TABLE OF CONTENTSFinancial Services Marketing & Advertising Tips and StrategiesThe financial services industry is highly competitive, making it difficult for institutions to stand out. Financial services marketing aims at differentiating one’s institution from that of others and attracting prospects. Unlike marketing strategies used by companies in other industries, financial services marketing is a little complicated. In this case, you are not asking people for a certain amount of their money in exchange for something they need. Rather, it is asking people to entrust you with all of their finances, which is a pretty big deal. It is difficult to explain complicated financial concepts to people and make them trust your brand. Moreover, as the benefits are long-term, you cannot attract prospects with on-spot offers. Hence, it is important to plan your financial services marketing strategies smartly. Let us discuss some of the most effective marketing tips that work great for financial institutions. Build Trust Among ProspectsMost people shy away from trusting another person with their money; after all, it is hard-earned and precious. So, how can financial institutions earn the trust of their audience? Firstly, even though people are reluctant to trust others with their money, they do require financial services eventually. Therefore, they will be looking for financial firms for everything from opening a savings account to investing in deposits. You just have to make them believe that your brand is a trustworthy one. It can be a big challenge, and you would have to put your best show on for gaining their complete trust. Some of the commonly used ways to build trust in the minds of your prospects are to define your moral values and live up to them, increase brand visibility, and encourage personal interactions. Virgin Money has set an example of fun, interactive, and face-to-face interactions by introducing lounges that can draw people and increase engagement. These lounges are open to all, hence winning the trust and affection of the general public. Though Virgin Money has set an extraordinary bar, other financial institutions can motivate people to visit their branches and talk to an advisor. Sending out postcards for the same with an exciting offer can be highly effective. Since direct mail offers personal touch and trustworthiness, you use this channel to create trust and improve your brand reputation. Highlight Your DifferencesWhy would a customer choose you over the others? It is time for you to come out and highlight what differentiates you from your competitors. Banks and other financial institutions should come up with new offers, additional benefits, and useful products that can catch anyone’s attention. From offering higher interest rates to providing expert financial advice for free, they can choose to do something different that sets them apart. As a matter of fact, every financial institution, be it a traditional bank or a fintech company, has something unique to offer. Their services might be similar, but there could be slight differences. Institutions should leverage such services and market themselves. Last year, Metro Bank executed an offline marketing campaign featuring 8 of their own employees. They placed billboards around the city highlighting their outstanding customer service. The campaign was a big hit as they differentiated themselves from their competitors. Seeing that Metro Bank grabbed the first spot in the Competition and Market Authority’s Service Quality Survey conducted in 2019, it can be said that their campaign idea was on-point. Make Your Content Relatable and PersonalisedSince the financial language is already difficult and complicated with lots of jargon, make sure to leave it behind while planning your marketing strategies. Your content must be simple, understandable, and, most importantly, relatable. When people view your advertisement in any form, they should be able to relate to it instantly, which in turn attracts them towards your brand. You can print and mail letters explaining your services along with some testimonials of your existing customers. Real-life examples, reviews, and testimonials are great examples of user-generated content that you can use for marketing. For people to be able to relate to your message, you should make sure that you have targeted the right audience. Hence, you need to segment your audience and personalise your content. Furthermore, choose the right marketing channel to get your message across. Lloyds Banking Group was able to convert 707 prospect SMEs (that was 280% above their target) through a direct mail campaign by proper segmentation and personalisation. Focus On Your ProspectsTalking about audience segmentation, it is important to identify the demographics that fit with your customer profile. For example, if you want to promote your education plans, it is best to target parents and teenagers. Similarly, you can target senior citizens for offering post-retirement financial services. Identify your prospects through your customer profile and then reach out to them with a convincing message after studying their needs and preferences. Sometimes, even psychographic and geographic factors come into play. Not all of your customers would want all of your services. In this case, you need to identify prospects carefully for certain types of products and services and then tailor your advertising messages accordingly. Go Digital!Traditional banking has been in existence for decades. However, the last decade has seen a rise in digital banking. Today, more and more customers want to handle all their banking activities over the Internet, rather than actually visiting the bank for everything. Monzo is an online-only bank that has been doing great for six years now. Since its establishment in 2015, it has encouraged all the other financial institutions in the UK to transform digitally. Soon, they received a unicorn status. Monzo is a successful example of digital banking. It is clear that financial institutions that offer services like online banking are performing exceptionally well as people love the convenience offered by such services. Going digital will definitely bring you a lot of popularity, but don’t forget to promote your digital services. Again, you can send direct mail to your prospects informing them about your digital services and also making a great offer. Combine Online and Offline Marketing EffortsHaving discussed digital transformations, let us not forget how powerful omnichannel marketing can be. Along with posting great content on your social media pages, offering digital services, and undertaking other such digital efforts, financial institutions can resort to offline marketing channels for a smart backup. Direct mail marketing works best when used in combination with digital marketing. In fact, you can drive online traffic to your website and social media through direct mail. Including QR codes and pURLs as a part of your direct mail pieces can help you do that. It is advisable to automate your marketing efforts to get the best results in less time. PostGrid’s direct mail automation solutions can help you conduct speedy and effective campaigns. Wrapping UpFinancial services marketing might be complicated, but it is not impossible. Banks, credit unions, fintech, and other financial institutions should become customer-centric, optimise their content, narrow down their audience, and offer tailored solutions. People should be able to trust your institution and see it as something better. Hence, don’t just concentrate on converting prospects but also on retaining customers and making them choose you over and over again. With direct mail marketing, you can keep in touch with both your prospects and customers and make them feel special. Additionally, direct mail is noticeable and persuading, making it one of the best marketing channels for financial institutions. Want to automate your offline marketing efforts for higher results? Contact PostGrid to save time, eliminate manual effort, and get amazing results on all your direct mail campaigns. Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post Financial Services Marketing and Advertising Tips & Strategies appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/financial-services-marketing-advertising-strategies/
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TABLE OF CONTENTSHow Can Retail Advertising in the UK Boost Your Retail Business?The last two years were unpredictable for British retailers, from adhering to lockdown norms and pivoting their operations to evolving in the changing market. The pandemic presented vast challenges to every business in the country. You might have also noticed the inflation in essential goods and the disruption in the supply chains. It also pushed British retailers to change their business models and retail advertising strategies. Now that normalcy is returning to the country, you can plan more strategically with a retail advertising agency. Even during COVID, the total volume of retail sales only fell by 1.9%. It shows the vast potential for growth and prosperity in this particular industry. Many businesses were able to discover new revenue streams during the pandemic era. This landscape constantly evolves in the UK, and retail advertising has become more vital than ever. Retailers are looking for innovative ways to promote their products and services, from the busy cities of Belfast and Birmingham to the small towns that cover the country. You must know that the growth of e-commerce portals is also an enormous threat to your traditional retail business. You must learn from the best retail advertising examples to sustain yourself in the competitive landscape. The country’s diverse and vibrant population allows you to showcase your products and services. You can develop multicultural campaigns or localised promotions to speak about the unique needs of each community. Do you want to find the best ways to stand out in the challenging marketplace? Keep reading if you are a seasoned marketer or just stepping into retail advertising. It is the best time to explore the industry and grow as a successful retailer in the UK. Firstly, you have to understand the following; What is Retail Marketing in the UK?Retail advertising in the UK is about marketing strategies to promote retail businesses and their offerings. This type of advertising consists of direct mail marketing, TV, radio, and digital marketing methods. The retail industry accounts for much of the economy of the UK. Supermarkets and independent shops are all part of the market. Shopping in the UK is also very convenient for consumers. If you want to create the backbone of your retail marketing strategy, you have to pour the six ‘P’s into your marketing formula:
Product is the Main AttractionWhat you are selling creates the biggest attraction for your retail advertising strategy. It must resolve a particular problem and have some desirability in the market. Thus, you must consider your products while creating your retail advertising plan. Pricing Impacts the Purchase DecisionEveryone wants to squeeze the most value out of their purchases. In the retail industry, there’s little you can do with the price when competitors also sell products at almost similar costs. You can consider launching short-term discounts to boost your sales and retail marketing strategy. Placement Will Grab Customer AttentionSo you go to a store, and the proper product placement will instantly grab your attention. You will see flashy shelves, bright displays, kiosks, and banners that will turn your head. Thus, placement also plays a critical role in your retail advertising plan. Promotion Will Lure Interested CustomersYou have put effort into promotional activities to build interest in your products. Marketers often use various promotional channels like direct mail, social media, email marketing, and other digital marketing tools. People That Represent Your BrandYou don’t want to hire Tom, Dick, or Harry for customer interactions. A retail business needs charismatic professionals to educate its customers about its products and services. Your business must consider training its representatives to make the retail advertising plan successful. Their advocacy will be essential to winning over more shoppers. Presentation Makes Offerings AttractiveYou could be selling simple groceries like your competitors. Yet, how you present your brand can make a difference in your retail marketing strategy. Have you seen those Apple ads that emphasise minimalism and clean design? There’s a reason why Apple has become a trillion-dollar company. Their presentation is simply flawless, and nothing beats that. Still, cracking the British retail industry could be a vast challenge for new players. You have to understand specific trends to make your way through and survive. “Technology contributes to innovation, efficiency, and mobility, but failure to adopt it can threaten the survival of many businesses.” – PostGrid Sales Manager. Trends in the British Retail IndustryThe COVID pandemic has changed the market’s dynamics. The retail industry has a significant shift in demand and business models. Here’s what you need to know about the trends; Rules of Competition are ChangingThe retail landscape will become more competitive over the next decade. E-commerce businesses will continue to push the retail industry to seek new revenue streams. Still, more companies are joining the industry with their retail advertising plans. The competition rules are changing due to the low cost of starting a retail business and foreign competition. The big retailers will dominate the mid-price market with a retail marketing strategy. At the same time, the market will also polarise between the extremes of luxury and value products among consumers. The Changing Demands of Future ConsumersDo you need help identifying the demands of consumers? You must know that consumer demands are constantly evolving with time. It is not possible to understand this with an old retail marketing strategy. You need digital tools to understand and track their preferences. It would help you to solidify your retail marketing plan. For example, you can launch technology-driven surveys using PostGrid’s Print & Mail API. The War of Location is Hitting HardEvery consumer is looking for an excellent experience, irrespective of the location. They are comfortable with shopping from digital, physical, and hybrid shopping setups. Thus, you must consider creating a seamless brand experience across all channels. Your retail advertising plan can play a significant role in streamlining your shopping experience. So how can retail advertising drive more sales and increase brand awareness? Let’s dig deeper and answer your question; Importance of Retail Advertising for British BusinessesIt Helps Businesses to Stand in the Competitive MarketAs we said, the British retail landscape is highly competitive, with small and large players. Thus, it would help if you found unique ways to stand out from the competition. The relevant retail advertising will help you promote your products and services and attract more customers. Boost Your Sales by Converting More LeadsPromoting your products and services on different channels can generate more foot traffic to your store. It would also influence prospects to become paying customers. A retail marketing strategy with promotional offers, discounts, and other incentives can also help get additional customers. Making a Name in the Market with Retail AdvertisingWhen operating in a competitive market, you need a name. Positive emotions, experiences, and quality should characterise your brand. You can build brand awareness in Britain with an effective retail marketing strategy. By creating compelling and memorable ads, you can achieve this. It gives the perfect opportunity to ensure repeat business and long-term relationships. Don’t Be Generic; Focus on Targeted MarketingYou can only expect some people to visit your retail store and shop. Focusing on a more targeted approach to specific customer segments is vital. Retail businesses do this to tailor their advertising campaigns according to the needs and preferences of customers. Using data and analytics can increase the likelihood of a sale. Understanding Consumer BehaviourYour retail advertising plan needs to evolve with changing consumer behaviour. They are more conscious and discerning these days. Only brands that align with their values and beliefs can win their trust. Thus, your retail marketing strategy should promote products and resonate with your prospects on a deeper level. It would make your retail brand more trustworthy. Ready to implement your retail marketing strategy? Are you looking for some suggestions? Best Tips for Your Retail Marketing Strategy in the UKThese tips for retail media advertising would not only help drive sales but also contribute to your long-term business success; Setting Up Promotional Pricing CampaignsThere’s a reason why people rush into those Black Friday sales. Good discounts can attract customers like honeybees to flowers. Thus, you can launch promotional offers for a limited time to gather many people into your store. They will buy the products and return for your excellent customer service. Yet, it would help if you had enough stocks to satisfy their demands. For a retail marketing plan example, we can consider the retail chain Sainsbury’s. They often run