail, sending your own cards will be perfect way to communicate with your customers without your mail getting considered as junk mail. If designed well, your cards will look like a message from a friend increasing the chance of getting your card picked first.

Of course, it is essential that you design your cards well. You need to come up with a well thought out design that will appeal to your customers and prospects. If you have been creating printed marketing materials in the past, this should be an easy job for you. Here are some of the important considerations when designing your cards:

Think of the colors to use. Keep in mind that this is a festive activity so you need to use fun colors. If you want to stick with the holiday theme, you can use green, red, or yellow. You can always use the colors you used on your materials to create consistency and just incorporate a festive appeal.

Keep the font simple. Just because it is the holiday does not mean that you can go away with overly creative fonts. Remember that you still have to ensure your message is read at a glance, so just keep the font simple and easy to read.

Pick the right image. You might want to use an image that is appropriate for the holiday season. If you can take your own picture and put it on your card that would be better. Just make sure to use high resolution images.

Keep your message simple but warm. It is the holidays. You do not need to make your cards look like a sales pitch. If you do this, people will simply throw away your card. Just send your warm holiday greeting and leave the sales part on your other marketing materials.

Once the design is done, you have to get your cards printed well. Find trusted printing company that will help you create your holiday greeting cards professionally. Keep in mind that there are plenty of them out there, so you have to make a thorough research.

Your holiday cards can be sent both to existing and new customers. It will be best if you do some research first before sending your cards so you are assured that you will mail it to the right people. Do not worry of your budget. Holiday cards are cost-effective to produce. In fact, there are printing companies that provide discounts on printing allowing you to get great savings.

With well crafted cards, you are sure to foster warm feelings and ensure you keep your relationship with your customers strong. Include these cards in your to-do list today and see the difference it will bring your way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6770346

Your Google+ Page Is About to Get Some Traffic

Whether you want to or not, it’s time to jump aboard the Google+ ship. As a marketing professional, it’s your job to not only perfect your own Google+ page to ensure its continued success.

Finally integrating its purchase of Zagat, a replacement of Google Places called Google+ Local has combined the forces of Google Search and Google Maps, creating, as you can imagine, the Incredible Hulk of Google services.

The Basics

The essential function of Google+ Local is to provide recommendations and reviews of local businesses and restaurants. Whenever you search a business or restaurant, Google+ Local gives an overall ranking based on Zagat’s 30 point system (with 30 being the best) as well as individual scores based on decor, service, and cost.

Since this new software is linked with Google+, reviews and recommendations from anyone in your circles will show up front and center—giving you reviews from people you trust, rather than Joe Schmoes you’ve never met.

Why You Need to Know

Although this recent update to Google mainly affects eateries, the same 30 point ranking system will be used on any businesses searched using Google Maps, Google Search or Google+.

The ultimate goal of this update from Google+, from our perspective, is to encourage local businesses to enhance their current Google+ pages (or create them) and bring more usage and engagement to Google+.

So, like it or not, it’s time to get your Google+ page looking fine and fancy, as more and more Google traffic will now be directed to those pages.

Study Shows Continued Dramatic Growth in Personalized Mail

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with addressing your direct mail to “Occupant,” but a recent study of mail trends conducted by DirectMarketingIQ uncovers the skyrocketing appeal of personalized mail. In 2009, 28 percent of mail pieces were personalized. In 2010, that figure jumped to 34 percent, marking a 21-percent increase. But last year, personalization saw even bigger increases. Overall, the 2011 numbers represented a 46-percent leap from 2009.

SOURCE: Deliver Magazine, May 2012

Data Hygiene – 5 Best Practices

Business contacts represent a lot of value, so it is both important and potentially profitable to invest in data hygiene. Here are some ways to keep your customer and prospect data fresh and up to date.

• Begin by entering the data correctly in the first place. Create a standard operating procedure for data-entry, and train your key personnel on it.
• Standardize your format of business addresses. For additional details, refer to Publication 28 from the United States Postal Service. For examples of recommended field selection and layout of business addresses, visit: http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub28/welcome.htm.
• Pay for postal returns and update your files with the returns. This should be done before every mailing.
• Take regular statistical samples of the data and check it manually using an outbound phone call.
• Ask for customer data regularly, and make it very easy for the customer to provide the information. Always ask for the information the same way – no matter where you ask for it.

