In the New Year, consumers are still likely to buy a product or take advantage of a special thanks to a strategized and targeted direct mail marketing campaign. Direct mail strategies are used by every type of business from supermarkets to restaurants, car dealerships, and pay-per-click advertisers that send coupons to clients. Businesses can use their direct mail campaign to announce the opening of a new store or upcoming sale while also providing discounts for a particular service to a targeted group of consumers. The growth in foot traffic or sales can highlight the direct mail ROI of the campaign. Keep in mind that a direct mail marketing campaign is able to target a narrow or large group while still being cost-effective if executed properly.   In this article, we will answer the question, “How effective is direct mail marketing?” and discuss the right direct mail marketing strategy for your business. Direct Mail ROI Is Better Than Many Digital Mediums Even in the world of digital marketing, direct mail remains highly effective. The ROI (return on investment) of the campaign measures its success and it is calculated by dividing the total amount spent on the campaign by the total profit that was earned by the campaign. In order to see the most success from a direct mail campaign, it is important to understand how to calculate the ROI while also knowing the desired return you hope to gain from an investment.   In order to improve the effectiveness of your direct mail campaigns, you need to track the results on a regular basis using qualitative and quantitative metrics. In addition, you should experiment with different offers, messaging, and creative materials to determine the marketing message that works best with your customers. Plus, you should segment target audiences in order to maximize their response rates and sales conversions. Effective direct mail strategies include sending personalized messages to specific customers, making the CTA (call to action) easy to execute, and offering some form of incentive to consumers.  In general, advertising through direct mail can provide a great return on investment if you experiment with different strategies. Your business can increase your sales and profits and grow your customer numbers.  Now that you know about direct mail ROI, let’s discuss the costs of direct mail.  What Are The Costs of Direct Mail Strategies Direct mail marketing is a popular way to reach potential clients, customers or donors as long as you consider the costs associated with it.  Design costs are an important expense since the materials need to be attractive and easy to understand. Hiring a professional graphic designer or copywriter helps to create an engaging message. You can also use stock photos or illustrations to add some professional appeal to your design (if you don’t mind purchasing them at an additional cost).  Some of your additional costs will include marketing copywriting services and mailing lists. When it comes to mailing list costs, It is also important to decide whether to buy or rent a list and the decision depends on the size and scope of your campaign. Renting a list means you need to factor data appending costs into your budget. Printing costs include the type of printing material used and the postage cost per piece for the campaign. The number of pieces printed impacts the cost per piece while distribution costs include postage rates and delivery fees that vary by the size and weight of the mail pieces. Consider all of your expenses when planning a campaign to ensure you maximize your budget for success. Below, we cover five direct mail strategies that maximize your direct mail ROI. 5 Direct Mail Strategies That Maximize ROI To reach potential customers and influence their purchases, an effective direct mail strategy combined with tracking and analytics to measure performance help inform your strategy.  Now that you know the answer to “How effective is direct marketing?”, call us about planning your next campaign. Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

Print marketing is alive and well as thousands of companies send printed mailers each week. Print advertising can help businesses like yours bring in more customers and grow both your foot traffic and sales. You have the ability to use marketing methods such as direct mail marketing on the same playing field as bigger companies through the power of print marketing. There are multiple print marketing options available to you such as postcards, booklets, business cards and posters. While much of the focus in the marketing world has been on digital marketing and social media for the past few years, print marketing campaigns are still important but you need to make sure and avoid mistakes that can prove to be both costly and time-consuming for your business.  