vast sales to attract people to online and offline stores. Their retail marketing strategy becomes much more effective with a loyalty program. It helps them drive repeat customers and higher sales. You can also launch a similar retail advertising campaign with a direct mail platform. Organising in-Store EventsThese days, people are looking for engaging shopping experiences. Thus, more than having good products needed, you must give them a compelling reason to visit your store. For this reason, consider organising in-store events and making your retail advertising successful. You can also incentivise the shoppers to participate in these events and be a part of the shopping experience you are trying to build. Contests, quizzes, games, and other activities can create interest among customers. You can launch a direct mail campaign to inform prospects about such events at your store. Building a Solid Loyalty ProgramYou must know that attracting new customers is five times more expensive than retaining existing ones. Thus, it would be best to focus on building a solid loyalty program. A retail advertising strategy would help maximise your customer relationships. Your loyalty program should provide an exclusive experience for different customer levels. Going creative with the points system is vital to engage them for a long time. A direct mail API can help you implement a strong customer loyalty program. Increasing Impulse BuyingMany people don’t even think when they see a limited-period offer. The sense of urgency pushes them to make a purchase impulsively. Thus, you can also integrate this into your retail advertising message to create hype. Make sure to mention there’s a limited time and inventory. And they won’t be able to get this opportunity again in the future. Be a Local PlayerMost of your customers are from the neighbourhood and live one or two streets away. Thus, your retail advertising messages should specifically focus on local customers. It can build a sense of community and belonging in them. You will need a direct mail platform like PostGrid to buy local listings to start your retail advertising campaigns. So, you might have a couple of ideas by now. Yet, a more detailed plan would have been more effective and helpful. Isn’t it? It would help to have a solid retail marketing strategy to differentiate yourself from competitors. At the same time, you have to consider your target audience and their pain points. Then, you will learn the best way to target them with your retail advertising plan. Here’s how you can cook your retail media advertising plan; Put More Focus on Into Your Target AudienceYou could be running a toy store, grocery store, supermarket, jewellery store, apparel store, pawn shop, etc. Your target audience will always have different requirements and preferences depending on your industry. Thus, it is vital to segment by gender, age, income group, location, needs, wants, and other metrics. The more specific your retail marketing strategy, the easier it will be to align your products with them. Here’s how you can understand better about your target audience;
Learning about the target audience is the first step in your retail advertising plan. Next, you need to work on your business values by; Understanding the Position of Your Retail Business in the MarketThere’s already vast competition in the retail industry. It would help if you had to determine factors that would differentiate your business from the competition. For this stage, start thinking from your customer’s perspective to learn how they perceive your retail store. It could be a noteworthy retail marketing method because people buying from your store will care about telling you their likes and dislikes. You will gain a better idea of your positioning statement and be able to inform your other customers about how your business differentiates itself. Here’s what you can do to define the position of your store in the market;
Taking the Full Advantage of Omnichannel MarketingA single retail marketing strategy is going to be ineffective when you are competing against so many players. You need to utilise multiple channels to spread the message. You can build brand recognition by providing a unified experience to the customers. Thus, you should implement both traditional and modern marketing methods. Retailers prefer combining direct mail with their digital marketing efforts. It helps them draw better results from an effective retail advertising strategy. Here are some best practices that we suggest to our clients who run a retail store;
Implementing Promotional TacticsAre you launching retail media advertising with online and offline approaches? It is crucial to consider the best promotional tactics. This strategy will help you for the following reasons;
Ask the following questions to yourself to implement the best promotional offers;
Define a Budget for Retail AdvertisingYou need a particular budget to implement your retail marketing strategy in the UK. Some ideas require additional expenditures for proper implementation. These are some points you need to consider for the expenses of retail advertising;
Pushing Your Retail Marketing Strategy with Direct MailUsing direct mail has been one of the best marketing tools among marketers in the UK. In fact, according to Nerdwallet, direct mail can have an open rate of 90%. Even Royal Mail says that 70% of people feel more valuable with direct mail than email. So, you have more chances of getting shoppers with direct mail marketing. It will give far better visibility and mouth publicity. But do you have the misconception that direct mail marketing could be expensive? There’s no need to rely on traditional direct mail. Modern technology makes direct mail marketing one of the best channels for retail advertising. Many British businesses are investing in direct mail marketing to expand their businesses. PostGrid’s Print & Mail API is an effective tool for retail advertising. It can help you attract more shoppers and easily retain existing ones. Here’s How Direct Mail Can Boost Your Retail BusinessHigher Response Rate Showing More InterestEmail communication has a significantly lower response rate than direct mail. Most importantly, people often consider email ads spam instead of helpful. In comparison, direct mail enjoys an incredibly higher response rate of 37%. Shoppers consider direct mail to be more personal, direct, and tactile. Yet, you must be very careful with your marketing message to ensure this rate in retail advertising. Personalisation Leaves a Personal TouchIt would help if you had personalisation in your marketing material to leave a better impression on your customers. Direct mail allows you to make your pieces more personal and relevant. The correct retail advertising needs you to touch your customers’ pain points. Trustworthy Tool to Even Reach Seniors and MillennialsIs your grandfather familiar with digital ads? But we can guarantee that he will be familiar with direct mail. Similarly, millennials might know about digital ads but love direct mail. They would even treat it as novelty items. Thus, physical mail is a reliable marketing tool for retail marketing. You need the right tool to launch your retail media advertising campaign. The platform should be cost-effective and relevant enough to get the best ROI for your retail business. Using PostGrid Print & Mail for Retail MarketingWhether you are a new business or an old retail player, PostGrid is the ideal solution for every retailer. Print & Mail API is an effective tool for retail marketing with tailored messages and offers. You can expect higher engagement rates and increased sales with our platform. Need convincing reasons on how? Here’s what you should know; Targeted Marketing to Reach Your AudienceYou could be focusing on a specific neighbourhood with your retail marketing strategy. PostGrid lets you reach any audience with personalised messages, promotions, and coupons. It would help you target the audience that is more likely to show interest in your products and services. Increase your chances of conversion with our direct mail platform. Improve Your Brand Awareness EffortsEvery retail store needs brand awareness to establish its name in the market. You use our platform to improve your brand’s awareness and visibility by reaching the right audience. Our direct mail tool helps you use eye-catching designs and messaging to catch their attention. The best retail advertising assists you in gathering more traffic to your physical stores. Cost-Effective Retail MarketingRetailers can use our platform to launch highly cost-effective campaigns, unlike other advertising channels such as digital ads, social media, television, etc. You don’t have to break the bank if you are launching a large-scale campaign. We help you ensure high quality with minimal human error. Measurable Campaign ResultsWe allow our clients to track the effectiveness of their campaigns, messaging, and offers. It can provide valuable insights for your future retail marketing campaigns. Refine your approach to expect a better ROI. Sign up now to boost your retail marketing strategy. Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post Retail Advertising appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/retail-advertising/ TABLE OF CONTENTSLocation-Based Marketing StrategiesSuccessful marketers spend hours and days creating the perfect marketing strategy. But, even seasoned marketers sometimes overlook one aspect of their marketing: the locality or geographical area of their prospects. Location based marketing could offer a solution to this problem. A location-based marketing effort ensures that your campaigns are relevant to the geographical area or locality you want to target. Also, businesses can increase brand recall and drive more sales with a location-based marketing strategy. Just considering the geographical location of your prospects and analysing their demographic trends can give priceless insights. Using location data for marketing is so versatile that we are still coming up with new & innovative ways to make use of it. Let us look at some popular location-based marketing strategies and learn how they can work for your business. What is Location-Based Marketing?Location-based marketing is a marketing strategy that enables business organisations to target their audience based on their physical location. It also goes by the name geolocation-based marketing. You can use both online and offline channels for your location-based marketing campaigns. You can employ online channels like email and offline channels like direct mail in location-based marketing. The only requirement in both cases is that the targeting uses the prospect’s physical location. Using location data, marketers can target customers based on their proximity to the store or events conducted in a specific locality. Furthermore, location-targeted advertising is one of the few marketing strategies that are effective throughout the customer lifecycle, which includes:
Apart from all this, geolocation-based marketing also helps you with:
Top 6 Location-Targeted Advertising Strategies For Your BusinessLocation-based marketing is relatively new to marketers and business owners. Today, we use several IoT or connected devices in our everyday lives. Everything from our wristwatches to our cars can now connect to the internet in one way or the other. “But, why is it relevant here?” you may wonder. More often than not, the connected devices that we use have access to our location data. In other words, the amount of location data is directly proportional to the number of connected devices. Additionally, you need to ensure you have the right tools for your location-targeted ads, such as PostGrid. Specialised tools like PostGrid gives you access to address and location data that can be crucial for your location-based campaigns. Now that we have a good understanding of what is location-based marketing and how it works, let’s discuss their different types. We have compiled a list of different location-based advertising strategies or methods you can employ for your business. 1. GeocodingGeocoding is an advanced location-targeted advertising method that uses offline communication channels like direct mail. It involves determining the physical location of your customers based on their postal addresses. Geocoding usually comes equipped with advanced direct mail automation tools such as PostGrid. It enables you to use plain postal addresses and get their geographical locations. Using a tool like PostGrid, you can even map these locations and identify patterns. Marketers can use this geolocation-based marketing to find neighbourhoods with a cluster of prospective customers. You can then conduct events or run direct mail campaigns in these areas to market a product or service you are selling. Working In geocoding, the system takes the address data from you. It analyses the address data, including the postal codes, to provide you with the geocodes of an address. The accuracy of the latitudinal and longitudinal values you get can vary based on your tool. With an advanced tool, you get a rooftop level of accuracy, which is as good as possible. Benefits
2. GeotargetingGeotargeting is a location based marketing method that determines the physical location and sends them a personalised marketing message. You can customise the marketing message based on specific geographical areas or localities in geotargeting. As with any other marketing strategy, this also has some weak points. For example, geotargeting cannot work if the customer does not give location access to your mobile app. But, generally, users do not have a problem giving location access to mobile apps. Suppose the customer gives your mobile app location access. In that case, you can use location based marketing to send marketing messages or push notifications. These messages and push notifications are usually relevant to geographic regions or proximity to a store. Working The working of geotargeting is pretty simple. It uses your target audience’s IP address for pitching relevant marketing offers to the customers. The IP address is unique and identifiable for every connected device. Hence, location data based on IP addresses are reliable for your geolocation based marketing campaigns. Once the system has the target’s IP address, the system compares it against the physical address of the target. The matching or comparison process includes every detail, including country name, postal code, etc. However, to ensure the accuracy of the process, you need an accurate postal address database. The most convenient option is to use an advanced address verification software like PostGrid to validate your postal address database. It can validate your addresses against Royal Mail’s official address database and ensure you have the correct information. Benefits
3. GeofencingGeofencing is a location-based marketing method that creates boundaries within a specific locality. As soon as the target enters this boundary, they become an active target of your marketing strategy. Once a target turns active, you can start sending them your marketing content or offer or messages. So, let’s say your company has a physical store or outlet in the local shopping centre. Here is how you can use a location-based marketing method like geofencing in that case. Every time prospective customer walks into the city centre, they receive a marketing message or push notification from your business. You can study your prospects’ buying habits and behaviour and pitch them relevant products/services for better results. Working Geofencing uses GPS technology for creating or setting boundaries within a specific geographic area or locality. This location based marketing strategy detects the prospect’s location using their GPS location. When the prospect crosses the boundary set by the business within a locality, they become an active target. The system then sends personalised marketing messages, push notifications, or offers that encourage them to visit the store. If the product, service, or offer you send the customer is relevant, then the target is likely to visit your store. Benefits
4. BeaconingIt is a geolocation-based marketing method that uses Bluetooth or WIFI networks and connected devices. These connected devices act as a beacon, but they can only work with some predetermined applications. Beaconing is a perfect way to target existing customers within a geographic area. However, unlike what we saw in geofencing, the geographical location, in this case, is relatively small. Just think about your devices’ range of Bluetooth and WIFI networks to get a realistic image of the beacon’s catchment area. For example, a prospect walks around a big furniture store, and they reach the bed section. At this point, the store can send or inform the details of the sales offer of bed frames. Working This location-based marketing involves the beacon or the customer’s device sending a signal to your (business) device. Once your device receives the signal or information, it prompts a server to send the appropriate content to the device. The content sent to the customer’s device could be an email, a push notification, etc. Benefits
