Postcard Marketing Is Good Business For Many Reasons

By Deborah Sullivan


It is not unusual for people starting businesses to worry about money and count every penny. They sometimes try to cut costs on advertising expenses, but this is always a mistake. A professional website is essential, and if your market is local, you will also need a way to contact potential customers on a personal level. Postcard marketing is relatively cheap and extremely effective, if done correctly.

Unlike some mailers, postcards are economical to print and mail. You can even go with over sized cards and still save money. A good mailing list is critical for success however. Postcards may not be as glamorous as four color glossy brochures, but you can develop professional looking mailers that are eye-catching and informative.

Creativity is as good as money in many cases. If you use your imagination you can find uses for postcards beyond mailing them. They can be effective business cards when local shops allow you to leave them on counters. Punching holes in the tops turns them into hang tags. If you are offering discounts, passing them out at local community events are a way of extending the use of extra cards.

Because they don't cost much, you might use them to do some market testing. You might try an offer on a small group of residents to measure the success. If you get a good percentage of response, you can expand your reach and send the cards to a wider audience. Not everything is going to work. Testing with inexpensive mailers is a way to keep costs down and still learn what your target audience responds well to.

Sending postcards are a great way to keep your competition from knowing exactly what you are doing until it is too late for them to counter your campaign. When you put ads in the paper or on your website, everyone has access to the information. Don't be fooled. Your competition will be watching. Sending mailers makes it harder for them to compete.

Don't be fooled into thinking your audience will remember you from just one mailing. You have to budget for consistent mailings, offers, and discounts throughout the year. This is the way you will develop a lasting brand and name recognition. Customers may not rush to your shop or office, but with a steady advertising campaign, you will see an increase in your foot traffic over time.

Since postcards don't take up much room, potential customers are more likely to keep them, especially if you are offering a discount when they present them at the time of a purchase. They will also keep them if you have a code to enter on your website for a drawing or special limited time offer. Everybody loves a deal, and the cards are a great way to present yours to the general public.

Even businesses based on great ideas fail. This can happen for a lot reasons, but a main one is lack of marketing expertise. In order to succeed, the buying public has to know what you have to offer. Sometimes the simplest mailers make the most impact with target audiences.




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