Take a look below to discover the three most common print marketing mistakes and how you can learn from them. Don’t Make These Direct Mail Marketing Mistakes When it comes to direct mail marketing, avoid these mistakes that can have a negative impact on your campaign: Direct Mail With No Defined Goals When planning your campaign, set your marketing goals and be clear about how you are going to measure the success of your marketing strategy. Once you have identified your goals, you can accurately measure your level of success in reaching them. Don’t Pick the Wrong Audience for Your Campaign You need to perform proper market research, dive deep when analyzing the data, and build segments that work together to highlight your target audience. In order to make direct mail work for you, tailor your message correctly as the right audience can quickly become the wrong audience if you try to reach them at the wrong time. Make sure the timing for your message is correct. Know when the mailer will land and make sure it complements other events, matches the mood of the season and is also in tune with where the customer is at in the buying decision. No Clear Call to Action A muddled or unclear call to action (CTA) can spell the end of your direct mail campaign. Your direct mail piece needs to contain one call to action that will not be confused by other requests or calls to action. Keep in mind that an easy to remember call to action makes it more likely that your audience will perform the desired action.  The problems that hamper a direct mail marketing strategy are not all that different from the ones that cause other campaigns to fail. Study the mistakes of others so you produce a direct mail piece that delivers the desired results. Print Advertising Design Mistakes A simple and clear design makes it easy for consumers to understand your message. Avoid the print advertising design mistakes described below: A Design That Is Too Busy Just because you have a lot of extra space in your design does not mean you have to use every inch of the space. Providing too much text and graphics can backfire and cause your design to suffer from information overload. White space can draw the eye and serves as a powerful print marketing tool. Your design needs to be eye-catching as well as clear and concise. The information in the design should be organized and follow a clear logic. Work with a professional designer to get it right the first time and avoid having to spend money on revisions in the future. Not Clearly Understanding Technical Elements Depending on the print marketing materials you want to create, you will need to keep various technical considerations in mind. While your images will need clear formatting, printed materials come in different sizes and the final size depends on the type of printed material you want to produce. Please remember that the printed material choice will also have an impact on your formatting and the durability of the product. No Clear Call to Action As mentioned before, this is very important and if you don’t include a clear CTA, you are wasting time and money.  Now that we have covered design and direct mail mistakes, it is time to reveal what might be the biggest print advertising mistake you can face. (Spoiler Alert: It’s You!!!! Take a look below to learn how to get out of your own way.) The Biggest Print Advertising Mistake Is Trying To Do It All Yourself Many business owners make the common mistake of trying to perform all marketing tasks on their own. There are some marketing aspects that you might be able to handle by yourself but there are other tasks (including print marketing) that require a greater level of in-depth knowledge and skills than the average business owner might possess. By investing in the services of a professional print partner or graphic designer, you will be able to produce high-quality products on the first try. Print shops can offer a wide array of services and advice. They can determine the best format for you to use, choose the ideal paper stock, and even show you samples (such as special finishes and business card slits) that elevate the look of your final product. If you are inexperienced when it comes to print marketing, a printing service can help you avoid costly mistakes that will need to be corrected. Advertisers Printing can help you with all aspects of print advertising. Contact us today! Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

With an industry-wide focus on sustainable printing solutions such as eco-friendly inks, paper that comes from sustainable sources, and energy derived from renewable sources, some printers take “green printing” to heart and execute a sustainable business model.  Environmentally friendly printing allows them to provide eco-friendly printing services that protect and benefit our shared natural environment. On the other hand, other printers do nothing more than purchase tokens in order to offset their carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon offsets. When it comes to sustainability printing, who will you decide to trust?  Let us help you make an educated and informed decision by showing you the difference between what it means to be a sustainable printer and a carbon neutral preen printer. What is Considered Green Printing? While “eco-friendly” refers to a practice that is not harmful to the environment, it is actually not a term that can be defined as “sustainable.” In general,  “sustainability” means not compromising the safety of future generations while “eco-friendly” means you are trying to not have an immediate impact on the environment. There are multiple ways to perform eco-friendly printing and they include low-energy printing presses, eco-friendly inks, carbon balanced printing, or a mixture of these print methods. When businesses claim to be sustainable, they mean their products and services, along with their working conditions, are created and designed to make the least harmful impact on the environment. This type of plan ensures their work can continue into the future as they are taking the necessary steps to ensure natural resources aren’t depleted as well as make a possible positive impact on the environment. Thanks to the focus on eco-friendly inks, paper produced from sustainable sources, and energy from renewable sources, print services can be performed without harming our shared natural environment.  