5. Mobile TargetingMobile targeting is a location-targeted advertising strategy that involves targeting your customers with ads specifically for mobile devices. It is no secret that the general public hates ads, and they will go out of their way to avoid them. Hence, with mobile targeting, you must make the ads context-specific. But, doing this is easier said than done. Basing your ads on time, device, location, etc., can significantly help you enhance your results. Social media ads are a perfect example of this type of location based marketing. You can target your marketing efforts based on location data with social media ads. It is especially effective to push customers into visiting your store, nearby events, and more. Working Mobile targeting works with the help of segment creation in your mobile ad platform. Here, you can define the qualifications of your target audience. Facebook ads are a perfect example of advanced mobile targeting. It enables you to narrow down on the ideal prospect for you. However, with a location-based marketing strategy, the marketing process is initiated only when the customer enters a specified area or comes in proximity to your store. Benefits
6. Geo-ConquestingWith geo-conquesting, you get geolocation-based marketing that can help you get the upper hand over your competition. How does it do it? Geo-conquesting diverts prospects from your competitors using location data. The logic behind geo-conquesting is much easier to understand than you might think. Suppose you are a realtor and want to get the upper hand against your competition. Here, you can set up a boundary around a busy open house your competitor is executing. So, whenever a potential real estate buyer comes near the property, you can send them offers on similar properties at a lower price. You can even set up another open house around the same time as your competitor’s open house to create a sense of urgency. Working Like geofencing, geo-conquesting is also a location based marketing that employs GPS technology. But instead of setting up a boundary near your store, you set it up around your competitor. Everything else in geo-conquesting is similar to the other strategies we discussed above. As the prospect comes close to your competitor, they start receiving marketing messages that divert them to you. Benefits
ConclusionLocation based marketing offers a lot of benefits to business organisations. It enhances the user experience, increases foot traffic, delivers relevant ads, and even lets you divert customers from your competition. However, more often than not, location-based marketing strategies can only work as well as the tools you use. Take PostGrid, for example. It enables customers to conduct easy and convenient geocoding to reveal valuable information about their target audience. Furthermore, geocoding is only a tiny part of what PostGrid can do for your business. PostGrid’s direct mail automation tool lets you personalise, print, and deliver marketing materials to your customers. Similarly, you can use other advanced tools to implement different geolocation based marketing campaigns. Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post Location-based Marketing appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/location-based-marketing/ TABLE OF CONTENTSPostcard Marketing Works: Here's How to Do ItWhen was the last time you remember getting a postcard? Well, to most people, the answer would be during the Christmas season. And some may not have received one at all for the past several years. If you think about it, receiving a postcard is somewhat exciting to us. Hence, it is no wonder that businesses have developed postcard marketing strategies to connect better with their customers. In this article, we will help you learn everything you need to know about postcard marketing. Not only are we going to explain how to do postcard marketing right, but we will also give you some quick tips to help you. Additionally, you will learn some of the most effective postcard marketing strategies to get the best possible results for your business. What Is Postcard Marketing?In simple language, postcard marketing is a marketing method that uses direct mail postcards as the channel of communication. We all know that a postcard is a form of direct mail. Similarly, postcard marketing is a type of direct mail marketing. Direct mail marketing involves sending all types of mailers, including postcards, certified letters, brochures, and much more. On the other hand, postcard marketing exclusively uses postcards in its campaigns. Using something as ancient as postal mail for marketing when literally everyone else uses email and social media may not sound like a smart move. However, on the contrary, it is precisely the reason why marketers should use postcard marketing. Postcard marketing gives you a space that is least occupied by mainstream marketing methods. Additionally, you can also use promotional print pieces, including discount coupons and other offers in postcard marketing. But, Isn’t Postcard Processing Time-Consuming?Yes, postcard processing can be time-consuming, but only if you are using a manual in-house process. However, it is a different story if you use an automated direct mail tool like PostGrid. Advanced tools like PostGrid enables you to automate the entire marketing process, including:
Hence, there is no need for any manual process anymore unless you choose to have one. It means you can save time and avoid all unwanted errors and optimise your postcard marketing campaigns. What Would Happen To My Digital Marketing Campaigns?One of the best things about automated postcard mailing is that it can work flawlessly alongside your digital marketing campaigns. Better yet, it can even be an integral part of your digital marketing efforts. How? PostGrid and other advanced direct mail marketing tools support multi and omnichannel marketing campaigns. For example, you can use postcard marketing as the first touchpoint of a multi-channel marketing campaign. Here, the significantly higher response rate of postcards can help you boost the campaign’s initial response. More importantly, you can use a QR code or PURL (Personalised URL) on your postcard to take them to your website or landing page. Why Should You Use Postcard Marketing?Most people take their time to look through their postal mail rather than ignore them altogether like marketing emails. Hence, if you are having trouble getting your target audience to open your marketing emails, you would have better luck using postcards. Postcards/Direct Mail Are More ExcitingPeople who receive a postcard or direct mail look forward to opening their mailbox every day. Receiving and opening postcards/direct mail is exciting for most of us. In comparison, receiving a marketing email is rarely exciting to anyone. They Are Rarely IgnoredThe thing about digital marketing efforts such as email campaigns is that the customer can easily ignore them. Your audience can leave the message unread in their inbox for as long as they want. At the same time, postcard recipients are intrigued when they get a postcard in their mailbox. And they end up reading the mailer if for nothing but curiosity. More Effective In Bringing In New CustomersAccording to a recent study, direct mail marketing brings in 10% more new customers when compared to email marketing. Therefore, no matter how good you are at email marketing, you will have better odds if you switch your communication channel. They Are More MemorableA whopping 75% of people that receive direct mail like postcards could recall the brand after seeing the mailer. On the other hand, only 44% of people could place the brand after viewing a similar email as per the study. Drive Traffic OnlineAs we have mentioned above, you can use postcard marketing to complement your digital marketing efforts or drive traffic to your website. You can use a discount code that the recipient can redeem online. Additionally, printing a QR code or PURL in the postcard can conveniently allow customers to access your website/landing page. They Are Sturdy And ResilientCompared to other direct mail types such as letters, postcards use much stronger paper. Therefore, they are more sturdy and resilient to wear and tear during transit. As a result, they remain clean and undamaged most of the time until it reaches their destination. 10 Tips On How To Do Postcard MarketingWe have already explained, using postcards is the most effective way for acquiring customers and retaining them. However, it doesn’t hurt to learn a few tips that can help you get the desired results from your direct marketing campaigns. The tips provided below will help your postcards grab the recipient’s attention and compel them to take the desired action. Tip 1: Use Clear-Cut Yet Bold HeadlinesThe last thing you want your marketing postcards to do is to confuse the recipient with its headlines. It usually happens when businesses try to get too abstract with the headlines, and the reader is left second-guessing themselves. Instead, try to use clear-cut headlines that directly outline the product or service you are offering. You can also use the headline to show how your brand can solve a problem that the audience’s problem. Additionally, you can also try using actionable headlines to further reinforce the action you want the recipients to take. Tip 2: Use a Call-to-Action That Boosts ConversionCall-to-Action or CTA is an integral part of postcard marketing. Do not skip the CTA on your direct mail under any circumstance. A relevant CTA specifies what action you want the reader to take after reading your direct mail or postcard. The desired action can vary based on the unique campaign you are running. However, the most convenient step you can present to the recipient is to visit your website or landing page. Once the audience reaches the page, they can fill a form or redeem a discount code online. You may also use the CTA to ask the recipient to call your business or go into a nearby store to redeem a discount coupon. The only thing is that you must make sure that the CTA specifies the action the recipient needs to take. You can use the CTA multiple times for reinforcing the move but make sure you keep it short. Tip 3: Use High-Quality And Relevant ImagesOne of the most significant advantages of using postcards as your marketing medium is that they include attractive images. The image printed on the front of the postcard is not just used to grab the user’s attention. It also allows you to communicate the purpose of the postcard to the reader. There are a few things that you should note when choosing the imagery for your postcard, such as:
Most of the popular real estate marketing postcard ideas use authentic images of the property. It allows the recipient to know what you can offer them. Furthermore, real estate buyers will always prefer raw pictures of the property over doctored images to get a realistic view. Tip 4: Pitch An Enticing OfferThe offer you pitch to your target audience can ultimately make or break your postcard marketing campaign. Try to come up with an offer that is relevant and attractive to the target audience. To do this, you must put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Ask yourself what is an ideal offer for you? Would you give a pass to that offer? What would make you want to fill out a form or buy a product? The more questions you ask yourself, the more clarity you can get on what the customer wants. Tip 5: Keep The Focus On The Benefits Instead Of The FeaturesA common mistake new marketers make when creating postcard campaigns is that they tend to focus on the features of the product/service. Although this might seem like a good idea at first glance, however, that is not the case. The customer couldn’t care less about the features if it does not directly benefit them. Therefore, you should stop trying to list out all the ways your product or service is better than your competitor’s. Instead, try explaining how those features can benefit your customers. For example, instead of elaborating on the technical details of a new washing machine, explain how it can clean the clothes faster and better. Tip 6: Stick To a Single MessageDon’t try stuffing too much information into your postcard. Remember that postcards are relatively small, and they can only contain so much information. Furthermore, the reader is unlikely to be interested in reading too much information. Hence, you should stick with one key message and one desired action from the reader. Tip 7: Track Your Direct Mail PerformanceJust like any other marketing strategy, you must measure and track the performance of your postcard marketing campaigns. There are different ways to measure or track the performance of your postcards. Some of the more popular methods for postcard performance tracking includes: QR CodesQR codes are now the most popular way for businesses to track the performance of their direct mail campaigns. It uses significantly less space, is convenient, and can even give you advanced insights based on the type of analytics tool you are using. PURL Or Personalised URLPURLs or Personalised URLs are precisely what their name implies. You can provide each of your audiences with a personalised URL. Seeing their name on the URL piques their customer’s curiosity, and they visit the page. You can then use your website’s analytics tool for tracking and insights. Dedicated or Toll-Free NumbersOne of the oldest yet still effective ways to track the performance of a postcard campaign is to use a dedicated or toll-free number. The number of responses should give an idea of how well the campaign is doing. However, the tracking capability and insights you can get through this method are very limited. Tip 8: Clean Your Address ListThe address list plays a vital role in the success of your postcard marketing campaign. An address list of inferior quality will not just fail in yielding the desired results but incur losses on your company. Let’s say that your address list consists of a lot of bad data. What would happen if you used this address list for your direct mail campaign? You will end up spending a lot of money on printing, processing, and mailing postcards to invalid addresses. As a result, your business can incur significant losses. Tip 9: Superior TargetingTargeting is a part of your marketing campaign where you shouldn’t slack off. Proper targeting can often have surprising results for your marketing campaigns. Even if your targeting list is small in numbers, it can still generate a better result if the quality of the list is good. You can target your campaigns better using tools like PostGrid. It allows you to validate your address database and neglect undeliverable addresses in it. As a result, the deliverability rate of your direct mail campaign increases, and the return rate of mail gets significantly reduced. Tip 10: Personalisation Is The KeyNever underestimate the importance of personalisation in postcard marketing. Personalisation is the only way you can ensure that your postcard does not get thrown inside the wastebasket. The more personalised your postcard, the better it can connect with the target audience. Think about it. Would you rather read a postcard that addresses you by your name or by something like “Dear customer”? Another thing worth noting is that you can use systems like PostGrid and connect it with your CRM for easy personalisation of your direct mail. 5 Postcard Marketing Secrets You Should KnowEye-catching postcard ideas alone are not enough to guarantee the success of your postcard marketing campaigns. Compliment your eye-catching postcard ideas with attractive marketing strategies that can entice customers. Below, we will list five postcard marketing secrets that can help you create more effective postcard marketing campaigns. #1 Make Use of VouchersWho doesn’t enjoy getting free vouchers? As far as promotional materials in postcard marketing go, vouchers are the best way to your customer’s heart. The voucher can be a discount code or a special offer the customer can redeem at your store. Additionally, they are also ideal for direct mail tracking. #2 Send Invites and Tickets To CustomersUnlike what you might think, sending invites (even Facebook invites) can get better results when using a postcard. Receiving an invite via postcard makes it look more exclusive, and the extra effort you take does not go unnoticed either. The same applies to the events your company conducts, as the recipients feel special when they get a personalised invitation. #3 Present Customers With Gift CertificatesMuch like vouchers, gift certificates are always welcomed by customers. Additionally, the A6 size postcard is perfect for branded gift certificates. The customers can either get it from your website or your physical store. #4 Send Thank You PostcardsSuppose your goal is to enhance customer satisfaction and ensure customer loyalty. In that case, sending postcards is the best option for you. A personalised thank you letter shows how much you appreciate your customers and leaves a lasting impression on them. #5 Get Valuable Feedback And ResponsesGetting valuable customer feedback should ideally be a standard process for your business. Postcards are the perfect medium for getting this feedback. You can include the postcard along with your products or lead them to an online form using a QR code in the postcard. Additional Postcard Marketing Strategies You Should Know AboutThere are several postcard marketing strategies out there, each one better than the other. We have listed some of the major ones above. However, some different postcard marketing strategies are also worth exploring, and they are listed below.
