Can you believe 2010 will soon be a quarter complete? If your marketing efforts are not producing the results you expected, or if you have not even started your marketing campaign, now would be the time to take action. In this article we will discuss how to use postcards and PURLs to increase your client base and attract new clients.
Advertising Effectively with Postcards
Even though we are in a digital age and more and more businesses are moving toward paperless offices, postcard advertising campaigns still remain an extremely effective way to promote your business. A printed postcard works well for several reasons:
- Even in today’s digital age people still like to get mail,
- When a person receives mail they generally read it instantaneously,
- Postcards allow you to reach out to your prospective clients on a personal level,
- Postcards can be a low cost solution in reaching clients from all over,
- You can pass them out when at seminars, meetings, trade shows and exhibits
- For the eco-conscience business, choosing eco-friendly products when designing or ordering postcards is easy to do.
The design of your postcard is crucial and should be well planned. Even if you choose to use a simple card and print them one at a time on your own printer it is important the design includes an eye-catching headline and a strong marketing message. Don’t just talk about yourself; be sure to promote the benefits your clients receive by hiring you. Spend time on creating your message and what you want your readers to know about your services. A good headline should grab your recipient’s attention immediately…even if it is on the way to the trash can.
If you have a large target list consider using a reputable printing company. Sending postcards via bulk rate saves time and money. If you don’t have your own bulk mail permit number use the services of a local mailing company.
Advertising Effectively with PURLS
PURL stands for Personalized URL. PURLs are custom websites designed for each of your target clients. Quite simply, a landing web page is created for each name on your target list. Personalized URLs allow you to promote the individualized websites to your target audience with a postcard or email with each customer’s custom website on it. The sites are very brief, often with a survey page for the customer to complete. Personalized URLs are a hot trend theses days but I warn you this is not a cheap form of marketing.
Many business owners use PURL marketing if they have a very individualized list of people they want to approach. I admit it is a very cool and impressive way to reach your audience. Who can resist opening a website that has his/her name on it?
If you are interested in PURL marketing and have a difficult time finding an integrated marketing company in your area I will be glad to refer you to a very progressive printing and mailing company here in Ohio. (For the record, I do not own or have any interest in any printing and mailing company, but I have used several companies and would be happy to refer you to someone reputable).
Finally, remember to feed your mind… Read… Learn… Do. Tap into experts. Study a variety of business magazines. A good idea elsewhere may be a great idea you can apply to your business. You already know that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing you have always done and expecting different results. Don’t go insane. Try new marketing techniques. No better time than now.
All best wishes,
Bob
Bob Mackowiak
Mackowiak Communications
Helping PI’s Market their Services since 1988.
755 Bronx Drive
Toledo, Ohio 43609
Mackowiakcom@aol.com
www.letbobhelp.homestead.com