Attention-Grabbing Direct Mail Ideas

Attention-Grabbing Direct Mail Ideas

There is a school of thought that says direct mail has gone the way of the horse and buggy—that is to say, it’s not a “thing” anymore. But according to some statistics, good old-fashioned snail-mail advertising still delivers a big bang for your buck. According to the site Small Business Trends, between 80 – 90 percent of direct mail gets opened, versus 20 – 30 percent of email. A lot of the reasoning behind why direct mail continues to perform is that consumers have an easier time remembering and understanding what they see on paper. Today we’ll run through some exciting and attention-grabbing direct mail ideas that can really help drive ROI for your business.

Quickness Counts. And So Does Format.

Remember the study Microsoft conducted that found the average American has an attention span of just 8 seconds? Think about that as you’re designing your direct mail piece. You may have gotten your mailer opened, but don’t make your customer do much more additional work beyond that. Make your headlines brief and in big fonts. Use eye-catching colors. And try for a different shape/format—customers are so accustomed to rectangular mail pieces that they tend to overlook them. By introducing a square piece or bi-fold, you have a better chance of grabbing their attention.

Die cuts are also a cool way to stick out in the mailbox. Seasonal pieces can be shaped like snowflakes, leaves, or even beach umbrellas. Sending out a promotion? Think of a shape that goes along with the deal, such as a cocktail glass for ½ price drinks. Be mindful, however, of postage rates for irregularly shaped pieces of mail. Always check with your mail house to learn what they charge for unique shapes.

Graphics for the Gold

 People can process images much quicker than words. Take that into account when designing your next mailer. Try to convey your message as much as possible through graphics rather than words, but don’t go overboard—two or three pictures is best.

Personalized Pieces

In terms of engagement, personalized direct mail pieces that speak directly to the customer (“You earned it, Jessica!”) are a good bet. People love seeing their name in print, and it creates a feeling that you truly care about their business when customers see you took the time to brand something just for them. And as we learned from Target Marketing, “Personalization can help you deliver the right message to the right individual at the right time and makes the mail piece immediately relevant to each recipient.” It’s also a great way to build loyalty.

Direct mail, and marketing in general, can really add up—especially if you don’t have a portion of your budget set aside for marketing. If you are in need of an amped-up marketing strategy or want to dip your toes in the direct-mail space, consider the peace of mind that comes with a line of credit from ARF Financial. Once approved and funded, you’ll have 24-hour access to the cash necessary to send your mailers soaring. Get your offer today—it’s fast, free, and won’t affect your credit score. Quickly learn how much you qualify for and get your marketing game going strong!