Carbon balancing is when the carbon impact of a product or service is estimated. In simple terms, the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide is either absorbed into the atmosphere or it is stopped from being released. This is when no carbon is emitted from the beginning, so no carbon will have to be captured or offset. As an example, a commercial building or off-grid household that is powered completely by solar and zero fossil fuels is able to promote that it uses “zero carbon” energy. Carbon neutrality, AKA having a net zero carbon footprint, means achieving net zero carbon emissions through the act of balancing a measured amount of carbon that is released with an equivalent amount that is either offset or sequestered. This process can be achieved by buying tokens from a third party company. These purchased tokens offset the estimated carbon emissions by removing carbon from the atmosphere.  Does Your Printer Have An Eco-Friendly Print Certification? There are multiple certifications that indicate a different level or aspect of eco-consciousness. We are proud to have the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership certificate (SGP) from a non-profit organization (SGP) that certifies facilities used for printing and packaging as well as the sustainability best practices of the supplier (such as regulatory compliance). SGP promotes innovation and best practices for print community stakeholders. They also bring together the print industry and its customers in a common goal of a more accountable sustainable supply chain. The SGP certification is a multi-attribute certification that is specific to the printing industry. This certification takes the entire print facility into account and examines its processes, products, and social areas. It has only been awarded to an elite group of top sustainable printers and is a highly regarded honor among print buyers and the print industry. Advertisers Printing Remains Sustainable Advertisers Printing has embraced a level of sustainability over the past two decades that is unmatched by others in our industry thanks to our Triple Bottom Line, People/Planet/Profit, and the Sustainable Green Partnership credo:  In addition: If you want to work with a sustainable printer, Advertisers Printing is your number one choice.  Contact us today!  Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

Do you know what a union bug is? If so, you know how to spot one and that the manufacturer who made the item cares about labor rights. (As an added bonus, you will have the knowledge needed to spot union bugs after reading this blog). Union bug printing means the people who created the product paid fair wages and provided good working conditions. When you include a union print in your design, it shows that you stand with labor union members and that you care about the people printing your shirts. These union members will see the name of your organization next to their local union identity and they will know you support their right to organize a union. Want to know how to get the union bug on your clothing and other print products? Read on! What is a Union Printer? In general, a union printer is a commercial printer with employees that are represented by a labor union. All of the printed materials that are produced by a union print shop display a special mark that is known as a union label and it is printed directly onto the print materials. The appearance of the union bug is there to indicate that the product was made by members of a labor union. Why Do They Call It a Union Bug? There is a reason that the union label is referred to as a “union bug” during the union bug printing process. In order to not interfere with the design of the product or the intended message of the printed piece, the union label is kept relatively small on the product. Because of its tiny size, the label that is used by union printers is informally referred to as a “union bug.” Why? Because the label often resembles the appearance of a small insect on the printed sheet. How Much More Does a Union Bug Cost? The answer to the question above is…Union bugs are free! If anyone tries to charge you a greater amount of money in order to place a union bug on any item, you would be wise to think twice about working with them. You might even want to make sure they actually know what a  union bug is all about when it comes to the print process. In other words, a union printer should know right away exactly what you mean when you ask for the union bug to be included on your printed materials. Are you ready to add the union bug to your printed items?  If so, contact Advertisers Printing today. Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