At Professional Print & Mail we’ve always known that printing and mailing go together and have offered both services for over 25 years. From maintaining your existing list or purchasing a new prospect list to designing, printing and mailing your direct mail campaign – have it all done in one place.

Call or Click Today

559/237-7468

Info@PrintFresno.com

Mobile Barcode Postage Discount

You may remember, last summer the USPS offered a postage discount if you included a mobile barcode (QR code) on your direct mail piece. Well, the USPS has decided to bring this program back for the summer of 2012 (July 1 – August 31, 2012).

Click here if you would like all the details, but for your convenience, here are the main facts you need to know:

• Qualifying mailings may receive an upfront 2% discount off eligible postage.

•  Qualifying mailings are presorted and automation mailings of First-Class Mail cards, letters, and flats and Standard Mail (including Nonprofit Standard Mail) letters and flats with a mobile barcode inside or on the mailpiece.
  
  
• The mobile barcode must lead the recipient of the mailpiece either to a webpage that allows the recipient to purchase a product or service on a mobile device, or to a personalized URL, which leads to a web page that is unique to an individual recipient.
   
• Participation requires electronic documentation.
  

Professional Print & Mail can help with your entire direct mail campaign including adding QR codes that are integrated with personalized URLs. For more information or to get started on a direct mail campaign give us a call at 559/237-7468, or email info@PrintFresno.com.

Think BIG! Print BIG!

BIG dreams, BIG ideas, BIG plans? Then you need BIG printing!

Large format printing is an effective marketing choice for creating an eye-catching statement. Think about the visual impact you could make with banners, adhesive wall clings, vehicle wraps, event signage and even wall and floor graphics.

Now, large format design and printing is more affordable than ever and with our fast turn around time, is a great way for you to stand out from the crowd.

Take a moment a look around. You are surrounded by valuable advertising real estate: storefront windows, your company vehicle, even the walls and floor of your waiting room or shop. These are perfect places to add:

·         Banners

·         Trade Show Booths & Pop Up Banners

·         Wall Graphics & Murals

·         Vehicle Wraps

·         Floor Graphics

·         Window Clings

·         Product Exhibits

·         Point-of-Purchase Displays

Thinking BIG can grow your business and sales, and large format printing is a creative and eye-catching way to do it. Contact Professional Print & Mail for all your large format printing needs. From design and printing to installation, our team of experts can do it all!  

Call or Click Today

559/237-7468

info@PrintFresno.com

Pushing the Envelope

Marketers thoughtfully develop the inside components of a direct mail package. But the best letter, brimming with features and benefits and a measurable call to action, is worthless if it’s never read. The envelope is the key tool that determines whether your direct mail gets opened or tossed.

A poorly designed envelope that fails to motivate the recipient to open it is like mailing money out the door. Carefully consider every element, including physical dimensions, copy, layout, and design.

Anything outside of the standard #10 envelope, either larger or smaller, will set you apart. Make sure the envelope is at least ¼” larger than your largest insert. Steer clear of window envelopes unless it’s the only way to achieve personalization. Smooth, heavier stocks show off your color designs, while textured stocks, such as linen or laid, offer high-end feel. Explore the myriad of options now available.

Technology has advanced to the point that you can place dynamic messaging on the front, back, and even the inside of the envelope. Your copy should provoke curiosity, but not give everything away. The goal is to pique interest so the recipient looks inside, but there should be something more – new information, a special offer – as a reward for opening it.

The envelope should be clean and well-designed, but that means different things to different marketers. Some, concerned that documents with too much visual flair will be dismissed as “junk mail,” choose plain white envelopes imprinted with the corporate logo to lend credibility and seriousness. The other extreme is the marketer who uses starbursts and call-outs that shout, “Open Now!” The best strategy is somewhere in between – a mix of bright colors, interesting textures, vivid imagery and bold messaging to grab attention quickly. While it’s important to keep the design cohesive with your other printed materials, using the same envelope design for multiple mailings may work against you. Even a friendly prospect might assume he’s already heard the message inside.