How To Use PostGrid To Optimise Your Postcard Marketing Campaign?The automated direct mail system of PostGrid enables you to automate every aspect of your postcard marketing process. It includes personalising, printing, and delivering your postcards. You can even connect PostGrid to your CRM software for easy and convenient personalisation of your postcards. Additionally, PostGrid also offers an address validation service that enables you to ensure the deliverability of specific addresses. As a result, you can minimise the direct mail return rate and save you valuable resources and money. ConclusionPostcard marketing campaigns are no longer a simple operation. Most businesses now deal with a vast number of customers. And sending personalised postcards to each of them is not practical using a manual process. Hence using automated systems like PostGrid is inevitable if you want to run successful postcard marketing campaigns. Even if you know all the postcard marketing secrets, it won’t help you if you cannot effectively implement them. PostGrid enables you to implement eye-catching postcard ideas with ease. It also lets you personalise, print, and mail postcards according to your convenience. Hence, businesses should use automated direct mail systems like PostGrid to efficiently implement their postcard marketing strategy. The post Postcard Marketing Guide appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/postcard-marketing-guide/ TABLE OF CONTENTSTop Direct Mail Integrations to Send Offline Mailings With an Online FeelAre you looking for ways to make your direct mail and digital marketing platforms work together? If yes, you have come to the right place! We agree that transferring data back and forth between different tools can be daunting and time-consuming. The good news is that there is a way to resolve this issue! Most automated mailing platforms like ours offer several direct mail integrations to help you achieve this goal. They allow transferring data from online to offline campaigns and vice versa. Incorporating direct mail into your current tech stack simplifies sending personalised, timely items without disrupting your workflows. You can save time and reduce error-prone tasks while improving offline communications! Below, we discuss our built-in, seamless direct mail integrations to conduct data-driven, responsive mailings! Let’s dig in! What Does a Direct Mail Integration Mean and How Does It Work?A direct mail integration enables you to combine mailing capabilities with your existing digital marketing tools. The primary purpose is to interchange customer data for brand promotions, engagement, and correspondence. Let us think about- automating daily posts and reaching relevant audiences with social media marketing tools. Mailing custom postcards using direct mail integrations can motivate your most loyal followers to purchase from you. You can identify your followers by the number of likes and comments they make on your posts. Sending mailers to them can help push them ahead of their customers’ journeys and boost sales. But how can you prepare custom postcards and ship them to the correct people? Mail integrations allow you to extract data from your online tool to create, print, and send relevant mail pieces. There is no need to complete labour-intensive and time-consuming tasks in-house. All you have to do is push a few buttons, and your campaign is ready! PostGrid’s native direct mail integrations provide you with
Integrating our direct mail API into your systems makes all mailing features available to you on a platform of your choice. It makes direct mail a breeze because you have all the tools at your fingertips. For instance, your CRM only allows you to view, manage, and track new client orders on your website. But a direct mail integration enables you to prepare and send offline items, like an invoice or customer account statement. It is handy because many people prefer getting offline correspondence. Also, direct mail gets a response rate of 60%, which is higher than other channels. Using direct mail integrations to automate sending marketing and transactional items to customers is the need of the hour! How to Expand Your Marketing Activities With PostGrid’s Top Direct Mail Integrations?PostGrid offers many integrations, enabling clients to send offline mailers from a digital ecosystem. Our zero-code integrations ensure you complete the process in a few minutes without advanced technical know-how. Here are some of our most popular direct mail integrations: HubSpot to Automate Marketing and Transactional MailPostGrid offers easy and quick HubSpot direct mail integration to add offline mailing to your marketing, sales, and customer management tools. This integration enables these companies to print and mail postcards, letters, cheques, invoices, statements, and other items with a few clicks. They can automate direct mail campaigns, from design and printing to labelling, distribution, and tracking! You can send triggered mail pieces, which you generate from HubSpot lists, workflows, and contacts. Also, you create new flows or contacts based on your needs and campaign goals. PostGrid leverages this direct mail integration to help businesses send personalised mailers, making them stand out! Here are some use cases:
There are several more use cases for HubSpot triggers. Once you get started with our HubSpot direct mail integration, you can
Companies can use the HubSpot direct mail integration to decide the volume, timing, mail type, and event-based triggers! We help complete the print and mail processes in an automated manner! ActiveCampaign for Triggered and Bulk Mail ProgramsGenerate more leads and sales with a high ROI using our ActiveCampaign direct mail integration for marketing. Your sales and marketing teams can use this integration to connect with your audiences beyond email or once-in-a-while calls. ActiveCampaign is one of the best marketing automation tools. Integrating our direct mail API into your account makes it better! PostGrid allows you to avail yourself of many features via its direct mail integrations, like
A leading healthcare provider in London recently launched a large-scale mailing campaign using our ActiveCampaign integration. They used ActiveCampaign for years but only focused on email marketing and social media. Direct mail was a breath of fresh air for them because they could tap into new markets, engage more prospects, and boost their brand reputation. PostGrid helped the organisation set up the ActiveCampaign direct mail integration in only a few minutes. Also, our dedicated dev support and detailed API documentation assisted the team throughout the process. Salesforce for Effective Multi-Channel CampaignsSalesforce is one of the largest CRMs worldwide, with many comprehensive tools for businesses. It is a leading player in offering clients customer acquisition, retention, and branding features. PostGrid’s Salesforce direct mail integration works the same way as others. You can set it up without coding and send mailings from within your system for ease and convenience. Here are some use cases:
Use PostGrid’s professionally-built templates to create custom artwork for your mailers.
Send individual mailings based on customers’ behaviours via our Salesforce direct mail integration and contact relevant prospects promptly.
Ship items with trackable features to get in-depth campaign performance analytics.
Use the Salesforce direct mail integration to launch omnichannel campaigns and increase brand visibility. PostGrid lets you pull off these campaigns under one roof—effectively and affordably. Zapier to Access Data From Over 1,600+ AppsZapier direct mail integrations let you connect PostGrid’s online mailing features with 1,600+ applications. Hence, you can automate many direct mail tasks, like advertising, invoicing, compliance, and more! PostGrid + Zapier direct mail integration can help you accomplish any task you want, depending on the apps you connect with. For example, you can pair PostGrid, Zapier, and Jotform to send tailored quotes to prospects by preparing and sending custom forms. Or you can connect with Google Ads to take relevant data and use it for your upcoming direct mail campaigns. The possibilities are endless! More Details About PostGrid’s Affordable, Speedy, and Effective Direct Mail IntegrationsOur all-in-one solutions allow companies to prepare, print, and ship items all at once We serve all industries, including healthcare, retail and eCommerce, real estate, insurance, and more. They can plug PostGrid’s direct mail API into their favourite platforms! Here are our top features that you can find in every PostGrid direct mail integration:
Every direct mail integration we offer plugs these features right into your system. Thus, you can experience better flexibility, save time, and increase efficiency! Request a demo now to know more about PostGrid’s direct mail integrations and how they can benefit your business! Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post Direct Mail Integrations appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/direct-mail-integrations/ TABLE OF CONTENTSWhat is Print Advertising?If you run multiple digital marketing campaigns, you will know how competitive it is to get your business noticed by the audience. The digital space is brimming with marketers from all industry verticals where everyone is fighting to grab the attention of the same audience. No matter how hard you work you put in digital marketing campaigns, you may still not get the desired results. Therefore, it is high time that you switch up your marketing game and take a fresh look at things with the help of printed advertising. Printed ads are now the perfect alternative to digital ads. It is easier to get your business or brand noticed via print media than the digital medium. Unfortunately, most marketers are not familiar with print advertising because they never had to dabble with it. Hence, we have created a small guide that explains every essential detail you need to know about print advertising. Keep on reading to find out what is print advertising, the different types of print ads, their benefits and even take a look at some print advertisement examples. The Different Types Of Print Marketing MaterialsPrint advertising is a marketing method that utilises physically printed media like direct mail, newspaper, magazines, etc., to reach the target audience. Printed ads offer a significantly higher response rate and ROI (Return On Investment) than other marketing methods. But before you can tap into the full potential of print advertising, you need to understand the different types of advertising that use print media. There are mainly six different types of print advertising that are still quite popular today. Every type of print advertising has its own advantages and disadvantages. The ideal one for your business depends on the kind of campaign you wish to run and the business model you follow. In addition to this, there are several other aspects that you need to factor in before selecting a type of print ad. Listed below are the six major types of print advertising and their salient features. Analyse these features against your marketing requirements and end goals to find the ideal one suited for your unique business. #1 Direct MailDirect mail is arguably the most effective and measurable form of print advertising. The most significant reason businesses prefer direct mail over other print ads is their ability to target the audience individually. Direct mail is sent individually to the target audience. Hence, direct mail can be easily measured using an actionable CTA. The CTA can be a QR Code, a PURL, or even a dedicated phone line. In addition to this, direct mail also lets you personalise each mail piece specifically for its recipients. The biggest challenge in executing a highly-personalised direct mail campaign is the time and effort it requires. However, you can easily overcome this challenge by using a print and mail automation tool like PostGrid. #2 Newspaper AdsNewspaper ads are still an effective way to market your products/services, especially if you want to communicate to a larger audience. However, the newspaper ads are not personalised like those you see in direct mail. Furthermore, newspaper ads can only be effective for your specific product or service if your target audience reads the newspaper. Nonetheless, it offers a high conversion potential as the paper readers are often proactive customers who engage with the ads. Apart from this, newspaper ads are affordable and trustworthy. A business featured in the newspaper, even a local one, creates the impression that it is a well-established brand. Hence, newspaper ads are also great as a prerequisite for retargeting campaigns. #3 MagazinesMagazine ads are similar to newspaper ads in their method of operation. However, magazines and newspapers are two very different mediums in terms of their content and readers. Using magazine ads can be crucial in making your brand the centre of attraction for your target audience. When you compare it to newspapers, magazines let you target a more specific audience. For example, suppose your product or service is related to lifestyle. In that case, you can put your ads in a leading lifestyle magazine. It is also worth noting that the UK, US, and even Asia still have an affinity for magazines. And since there is a specialised magazine for pretty much everything you can think of, reaching your niche audience should be relatively easy. Magazines also let you use high-quality images that best portray your product and attract more customers. #4 BrochuresSome of you might be surprised that brochures are still a popular marketing tool even in today’s technology-driven era. The truth is that there are very few marketing tools that can get you in touch with your target audience like a brochure can. It can help you establish your brand and raise its credibility. Brochures may even do a better job at accomplishing this than newspaper ads. In addition to all this, brochures are perfect for holding a lot of information and conveying it efficiently to hundreds or thousands of people. Brochures can be handy when launching a new business and introducing new products. Flyers usually only need a single piece of paper, and hence they are very cost-effective. Lastly, you can also combine brochures with your direct mail campaign for getting better results. #5 BillboardsBillboards are easily one of the oldest methods in marketing. And to think that Billboards are still relevant today is surprising. One of the most significant advantages that billboards offer your business is that the customer quickly notices them. However, it is one thing to get noticed by the customer and quite another to convert them into valuable leads/customers. Interestingly, billboards allow you to target your campaigns to a specific audience and not just a larger random audience. And you can’t ignore a billboard no matter how much you want to because it is always there glaring right at your face. It is one of the reasons why billboards are still among the most viewed advertising types in the world. #6 DirectoriesDirectories are another one of popular print advertisement. They are ideal for businesses that want to create wider brand exposure and build a client base for themselves. Additionally, the directories come in different forms, such as:
A business that can get itself a spot in the yellow pages is usually legit, and the customer can trust them. Legitimacy is the base you need to establish trust and credibility with your target audience. However, directories are rarely a priority for businesses today. Why Is Print Advertising Still Popular?There is no hiding that digital advertising has long surpassed print advertising in every measurable way imaginable. However, that does not mean that digital ads have rendered print ads useless. On the contrary, the over-dependency on digital media for marketing is now raising the demand for print ads. Print advertisements such as direct mail still have higher conversion and response rates than digital alternatives. But, to understand why businesses still need to use print ads to stay relevant, you need to dive into more profound details than the numbers. Print advertising is still popular among businesses because of the following reasons. Print Advertisement Lets You Avoid The Same-Old Boring Way Of Approaching Customers Yes, we know it may seem odd to call digital marketing approaches “same-old” when you compare it against print ads like direct mail. Calling digital marketing approaches such as email marketing “same-old” is mainly because of the prevailing market trend. When was the last time you got excited to open a marketing email? Customers have become too familiar with digital marketing efforts because of prevailing market trends. So, when you take the path less walked to send a printed ad, it quickly registers on the recipient’s mind. When customers see the products on printed ads, they value the product/service higher. The unique nature of print ads like direct mail leads to:
