The postcard. It’s a common enough piece of paper. Most people are familiar with it and it’s been in circulation for decades. But believe it or not, there are still things you can do with postcards that sell your business or promote yourself in a whole new way. I know! I was just as surprised as you are. But I’ve come across a few tips that should revamp your outlook on postcards. What follows are three ideas to keep your marketing fresh and, as an added bonus, best utilize any leftover card stock you may have.

A Coupon Built In

One way to use postcards is to make the entire thing a coupon. Sure, there should be your company logo and a few words about your company on it. Address, location and other contact information are a must as well. But instead of investing hours of time in designing a compelling graphic, instead print a coupon on the card.

Not only will this move inform potential customers about your business, but it will also give them a reason to stop by your website or physical store. And that’s half the battle right there. Plus, a coupon offering makes it much more likely recipients will actually make a purchase.

Announce a Special Prize

Business postcards are an excellent way to get people into your store, but sometimes, you have to give something away to get business. Instead of making your postcards the standard advertisement, let your potential customers know that if they come to your store-or visit your website-they will receive a free gift.

It’s really as simple as that. Half the battle is getting people into your store, so by offering up a free gift of some sort-it doesn’t have to be expensive-you can eliminate some of that hard work. People are attracted by their very nature to the word “free” so by indulging your audience, you make customers happy and boost your chances of doing business.

Get With the Season

Being timely is a great way to appeal to potential customers. That means advertising for the major holidays and seasons of the year. You can include just about anything you want in these seasonal postcards, just make sure the content and imagery is relevant and enticing.

The whole point of this sort of seasonal postcard is to help your customers or potential customers remember you. You might feel uncomfortable about sending out a postcard every few months to people in your target market, but you shouldn’t. Consumers are flooded with information from advertisers on a daily basis, so you have to work your hardest to stand out. A postcard that arrives a few weeks before Christmas, let’s say, should show an image that is reflective of the season (a snowman, a fireplace or perhaps, stockings?) but even more importantly feature an offer or ad that entices people to come into your store or visit your website.

Postcards

Who hasn’t received a postcard in the mail, on your door, or at a tradeshow? No one – because they work! Adding postcard marketing to your media arsenal is a must for those needing to reach a mass audience with limited means. For those with huge mailing lists, consider hiring your printer to mail them for you.

Pros

• Extremely cost effective
• Well suited for mass market mailings, door to door promotions, and tradeshows
• Excellent choice for enticing new clients with limited time offers, new products, and events
• Many sizes available from small to oversize
• Cheaper to mail than a standard letter

Flat Brochure

Flat brochures take many forms – flyers, trade show hand outs, brochure inserts, stand alone flyers, and more. Offered in a variety of sizes, their format makes them applicable to unlimited types of promotions. Perfect choice for those on a limited print media budget!

Pros

• Extremely cost effective
• Well suited as a stand alone piece for mass promotions and tradeshows
• Instantly update your brochure as an insert with a new client or returning client coupon
• Many sizes available from small to oversize
• Perfect format for pricing structures whether hourly or project based! Salons, pet groomers, dry cleaners, interior decorators, car washes, disc jockeys, catering, etc.

thelogofactory.com

Classic Trifold Brochure

Who can go wrong with the classic, timeless design of a trifold brochure? An instant credibility builder for companies small and large, it is an essential sales tool for qualified prospects.

Pros

• Builds instant credibility and image branding for your business
• Ample room to promote your top sales points and eye-catching graphics
• Mailbox friendly – whether sealed and mailed on its own or in a standard sized envelope with a cover letter
• Easy to read columns
• Exceptional format for service or product based businesses including financial consultants, engineers, wedding planners, bakers, web developers, nonprofit organizations, churches, retail shops, restaurants, and more!

getmorecases.com

Magnets

This pocket-sized media option reminds your clients to call you daily – usually via a prominent place on the refrigerator. Your clients can’t call if your contact information isn’t handy!

