Imagine that someone new in business asks you to recommend a marketing strategy. What would you say? Many would say social media. Some would say influencer marketing. Only a few people would mention direct mail. Many people trust that this is history, but they are very wrong. Trust us, direct mail is rising day by day. It is one of the best ways to connect with your present or future customers. Are you surprised? There is no reason to be! We will now describe the power of direct mail. Here is why it still works for businesses (and better than ever).
Physical Things Impress Customers
Do you remember the last time you received a piece of mail? More precisely, a piece of mail that wasn’t a bill or random flyer? If you received a postcard or personalized letter, can you tell us how it felt? We are sure that it has drawn your attention quickly. Direct mail is not like standard mail and that is its power. It can’t be deleted with one click or just disappear after a few seconds. It is something that you can feel and physically hold. It can sit on your coffee table, kitchen counter, or desk and remind you of the brand that sent it every time you see it. This is why innovative bulk direct mail has been used very often recently. Businesses are becoming more and more creative. They try to use creative designs, high-quality materials, and interesting messages to grab people’s attention. For example, if you own a bakery, you can send coupons for free pastry. Or, if you are a real estate agent, you can send a postcard with perfect photos of the new listing. These direct mails, these physical things have a sensory experience that online ads simply can’t create. They can also spend a lot of time in certain corners of customers’ houses, which gives your message more time to create an impact.
There Is Less Competition
Everyone’s online inbox is full of unread emails. There are newsletters, promotions, spam… This means that your message is only one in a million. It is the same with social media feeds. Users are looking at hundreds of ads in only a few minutes or hours. But direct mail is a completely different story. You probably know that you don’t receive many physical mails. As we already mentioned, once you do (and it’s not a bill) it catches your eye. This means that direct mails have less competition than emails. They also have a much better chance of success. When someone opens their mailbox and finds your creative postcard or letter, they will most likely take a few minutes and read it. Once they are familiar with your business and interested in it, you are many steps ahead of your competition.
Your Business Will Have High ROI
Statistics don’t lie. And here is one: businesses that use direct mail have very high ROI. This is because the response rates for direct mail are one of the highest in the marketing world. Let’s make it clear: the response rate for direct mail is 4.4%, while for email it is just 0.12%. Imagine that! It is a huge difference! Not to mention that direct mail always attracts higher-quality leads. Now you can see why it is such a powerful tool for your business. Why are the numbers high for direct mail? The answer is very simple. People feel honest intentions with direct mail. They know that a business took some time and effort to send it. They didn’t just copy some generic message and send it to all followers on social media. This makes people perform certain actions. They will 99% visit your website, buy something, or use a received coupon. What does this mean for you? You will reach the right people, and your business will have a very high ROI in a short period.
People Have More Trust In Direct Mails
Fake ads and phishing emails are everywhere. Admit it, we have all clicked on some ad or link and realized it was a fake website. There are also people who order something or give their personal information and never receive their orders. People became very skeptical about digital marketing. The situation is much different with direct mail. People trust something they can hold in their hands, especially when they see a good design and trustful brand. Just imagine – would you trust if you received a random email saying “Congrats! You are the winner of a new phone!”? Or would you have better trust in a creative postcard from a local business that offers you a coupon? The answer is pretty simple here.
Direct Mails Can Be Personalized
Each direct mail can be designed to perfectly fit its recipient. Just imagine that you receive a postcard with your name! Or you receive a special offer based on what you love! It is a very personal thing, right? This is the real magic of direct mail. However, this personalization is not just about writing someone’s name. Businesses can use data and create whole campaigns specifically for people’s needs and interests. For example, pilates studios can send direct mail to local residents and offer them a free trial class. Or a pet store can send discounts for cat food to customers who recently bought clothes for their cats.
You Can Combine It With Digital Marketing
One of the biggest illusions you can have is that you have to choose between digital and traditional marketing. This is so not true. In reality, direct mail works best when you combine it with digital marketing. It is a perfect synergy that creates perfect results. How can you make this combination work? For example, you can send direct mail with a QR code that will lead to a personalized webpage or inspire people to follow your business on social media.
If you had the tiniest doubt about direct mail, now you have your answer. It’s the perfect tool for small local shops, businesses, large corporations.. everyone! Direct mail can be your secret weapon to beat the competition. It is only important to use it carefully!