Print Advertisement Provides Significantly Higher Conversion RatesMany companies don’t use print advertisements because they require a considerable investment compared to digital advertising. However, print ads also offer a substantial ROI or Return On Investment. A customer is more likely to respond to your marketing campaign on print media. It is valid for every type of print advertisement, including direct mail, newspaper ads, etc. Hence, you must provide an actionable CTA to ensure a high conversion rate. For example, you can try including a QR Code in your direct mail and brochures that take the customer directly to the product page. Using QR Codes is the most convenient way to take the customer to your website or landing page. As long as you have a good value offering, the customer is likely to convert at this stage. Print Advertisement Is Perfect For Building Trust And Establishing CredibilityHave you ever noticed that most customers (including ourselves) are still sceptical about online brands? Unless you are already familiar with the brand through an offline medium, we have difficulty trusting the brand. But, we find it easier to accept and trust brands with an offline presence. Our brain is wired to associate print media as a trusted source of information. Hence, it is not surprising that the customer automatically concludes that a brand is credible simply after seeing a print advertisement. Consider an online eCommerce store with no physical stores or direct marketing campaigns. Now, compare it against a brand with a physical store or a noticeable presence in print media such as newspapers and magazines. Which is likely to seem more credible and trustworthy to you? Print Advertisement Has Superior Demographic TargetingDemographic targeting is yet another strong suit of print advertising. Although demographic targeting in print marketing is not as convenient as digital platforms, they still do a decent job. Many people think that demographic segmentation is not possible for print ads, but that’s a huge misconception. With well-done research and a good marketing strategy, you can use your print ads to reach the desired demographic target. However, it becomes a lot easier if you are using direct mail marketing with the help of an automation tool like PostGrid. PostGrid is a print and mail automation tool with access to the Postcode Address File (PAF) of Royal Mail. It means that PostGrid can access Royal Mail’s official address database. Furthermore, PostGrid even has a geocoding feature ideal for demographic targeting. What Are The Advantages Of Print Advertising?There are some definite advantages of employing a print advertisement for your business. However, it would be best to have automated tools to get the most out of your print marketing campaigns. For example, you can use a print and mail system like PostGrid for optimising your direct mail campaigns. Using an automated system enables you to streamline the time-consuming printing process. A tool like PostGrid can help you automatically print your direct mail or brochures and even personalise them if you want. You can even schedule when to send such printed advertising. Automating the maximum number of processes leads to fewer errors and wastage. There is no way some distracted employee will mess up your brochure or direct mail during printing in an automated system. Hence, you are essentially streamlining your print marketing processes which ultimately gets you the following advantages: Cost-Effective:Although print advertising is usually more expensive than digital advertising, it is still very cost-effective. Perhaps more than digital marketing campaigns if you consider the high response rate and ROI of print advertisements like direct mail. Even using the local newspaper is a cost-effective way for marketing your products/services. However, you need to ensure that your target audience will view such advertisements based on the medium you use, such as newspapers, magazines, etc. Boost Your Brand Value:Generally, most people consider print media more trustworthy and credible than digital media. Hence, all print ads you implement go a long way in establishing your business as a customer’s reliable brand. Particularly print advertisements in newspapers, magazines, and direct mail appeal more to the customers as reliable. In addition to this, print advertising is perfect as a precursor to retargeting your customers because now you have established a brand value for your business. Better Quality Engagements:Another advantage of print advertising is that it can drive quality engagements. Usually, when someone takes action and contacts a business via print advertising, they genuinely intend to buy a product/service. People who read newspapers do it to gain some information from it even if they are going through the advertisement section. Additionally, the customers need to go through the trouble of calling you or scanning a QR code. It proves they have a genuine interest in the product/service you are selling. Extended Viewership:When you use a print advertisement in media channels like newspapers, magazines, and billboards, you reach out to more than one person. Usually, a single piece of newspaper or magazine is read by multiple readers. What does it mean for your print marketing campaigns? It means that your print ads are likely to get vast viewership for every piece of newspaper and magazine brought in the market. Hence, print ads are ideal for getting wider exposure for your brand. Superior Flexibility:Print advertising is much more flexible than what they are credited for, even more so if you use automated systems like PostGrid. Even the ads in print media like newspapers and magazines can have area-specific marketing campaigns. But, when we move on to print marketing campaigns aided by automation tools, you get a whole new level of flexibility. Take PostGrid, for example. It can automate your entire direct mail campaign, including personalising, printing, and delivering marketing material. 4 Best Print Ad Campaigns Of All TimeImplementing a successful print marketing campaign is not always easy. Every successful print advertising campaign has one thing in common: creative thinking. Catching the audience’s attention requires a great idea that is attractive and capable of making the customer think. If you get it right, the customer will think about your print ad long after viewing it. Below, we discuss some of the best print advertisement examples of all time to help you understand how to use print ads innovatively. #1 The Time When KFC Pitched Used IKEA’s Brand Colors When KFC opened a new outlet in Majorca, Spain, they didn’t think that the nearby IKEA was worth any notice. But later, KFC found that when people wanted directions to their store, the local’s always answered with “where Ikea is.” However, the brand was quick to respond to this new information, but how they responded gained immense attention. The fast-food giant put the association to good use and mimicked IKEA’s brand colours and typography for their local store. #2 The “Chunky” Mail From Kit-Kat One of the best direct mail campaigns in recent times is Kit-Kat for their newly launched Chunky Kit-Kat. Their direct mail included mimicking a card that informed the customer about a missed delivery. However, the more critical detail was “the reason” for the late delivery. Kit-Kat said in the mail that they could not make the delivery because the package was too “chunky.” The clever wordplay did the campaign a lot of good and made it a memorable experience for the audience. Inside the mail, Kit-Kat also offered the audience a bar of free chocolate, but they would have to go to a local retail store to redeem it. The brand saw a tremendous response to this direct mail campaign and made a noticeable impact on its target audience. #3 Ogilvy’s “You Eat What They Eat” Print Ads Ogilvy made a bold statement in their print advertising campaign when they said, “You Eat What They Eat.” The message was strongly complemented by the image of a fish with its body shaped like a plastic bottle. It implied that the fish ate the plastic bottle that we threw in the ocean without a second thought. Additionally, the organisation says that we have the responsibility of not littering our water bodies with their one-liner. Ogilvy’s print advertisement leaves the reader with an unsettled feeling which stays with them even after viewing the ad. And that is the mark of a properly executed print marketing campaign. #4 IKEA’s “Peeing On This Ad” Campaign For Baby Cribs IKEA took innovation in print advertising a step further with their “peeing on this ad” campaign for their baby cribs. Usually, people peeing on their printed ads is the last thing any business would want. So, what made IKEA take the opposite approach and encourage their customers to pee on their ads? Well, the big secret behind the bold move from IKEA was that the baby crib ads also act as a pregnancy test. Suppose if a pregnant person pees on the print ad and gets a positive result, then IKEA would give a 50% discount for the soon-to-be mother. ConclusionIn recent years, businesses have dialled down the use of print advertisements compared to the old days. However, that does not mean that print advertising is no longer effective or useless. Print ads like direct mail still have a higher response rate than most digital marketing campaigns. Also, you now have the option to equip your print marketing campaigns with automated processes. Automation rectifies manual errors and helps you optimise the processes involved in print advertising. PostGrid for direct mail is an ideal example of how a computerised system can optimise your print ads. Print and mail automation tools like PostGrid can automate the direct mail process. Everything from personalisation to printing to mail delivery is automated and requires no manual intervention once it is set up. Such automation saves you valuable resources, minimises wastage, and gets you maximum ROI. The post What is Print Advertising? appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/what-is-print-advertising/ TABLE OF CONTENTSWhy You Need Education Marketing And The Top Trends To Watch Out For in 2023Did you know that the global E-learning market is projected to reach $457.8 billion by 2026? There is no question that the global E-learning market is booming, especially since the pandemic drastically changed our lives. But is your educational organization or institution ready for the cut-throat competition that comes with the booming market? Do you have a comprehensive education marketing plan in place to beat the competition? Educational institutions need to implement specialized marketing strategies to attract new talent and elevate their standards. Hence, we will help you understand education marketing and explain how it is different from standard marketing strategies. Additionally, you will also find a list of education marketing strategies that you can use to scale your brand and reach a wider audience. What is Education Marketing?Education marketing is any marketing campaign that promotes educational content or helps educational institutions. Your educational content can be in any form, including
Educational content sells like hot cake, as long as you implement the right marketing strategies. Furthermore, the pandemic has accelerated the need for educational content worldwide. As a result, there are numerous learning solutions released in the market every day. Educational apps and other distance learning tools are helping students all over the world continue their education. More and more companies are entering the academic industry, especially with new valuable learning content. Hence, quality education marketing is the only way for educational organizations or institutions to get ahead of the competition. Why Do We Need Education Marketing?There are over 500,000 educational apps currently on the App Store, Google Playstore, and other platforms. However, this number is increasing every day, which signifies the growth of the educational industry. It is also worth noting that the e-learning market is not just limited to educational apps. Other popular educational solutions or products include eBooks, videos, online courses, educational websites, and more. With so much competition in the e-learning market, it is not easy to get noticed without an education marketing plan. Education marketing uses various strategies to promote helpful learning content. You could even say that it is the only way for educational institutions or organizations to ensure that their content reaches students. Education Marketing vs. Education-Based MarketingOne of the most common misconceptions about education marketing is that most people think it is the same as education-based marketing. The latter is a marketing strategy that focuses on educating the prospects rather than pitching them with a sales offer. On the other hand, education marketing is all about marketing activities in the industry. Major Marketing Activities In Education MarketingEducation marketing includes all marketing activities in the education sector. Some of the significant marketing activities in the education sector are listed below. School MarketingUntil a few years ago, schools didn’t need any marketing activities as they relied entirely on their reputation and word of mouth. However, that time has long gone, and millennial parents are super picky about their children’s education. Almost every parent goes online and reads reviews of schools before making a decision. So, schools that do not have a significant presence online or an active education marketing strategy in place go ignored. Higher Education MarketingHigher education marketing holds a special place when it comes to marketing for the education industry. Colleges and universities often use marketing for higher education to attract new and promising talents. Marketing higher education helps educational institutions to establish their brand and drive more enrollments. Furthermore, the students also benefit from these marketing efforts as it helps them pick the right path. Educational Sector Digital MarketingAlthough educational institutions still employ several traditional marketing techniques, it is not enough to survive in today’s highly competitive market. Like every other industry vertical, the education industry too must embrace digital channels for conveying their message to a large target audience. Furthermore, digital channels are often cost-effective. It enables you to target a much broader audience than traditional marketing methods without burning a hole in your pocket. Some of the common digital marketing channels educational institutions can use include email, social media, web content, and more. Educational Sector Social Media MarketingAs you know, social media is now more than just about connecting with people online. Social media marketing has become a fully operational marketing tool that can target both parents and students alike. Hence, educational organizations must make it a point to have an active presence on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. You can use social media sites to engage with your target audience and understand their needs and expectations. However, there is one thing that educational institutions need to remember. The content that you post on social media should always be bite-sized and captivating. Long-form content does not work on social media sites. Educational App PromotionsAs you know, the prevailing educational app market is highly competitive. Even if you have a great product or app, it may still fail to succeed in the market. With proper planning and perfect implementation of education marketing, you can get ahead of the competition. Top 6 Education Marketing Strategies For 2023In recent times, the best-performing marketing strategies in the educational industry use advanced automation for enhanced convenience. Automation reduces the chance of an error significantly and helps to ensure the best possible outcome for your marketing efforts. However, traditional marketing methods are still employed by educational institutions because of their promising results. Below, we list some of the most promising education marketing plans you need to watch out for in 2023. #1 Connect With Your Audience On Social Media PlatformsDid you know that roughly 42 percent of our population are social media users? Millennials are regular users of social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, etc. However, the same social media networks are also used by Gen Z, Gen X, and baby boomers. Establishing Meaning ConnectionsOver the years, many social media platforms have come and gone. The ones that have survived have matured to accommodate a myriad of ways for promoting a business or its products. However, your goal should always be to create meaningful connections with the customer through engaging content regardless of the social media platform. Social Media Marketing or SMM PersonaCreate a social media marketing (SMM) persona that accurately represents your target audience. Some of the details of the persona you should consider are:
Make sure that every post you create on social media for your educational business aligns with the interest of the SMM persona. You can even try testing different social media marketing strategies. Tweak Your Promotional EffortsUnlike several other marketing channels, social media platforms provide you with loads of information for optimizing your marketing campaigns. Even if your business grows gradually where your social media content interactions reach over a million, you still get accurate insights from social media. It shows you exactly who’s sharing your brand’s content. #2 Incorporate Digital Advertising in Education MarketingDigital advertising is an effective and convenient form of marketing educational services and products. Precise targeting is the most significant advantage digital advertising has over traditional ads. It means you can target your audience based on various factors such as:
Digital Advertising ChannelsThere are several digital advertising channels that offer great results to your education marketing plan. Some of the most popular and effective digital advertising channels include