Personalization increases response rates, whether it’s through variable-data messaging, using a legible script font, or actual handwriting. Postage stamps add another personal touch. An envelope has the best chance of being open if it’s delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday, the lightest postal delivery days. Six weeks seems to be a good interval between mailings – you want to stay fresh in your prospect’s mind without becoming a nuisance.

It is really important to not assume what will work best for your business and test, test, test to be certain. The abundance of creative options makes envelopes a versatile vehicle for presenting your message. Give these precious communication-carriers a try as you plan your next direct mail campaign.

Five Good Reasons to Tap into Print Opportunities

Print versus e-marketing isn’t an either/or choice. Much of what we print is also available electronically. One isn’t wrong and the other right, some information just needs to pace of print. Thanks to innovations in print technology, it has never been easier or less expensive to get high-quality printed materials in the hands of your target audience. Here are five compelling reasons to tap into print opportunities:

1. Cut through the clutter. Remember the days when you opened your mailbox and catalogs, brochures, newsletters and postcards tumbled out? Today there is simply less postal mail, so your printed pieces get noticed. Let the competition fight it out in the Inbox; your will have the prospect’s attention as he interacts with your printed collateral.

2. Add credibility. In a time of economic uncertainty, print collateral tells the reader that your company plans to be around for the long term. Your message is so important it deserves to be preserved in a physical form rather than simply being posted on the vaporous Internet. The consumer trusts that if you put it in print you’re going to stand by your word.

3. Stay connected. Customer retention was the reason targeted mailings, such as custom magazines and newsletters, were developed in the first place. More and more, people are tiring of 24/7 electronic connectivity; so make sure the prospect has your information at his fingertips when he unplugs from digital devices. Print never runs out of power.

4. Print makes sense. You can see and hear electronic messages at the same time; it’s like getting two exposures for the price of one. But what about the other senses? Print is the clear winner in the categories of touch, smell and taste. We like to feel special papers and finishes, and cut out things of special interest and save them or pass them along. Smell, which is handled by the same part of the brain that handles memories and emotions, has been used to create a brand impression for years. Who can pass a scratch-and-sniff insert without scratching and sniffing? And there is no better way to get prospects to taste your product than by mailing a sample to try at their leisure.

5. You can’t hide from print. The same developers who introduced the electronic platforms that have revolutionized the way we deliver our messages are developing technologies to empower consumers to avoid these same messages. Think TiVo and spam filters. The mail carrier, on the other hand, has to deliver your mail. High quality, creative print pieces will capture your target audience’s interest.

Direct Mail Goes Digital

What was old is new again thanks to thinking inside the box. Add a QR code to any printed marketing piece, such as direct mail, and you’ve opened your marketing to a multiplatform experience for your customers and prospects.

What is a QR code? You’ve probably seen them cropping up in magazines and other printed materials over the past few months as smart phone technology continues to reach more hands in the U.S. In essence, a QR code is a relatively new type of two-dimensional barcode box that, when scanned by an app on a smart phone’s camera, generates information that causes a smart phone to take a desired action.

Those actions range from opening a website browser with specific information, providing a phone number to be dialed or triggering a text message to be sent. Here are some ways you can capitalize on using printed material in concert with other digital marketing channels.

Direct mail. QR codes are still relatively new to many smart phone users, and so are their phones. That means many are anxious to see where a QR code will take them. Add them to your direct mail to send prospects to your website, a landing page on your website for a coupon or drive them to your social media pages like Facebook or Twitter.

Brochures, menus and catalogs. Imagine having customers peruse your catalog or menu and giving them a QR code to go directly to a detailed information page where they can order online instantly. Maybe your brochure has a QR code that gives them instant access to a video demonstration of how your product works.

Business cards. We’ve all had to enter contact information into our little black books. Now with a quick scan, your contact information can be uploaded to your customer’s address book.