Eco-friendly print methods continue to gain popularity as businesses work to find ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Advances in sustainable packaging technology allow print suppliers to create sustainable printed materials that do not have a negative impact on the quality of the product. Knowing the available sustainable printing methods is important so your business is able to enhance and spotlight its eco-friendly credentials. As consumer pressure continues to grow for eco-friendly packaging, products and services, the demand for businesses to follow eco-friendly print practices has increased. As we get closer to 2023, we will see more companies start to perform eco-friendly printing. To help you get started, here are five of the latest, and popular, sustainable printing methods. Sustainable LED UV Printing LED UV is an effective and powerful printing method for items such as booklets, brochures, and promotional materials. This print method uses ultraviolet light to provide an instant drying process. In turn, the printed  designs are sharp, the colors are vivid and they create a lasting impact on consumers.  LED UV is environmentally friendly as it uses less power than traditional print-drying methods. In addition, the instant on/off functionality of the method lessens standby consumption between projects and reduces the total CO2 emissions. Plus, instant drying means there is no need for a sealing coat or anti-set off powder spray. Consider Using Recycled Paper for Print Stocks The choice of paper stock plays a part in the total sustainability of a printing method. While there can be some confusion due to the number of available choices, the information here should clear things up for you. There is a belief that only recycled paper should be used for companies to be “more green”. However, virgin fibers are necessary to maintain the paper cycle because a lack of new fibers from new trees means the paper cycle cannot be maintained. Recycled fibers will start to degrade after several uses so the paper industry requires fresh fiber to maintain the renewable cycle. As long as the new fibers that you use are from sustainably-managed forests, you can start using recycled or virgin paper. Digital Printing Is Sustainable and Cost-Effective Another ideal eco-friendly print practice is digital printing as it does not need a printing plate to perform the job. Instead, the ink sits on the top layer of the substrate and this produces much less waste than traditional print methods that require a plate.  Digital printing is a good choice for smaller print runs. Plus, digital printing can be performed quicker than other methods since there is no need for a plate. A digital printer can complete thousands of sheets per hour which makes digital printing a very cost-effective method.  Uncoated Paper as an Alternative Uncoated paper is an innovative and efficient printing method that produces incredible results on a LED UV press. While the final results are professional and impressive, its natural feel makes it an easy material to recycle. Uncoated paper is a highly fibrous material that is also lighter in weight than coated paper varieties. This aspect of the materials makes it accepted by many mills for recycling and also makes it easy to transport. Make Your Shift to Eco-Friendly Packaging Sustainable packaging can be designed and produced in all shapes and sizes. Some popular examples of eco-friendly packaging for common products include envelopes, boxes, bags, cards, and inserts. There are some companies that use eco-friendly packaging on everything while others use this packaging on a few items and then continue to use conventional packaging on the rest of their items. The push for eco-friendly practices does not seem to be going anywhere anytime in the near future. This means it is time for you to learn more about your environmentally friendly packaging options as well as any potential challenges. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can make a commitment to the environment with your print methods.  Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many paper mills shut down their machinery or they converted some machines to produce other paper materials such as board stock. Even with the return to normal for many businesses, there is still a struggle to handle increased demands in this industry. Overall, we are witnessing a paper stock shortage that is causing an adjustment in paper prices of various products including printing paper and carton materials.  The entire paper mill industry, including manufacturers, wholesalers, printers, and marketing companies are experiencing difficulties securing the necessary amount of materials and goods. Industry experts say there has never been a paper shortage of this size in the past. Global supply chain issues continue to have a major impact on paper product availability. As we continue to emerge from the lockdown period, the demand for printing paper and direct mail services is greater than 2019 pre-pandemic levels.  For the moment, there looks to be no relief in sight since global supply chain issues will continue well into the coming year.  This paper shortage has businesses asking what they can do to mitigate the rise in the price of paper.     