I like mail & I look forward to checking the mailbox, every day…
I don’t know why- it seems like mostly all I get are credit card offers, bills and offers for new windows and doors, but every time I got to the mailbox, I still look forward to something cool. Maybe it’s because I love getting (paper) magazines, maybe it’s because there’s something from Amazon at least once a week.
You might think that with the prevalence of social media and the talk of it replacing traditional media and marketing methods, we would be turning away from mail. Studies show, though, that direct mail is still popular with younger generations. I know my young children absolutely love getting the mail (and they don’t even care if it’s full of bills!)
So, from a from a sales / business perspective, what does that mean? It means that it should be a part of your overall marketing strategy. Social media is, obviously, a great way to get your name in front of customers. Pay per click advertising on Google or where-ever can be very effective and targeted. Direct phone calls and emails, in person visits work. But one method, used independently, will not deliver the same results that using the ‘all of the above’ method will.
There are many ways to incorporate direct mail: handwritten letters, thank you cards, mail merge word templates, USPS “Every Door Direct Mail” (I’m going to be trying this soon). Direct mail is still pretty amazing, and for those that have given up on it: give it a try and include it inn your marketing strategy. You might be (pleasantly) surprised.