Direct Mail Marketing Tips

Direct mail is one of the most important elements of a marketing plan. Developing and executing a campaign can at times be a tiring job. Present day’s mailing regulations are complicated plus postage rates are changing and the flood of mail makes it even more harder. In a mail campaign the right kind of message is very important and it must get to the target prospect in the right way on a regular basis. Capturing the reader should happen fast and the reader must be motivated to take some action.Below are 99  direct mail marketing tips  to ensure that you get the right message to the right target and in the right way.
•    Give a free gift to increase response;
•    Highlight the free-gift offers and discounts properly;
•    Use short copy to tease the reader to read further or respond;
•    Minimize the use of buzz words;
•    Make your offer easy to respond and understand;
•    Prove any claims with details to add credibility;
•    Ask for the order right away;
•    Use graphics and color to support the message and text;
•    Offer a free trial to eliminate risk;                    
•    Hire a professional copywriter for your content writing;
•    Hire a professional graphic designer;
•    Make your offer easy to understand at a glance;
•    Promise many benefits;
•    Give many reasons to buy;
•    Use all the formatting available with taste;
•    Have your direct mail reviewed by an objective third party;
•    Use colored paper to make impact and save on printing costs;
•    Consult with a direct-mail specialist;
•    Use a reply card or other reply mechanism;
•    Put a headline on the envelope;
•    Survey customers about what they'll like to respond to;
•    Include postage-paid return cards or envelopes;
•    End a page with the middle of a sentence to encourage more reading;
•    Personalize as much as you can;
•    Use a Post-It note for greater impact and attention;
•    Make the offer very prominent;
•    Use a no-risk guarantee;
•    Keep track of target recipients, replies and follow-up efficiently;
•    Tell the whole story;
•    Keep short paragraphs;
•    Break up long copy with graphics or white spaces in between;
•    Don't dwell on history or background;
•    Offer a free-trial period •    State your geographical service area even if its global, national, regional or local;
•    Keep the sales pitch positive and highlight the benefits;
•    Include a call to action; tell your readers exactly what you want them to do;
•    Use a "P.S."--it’s one of the most frequently read parts of the copy;
•    Make it easy to purchase: credit cards, terms, etc.;
•    Offer a discount for a quick response and to get an order;
•    Make a simple order form for faxing or mailing;
•    Always put a sense of urgency and deadline in your copy;
•    Put a picture of a phone by your phone number;
•    Put testimonials at the top of the content and by the call to action;
•    Use typestyles that are easy to read;
•    Have a call to action at the beginning, middle and end of your copy;
•    Use free information, free samples and a free demonstration as a marketing hook;
•    Offer a free consultation in addition to the free information book;
•    Separate features and benefits (emphasizes on benefits);
•    Use bullet points and small segments of information;
•    Use subheadings and subtitles;
•    Include a toll-free number (if you have one);
•    Get your readers involved in a contest;
•    Use a tear-out coupon or one with a printed perforation;
•    Ask plain questions and offer a simple solution;
•    Put in a photo of yourself or an associate's to personalize it;
•    Make promises and keep promises;
•    "Free" is still a motivating word--use it and highlight it;
•    Use handwritten notes or comments on your direct-mail piece;
•    Guarantee customer satisfaction;
•    Offer proof of the benefits;
•    Include case studies and success stories;
•    Restate your offer often, especially at the end of the communication;
•    Use captions, sayings or titles under all photos;
•    Order your mailing list or compile it way in advance of your execution date;
•    Test your list and use "Address Correction Requested" to clean your list;
•    Mail to vendors as well as target prospects;
•    Outsource things you don't do best: printing, mail preparation, design, etc.;
•    Put yourself on all mailing lists;
•    Work with a list broker to tighten list specifications;
•    Test different copy, headlines and offers;
•    Use graphics on the outside of envelopes;
•    Measure results and calculate ROM (Return on Mailing) dollars;
•    Code your mailings to measure response;
•    Mail frequently to a smaller subset of your list;
•    Plan and prepare enough mailings for three months at a time;
•    Use color;
•    Do a co-op mailing with a fusion marketing partner or power partner;
•    White space is good--a clean look is professional and easy to read;
•    Print in large quantities to take advantage of cheaper printing prices;
•    Use mailing pieces as handouts and for sales kits;
•    Mail to PR contacts;
•    Self-mailers are read more than stuffed envelopes;
•    Postcards are very efficient; usually both sides are looked at;
•    Print on the flap of the envelope to increase exposure;
•    Create excitement: "Act Now!", "For a limited time!", "Hurry while it lasts!";
•    Deliver stacks of left-over printed items to trade organizations;
•    It’s OK to send the same piece over and over for consistency;
•    Mail to educational institutions;
•    Create fun for yourself and your prospect with your campaign;
•    Tie other marketing to your mailings;
•    Put your website address on all mailing pieces;
•    Odd shapes also works;
•    Mail with stamps get opened before metered mail;
•    Include pre-stamped reply envelopes;
•    Don't delay your mailing by trying to mail in bulk on one day;
•    Include a business card in a letter;
•    Lumpy mail gets attention--it gets opened and gets a good response;
•    Have a conversation with your prospect;
•    Publicize your direct-mail campaign.