Why Is There A Paper Shortage? So, why is there a paper shortage? The pandemic had a significant impact on the paper industry with short-term and long-term mill closures and reduced workforce. Transportation issues with  freight shortages with increased freight costs. Energy and fuel costs went up adding to the increase of paper prices. When Will the Paper Shortage End? While many mills have made changes from paper to packaging services, this switch is not easily reversed due to the amount of money, time, and resources they invested in making the switch. Many printers and marketing businesses are planning ahead and ordering more paper to prepare for the continued shortage that is expected to stay the same through the end of 2023. These speculative purchases are contributing to the current paper shortage and impacting upcoming print jobs for the rest of the year. Hopefully, the end of 2023 or early 2024 will see things level out thanks to reduced demands and an increased paper supply. Having said that, the current uncertainty surrounding the paper product shortage in the market makes people hesitant to make predictions on future outcomes. Thankfully, improved software and the power of big data helps print companies enjoy an increased level of print marketing accuracy and granularity in their print marketing. Companies will see their print budget maximized in a way that keeps costs low while delivering a return on investment greater than they enjoyed in the past.  Paper Shortage For Printers Due to the paper shortage for printers, the printing industry was hit hard. The high demand for banners, posters, brochures hasn’t diminished.  Our company is taking strategic measures to ensure we can continue to provide our customers with good service. Our printing technology allows us to operate efficiently and minimize paper usage. Overall, with the current paper shortage, we are striving to reduce our paper usage with our efficient printing processes. How Can Businesses Minimize Rising Paper Costs During the Paper Supply Shortage? When it comes to your business, the annual cost for print and mail must be kept in mind as capital and operating costs will fluctuate which makes it harder to determine the impact changing costs have on your budget. Plus, you will not be able to decrease fixed costs, even if you produce less printed materials, even if your customers switch to digital. On the domestic front, the print industry is seeing increased paper costs and with the a paper supply shortage. On an international level, freight transportation delays and fuel cost increases have resulted in a decline in the availability of foreign paper stock as well as a growth in paper prices. To help you avoid significant changes in prices, Advertisers Printing encourages pre-planning on all tasks. This helps our team find more suitable price points for the current paper stock that is in supply from paper mills and also helps you maintain reasonable lead and turnaround times.  Advertisers Printing is here to help you through the ongoing challenges related to the price of paper by using our reputation and relationship with mills and paper merchants to secure the needed raw materials for your projects/orders as quickly as possible.  Start planning your next print project today! Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924 Written by Acumen Studio

The art of delivering the right message to the right audience at the ideal time is vital to the overall success of a direct mail campaign. For example, saying happy anniversary or happy birthday to someone months after the date or trying to sell sports cars to high school graduates will not get you ideal results and it will waste part of your direct mail lists marketing budget that could be used in the future. Targeted mailing lists give you the ability to achieve a greater amount of personalization that enhances the appeal of your business to specific, qualified recipients. A tailored and relevant message increases its appeal while also growing customer engagement and response rates for your business. While targeting at scale was close to impossible in generations past, modern digital printing equipment, such as the HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press, lets you personalize multiple facets of the same segmented list in order to customize the piece to each individual.   Consumer Direct Mailing List Direct mail lists targeted towards consumers include individuals who might purchase goods or services for their personal use. The type of demographic data used to create the list can incorporate items such as the geographic area of the person, their age, income and ethnicity, interests, education, and more relevant data that helps you ensure your message is targeted to the right people.  Compiled Mailing List Compiled mailing lists are a type of list that is often broader than other targeted mailing lists. A compiled list is used to target certain geographic regions and key demographics. These lists compile contacts and data from several public sources but segmenting the info can help divide the list into more focused categories for better audience targeting. Homeowner, Renter, or Mover Mailing Lists A mailing list that targets homeowners can include information on such items as the down payment for the house, type of mortgage, and the purchase date and amount of the home. In addition, a list of renters and their income can be useful for both realtors and mortgage lenders as it can narrow the recipient pool to those who are potentially interested in homeownership and qualified to buy a house. Mailing lists of people who recently moved can help those who are looking for local services, restaurants, or professional businesses. Response List This type of list includes people who responded to other businesses that have similar products or services as your company. These lists are available from private list companies, magazines, or direct mail companies. While these prospects did not respond directly to your business, they have shown an interest in your particular products or services which will make them receptive to your business. Segmented List A segmented list is much like a demographic list except it uses a very specific set of data to target prospects Some examples include dining out habits, spending/saving/credit usage, vacation patterns, and preferred types of reading materials. Segmentation technology lets you analyze an active customer base for your company and identify similarities within a certain demographic in order to build a list based on common preferences.  