None of the solutions listed below is perfect because each has its flaws and advantages. Hence, quality education marketing strategies should generally use a combination of different channels. Gather As Much As Data As PossibleWhen it comes to digital marketing, ensure that you gather as much data as possible. Collecting this data enables you to monitor the effectiveness of your existing campaigns. As a result, educational institutions can make well-informed decisions for their campaigns. #3 Build A Mobile-Friendly Website And Optimized Landing PageAnother unavoidable component of education marketing campaigns is a mobile-friendly website and optimized landing pages. There are almost 2.87 billion people in the world! It means that you can’t succeed in the market without a mobile-friendly website or a dedicated app. The mobile-friendly website or app should include links and navigation elements that ensure a fluid user experience. Furthermore, the links and navigation elements must be easily clickable. Finally, you must ensure that the loading time of the mobile website or app does not exceed three seconds. Consider Using AMP Or Accelerated Mobile PagesAMP or Accelerated Mobile Pages is a web component framework developed by none other than Google. It is a website publishing tech that gives you the ability to create web pages that prioritize user experience over anything else. Furthermore, it is fast and ensures smooth-loading of the website. Google’s Mobile-Friendly TestWebsite development is often expensive, and it might take educational institutions time to implement these changes. However, educational organizations can ensure their existing website passes Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test. Doing so enables you to ensure that your website is ready for education marketing. #4 Encourage Students To Leave Online ReviewsThe majority of customers read reviews online before they decide to visit a business or pay for a service/product. Hence, online reviews should be an integral part of your education marketing plan. Make the review process as easy and convenient as possible to encourage the students to submit their reviews. Make It FunSubmitting reviews is not necessarily fun for everyone. However, you can eliminate lengthy review forms and replace them with a star-based rating system. Additionally, you can make the verbal feedback entirely optional to further enhance user convenience. Quick Response To ReviewsEnsure that you respond to the review as fast as possible whenever you get an online review. It doesn’t matter if the reviews are good or bad. You still need to reply to all of them. Look at negative reviews as scopes for improvements and work to rectify the issues for the students. #5 Use Engaging Video ContentEducators have often used engaging videos for teaching. And now they can use exciting video content for education marketing purposes. Videos are often easily consumed by the masses. It is relatively easy to get the point across to the target audience via video. Transform Existing Products/ServicesVideos are among the most popular educational content you can find. Hence, you can always repurpose your existing educational video content for your marketing purposes. It saves you valuable time and effort and brings down the cost of video content marketing for you. Use Different Forms of Video ContentThere are different types or forms of video content an educational institution can use, and some of them are:
Let your audience decide which type of video content you need to produce. You can understand this by keeping track of different metrics like time, average view duration, click-through rates, etc. #6 Use Automated Direct MailDirect mail is still one of the best ways to reach out to prospective students or parents. However, sending direct mail for higher education marketing can be time-consuming and hard to manage, especially when you do it in bulk. You can add a modern spin to your direct mail campaign by automating the whole process. Several advanced direct mail automation tools are available in the market, such as PostGrid. It allows you to automate your entire direct mail campaign saving you the trouble of printing and delivering the mailers. Personalized Mailers You can integrate systems like PostGrid with your CRM software, and you can easily personalize your mailers. It enables you to send personalized postcards or letters to the students or parents. Instead of taking hours to write or print the mailers manually, you can use PostGrid’s system to do it for you in a matter of seconds. Specialized Education Direct Mail Service Advanced systems like PostGrid offer specialized direct mail services for the educational industry. PostGrid for education enables educational institutions to run marketing in the education sector and much more. With a specialized service, you can use the automated direct mail system for sending materials such as:
Combine Online and Offline Marketing Channels With an advanced system like PostGrid, you can easily combine your online and offline marketing efforts. You can include a simple QR code inside the mailer. The recipient can conveniently scan it and navigate to your website. You can even use it to implement omnichannel marketing campaigns for your institution. ConclusionEducation marketing is becoming more and more competitive every day. Technology-based educational solutions are hype today, and new companies are swarming to take the leading position. Effective education marketing is the only way educational institutions can get ahead of their competitors. Educational institutions must employ new and innovative marketing strategies to reach prospective students. Advanced direct mail automation is an excellent example of how educational institutions can innovatively market their business. Using a tool like PostGrid, you can easily automate your direct mail marketing. It means you can send personalized postcards, brochures, flyers, and more delivered to the target audience with the click of a button. Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post Education Marketing appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/education-marketing/ TABLE OF CONTENTSWhy are Direct Mail Solutions Important for Your Business in the UK?Let us begin this blog by imagining two different scenarios. So, it’s a lovely sunny day in Britain, and a mailman comes to your home and drops a post into your mailbox. Won’t you feel excited and have the instant anticipation of opening the mail? At the same time, you receive an email in your inbox. Will you have any excitement to open and read this email? Direct mail solutions are vital for businesses to reach potential customers, increase sales, and boost brand awareness. Organisations can target and reach consumers with their marketing messages. According to Fundera, 70% of consumers consider direct mail more personal than other marketing channels. This data should be enough to break the misconception that direct mail is expensive. Even Royal Mail claims that 75% of small businesses that use direct mail agree that it provides a better return on investment. If you are searching for the best direct mail solutions, this blog will help you learn everything about physical mailing in the UK. What is Direct Mail in Britain?Snail mail or direct mail in Britain refers to advertising and sending physical materials to prospects, such as letters, postcards, flyers, and more. The main goal of this type of marketing is to promote products or services to specific target audiences. You can use a direct mail solution by focusing on geographical location, purchasing behaviour, or demographic data. It would help you to reach the audience with the appropriate message. Royal Post is responsible for regulating direct mail in the country. You must comply with their rules and regulations, such as getting consent for mailing lists and formatting mail. Direct mail campaigns have a higher open and response rate because of the personal factor. It’s a common marketing medium for B2B and B2C business landscape. Also, taking advantage of direct mail solutions means combining physicality, data, and connectivity. PhysicalityThe physical nature of direct mail will generate 20% more responses than digital messages. DataDirect mail solutions let you target customers most valuable for your business. Launching campaigns by considering the demographics and geographic and psychographic segments is possible. This effort would help you transform your prospects into valuable customers. ConnectivityDirect mail solutions can also contribute to marketing through other channels, especially digital marketing. Together they would give you higher customer engagement and brand awareness. Direct Mail Solutions in Britain. Why Should You Care?A direct mail solution is a popular marketing tool in the UK, despite the huge growth of digital marketing tools. British businesses prefer using snail mail as an effective way to reach their target audience. Advancements in printing technology, increasing demand for data analytics, and e-commerce businesses are the primary reasons behind the growth of direct mail solutions in the UK. This industry may face challenges due to rising postage costs. Over the past few years, Royal Post has also increased its rates. Yet, innovative direct mail solutions like PostGrid are mitigating these challenges with targeted mailing lists, bulk mailing discounts, and reducing the size of mailings. Royal Mail says over 63% of Britons take direct mail more seriously than emails. More than 80% of Britishers feel that receiving direct mail feels more memorable than receiving emails. It shows that direct mail solutions are still preferable for many Britons. You can also use data analytics to make direct mail solutions more effective. It would help you to target specific demographics and interests. Your business will have access to a more qualified audience to increase the likelihood of responses. So, why is direct mail gaining popularity even after the digital revolution? There have to be some significant reasons. Benefits of Using Direct Mail Solutions for BusinessesThere are still some misconceptions regarding direct mail solutions. Yet, they provide plenty of reasons for businesses to adopt in their marketing campaigns; Cost-Effective Marketing ApproachYes, you read that right! There are often misconceptions that direct mail campaigns are more expensive than email marketing. Yet, you must take a look at the result of each medium. Interestingly, direct mail gives you an open rate of 90% and a response rate of 9%. It makes physical mail one of the most cost-effective channels of marketing. You can further save resources by targeting a specific audience likely to respond more. Utilise data-driven techniques with direct mail solutions to tailor your mailing lists for successful campaigns. Get Better Control of Your Marketing EffortsThe ideal direct mail solutions will give you greater control over your mailers. You can determine the design and the audience that will receive them. This greater control over campaigns will help you reach the right people with the right messages. Improvement in ReachDirect mail solutions helps you to reach a much larger audience than other marketing channels. By sending pieces to postal addresses, you can have an assurance that your recipients receive your message directly. Measurable Campaign ResultsWith direct mailing solutions, you can track responses from customers. It would help you understand what will work best and what won’t. You can redefine your campaigns with these results to ensure you reach your goals. Multiple Formats to ExperimentYou can experiment with different formats while running direct mail campaigns. There are various shapes and sizes for your marketing goals. You can also add promotional codes and coupons to make your mailings interesting. Versatile Marketing MediumAre you looking for a marketing channel that can do almost everything? Direct mail solutions can help you in different ways, such as customer retention, product launches, lead generation, and event invitations. You can do a lot more with direct mail marketing than you can ever do with other marketing channels. A Highly Tangible and MemorableAn average person receives around 100-120 emails per day. Could this vast number create a memorable experience for the recipients? No, they are often in confusion about an enormous influx of information. On the other hand, direct mail solutions provide a tangible piece of physical material. Customers can hold, touch, and keep this mail in their household. Thus, it gives them a more lasting impression and increases brand recognition. Less Competition with Direct MailToday, everyone is rushing to innovate radically. It’s important to remember that old, tried, and tested methods of reaching prospects still work. Companies are giving more favour to digital marketing instead of relying on direct mail. It could be your opportunity window to get noticed smoothly. Yet, you must be creative with your direct mail piece to stand out in someone’s mailbox. Direct mail solutions in the UK are more up-to-the-point and less distractive. If someone finds a coupon or special offer in your mail, they might not use it immediately. Yet, they are going to keep it in their household. Then, if they are looking for a service or product, your business will pop into their mind. You won’t get such activeness from your prospects with digital marketing. What About the Formats? How Many Options Do I Have?Considering different formats is a great idea to fulfil different audiences. You can further personalise these various formats to expect higher response rates. Here are some famous forms you can experiment with direct mail solutions; PostcardsYou should send postcards if you want to send a short message. They are best at sending relevant offers, brand awareness, product or event announcements, subscription reminders, and more. It is one of the most effective direct mail solutions that you can try. Most businesses prefer using postcards on special occasions like festivals, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. This format is creative, compact, and cost-effective to send. Your prospects don’t need to open them; they are more likely to get read. LettersYou must use something other than postcards for each of your marketing campaigns, especially if you want more space to include a longer message in your direct mail piece. It would help if you considered using letters for launching products or services with details. Letters are also ideal if you want to send something confidential to your customers. As direct mail experts, we often suggest our clients use personalised letters to increase their lead conversions. CataloguesThey are also very famous among businesses. Catalogues are creative and help in delivering more information. You can list multiple products in a prospectus or raise brand awareness. These pieces are famous for ensuring engagement rates and boosting the response of customers. Now that you know the benefits and formats of direct mail solutions, you must have the excitement to start your campaign. To save time, money, and energy, you should follow these recommendations: Things You Should DoDefine Your Target AudienceBefore investing anything in direct mail solutions, you must know who will show interest in your offerings. Physical mail can provide you with a great ROI and engagement rate. Yet, it is always better to research your target market. Running Multiple TestsAfter creating your marketing campaign and mailing lists, you should run a few test batches. It would help you to evaluate performance and avoid mistakes with your direct mail campaigns. If you integrate QR codes, coupons, phone numbers, or email, ensure they also work. Ensure You Have a CTAThe direct mail should include a call to action to encourage your audience to take action. It should be clear, concise, and engaging in luring their attention. You can ask the audience to call, schedule an appointment, visit your website, pay money, and more through a strong CTA. Things You Should AvoidForgetting to Proofread Your Mail Pieces“What’s there in print cannot be erased” Any typos or grammatical errors in your direct mail pieces could lead to catastrophic results. Make sure that you take enough time to double-check the copy before sending it. Also, maintain a good flow and tone while sending your mail with direct mail solutions. It could be either professional or conversational; the message should be clear. Not Following UpForgetting your mail pieces after launching a campaign is another mistake. You have to track how many people are responding to your mail pieces and understand their persona. In this way, your business will develop a database of customers who are more likely to respond to future marketing. You can utilise this information to send a short message to them to retarget them. Not Driving Traffic to Your Online PresenceNo matter how valuable direct mail solutions can become. Still, most of your business will take place online. Thus, it is vital to drive your audience to your online channels to expect business from them. This way, they will connect with your business without waiting for the next direct mail piece. Email Vs Direct Mail Solutions: The War of Attention, Response Rate, and ROIEmail marketing might have some technological benefits. Yet, direct mail solutions can provide you with some unique advantages. It is highly personalisable, attention-grabbing, and provides higher ROI. This comparison chart will help you understand the main differences between the two;
As you can see, you have a clear advantage when you consider direct mail solutions over email. It gives you higher response rates and brand recognition in the market. How to Launch Your Direct Mail Marketing Campaign?Are you curious about launching your campaign with direct mail solutions? We suggest you consider the following aspects; Build a Customer Mailing ListBuilding a customer mailing list is essential once you’ve identified your ideal customer. You can rely on the mailing lists of prospects or existing clients. An authentic list is necessary to make your direct mail campaign successful. PostGrid can provide you with a targeted mailing list. This list could be very convenient, especially for a small business. Focus and Finalise the DesignThe direct mail piece’s design is essential when sending letters, postcards, envelopes, and more. It will help if you put immense care while crafting your mail pieces. The postal service provider will give you support with shipping materials when necessary. Personalise the Mail PiecesWhen relying on a direct mail solution, personalisation is a vital aspect that you must consider. It would give your recipient a more personal touch and improve response rates. You can personalise the design, message, recipient name, address, and other information. Take personalisation to the next level by adding a QR code or URL link to allow the recipients to access digital content. Custom Mailers and EnvelopesAvoid sending your mail pieces in simple white envelopes. Instead, you can create custom envelopes and mailers to add better brand value to your campaign. It can have creative branding, colours, and graphics. This step would make your snail mail piece stand out in the mailboxes. Adjusting and Improvising Depending on OutcomesWhen you run a direct mail campaign, it is vital to track the response and performance of your efforts. It would help you to avoid bottlenecks and improve your message. We recommend calibrating your business and direct mail campaigns depending on the outcomes. Track the response rates and follow up with recipients. The Right Use of Digital TechnologiesQR codes and personalised URLs can help you improve your response rates and campaign ROI. It also enables you to gain better insights into user behaviour and preferences. Stay Updated with the Market TrendsIf you want to get the best results from direct mail solutions, keeping up with the latest changes and trends in the market is vital. You can read direct mail marketing blogs or talk to our experts to get the best information on the latest trends. Give Away Coupons with Your MailingsYour prospects may only show interest in your physical mailings if you provide value. Yet, they will store them if you add coupons to your pieces. For example, you could be running a restaurant business and sending a snail mail piece to raise brand awareness. Most people won’t even bother to take a look at your mail. If you add a discount coupon, they will store the mail and visit your restaurant. Coupons generate interest and an urge among people to consider your business. We would like you to follow these tips to get better responses;
