Postcards,With,Edge,amp,#40,Wa marketing Postcards With An Edge (7 Ways To Use Postcards In Y

Automation technologies represent a fundamental aspect of any modern industry. The major types of industrial automation solutions, such as DCS, PLC, SCADA, and MES, are used on a large-scale in process and discrete industries.DCS technologie Awhile ago, I got an email from one of the "gurus" I follow and it shocked me. The gist of it was this person wanted to trade services for a household item.To say it floored me would be an understatement.What was worse was a few days later t

They make a bigger impact than email, are more cost-effective to send than letters, and get instantly read byrecipients because they stand out from a plain bundle ofenvelopes.This is the wonder that we call POSTCARDS, and manymarketers haven't yet used them as effectively as theyactually could.Here are 7 ways YOU can use postcards in your own marketingcampaigns -- and increase your chances for better sales andhigher profits:1) Use It As A Sales LetterWhen you have a special offer in mind -- AND a list ofspecific clients who will appreciate a nudge for uniqueopportunities -- then send your announcement through apostcard rather than a fax, letter, or email.Postcards are easy to read, instantly giving your prospectsall the information they need in one quick glance.Plus -- when designed attractively enough -- they stand amuch better chance of being kept on as bookmarks &keepsakes, compared to the more disposable paper faxes &email print outs.2) Use It For Your Press ReleaseDo you want your press release to stand out from the floodof faxes & emails that media people often face in front oftheir desks?Then send them your news release teaser & photo on abrightly colored postcard......Just make sure they can easily contact you once theyperk up & take notice.3) Turn It Into A NewsletterThis may be a bit more expensive to maintain than an onlinemailing list, but with everyone now getting at least 5ezines in their inbox everyday, it could come as a relief(and a welcome surprise) to have a newsletter coming inthrough the mailbox for a change.Postcard newsletters are especially effective for keepingin touch with clients who've already made actual purchasesfrom your company.Besides the fact that they are more likely to respond tomarketing messages from you, you can also work in the costof postcard marketing into any subscriptions/purchases theymake, making your campaign profitable AND economical aswell.So what kind of articles / information can you cram into aregular postcard-sized mailing? Recipes / Activities -------------------- Whether it's for cooking, crafts, or some other hobby, step-by-step instructions for a new & creative activity will appeal to anyone aged 3 to 93, especially if it targets their specific interests. This kind of newsletter becomes particularly profitable when your company sells most of the materials needed for each activity -- you can package each set of materials into a complete do-it-yourself kit, ready for ordering through the web, fax, or phone! Tips & Ideas ------------ Useful for any business that provides a service, the "tips & ideas" newsletter serves you best by making you more dependable and approachable to clients -- the two qualities that will inspire their loyalty to your company and YOU. Inspirational Stories --------------------- Turn client testimonials & experiences into inspiring stories, and you will have the kind of content that makes people feel positive about doing business with you. Send out this content in the form of convenient-to-read postcards -- and more likely than not, your recipients will be sharing their mail with other people, too!4) Make It Your BrochureWho says postcards are only supposed to have 2 sides?If you print your company information on card stock that'sdouble the regular postcard size, you can fold it in themiddle and -- viola! -- you get an instant 4-panel brochureto carry around or send through the mail.On the other hand, there is no hard-and-fast rule that sayseffective brochures have to be multi-paneled, either. A 4½by 6 inch postcard can carry 2 medium sized images,prominent recipient & return addresses, plus 325 words in10 point Arial font -- which may be more than enough toinvite new clients to try out your service.5) Send A Series As A Mini CourseTaking off from the idea behind successful correspondencecourses & schools, you can offer to teach a special skill /expertise through a series of postcard-sized modules --otherwise known as the postcard mini-course.Whether you're sending them as a free service or as apurchasable product by itself, the postcard mini-courseappeals to busy "students" who can't make time for longerinstructional materials, but are attracted to the idea thatthey can still improve themselves on a regular basis.(Which practically describes most busy business owners &internet marketers. :-) )6) Design Them As Tickets or CouponsWe've already seen theater & concert tickets designed in thesize of a regular postcard; maybe we've even kept them assouvenirs because we just couldn't bear to throw them out.We can use this same "special event" appeal when we sendpostcards designed as tickets or coupons to our mostvaluable clients, offering them unique discounts orinviting them to an "online event."Even after your sale/event is over and done with, chancesare they'll still keep your postcard close, reminding themof you & your services for many months to come.7) Finally -- Why Not Turn Postcards Into A Marketing Kit?One graphic arts company did just that: they designedtheir entire marketing message using high-impactinspirational quotes on a set of 7 postcards, then boundthe cards in ribbon before presenting to prospectiveclients.On one side of each card they showcased the inspiring quote,then inserted a small statement underneath about how thequote describes their company.On the other side of the card they used the same inspiringmessage as a jump-off point to discuss one of their specificabilities / achievements, ending always with their fullcontact information.Each quote was powerful enough to encourage clients todisplay the cards on their company bulletin boards -- andtheir strategy practically made their marketing kit aswelcome to their prospects as valuable gifts.Whether you've used postcards before or are just about totry and see how they'll affect your sales, remember that anymarketing strategy can only be enhanced by your owncreativity.So jumpstart your imagination and add your own ideas intopostcard promotion -- and all your efforts are sure to getthat winning edge! © Tatiana Velitchkov