Opt-In List An opt-in list is often accurate and ideal because consumers have requested to be part of the list. However these lists can be somewhat expensive to obtain as they are considered “prime marketing material” and highly effective. Keep in mind that they can produce an incredible ROI and should be maintained and updated on a regular basis.  If you need help obtaining or building a mailing list, our team can help you identify the type of list that will give you the desired results. Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

Customized marketing campaigns are able to grow engagement by targeting the needs and wants of the target customers. There is nothing less engaging than a mailer with a generic greeting sent to each person on a list. A better way to entice and engage your database is to tailor the messaging to each customer with variable data printing (VDP). The use of VDP printing allows for the creation of custom marketing campaigns using items such as direct mail and personalized labels that target and engage customers on an intimate level.  It comes as no surprise that people have a greater response to a marketing message that feels like it was written with them in mind. Studies have shown: Most consumers say they are likely to engage with an offer that is personalized to them and references previous interactions they had with the brand.  Over half of all marketers in the United States reported a measurable improvement thanks to personalization.  Basically, if the offer speaks to proven consumer shopping patterns, they are more likely to make a purchase. In addition to increased response and conversion rates, here are other reasons marketers should use variable printing. Benefits of Variable Data Printing and pURLs Produce Highly Targeted CampaignsVDP printing allows you to personalize at scale with speed (AKA mass customization). Instead of mailing out 5000 postcards to customers that are identical except for the mailing address, marketers can use variable printing to create 5000 unique postcards in the same amount of time (or even less).It does not matter if your direct mail campaign is large or small in quantity. Variable data printing lets you change the amount of variables you desire to accurately target the needs of your audience. Print Short RunsVDP is produced digitally so there is no minimum quantity. Short runs would be expensive and hard to produce on an offset press. Digital printing does not require any set-up except for loading the specific substrate. The print files are directly sent to the digital press so production starts right away. Faster TurnaroundsUnlike offset press printing, VDP does not require printing plates since it is produced digitally. Every image and sheet can be changed as it is printed since there is no need to stop to swap out plates (or stop the printing process). Thousands of unique printed pieces can be produced at the same time which makes the personalized marketing process easy to perform.  Enhanced Tracking OptionsVariable data printing can add barcodes and other unique identifiers that let you track response rates and your ROI. One of the most effective ways to use VDP for tracking purposes is through the use of personalized URLs or pURLS. A pURL directs recipients to a unique landing page personalized with specific content for them. The inclusion of pURLs means you will know exactly who visited the campaign landing page from your direct mail piece and whether or not they converted on the offer. If they did not convert, you can send a follow-up email or have your sales team try and close the deal. Types Of Print Marketing VDP Campaigns Here are some of the most popular variable data printing campaigns: Coupons and Special Offers Envelopes QR Codes Custom Labels Thank You Notes/Postcards Personalized Landing Pages Remarketing Campaigns Variable printing advances let you create print materials with a higher ROI thanks to individual customer data. You can send messages and offers that are relevant to each customer while including personalized product labels and coupons tailored to match past spending habits.  VDP software automates the process for you. You choose the design and variable elements you want to customize (from your customer data) and the software handles the rest. Make the most of your print materials and watch your customer interaction grow.  Advertisers Printing can help incorporate variable data into your next campaign. Take a look at some of our products here.  Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

