How does Addressed Mail work??

Today is all about what is new and cool - and is anyone else doing it. My friends now is the time to ensure that your doing programs that are guaranteed to work and have been working for over 100 years.

Direct Mail, when done correctly is the best way to grow your business. There are two types of DM, the first being addressed direct mail and the second being unaddressed ad mail. Often called 'Householder' direct mail.

Addressed Mail - Traditional Package

- This is where it all begins with your DM efforts. If you haven't done the basic format, you may be missing out on higher conversions with lower printing costs. The package consists of an envelope, a brochure, a letter, an order form(optional) and a reply envelope. The reply envelope should have your indicia on it for return.

A few thoughts to keep in mind about the envelopes. Before you start using oversized envelopes, keep in mind that the cost of postage will increase with the oversized envelope. If you haven't tried the traditional format - don't just do what the printer/lettershop suggests. This isn't going to guarantee increased customer acquisition.

Are you going to use a lot of color? It will definitely increase your costs - but it is important to have some color/colour in the piece.

Hyper Segmentation in Social Network Marketing

The advent of social networks like MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn has brought with it the incredible power to segment the audience you want to reach and do so at a price not offered on such a wide scale. These new offers include geo, income, age, sex, groups and interests; to name just a few. What this means in layment terms is that if you want to reach 40+ mothers in Portland, Oregon, who make like to cook. MySpace.com could be the place for you.

Things to remember on this side of things is that with each slice of the pie, it becomes a little bit smaller. This makes getting enough impressions a challenge for programs to have the desired effects. But as our knowledge of online users grows, this will increase the audiences for all offers. Now true this isn't a traditional DM offer, but I think it is increasingly part of the DIRECT side of our business.

Keep learning and Keep Reading.

www.westlists.com

Guide to Finding a DM Print Provider

Here is an extensive list of DM Print Companies. As we get asked numerous times who can help with printing and getting a mail-piece in the mail. Here is a list of DM Providers for you consideration.

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  Basset Direct - www.bassetdirect.ca
  


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  Custom Data Imaging - www.customedataimaging.com
  


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  DataCore Mail Management - www.datacore-resource.com
  


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  DM Graphics - www.dmgraphics.com
  


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  Embassy Digital - www.embassydigital.com
  


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  Essence Group - www.essencegroup.com
  


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  The Helicopter Group - www.thehelicoptergroup.com
  


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  Pentagon Graphics - www.pentagon.ca
  


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  Pitney Bowes PostLinx - www.postlinx.com
  


• 
  Russell House Marketing - www.RussellHouse.ca
  

Direct Mail - Direct Media Database

Many of the large mailers that work with West List Co. have started using/pulling records from a collective database. The advantages of this list are

1. Cut down on merge purge costs as the data has already been run for you.
2. Opportunities to test smaller volumes to see if a list will work for your offer or not.
3. Lists are usually receptive to DM offers as they have been put in the database for a reason.
4. Continuations are easier - as you will know exactly what you mailed last time.

The Meritbase is another these databases. I have had much better luck with the Direct Media Database and would encourage any large B2B mailer to use it.

Regards,

www.westlists.com