With this new technology, all of the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. To get started, give the print-to-mail experts at Professional Print & Mail a call at 559/237-7468 or email us at info@PrintFresno.com. We can help you with your new integrated marketing campaign.

The 5-Step Plan to Win Business

STEP 1 – Put together a mailing list.

If you don’t already have an existing customer list, this is not hard. All you need to do is give people a reason to give you their names and addresses. This could be as easy as a notebook on your counter or a form on your website that invites customers to “Join our mailing list.” Or a fishbowl that says “Enter a drawing.”

STEP 2 – Devise an offer.

Once you have a list of names and addresses, you need to give the people/businesses on that list a reason to do business with you. Or better yet, a reason to do business with you now.

Discounts and sales are among the most common offers because they steer business your way that might otherwise go to competitors. But anyone can have a sale. Make it a private sale only for people on your mailing list, your valued customers, and you gain loyalty and sales.

STEP 3 – Create the offer, print it, and mail it.

Now it’s time to present your offer to the list.

STEP 4 – Review your results.

One of the benefits of direct mail is that it’s measurable. You know right away if it’s working or not. By testing different offers and mailing formats you can discover what works best for your business.

STEP 5 – Repeat.

A successful direct mail program is just that, a Program. To be successful, you need to mail consistently and frequently.

5 W’s of Getting Your Message Out

Who should you mail to? Mail to people with whom you do business. Mail to people with whom you would like to do business. Buy a list of potential customers and mail to them. Don’t be shy – you’re trying to let the world (or at least your corner of it) know your great offer.

What should you mail? Direct mail is flexible. Send letters, postcards, self-mailing brochures – whatever you think fits your business, your product or service, and your offer.

When should you mail? Anytime you have news or an event. The key is to mail frequently and consistently – this will build brand recognition.

Where do you send mail? Again, send your mail to everyone who can do business with you. Take a look at your existing customers and find others who are just like them.

Why send mail? Direct mail is personal – it’s measurable – and if done correctly, it works!

3 Simple Facts about Direct Mail & Growing Your Business

Almost every day, every customer you have and want goes to the mailbox. They look for bills that have to be paid, letters from kids at school, and news & information. Additionally, people want products, services and ideas that can make their lives better. Direct Mail can actually help them decide to get those products, services and ideas from you.

1. Direct Mail can help any kind of business grow. If you can write a letter, you can build your business. You can drive traffic to your store, find clients for a service, get people excited about a new product, and even make your existing customers more loyal – all through the use of direct mail.
2. Direct Mail is Flexible. There is practically no limit to how direct mail can be used. You can send a simple postcard, letter or brochure. Or you can add unusual promotional items or samples to an envelope for more impact. The mail lets you control the timing of your message. Mail also allows you to address a customer’s specific needs.
3. Direct Mail Works. With direct mail you can create a highly personalized, relevant presentation for your customers using Variable Data or even a fully integrated campaign. Better yet, you can measure the results of every mailing you send out. As you develop a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t for your business, you can make adjustments to future mailings.

6 Features of Graphic Design that Sell

The design of your direct mail piece has two jobs to do. One, it has to get attention for your primary offer. Two, it has to help the reader absorb the information that’s presented. Every well-designed piece has the following 6 features in common:

1. One thing dominates the page. When you look at a well-designed page, there is usually one dominant feature to catch your eye. It could be the headline or the photo/graphic, but not both. Something has to dominate. Though it might be tempting to throw in a starburst that says “Free Trial,” be careful how you use it. When you emphasize everything, you emphasize nothing.

2. Typeface variety is minimal. Your computer may come with hundreds of fonts, but that doesn’t mean you have to use every one of them. The best designers stick with one, maybe two fonts per piece – plus the logo.

3. White space. Don’t feel compelled to fill every inch of space with copy or pictures. A dense blob of type and pictures can look unattractive and turn readers away. An open airy design is inviting and friendly.

4. The text is easy to read. Equally important as the overall design of the page, is the design of specific text blocks. If the type is too small or condensed, if the columns are too wide, if the paragraphs are too long, it becomes too much work to read and people won’t. Break up the page by interspersing short paragraphs with long ones, indenting paragraphs, using bullet points or bold subheads.

