Small Business Guide - Small Business Resources
    (Add to Favorites  |  View All Articles  |  Resource Directory)

Postcard Marketing - Low Cost Visibility


You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But how do you get that visibility when you're short on cash? Here's an idea that's worked for many businesses. It's postcard marketing, and it's very affordable.

You can design your own postcards or hire a designer. Print the cards on 67# card stock to meet USPS requirements. Two or four cards will fit on an 8 ½" x 11" sheet so you'll have to use a paper cutter. Postage is just $.23 a card.

Here are some ways to use postcards:

  • REFERRALS - Send postcards regularly to your best contacts asking for referrals.

  • ANNOUNCE EVENTS - Send postcards to let folks know about events like classes, seminars, sales, open houses, etc.

  • PROSPECTING - Send a series of postcard mailings to identified prospects to "soften them up" before you phone them.

  • BUILD WEBSITE TRAFFIC - Use postcard mailings to tell people your site is there and when you make significant additions.

  • GROW YOUR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBER LIST - Postcard mailings can publicize your newsletter to new audiences.

  • MAKE AN OFFER - Do you have a booklet to give away? Are you offering a special discount? Postcard mailings can get out the word.

  • SAY THANKS - Use postcards to say thank you for business, referrals, or information.

    Of course, for best results you need a good list. Make sure your mailings are going to the right people. Also, you'll get a better response if you offer something of value.

    Finally, repeat, repeat, repeat! As with any marketing, repetition is critical. A single mailing may get a disappointing result. Don't be surprised or discouraged. Keep at it with a consistent look, message and audience, and over time your message will sink in.

    A response rate of 1-3% is the average, but you may be able to generate significant sales from those responses. Referral mailings can yield business that's three or more times the cost of the mailing.

    Copyright 2004 Clairvoyant Communications, Inc.

    About The Author

    Claire Cunningham, president of Clairvoyant Communications, Inc., has 20+ years' experience developing and implementing successful marketing and communications programs. Sign up for Claire's monthly newsletter, Communiqué, at http://www.clairvoyantcommunications.com Claire can be reached at 763-479-3499 (Fax: 763-479-2809, e-mail: claire@claircomm.com)


    MORE RESOURCES:

    News provided by Yahoo! News and Google News

    5 factors driving a surge in small-biz acquisitions - Crain's Chicago Business (blog)

    5 factors driving a surge in small-biz acquisitions
    Crain's Chicago Business (blog)
    By Domenic Rinaldi A recent Wall Street Journal article — "Sold! More Small Businesses Exchanged Hands Last Year" — reflects the business-for-sale activity we are seeing here in the Chicago market. Our firm has observed a steady increase in business ...

    Oh baby! Small biz scores huge Angry Birds deal - CNN

    Cleveland News - Fox 8

    Oh baby! Small biz scores huge Angry Birds deal
    CNN
    By Parija Kavilanz @CNNMoney February 2, 2012: 6:09 PM ET SwaddleDesigns, a Seattle-based small business, scored first-ever license to make baby products for the mega-popular Angry Birds brand. NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- A small Seattle-based company hit ...
    Small Biz Scores Huge Angry Birds DealCleveland News - Fox 8

    all 103 news articles »

    Video: Are small business credit cards worth it?
    Small business credit cards generally have higher credit limits, richer rewards and better tracking systems, but they don't offer the same protections as consumer credit cards. Sumi Das from CBS Moneywatch.com has the details.

    Romney's idea for auto hike on minimum wage could harm small biz - Examiner.com

    Romney's idea for auto hike on minimum wage could harm small biz
    Examiner.com
    Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said on Wednesday he supports automatic hikes in the federal minimum wage. Congress has never passed legislation to put the minimum wage on auto hike. Asked for further comments by the Associated Press, ...

    and more »

    Dividing the Family Fortune
    Passing on the family fortune can be tricky when it’s tied up in a small business. Here’s how to find a solution that works for your business and your family.

  • Home | Site Map | Privacy Statement | More Articles
    © 2006