Pros

• Perfect for any business that requires appointments – doctors, pet groomers, pet kennels, salons, personal trainers, insurance agents, natural health practitioners, tax offices, custom clothiers, realtors, tailors, plumbers, etc.
• Excellent choice for delivery or take out restaurants
• Keeps basic contact information readily accessible
• Durable construction lasts years

Doorhangers

Need a quick way to canvas the neighborhood for pennies per piece? Doorhangers are a quick, cheap way to blanket the residents in close proximity to your business. Be sure to offer a limited time savings or perforated coupon for the highest response possible.

Pros

• Extremely inexpensive
• Ideal for residential focused businesses
• Maximum response when paired with the addition of perforated coupons and business cards at the bottom
• Labor delivery is free – if you deliver them yourself!

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Do you have a favorite go-to type of print media? Feel free to post below and help out our other readers…

Not getting the best response from your postcard mailings? Consider adding a perforated coupon to your direct mail campaign to maximize its effectiveness. Generate sales by adding a one time savings message with a call to action.

Ready to start but aren’t quite sure where to begin? Then, incorporate these coupon offerings as a starting point:

Initial Savings: Make your customers an offer they can’t refuse, and they won’t! Offer prospective clients an initial savings of 25% or more for their first order only. Never underestimate the impact of an initial discount, especially in a tough economy.

Free or Discounted Shipping: All companies are deadline oriented – your prospects aren’t any different. Make an effort to ship their product when their deadlines are tight by offering clients free shipping on a specific dollar amount of product.  Or, consider upgrading their shipping at no cost to the next fastest option. After delivering product at a moment’s notice, you’ll earn your prospect’s loyalty for good.

Bonus Gift or Service: Add free sample of a product you think they will fall in love with. Consider it a sales tool to upsell on the next order! Alternatively, provide an extra service at no cost. Bed Bath & Beyond offers free gift wrapping on all registry purchases.  Their clients save time (to wrap the gift) and money (to buy supplies), wedding registrants get the gifts they want, and the store gets more sales!

BOGO: Buy one item or service, and get the next free or at a discount. This works great for restaurateurs who have been offering free appetizers with a paid entrée, or a free entrée with the purchase of another entrée at equal value.

Whichever promotion you use, it is essential to print your call to action! An example of a call to action might be, “To {your promotion here}, call us today at (123) 456-7890 or shop on the web at www.yourdomain.com with coupon code {xyz}. Offer ends {date}.” The call to action creates a sense of urgency and tells the consumer to act now – i.e. to take advantage of your offer immediately.

Good luck, happy postcarding, and comment to let us know your thoughts and tips…

Postcards capture a moment in time. They connect us to other people, places, times, and events. Both modern and vintage postcards follow similar styles.

courtesy of www.joycetice.com/postcard/pancana.htm

The first postcard was copyrighted in the United States in 1861. The initial postcard was a mailed card simply treated as a letter. Different versions followed before the turn of the century.

The United States government issued an official Postal Card in 1873. This card featured space for an address on the front. A message could be written on the back of the card.

Exposition Cards burst on the scene in 1893. Exposition cards celebrated the Chicago Columbian Exposition. The Businessman’s Card was embraced by advertisers.

Postal restrictions were soon removed from Private Mailing Cards. The first Photo Postcard was sent through U.S. mail in 1899. The foundation was now laid for today’s modern postcard.

Divided back postcards became the rage by 1907. The address and message could now be placed on the same side. By 1928 many publishers were producing cards with a distinctive white border.

The quality of postcards continued to climb throughout the twentieth century. In 1931 Curtis Teich produced the first postcard on linen textured stock. Cards could now be printed with bright inks on high speed presses.

Photochrome Cards came into fashion in 1939. These cards were based on Kodachrome – the first color film. Color separations now had endless possibilities!

By 1984 postcards even had their own official week. National Postcard Week is celebrated during the first week of May. And postcards truly deserve that recognition!

Postcards have now come full circle. E postcards have been gaining popularity since the 1990’s. Yet the traditional postcard still has its place and its loyal fans.

The postcard has proved its power of endurance. Its beauty is beyond dispute. So why not send a postcard today!