Now comes the budget you must spend to launch your direct mail campaigns. Remember, you must consistently put efforts into physical mail marketing to get fruitful results. Cost of Direct Mail SolutionsWell, there’s no single defined cost of a direct mail campaign. There are a lot of factors that affect the price of direct mail solutions. Remember, direct mail is not a single process. Thus, we should also divide the cost into three major components; The CreativeThe direct mail piece creation cost depends on whether you use in-house design or templates. You can our PostGrid’s template gallery or editor to craft your mail. Printing CostsThis cost would highly depend on factors such as paper stock, quantity, size, and finishing of your mail piece. Personalisation in printing can add additional costs to your direct mail solution. Yet, with PostGrid it won’t be an issue, learn more about our pricing. Mailing CostNext, Royal Mail’s postal pricing will depend on factors like the size, weight, and distribution of your mail pieces. Are you looking for a reliable direct mail partner? We’ve got you covered! PostGrid Direct Mail Solutions in the UKIf your business is looking for a complete direct mail solution, then PostGrid could be the ideal choice. We enable you to create, print, and send direct mail with full automation. The Print & Mail API by PostGrid gives you complete control over physical mail campaigns and boosts your ROI. Curious about our direct mail solution? Let us answer your questions to help you make an informed decision; How will I ensure maximum deliverability with your direct mail solution?PostGrid provides you with address verification API with PAF certification to ensure the deliverability of your mail. How can I track the results of my direct mail campaigns?To learn about progress, you can access a whole analytics suite on every order and conversion. How can I integrate PostGrid with my existing systems?Integrating our API with any CRM, tech stack, and tools with Zapier integration is possible. We also provide dedicated developer support for easier integration and setup. Will I be able to follow regulatory compliance to avoid penalties?PostGrid and all its partners meet the certification of GDPR, DPA (Data Protection Act), ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, and 2701 certifications. It enables you to use our direct mail solutions under legal frameworks and requirements. How will you ensure data privacy and security?PostGrid hosts data on Amazon Web Services with security and confidence. You never have to worry about data breaches with enterprise-grade security measures. Can multiple users manage our direct mail campaigns?The interactive dashboard allows multiple users to manage campaigns with ease. They can integrate the API into different software systems. Can I scale your direct mail solution according to my business?Our platform is a highly scalable solution that adapts to your needs. Thus, you can send a handful of mail or even thousands. Signup now to access reliable direct mail solutions. Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post Direct Mail Solutions appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/direct-mail-solutions/ TABLE OF CONTENTSBest Direct Mail Marketing Examples and IdeasDirect mail marketing is not something you can master overnight. There is no way you can nail your direct mail campaign the first time, regardless of how much prep time you get. However, that does not mean that proper preparation can’t help you significantly boost your chance of success. But, what is the best way to prepare yourself to run a successful direct mail campaign? Do you go online and read hundreds of articles on how to create a direct mail campaign? Or do you just wing it by using a trial and error method? Well, it can’t be the second option because that’d mean wasting a lot of your resources and money. One of the best ways to create direct mail campaigns with a high success potential is to study successful direct mail examples in the past. By closely examining direct mail examples that have yielded positive results, you can identify practices you can adapt for your campaigns. But, it is also important to understand the basics of direct mail marketing before you try using the direct mail examples provided here. You need to know what is what before you can jump in and start a direct mail campaign. So, let’s begin straight away. What is Direct Mail?Direct mail is nothing but marketing material that you mail directly to your customer’s home or business buyer’s office. It could be an automated postcard with a unique coupon code or a catalogue that showcases your products/services or something else altogether. Another popular direct mail material is solicitation letters from nonprofits. You may also send free samples to your target audience through your direct mail campaign. Usually, a business organisation sends a large number of mailers to its prospects. However, generating a response from the prospects or target audience is easier said than done. Sending direct mail to a much larger audience improves your chance of generating a sufficient response. A sufficient response would be one that can balance the cost of mailing and also leave a profit for the organisation. Do you know what is the response rate you need for running your direct mail campaigns profitably? You only need a 1% or 2% response rate for running your campaign profitably. However, the required response rate varies depending on the price of production and the number of mailers you send. 10 Creative Direct Mail Marketing ExamplesDirect mail marketing is all about standing out from the crowd and presenting something fresh to your target audience. In the past couple of years, several creative direct mail campaigns have brought fresh ideas to life. Here, we will discuss some of the most creative mailers employed in direct mail marketing. The DNA Box From JeepJeep is an automobile brand that needs no introduction. Even their global tagline ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ is well-known around automobile enthusiasts. However, Jeep wanted to further cement their brand values across their diverse target audience through creative direct marketing ideas. To accomplish this, the brand p sent out a ‘test Kit’ to their target audience. The brand was really creative about the contents they included in the ‘test kit’. Jeep’s kit consisted of several items, including a clock, a compass, and small test tubes containing elements of nature. The compass represented going “anywhere” with a Jeep, the clock for taking your Jeep out “anytime”. Similarly, the test tube filled with elements of nature was a subtle acknowledgement to their other tagline, “Freedom, Adventure, Authenticity, and Passion.” Free Kit Kats From NestleIn a recent direct mail campaign, Nestle decided to make a bold move by giving their customer a free Kit Kat Bar. Nestle created a direct mail campaign to promote their new chocolate bar, Kit Kat Chunky. However, it is not just the idea of giving out free chocolate bars that are admirable about Nestle’s campaign. Nestle also used a brilliant design for this campaign. The mailer said “Sorry, we couldn’t deliver” on top, implying they could not make a delivery earlier. However, what’s really interesting is that the mailer also states a made-up reason for not making the delivery. The reason for not making the delivery is marked in the mailer as “It’s too CHUNKY for your letterbox.” Nestle uses the same font as the one on the wrapper of the new chocolate bar to avoid any confusion. The wordplay used here is subtle yet easily noticeable, making it one of the best direct mail campaigns. The Brain Balloon From The EconomistAnother one of the creative direct mail campaigns you should turn to for inspiration is the brain balloon from The Economist. In this creative direct mail inspiration, The Economist included a red balloon with black and white printing on either side of it. On one side, they printed an illustration of a human brain, and on the other side, the classic logo of The Economist. The idea here is simple; the brain expands when you inflate The Economist balloon. Here, the brand subtly implies that the customer should read/subscribe to The Economist to grow their (brain) knowledge. Using Invisible Ink For World Water DayOne of the most innovative direct mail marketing ideas in recent times was when a corporation in Belgium used invisible ink on their mailers. Yes, you heard it right, invisible ink! For world water day, a Belgium corporation sent out direct mail printed with invisible ink that only turns visible when held underwater. The campaign was so successful that the recipients would read the mailer repeatedly just to see the invisible ink appear. Of course, you could say that the mailer wasted more water in the process than saving it, contradicting the mailer’s purpose. But, from a marketing perspective, it was an immense success. The Candle Box From Earth HourEarth Hour is yet another brand that successfully comes up with creative direct mail campaigns. The brand’s most successful direct mail examples involved sending a foldable candle box to CEOs and industry leaders. Earth Hour didn’t just send out any old plain candle box either. When unfolded, the front of the candle box formed the facade of a building. The box was entirely black and the yellow candle acted as a screen to clearly show the paper cuttings. The cuttings included people shapes placed inside the windows. If you remove the yellow candle from its candle box, it looks like the light just got turned off on the building. The campaign was remarkably successful, and the support for their cause went up like never seen before. Self-Buildable 3D Hologram Prisms From GoogleIt is not surprising to see the name Google in this list of innovators. But, you may not have expected to see them making efforts in direct mail marketing. However, Google once again manages to put a futuristic spin even to their direct mail campaign. How did they manage to do this? By using a simple holographic prism that the recipient can build themselves. All they had to do was follow the instructions provided in the mailer and fold the plastic piece accordingly. Once folded the prism resembled the shape of a pyramid with its cone on the top cut off. After building the prism, the recipients could find a video on youtube and place the prism on top of the video, and voila, a homemade hologram! Mis-Fortune Cookies From Hell PizzaMost of us love fortune cookies. Even the ones who don’t like fortune cookies find them at least mildly interesting. You could even say that fortune cookies have everything you’d look for in a marketing channel. You open them up like a mailer to reveal information that predicts your fortune or offer. Hell Pizza was the first to incorporate the idea of fortune cookies into their direct marketing. However, instead of fortune cookies, Hell Pizza used “misfortune” cookies in their campaign. The misfortune cookies had witty and mildly dark messages inside, like old expiry dates that ran out years ago. Tomato Splat From LavOnlineThe Tomato Splat direct mail campaign from LavOnline is an ideal example of smartly targeting your audience. They started by identifying managers and young professionals who do not have an active laundry service employed. When opened, the direct mail used in the campaign would take the form of a white t-shirt. Sounds interesting already, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t end there. Because the real star of the campaign is a tomato included in the package. The company goes on to ask the recipients to splash the tomato on the white t-shirt. Again, the interactive nature of the direct mail worked well for the company and saw a marginal difference in the results. Google Maps Printed On The EnvelopePrinting the Google Maps location of your business on the direct mail envelope is one of the compelling direct mail examples. The Google Maps printed on the envelope automatically gives your mailer a unique look and helps it stand out from the rest. Wouldn’t you be intrigued too if you received an envelope with a map printed on it? Then, the recipient would at least notice the mailer and open it. The map on the envelope can also be used to relay other information, such as a discount offer. You may even use fictional or fantasy locations if your business does not have a physical store/office. Origami And Pop-Up BooksOrigami is the art of folding paper into exciting shapes. You can use origami in your direct mail and make it more fun to interact with your mailer. This approach is especially effective if your product or service targets households with little children. Another direct mail design that uses the same principles as origami is pop-up books. The pop-up books are perfect for telling your brand’s story and for grabbing the reader’s attention. Ikea has already successfully implemented pop-up books as part of its direct marketing efforts. Additional Creative Direct Marketing Ideas You Can TryWe have already discussed some of the best direct mail marketing campaigns in recent times. But, there are more ways for you to ensure better results for your creative mailers. Some of these creative direct mail marketing ideas are as follows:
How to Perfectly Execute Your Creative Direct Mail CampaignsRegardless of how creative you get with your direct mail campaign, it would be best if you still keep on following specific guidelines. We have listed the major guidelines below that can help you reach your direct marketing goals. Always Go For High-Quality Targeted ListsIf you pay attention, you will notice that some aspects are common in all successful direct mail campaigns. The most prominent among them is the use of targeted lists. Using high-quality targeted lists lets you cut down on mailing costs by getting rid of unqualified recipients. For example, a local grocery store owner can choose the targeted list for their business from their locality. Similarly, you can target your audience further based on product attributes, customer taste, and more. You can even get help from a list broker to create a list based on numerous customer demographics such as:
Never Underestimate The Importance Of An Organised MessageNow that you’ve gone through the best direct mail marketing campaigns, you might have noticed that they all have a well-organised message. So, what does it mean to have an organised message in your direct mail? The simple answer is that the direct mail message should immediately convey the benefits when the audience opens the mailer. A common mistake made by marketers is that they cram up too much information in the mailer. It usually happens when the marketer is new to direct mail campaigns. As a result, the critical parts of their message get lost in the shuffle. Hence, it would be best if you made your message concise. For example, you can send customers a short letter along with a brochure. Some quick pointers you can follow to ensure organised messages are as follows:
