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Hub You - 101 Ways to Improve Your Direct Mail Response
Known as the manner of soliciting an amount of cash needed to generate for a certain activity, fund raising are requests of donations that will come from business agencies, private individuals, charitable foundations and government agencies. It may be at times that it is referred to as the accumulation of pecuniary support for non- profit organizations. Actually, not at all, since it is also for a source of capital for those enterprises that are earning. This then, is the primary way yet formal approach in asking for money.Fund raising can involve various concerns, be it academic institutions who will be creating a website so it will be easy for them to get in touch with their graduates or religious communities who will be building an edifice as their headquarters where they can hold regular meetings. Special events are another case such as staging luncheons to walkathons. It is where a lot of people are involved to also establish awareness that such and such exists. It is not only for the purpose to acquire a sum but to also bring together those that are not immediately involved in the hope that they will also be with the cause in time.However, it can never be avoided that fund raising has been utilized for hidden agenda. They have tainted the reputation of wh
19. Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.
20. Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, Etc.
21. Pack order starters - a special offer that will get a person
started on his order - into your catalog.
22. If you can sample your product, including one in your mailing.
23. Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you
rent by looking for those segments of people who... and forget
the rest of them.
24. Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats
similar to the mailgram.
25. Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a
jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo
The sea change that most businesses face today is increasingly becoming the norm rather
than the exception. The change is driven by globalisation, technological and social
dynamics. Hovering around the status quo is like a cancer stricken person waiting for his
condition to get better. If you continue doing the same, things are not going to get better.
There is a saying that you cannot teach old dogs new tricks. To survive in today’s
competitive market, old dogs need to be taught new tricks.Organisations fail to change because of old ways of doing things. There is unclear vision
as most CEOs are unable to communicate their visions in three minutes so that other
people can understand and embrace it. Also, oftentimes, the vision is not communicated
and obstacles such as bureaucracies are allowed to block the vision.Management also fails to plant the new behaviour and vision in the company’s values.
They fail to show employees that the new behaviours and approaches can result in
improved performance. Top management fails to develop a shared commitment to the
renewal. The future corporation ought to be less bureaucratic, with fewer levels, more
performance oriented and risk-taking.Shareholders are increasingly becoming impatient with
1. Mail to your customers more often. If you are now mailing 4
times a year, increase the frequency of your mailings to 6 or 8
times. If you increase your mailings by 25%, you should
increase your sales by at least the same percentage.
2. Use a P.S. on every direct mail letter. This is second in
importance only to the headline.
3. Don't forget to thank your customer for their order. Enclose a
message with orders... and include another merchandise offer
with the "thank you" message.
4. Vary your mailing format. Use self-mailers, lettergrams,
computer letters, envelope formats, catalogs. Change your
format so that prospects don't get in the habit of recognizing
your mailing piece.
5. Ride on the coattails of current events, e.g. energy crisis,
elections, cold winters, etc. When inflation increases, have an
"inflation-cutting" special, etc.
6. Look for other products you can successfully sell to your
customers. Information on how to make and save money is the
best prospect.
7. Include more offers in your mailing package than you already
are. Study the mailings of firms who
packs a volume of material into their envelopes. See if you can
adapt the idea to your own mailings.
8. Think about using simulated handwriting for emphasis in your
letters. Occasionally test a handwritten letter, particularly
if you are soliciting funds for charity.
9. Try an unusual format you've never used before.
10. Test selective distribution to your list. Maybe only a portion
of your list should receive more mailings. Other mailings
should go to the entire list.
11. Stimulate off-season business by asking for it. If you normally
have a summer slump, have a special "summer sale" mailing in the
summer. You can boost your sales any time of the year you need a
boost through effective direct mail.
12. Word your offer differently. Put a unique twist into it by
offering a baker's dozen instead of a regular dozen. Or sell
110 instead of 100.
13. You can even add a smell to your envelopes. Check with your
envelope manufacturer about the special inks that can be used to
make your envelope "smell" the way your product does.
14. Change the size of your mailing package frequently to create
interest and appeal.
15. Test credit terms. You'll find that accepting Master
Charge/Visa will result in larger orders than cash terms.
16. Let people "peek" into your envelope with multiple windows on
the face and back.
17. Test buck slip routing for addressing, and use it to reach
multiple prospects.
18. Try using illustrated letterheads and test them against
conventional letterheads.
19. Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.
20. Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, Etc.
21. Pack order starters - a special offer that will get a person
started on his order - into your catalog.
22. If you can sample your product, including one in your mailing.
23. Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you
rent by looking for those segments of people who... and forget
the rest of them.
24. Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats
similar to the mailgram.
25. Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a
jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo
How do you build a mortgage marketing strategy that can have real estate agents hunting for your services? Agents are bombarded everyday with a continuous stream of marketing messages from loan officers. They cope with this information-overload by ignoring most of them. So how do you stand out in an over-communicated environment? You’ll change the dynamics of your mortgage marketing when you understand the importance of positioning. Positioning is a communication tool to reach agents in a crowded marketplace.Positioning means, you position your services in the prospect’s mindA position is a place, a place in the mind of the prospect – a perceptual location. When you market your services, you’re competing for this space. If your position is similar in nature to your competitor’s, you’re competing in an overcrowded place in the prospect’s mind.Take a moment and consider your current position. Look at your communication pieces, which is commonly how agents position your services in their mind, if it’s their primary exposure to your business. Your website, flyers, postcards, newsletters, brochures, advertisements, and business card are often the first communication an agent comes across regarding your services. What position are y
computer letters, envelope formats, catalogs. Change your
format so that prospects don't get in the habit of recognizing
your mailing piece.
5. Ride on the coattails of current events, e.g. energy crisis,
elections, cold winters, etc. When inflation increases, have an
"inflation-cutting" special, etc.
6. Look for other products you can successfully sell to your
customers. Information on how to make and save money is the
best prospect.
7. Include more offers in your mailing package than you already
are. Study the mailings of firms who
packs a volume of material into their envelopes. See if you can
adapt the idea to your own mailings.
8. Think about using simulated handwriting for emphasis in your
letters. Occasionally test a handwritten letter, particularly
if you are soliciting funds for charity.
9. Try an unusual format you've never used before.
10. Test selective distribution to your list. Maybe only a portion
of your list should receive more mailings. Other mailings
should go to the entire list.
11. Stimulate off-season business by asking for it. If you normally
have a summer slump, have a special "summer sale" mailing in the
summer. You can boost your sales any time of the year you need a
boost through effective direct mail.
12. Word your offer differently. Put a unique twist into it by
offering a baker's dozen instead of a regular dozen. Or sell
110 instead of 100.
13. You can even add a smell to your envelopes. Check with your
envelope manufacturer about the special inks that can be used to
make your envelope "smell" the way your product does.
14. Change the size of your mailing package frequently to create
interest and appeal.
15. Test credit terms. You'll find that accepting Master
Charge/Visa will result in larger orders than cash terms.
16. Let people "peek" into your envelope with multiple windows on
the face and back.
17. Test buck slip routing for addressing, and use it to reach
multiple prospects.
18. Try using illustrated letterheads and test them against
conventional letterheads.
19. Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.
20. Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, Etc.
21. Pack order starters - a special offer that will get a person
started on his order - into your catalog.
22. If you can sample your product, including one in your mailing.
23. Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you
rent by looking for those segments of people who... and forget
the rest of them.
24. Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats
similar to the mailgram.
25. Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a
jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo
To be successful to today’s competitive marketplace, you need to have an action plan in place to help maintain your job-search momentum, keep you organized and ensure you have everything ready when it comes time to meet the prospective employer face to face.If you have an action plan for reaching prospective employers, you are doing well. Many people never reach that level of effectiveness. It is so easy to simply send out resumes and hope someone calls rather than take positive actions which complement the process of finding a job.If you are one of the multitudes who don’t know an action plan from an anemone, then read the remainder of this article to ensure your job search success.You Need an Action PlanFirst, you need to define your exact job search goal. What kind of job do you want? What type of organization do you want to work for? How much money do you plan to make? Do you need health benefits? How many hours do you expect to work? The more specific you get, the better you will be able to determine if a job offer (down the road) meets your desired goals or not.Second, identify what objective need to be accomplished in order to achieve that goal. You will need a great resume in most all instances, an awesome cover lett about using simulated handwriting for emphasis in your
letters. Occasionally test a handwritten letter, particularly
if you are soliciting funds for charity.
9. Try an unusual format you've never used before.
10. Test selective distribution to your list. Maybe only a portion
of your list should receive more mailings. Other mailings
should go to the entire list.
11. Stimulate off-season business by asking for it. If you normally
have a summer slump, have a special "summer sale" mailing in the
summer. You can boost your sales any time of the year you need a
boost through effective direct mail.
12. Word your offer differently. Put a unique twist into it by
offering a baker's dozen instead of a regular dozen. Or sell
110 instead of 100.
13. You can even add a smell to your envelopes. Check with your
envelope manufacturer about the special inks that can be used to
make your envelope "smell" the way your product does.
14. Change the size of your mailing package frequently to create
interest and appeal.
15. Test credit terms. You'll find that accepting Master
Charge/Visa will result in larger orders than cash terms.
16. Let people "peek" into your envelope with multiple windows on
the face and back.
17. Test buck slip routing for addressing, and use it to reach
multiple prospects.
18. Try using illustrated letterheads and test them against
conventional letterheads.
19. Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.
20. Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, Etc.
21. Pack order starters - a special offer that will get a person
started on his order - into your catalog.
22. If you can sample your product, including one in your mailing.
23. Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you
rent by looking for those segments of people who... and forget
the rest of them.
24. Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats
similar to the mailgram.
25. Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a
jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo
* If you believe you deserve a salary increase, ask for it as soon as possible; don't procrastinate or wait for your employer to offer it.* Determine what you are worth in the marketplace by carrying out a survey of people in comparable jobs. Never base your case on a need for more money.* Be realistic in your assessment of what you are worth and what your employer would be willing or able to pay. Have an exact figure in mind before entering into negotiations. Avoid comparisons. Never compare your salary to someone else's.* Remember that bosses want employees who contribute to the company's success by:increasing sales, profits and efficiency; decreasing waste, costs and time taken; improving corporate image, customer relationships and competitive advantage.* Carry out a detailed analysis of your job description. Be as objective as you can, identifying specific ways in which the company has benefited from your skills, qualifications, work, and experience.* Anticipate difficult questions, by identifying weaknesses in your case and preparing positive answers.* If you have records of recent appraisals, study them carefully highlighting your achievements and indicating how you have addressed any shortcomings.* Know what standards ystead of a regular dozen. Or sell
110 instead of 100.
13. You can even add a smell to your envelopes. Check with your
envelope manufacturer about the special inks that can be used to
make your envelope "smell" the way your product does.
14. Change the size of your mailing package frequently to create
interest and appeal.
15. Test credit terms. You'll find that accepting Master
Charge/Visa will result in larger orders than cash terms.
16. Let people "peek" into your envelope with multiple windows on
the face and back.
17. Test buck slip routing for addressing, and use it to reach
multiple prospects.
18. Try using illustrated letterheads and test them against
conventional letterheads.
19. Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.
20. Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, Etc.
21. Pack order starters - a special offer that will get a person
started on his order - into your catalog.
22. If you can sample your product, including one in your mailing.
23. Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you
rent by looking for those segments of people who... and forget
the rest of them.
24. Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats
similar to the mailgram.
25. Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a
jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo
Feeling authentic at work can be a challenge when you hate your job and it feels like a perfectly wrong fit for you; but, you can begin to work more authentically when you practice listening to your body.Step 1 – Identify all of the things you do at work that feel counter to your authentic self. Can you name the feelings you associate with the tasks? Can you identify what is going on for you physically when you are doing or saying things that feel counter to your authentic self?I worked with one client who was a reporter. She knew from a very young age that this is what she wanted to do. She had dreams of reporting on important pieces and writing stories that spoke to the human spirit. Instead, she found herself constantly fixated on the next big story because that’s what was paying the bills. She would push and shove to get a word in and more times than she liked to admit, she found herself prying in on people’s most private and heart wrenching moments. Her body would tense up and she would feel physically sick. She carries this around with her all day at work and it is not until she begins driving home at night that starts to relax.When I asked her to identify how she felt or explain what was going on physically for her, her words flowed like a terheads.
19. Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.
20. Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, Etc.
21. Pack order starters - a special offer that will get a person
started on his order - into your catalog.
22. If you can sample your product, including one in your mailing.
23. Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you
rent by looking for those segments of people who... and forget
the rest of them.
24. Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats
similar to the mailgram.
25. Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a
jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo
envelope.
26. What is your "wastebasket readability factor" - and what can you
do to get people to read your mailing piece when it is sitting
on somebody else's desk... or has it already landed in their
waste basket?
27. Put a wraparound on your catalog. It gives you two covers
instead of one.
28. Test your catalog approaches and mailing dates.
29. Use teaser copy on your outer envelope and test it vs. a blind
envelope.
30. Acknowledge orders promptly and include additional sales
literature with your acknowledgment.
31. Periodically send a statement to your customer that shows he's
been missed... even if he doesn't owe you any money.
32. Follow up inquiries promptly and persistently. Make it easy to
buy from you by giving the inquirer a return envelope to send
his order back in.
33. Tie in a timely topic (current events, special problems, etc.)
34. Get to know your printers... not printer, printers. Every
direct marketer needs different types of printers with different
capabilities to come up with different printed pieces.
35. Test multiple premiums with your offer and give your prospects a
choice of the one(s) he prefers.
36. Remail your mailing to your better customers three or four weeks
later. You'll do 60-75% as well on the second mailing.
37. Remember the 5 basic rules... test, test, test, test, and test.
38. Don't be afraid to run without a test if your gamble is small.
39. Use a bounce-back package enclosure to get an extra order.
40. State your guarantee in the strongest possible terms... and
state it often.
41. Spotlight your sales points in your headlines.
42. Start your message on your envelope and lead your reader inside.
43. Feature last-minute merchandise on the back of your envelope or
on a separate flier enclosed in your package.
44. Offset delays in mail delivery by extending cutoff dates.
45. Cultivate customers with special savings, bonuses or premiums.
46. Use lightweight paper to save postage and to allow more sales
material in the envelope.
47. Use a "Publisher's Letter" to give the prospect an extra reason
for buying.
48. Put distinctive differences in your catalog to add interest.
49. Stimulate action by featuring a time limit at the top of your
letter.
50. Show how merchandise solves problems and enhances the stature of
the user among his/her contemporaries.
51. Use full-view envelopes to display attractive literature.
52. If buying your product spells numerous benefits, spell them out
by number for maximum impact.
53. Increase customer goodwill and purchases with advance notice of
sales.
54. Use stock photos for much less than the cost of making original
shots.
55. Cultivate customers with special catalog offers directed
exclusively to customers.
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