5. Relevant illustrations. The purpose of the illustration is to help draw attention to or dramatize your message. That’s not to say that a plumber has to show faucets in his direct mail piece or that a dentist has to show teeth. That plumber could, for instance, show Niagara Falls.

6. Clear, visible logo and a call-to-action. You captured the readers’ attention and guided them through the information. You aroused their interest and desire. Now you have to let your readers know what you want them to do. Don’t confuse a clear, visible call-to-action with a big, oversized name, address and phone number.

4 Ingredients of Direct Mail that Sell

When asked what he thought was the greatest slogan he’d ever seen, an advertising expert responded, “Farm-Fresh Eggs Sold Here.”

Cutting through the serenity of a backcountry road, the sign demands your attention. If your favorite breakfasts come in sunny-side-up and scrambled varieties, “farm-fresh eggs” provokes your interest and fills you with desire. Meanwhile, the words “sold-here” command you to stop the car and take action.

In five short words, ”farm-fresh eggs sold here,” captures the four-part formula for letters, flyers and brochures that sell.

1. Attention
2. Interest
3. Desire
4. Action

Attention – If you know what your customers want, it’s not hard to get their attention. Just think about the biggest benefit your product or service can provide and dramatize it.

Interest – Now that you’ve got your customer’s attention, don’t disappoint. Hold their interest with important, relevant details about what you’re selling. Short, simple sentences keep a reader’s interest best. So does believable, everyday language.

Desire – This is where you really excite the customer for what you’re selling. It’s giving your customer an opportunity to imagine what it’s like to own and use your product. The key to building desire is to focus on benefits, not features. A feature tells you what the product has. Benefits, on the other hand, tell you how that feature improves your life.

Action – Now that you’ve got people’s attention, interest, and desire, don’t forget to ask for the order. It isn’t enough to say, “Buy now.” Give a compelling reason to visit your store or call your company immediately

Building Customer Loyalty

5 Easy and Inexpensive Tools.

Follow-up with customers is extremely important – especially in the face of uncertain economic times. Consistent follow-up requires a lot of effort, but does not necessarily require a big budget. With enough persistence, you’ll reap the benefits of a steady stream of repeat business and referrals. After all, it takes far less time and money to sell to an existing customer than a new prospect. Here are 5 follow-up tools to motivate your customers to keep coming back:

1. Thank-you notes: This is a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how many businesses neglect to write thank-you notes--especially when they get busy. Take the time to show your customers that you genuinely appreciate their business.
   
2. Postcard mailings: Postcards are an effective way to stay in contact with your customers. They can be used to inform them of special promotions and new products and services. Regular mailings will also maintain a front-of-mind awareness with your customers.
   
3. Customer Newsletter: Send out a periodic newsletter that includes such good fodder as "Quote of the Month" and "Recipe of the Month." Try adding useful tips on such topics as time-management, gardening or anything else that interests the bulk of your customers. After all, you’re reading our newsletter, aren’t you?
   
4. Birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions: These occasions are very important to your customers. Be among the few who actually remember a customer's special days, and that customer will never forget you!
   
5. Customer Surveys: Demonstrate that you care about the quality of your service. Without this invaluable information, you'll have a hard time improving your products and services.

Multi-Channel Marketing

Multi-channel marketing leverages the value of your customer data with the power of Professional Print & Mail’s comprehensive print, mail and data management capabilities to fully maximize the impact of your marketing message.


We now offer an Integrated Marketing Solution, focused on providing you with the ability to significantly improve your direct marketing results. Additionally, you gain the ability to track and measure, in real-time, every aspect of your campaign including the ROI.

• Personalize your messages to leverage your data


• Integrate your message across multiple media channels with the use of personalized URLs (pURLs) and QR Codes


• Gather specific responses to create future campaigns that target customers’ needs, wants, and desires


• React immediately to leads


• Close more deals


• Increase returns on your marketing investment
  

Try it and watch your responses increase! Call your Sales Rep at 559/237-7468 or email to schedule a demo.