An Attention-grabbing Envelope Can Boost Your Open RatePerhaps the most crucial point of the entire direct mail campaign is when the customer receives the mailer. Why? Because once the recipient has the mailer in their hands, they will decide whether or not to open it. Therefore, you must make your envelope look attractive and generate curiosity in the recipient’s mind. For example, try asking a question on the envelope that provokes the reader and pushes them to open it. You could also try highlighting or hinting at the key benefits in the mailer. For example, “Save 50% on your purchase”. Offering a reward inside is one of the best ways to pique the reader’s interest and make them want to open the envelope. Testing Your Direct Mail is a Must!At the beginning of the article, we said that regardless of prep time, you still need experience mastering direct mail. You can refer to all the direct mail marketing ideas out there, but by the end of the day, you’d still need to test it. Only after testing your mailer can you know for sure that all your preparations and strategies affected the campaign. However, you don’t have to test your mailer directly on a live campaign. Instead, you could try testing the mailer on a small percentage of your actual target audience. For example, you can send direct mail to 3% of people in your target list with a unique offer. Then, you could send the same mailer to another 3% of people in your target list but this time, with a different offer. You can analyse the response rate for both mailers and determine which offer resonates better with your target audience. Similarly, you can test various aspects of your direct mail, including the design, colour combinations, messaging, and much more. How To Get The Best Result For Your Direct Mail Campaign Using PostGridYou can refer to the best direct mail marketing campaigns and still come up short in achieving the desired results. No matter how good or creative your direct mail marketing ideas are, you can’t get the desired results unless you implement them effectively. PostGrid is a robust direct mail automation tool that lets you streamline your entire mailing process. It enables you to automate every aspect of the direct mail marketing campaign. So, you can personalise, print, and mail your creative direct marketing ideas without any manual errors. PostGrid also gives you access to advanced tracking and insights into your direct mail campaigns. We already know testing is also a vital part of streamlining a direct mail campaign. Furthermore, PostGrid also provides an address verification API that lets you ensure the deliverability of your direct mail. ConclusionDirect mail examples are the best place for marketers to gain inspiration regardless of whether they are newbies or industry experts. Every business needs to try to use/implement innovative and creative direct marketing ideas to boost its response rate. However, good ideas alone can not make a successful direct mail campaign. You need an advanced tool like PostGrid that can execute your creative direct marketing ideas without any errors. PostGrid’s automated system minimises any chance of error so your campaigns can run smoothly. With all manual processes out of the way, PostGrid lets your direct mail campaigns gain a life of their own. Also, the address verification API from PostGrid allows you to make sure your addresses are deliverable. So, by the end of the day, you can flawlessly execute your innovative direct mail marketing ideas with ease using PostGrid. The post Creative Direct Mail Marketing Examples appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/interactive-direct-mail-ideas-examples/ TABLE OF CONTENTSIntegrated Marketing: How To Successfully Combine Online And Offline Marketing ChannelsAre you worried about your email campaigns not performing up to the mark? A typical customer receives tens and hundreds of marketing emails every week. It is easy for your marketing email to get lost in the plethora of marketing emails the customer receives every day. What if we told you that there is a better, more innovative way to ensure the success of your marketing campaigns? Integrated direct mail campaigns incorporate different marketing or communication channels to enhance the impact of your marketing message. Here, we discuss everything you need to know about integrated direct mail campaigns and how they can benefit your business. We will also look at how you can integrate your direct mail and email marketing efforts. The article also discusses the scope of multichannel marketing. Additionally, we will explain why using a direct mail automation tool is essential for all multichannel or integrated campaigns. What is an Integrated Direct Mail Campaign?An integrated direct mail campaign is a marketing strategy that integrates multiple channels to your direct mail marketing campaign to communicate effectively with the target audience. In other words, you can pitch the same or similar marketing message to your target audience across different channels. It enables you to plan your marketing message deep into the audience’s mind and generate better results for your marketing campaigns. There are several advantages of combining or integrating different communication channels for your marketing campaign. As we know, direct mail marketing is one of the most effective marketing channels that offers an excellent open and response rate. Including direct mail in other marketing campaigns makes it stand out from the over-familiar digital marketing campaigns. 5 Reasons For Employing Integrated Direct MailThe primary reason for integrating direct mail campaigns into your digital marketing is simple. It has become increasingly challenging to capture the customer or prospect’s attention via digital channels. Direct mail marketing enables marketers and business owners to reach their high-priority customers and prospects effectively. But, that is only part of the story. Many marketers and business owners have realised the potential for direct mail marketing in today’s environment. However, only a few have realised the potential of fully integrating direct mail into their digital marketing efforts. Here are 5 of the most significant advantages of integrated direct marketing that other marketers don’t want you to know about. #1 The Halo EffectWith integrated marketing communication, you can effectively integrate the marketing message across all marketing channels you use. Say that you use direct mail, email, digital ads, and social media as marketing channels. Using an integrated marketing approach, you can time your marketing message to reach the audience simultaneously via different channels. Such an action creates the “Halo” effect, making the whole combination more remarkable than the sum of individual parts. It essentially means that your marketing message creates a more significant impact on the audience than a regular marketing campaign. Furthermore, direct mail plays a substantial part in making your marketing message memorable. It is possibly the most impactful marketing channel for conveying the message. #2 Increases Direct Mail ‘Cut-Through’As we have already mentioned, direct mail’s cut-through rate is significantly higher than any digital marketing channel. More people are eager to open a direct mail and check out its content than a digital channel such as Email. As a result, it helps you promote awareness or boost brand recognition of online organisations. Hence, you can drive more traffic to your website or social media pages. So, it effectively increases your website’s SEO ranking on the digital marketing side. In other words, you can use direct mail communications to improve the visibility and traffic of your online assets. #3 Move Valuable Responders OnlineAn integrated marketing strategy connects online and offline marketing channels and allows the user to move from one medium to another. Although direct mail offers several advantages to its customers, ‘ cost to touch’ is not one of them. Direct mail campaigns are often more expensive than online marketing channels because of their requirements. Furthermore, snail mail is not a convenient communication channel as it can take days to talk to someone via mail. You can use direct mail to lead the customers and prospects to a desired online channel, including your website and social media page. Hence, direct mail acts as a gate-opener to facilitate low-cost and convenient conversation between you and your customers. #4 Personalised Direct Mail Messages That Align With The Online ExperienceWith online marketing capabilities, you can easily segment audience data. Marketers and business owners can use this segmented data for creating personalised direct mail messages that align perfectly with the online experience. What does it mean for your marketing-integrated direct mail campaign? It means that you can create more impactful marketing messages. More importantly, it means that the marketing message that you wish to convey continues to reach the audience beyond direct mail. The same message and offer are reflected on the online channels. However, such details are dependent on the marketer or business owner who executes the integrated marketing campaign. If you can get it right, it will enable you to minimise the possibility of buying dropouts. #5 Hyper-Personalised Direct MailYou can go a step further in integrated marketing by employing hyper-personalised direct mail. As the name suggests, hyper-personalised direct mail involves creating a one-on-one and consistent customer journey. Also, hyper-personalisation needs to apply to offline and online channels in integrated marketing communication. It can sometimes be tricky, especially if you don’t have post data on the customer. It is an approach that works best for your past customers or retargeting campaigns. You can base your marketing campaign on the previous buying behaviour and pitch an offer that’s relevant to them. You can even use a PURL in the mailer to pique the customer’s curiosity and make them take action. Integrating Direct Mail And Email CampaignsOne of the most convenient ways of implementing an integrated direct marketing campaign is to integrate your direct mail and email campaigns. The majority of marketers are well familiar with both marketing channels, making combining the two relatively easy. By combining direct mail and email campaigns, you can effectively optimise your marketing efforts and get better results than independently using either of the channels. It means getting a higher response rate and meeting your marketing goals more effectively. Direct Mail vs EmailBoth direct mail and email are two very different marketing channels. Both have their own set of benefits and challenges. You can achieve success for your marketing campaigns using either of the marketing channels. However, both channels do not have the same features as a marketing channel. Email Marketing On the one hand, an email campaign is relatively easy to set up, and they provide some great insights such as open rates and the number of clicks. But, on the other hand, the marketing noise level of email marketing has already reached its peak. In other words, the customer’s inbox is blowing up with unopened marketing emails from EVERYONE. As a result, the open rate of email marketing campaigns has generally come down. Hence, it is no longer viable to use Email as your sole marketing channel. The risk of losing consumers to competitors is high. Direct Mail Marketing Direct mail marketing is not as mainstream as Email marketing. Not many marketers or business owners have stopped using it. Furthermore, people generally like receiving direct mail and opening its content. As a result, direct mail always tends to have a higher open and response rate than Email. According to Fundera, “the direct mail open rates can reach up to 90%”. However, the challenge with implementing direct mail campaigns is much more significant than email marketing. Companies used to have to manually print and write/print letters and then deliver them to the target audience. Today, advanced direct mail solutions like PostGrid are available that let you automate the entire direct mail process. Direct mail still needs more time to execute Email campaigns as it involves printing and delivering the mailer via postal service. How to Integrate Direct Mail and Email Marketing Channels?Integrating direct mail and email marketing channels is one of the basic forms of integrated direct marketing. Because of its simple integration, it is an easy way to understand the concept of integrated marketing. Therefore, learning how to integrate direct mail and email marketing channels will help you use the strategy in more complex situations. The new and advanced direct mail automation tools enable you to integrate the direct mail system with CRM and other marketing tools. Thanks to direct mail automation tools like PostGrid, marketers can easily create personalised and targeted direct mail campaigns. It enables you to send direct mail to the target audience on every significant part of the customer journey. For example, you can send a direct mail for pitching a new offer or product your company is launching. Later you could send a thank you note to customers that brought what you were selling. Here are some ways to integrate direct mail and email marketing channels for your business. Target Your Non-RespondersSometimes, you create a near-perfect or perhaps even perfect Email marketing campaign for your business. You have an exciting new offer, an innovative new Email message, and just about everything you need. Yet, the campaign will still have some non-responders. There are several possibilities why the audience didn’t respond to your message. They may have lost your Email in the marketing emails cluster they receive every day. You may also have caught the customer at the wrong time, and they did not feel like responding then. In this case, an integrated direct mail campaign can do wonders for your business. Create a list of non-responders to your email campaigns. Then, create a highly-personalised direct mail piece for the target audience and send them the mailer. Such campaigns yield excellent results for business and connect with the audience that you would have otherwise lost. Create Efficient Follow Up CampaignsAcquiring new customers via Email marketing is not easy, and it gets more and more difficult as time passes by. Furthermore, the constraints of GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation makes it even more difficult to target new customers via Email. Nonetheless, acquisition marketing can benefit businesses, especially start-up companies. It is also ideal for momentarily boosting your revenue. You can bypass the challenges of GDPR to some extent by integrating direct mail communications. Direct mail ads are not as tightly wound as Email marketing regarding GDPR. It means that you can use direct mail for the initial outreach mail and then direct the reader to a landing page. Once they reach your landing page, you can categorise the relevant audience and follow up with Email campaigns. Use Direct Mail as a Basket/Cart ReminderAs a customer, we are all well-familiar with basket or cart reminders. Every time we add a product on an eCommerce site and do not complete the checkout process, we get reminder emails about it. However, these basket reminder emails often go ignored or worse. They go to the spam folder. Such a situation could lead eCommerce businesses to a substantial loss of revenue. Integrated direct mail can offer a solution to this problem. Direct mail automation solutions like PostGrid enable Ecommerce companies to automatically send basket or cart reminder letters via post. As we know, the chances of the customer opening the direct mail are significantly higher than any other marketing channel. Hence, if the customer is genuinely interested in the product, they will likely complete the purchase. Furthermore, sending direct mail as a basket reminder will also help your company stand out and establish itself as a brand. You might also find our blog “Triggered Direct Mail Marketing” helpful if you are interested in trigger-based automatic direct mail marketing. Event MarketingConducting events are a great way to attract new customers and engage with the existing ones. Numerous companies attend networking events and trade shows every year. Such trade shows are highly beneficial to the event organiser. They can collect relevant information on the attendees and create priceless and appropriate mailing lists. The success of such an event is very much dependent on how significant a reach you have in delivering the event invites. With integrated direct mail campaigns, you can use direct mail and email communication channels to maximise the invite reach. Furthermore, a printed event invite looks more professional and excites the event to some extent. Similarly, companies taking part in the event can use direct mail to customers or prospects that visit their booth. You can even collect the company’s details, such as company name, email address etc. so that you can follow up with them. Hence, using an integrated marketing approach can be a driving factor for event ROI. You can also consider sending postcards as event invites. Read our blog “Automated Postcard Mailing” on using postcards for marketing campaigns. Multichannel Marketing ApproachIn many ways, integrated direct marketing resembles a multichannel marketing approach. However, a multichannel marketing campaign is usually more complicated than integrated marketing. We merely integrate the new channel or channels to an existing marketing campaign in integrated marketing. In multichannel marketing campaigns, the whole marketing strategy incorporates several marketing channels. Furthermore, the marketing strategy itself is more complex for multichannel marketing campaigns. Tips For Multichannel or Integrated Marketing CampaignsHere are a few tips that can help optimise your multichannel or integrated marketing campaign. Maintain Consistency Make sure that your messaging is consistent throughout the marketing campaign regardless of how many channels you use. It is one of the most crucial tips a company needs to use multiple channels for marketing campaigns. Additionally, you should also try to be more consistent in your branding. Give special attention to finer details such as maintaining a consistent tagline, colour scheme, and even the font you use. In other words, a prospect who has already received the marketing message should immediately recognise your brand from the follow-up. Stagger Your Communication Points We never send three consecutive Emails in one go for Email marketing as it runs the risk of looking like spam. The same goes for your advertising mail. You must not send consecutive mail to the customers without adequate intervals in between. Marketers must learn to stagger their communication points in integrated marketing campaigns. It is the only way the user has enough time to take in all the presented data. For example, if you are targeting new customers, the best place to start would be to introduce your brand. You may then follow up with your products/services and explain how their life can be better with what you have to sell. So, you need to gradually rope in your customers with regular follow-ups instead of presenting with a lot of complex data. Use Landing Pages Intelligently Landing pages are an integral part of almost every digital marketing campaign. However, many may not realise that landing pages are incredibly beneficial to direct marketing. You can lead the customer to a landing page via a QR code printed on your mailer. It will take the audience to the appropriate page on your website. The strategy has forever been used in Email marketing. It is now a popular choice for direct mail marketing. There are several advantages to connecting a landing page to your integrated direct mail campaign. You can use it to increase traffic to your website and make your marketing campaign more visually appealing to the target audience. Furthermore, you can use your website analytic tools to access detailed insights about your marketing campaign and customer behaviour. ConclusionImplementing an integrated marketing campaign is not easy. A lot of planning and hard work is necessary to incorporate multiple communication channels for a single integrated marketing campaign. And in many ways, an integrated marketing campaign is similar to multichannel marketing campaigns. Multichannel marketing campaigns can be even more complex as they usually include more communication channels. However, using advanced marketing tools like PostGrid can significantly make your life easy. PostGrid’s automated direct mail tool enables you to execute advanced integrated direct mail with minimal errors. You can even integrate PostGrid’s systems into your CRM and personalise your letter. It saves you valuable time and even helps to streamline your direct mail communications. Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post Integrated Direct Mail Campaign appeared first on PostGrid UK. 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