Time for a Marketing Health Check-Up?
Going to your doctor to get an annual physical is part of being and staying healthy. We schedule these appointments a year in advance, and if we have been following the doctor’s orders for the previous 365 days, we are rewarded with a clean bill of health (though most of us are also given a […]
Open Rates Rely on These Surprisingly Similar Elements—in Both the Mailbox and Inbox
Whether it’s in the mailbox or the inbox, marketers everywhere know the importance of standing out amongst the competition to boost open rates and drive response. Getting a letter or email opened is the first barrier brands need to overcome in order to gain new customers or deepen their loyalty. Strong Subject Lines are Crucial […]
3 Simple Ways to Make Your Mail Irresistible
Designing mailpieces has moved way beyond picking an envelope and inserting a form or two. Today, it’s more critical than ever to have your mailpiece stand out—not only in the mailbox, but across all channels. That’s because our attention is split in so many directions at any point in time—including email, text, social media, web, […]
Increased Response Rates Are in the Cards: Designing Promotional Cards
We’ve written extensively about the benefits of including a promotional card in your direct mail piece. In fact, one of the first suggestions we typically give to clients looking to boost their response rates is to include a card. The inclusion of a plastic or paper promotional card has been shown to consistently give a […]
A Thousand Words for Free: How to Select the Right Direct Mail Images for Your Campaigns
Everyone knows the old saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”—and in some cases, that’s true. In terms of advertising, a picture can capture attention, set the tone of the messaging, act as a point of entry or understanding for the prospect, and more. When it comes to direct mail images, it’s especially […]
Survey Says: Millennials Stay Engaged with Mail
My colleagues, Ashley Leone and Debora Haskel, have written several pieces recently about how the millennial generation views direct mail (very positively, by the way). A recent “mail moments” study sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service and conducted by Summit Research looked at behavior and mail habits related to retrieving and sorting mail. This March […]
Let’s Peek Into Window Envelopes as They Turn 114 Years Old
Fun fact: on June 10th, 1902, a man named Americus F. Callahan received the first patent for a window envelope. If math isn’t your strongest suit, this Friday is the 114th anniversary of windows appearing in envelopes. I’m not a huge celebrator of little-known holidays, but this one deserves a shoutout. […]
MLB Opening Day: Get Your Popcorn, Get Your Peanuts, Get Your Email Open Rates
Even though last year was rough for my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, I have more hope for them this opening day. With the changes in our bullpen and our core lineup being healthy, I am optimistic that the Tigers will win the division and have a solid chance at reaching the World Series. As […]
How to Make Your Direct Mail Feel High-End Without Breaking the Budget
Some clients have a misconception that they can’t afford to have luxurious mailpieces that evoke a sense of high-end elegance. Or, they think that they have to sacrifice quantity for quality. We’re conditioned to believe that if it looks expensive, it must be expensive, but when it comes to high-end direct mail, that’s not necessarily […]
Stack the Deck: Increase Response by Using Plastic Cards
Why do plastic cards have such a powerful impact on open rates for direct mail? The proverb, “Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back,” comes to mind. Why Plastic Cards Make the ‘Keep’ Pile We’ve written at length about how the feel of a plastic card in a mailpiece piques the curiosity of […]