Does your business run direct mail campaigns on a regular basis? If so, you know how your marketing budget can be stretched, and even shattered, by unexpected increases in USPS postage rates and other shipping rates. It has become common for these increases to occur on a regular basis. Thankfully, the good news is that you have options for reducing postage costs and saving money on bulk direct mailings. Commingling mail services save money on your postage costs while also providing additional benefits in the process. Direct Mail Commingling, AKA Commingled Direct Mail or Commingling Direct Mail, is when mailings that come from your company are combined with mailings from other companies to meet the minimum postage requirements of the USPS. This mailing method saves money on postage costs while still giving you the ability to send out lower quantity mailings.  Commingling Direct Mail Means Better Targeted Lists In addition to providing lower postage costs, your commingling direct mail provider will be able to handle a good portion of the work the post office would normally handle. The act of combining smaller separate mailings creates one large mailing that is sent out as a “bulk mailing” that allows you to reduce postage costs. Commingling direct mail lets you send out smaller mailings while still maintaining the cost advantages of larger mailings. Another reason that companies love commingling mail is the fact that lower quantity mailings can be delivered to a targeted audience, in a series of multiple mailings, for a cost that is lower than a single large mailing to a non-targeted audience. Faster Delivery With Commingled Direct Mail Besides the benefits discussed above, direct mail commingling usually results in a faster delivery time to your target customer  because the mail goes directly to the SCF (the final step of the mail process when it is sent out for delivery). Mail that travels more than a short distance can go through multiple facilities which requires sorting and reprocessing at each facility. On the other hand, pre-organizing mail helps bypass unnecessary stops that allow the mail to reach its final destination at a quicker rate. Advertisers Printing can help you commingle your next direct mail campaign.  Inquire here!  Contact Us Now for More Information Phone: (314) 652-9924

Direct mail has been, and continues to be, a successful marketing channel for companies and brands across the United States. Businesses enjoy the fact they have multiple types of direct mail options to choose from when delivering their message. In addition to various types of direct mail marketing, the postal service is providing USPS discounted rates to direct mail advertisers this year. Because of the personalized approach to reaching customers and the available discount on postage, direct mail is a “must do” for companies! In this article, we will share the most common (and successful) types of direct mail. We will also include a number of examples and spotlight direct mail USPS postage discounts for companies and organizations looking to grow their brand. Brochures Direct mail brochures always seem to generate positive ROI. They are a simple version of direct mail that still allows for creativity when delivering your marketing message or a call to action for a specific promotion in a way that is easy to engage. When it comes to brochures for direct mail, they are particularly popular with retail stores, churches, educational institutions, and travel or personal finance companies. Letters A well-written direct mail letter, combined with a compelling design, creates a personal connection with customers. Letters have a versatility to them that enrich the experience through a sophisticated envelope or letter finish or they can include inserts that deliver information on promotions that the audience can use to save money. Direct mail letters can include fundraising information, an invitation to an event, coupons for an upcoming sale or the latest information about the business in a newsletter. Catalogs Catalogs have remained popular over the last few years as they give brands the opportunity to connect more closely with customers. Catalogs are popular in the fashion, retail, and manufacturing industries but they are also ideal for other businesses. Postcards Postcards are cost-effective and easy to design. They also deliver results thanks to their versatility. Here are some examples of how they are commonly used as well as some of the most popular sizes: Common Uses for Postcards: Announcements Coupons Event invitations & Registration reminders Political campaigns Popular postcard sizes: Standard postcard (4¼” x 6″) Bi-fold postcard (Two attached cards sealed with glue or wafers) Oversize postcard (9″ x 6″) Jumbo postcard (11″ x 6″) Package Inserts Due to the increase in online sales, a greater number of packages are being delivered across the country. This gives brands and organizations an opportunity to connect with their audience while also increasing sales and showing how they stand out from the competition. Direct Mail Discounts The USPS offers discounts for direct mail campaigns and that includes each of the direct mail types discussed above. Each campaign has a different eligibility for the discounts listed below: Informed Delivery Promotions Tactile, Sensory, & Interactive Mailpiece Engagement Promotion Earned Value Promotion Emerging & Advanced Technology Promotion Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion Mobile Shopping Promotion Here at Advertisers, we focus on informed delivery. This offers business mailers the opportunity to engage users through an integrated mail and digital marketing campaign that generates additional consumer impressions, interactions, and insights. Our experts can create direct mail campaigns that get results while taking advantage certain available discounts. Contact us to learn more about how you can leverage informed delivery to take advantage of discounted direct mail! Contact Us Now for More InformationPhone: (314) 652-9924