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Direct Mailers
This thread has 11 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 09:35
tca
Advanced Member
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We are looking into doing some targeted direct mailings. We'd like to focus on certain zip codes with new homeowners only. A simple postcard with our info.

Does anyone still do this, and if so, has it worked for you?

Do you have any recommendations on companies that handle this?

Thanks.
Post 2 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 12:13
MNTommyBoy
Senior Member
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1,060
Find your local printer and talk to them about an EDDM
"There's a big difference between winging it and seeing what happens. Now let's see what happens." ~MacGruber
Post 3 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 12:54
3PedalMINI
Loyal Member
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Yes EDDM. However you have to remember mailers go in the trash and you need to send them out atleast 3 times before you see any real results.

I did this years ago, sent to ~1500 people. Got expensive but managed to get one job out of it. It paid for it at the time but hasn’t turned into anything else.
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
Post 4 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 14:43
IRkiller
Advanced Member
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920
Did it. Regret it. Spend the $ on going to the bahamas and you'll be $ ahead.

If ernie was into advertising, this is what he would do.......cutting edge technology from the 1970's paper in the mailbox. Call hasbeen and spend it on SEO instead.
how in the hell does ernie make money?
Post 5 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 14:58
Mac Burks (39)
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99% of the time i just toss "junk mail" in the trash can. I literally walk from the mail box towards the trash cans because most snail mail is garbage.

The only time i keep anything is when it has pricing on it. Like for example i got a post card for driveway seal coating. It said "Most driveways $65". I called the guy and had the driveway seal coated two days later.

Maybe put together a couple of packages like "outdoor music" "home theater" with pricing? Someone not really looking might see a price and say to themselves "wow, I can have 4K and an 85" TV for that"?

Otherwise target interior designers, architects & builders. Big jobs come from these guys. Buy them lunch, show them what you got, provide them with an incentives program.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
Post 6 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 19:46
cshepard
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On September 3, 2018 at 14:58, Mac Burks (39) said...

Otherwise target interior designers, architects & builders. Big jobs come from these guys. Buy them lunch, show them what you got, provide them with an incentives program.

+1
Chris
Post 7 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 20:48
buzz
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On September 3, 2018 at 14:58, Mac Burks (39) said...
Buy them lunch, show them what you got, provide them with an incentives program.

Be aware that their idea of incentives starts at 20%, but you'll be branded as a cheapskate at that level.
Post 8 made on Monday September 3, 2018 at 22:55
Ranger Home
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On September 3, 2018 at 14:58, Mac Burks (39) said...
provide them with an incentives program.

HATE that. I dont believe in them. Can do without, and do. You want a piece of the pie? EARN IT. Giving me a lead is not enough to "earn" it. Think Im cheap? Then lets just ask the customer if they are ok with the designer trying to skim 20%. 20%? Are you kidding me??? Proof they rip off their customers with outrageous margins. Im a firm believer you want paid big bucks, then EARN it, turning someone on to a job does NOT deserve 20%. What a friggin joke.
Post 9 made on Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 01:10
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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On September 3, 2018 at 22:55, Ranger Home said...
provide them with an incentives program.

HATE that. ...turning someone on to a job does NOT deserve 20%. What a friggin joke.

I did some work for someone I knew who had been the PA of a Hollywood type. Did some $40,000 with the new client. THEN she (the PA) told me her usual arrangement with subs was 10% for her. I haven't done anything since. My choices were to raise my prices 11.11% or to reduce my gross by 10%. She hated the first one, I won't do the second one.

We'll see, next time she needs something done.

By the way, my 1970s approach, in the late 1990s was to place a small ad in a Beverly Hills throwaway newspaper. In two days we were booked two months out and we were pissing off everybody else who called because we could not promise them anything soon. And the damn ad was pay for the first month, second month was free and the paper wouldn't cancel the second month!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 10 made on Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 08:57
william david design
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I’ve done mailers in the past but see maybe a 1-2% response if that.
One thing one of my friendly competitors has done is to use the Facebook Boost feature to get new clients.
I’m going to play around with this and see what happens...
Defectus tuus consilium carpere discrimen mihi non constituit.
Post 11 made on Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 10:34
buzz
Super Member
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4,366
Designers are great sales people and they don't leave any money on the table.
Post 12 made on Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 12:46
Hasbeen
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On September 4, 2018 at 08:57, william david design said...
I’ve done mailers in the past but see maybe a 1-2% response if that.
One thing one of my friendly competitors has done is to use the Facebook Boost feature to get new clients.
I’m going to play around with this and see what happens...

That's probably the best bet, but I wouldn't boost it, I'd recommend running an actual ad, not going to get into a long diatribe about it, but boosting shows negligible results, whereas the same post using Facebook ads work better. With Facebook ads the reach would be substantially greater, and the costs would be negligible compared to a direct mailer.

I'd also recommend setting up Facebook Pixel on your website.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email or PM.


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