Catdi Printing

Blog

  • Flyer Printing Near Me: How Flyers Can Help Grow Your Business

    Flyer Printing Near Me: How Flyers Can Help Grow Your Business

    Years ago, you posted flyers to get help with finding your lost pup. Years later, you posted them to advertise your new favorite club on your college campus. And now, you’re using them to advertise your business.

    One thing’s for certain: Flyers will never go out of style.

    Research shows that flyers remain highly relevant in today’s digital world because they carry branding power and are easy to distribute widely.

    Fortunately, if you’re looking for beneficial flyer printing “near me” in the Houston area, you can find it in Catdi Printing.

    Here’s a glimpse at how color flyers printing from a business like Catdi can benefit your business’s reach in 2022 and beyond.

    Let’s jump in!

    Flyer Printing “Near Me” Attracts Customers

    One of the top reasons to take advantage of flyer printing services is that it is a versatile way to attract customers. This is particularly true when you print your documents in color versus white and black.

    You can use this type of printing service to produce not only traditional flyers but also the following:

    A reputable flyer printing company will use unique designs and generate creative content to make your document stand out for all the right reasons.

    When well-executed, a business document like a flyer will convey your core message in a captivating yet clear way. And that means more potential sales for you long term.

    Color Flyers Printing Offers a Palpable Advertising Solution

    Yet another reason to turn to flyer printing is that flyers are palpable, or tangible. This means that you can physically carry flyers wherever you go — to the gym, to the mall, or while walking downtown.

    This is a major benefit if you are trying to attract consumers who are likely to dismiss TV or online ads. It’s also ideal for reaching people who may simply walk past billboards and posters.

    As long as your flyers look attractive, you can expect them to immediately be read once distributed.

    Flyers Can Be Incentivizing

    Wondering how to make a flyer stand out? Offer incentives to consumers through it.

    For instance, consider including gift vouchers or coupon codes on your flyers. This will help to generate brand awareness. It will also serve as the perfect catalyst for reaching more consumers.

    For instance, a customer might discover a discount on your business flyer and then tell their friend about it. The friend may then relay this information to a family member. And so on.

    Before you know it, your business’s offering is being spread among the masses. It’s an ideal way to promote your company or even an upcoming event that you are hosting, for example.

    How We Can Help

    At Cadi, we take pride in offering top-of-the-line color flyers printing. So, if you’re searching for flyer printing “near me” in Houston, you’ve come to the right place.

    With our flyer printing services, we offer numerous size and stock options. We are excited to help you to extend your marketing dollars, ultimately growing your business.

    Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you to boost your bottom line in the months ahead.

  • What Are EDDM Postcards? How Can They Help Your Business

    What Are EDDM Postcards? How Can They Help Your Business

    It may be easiest just to do nothing. That’s what a number of businesses think when they consider focusing their marketing efforts. They come to that decision, or that thought, in good conscious too. With so many direct marketing channels through which to reach consumers, it can be understandable to become overwhelmed. That apathy though is a fatal business mistake. Instead of giving up, let’s look at one tool that can help you reach local customers directly with astonishing results – EDDM Postcards.

    What is Every Door Direct Mail? Your Cost-Effective Direct Mail Marketing Solution

    Every Door Direct Mail is a cost-effective direct mail marketing tool offered by the United States Postal Service. It’s perfect for small businesses because it allows you to send postcards to carriers for a third of the cost of a first class stamp. You don’t need any special mailing list or addresses beforehand – the USPS will send out your campaign to every address in a given zip code!

    EDDM is an easy and affordable way to reach 5,000 homes and businesses per day with your message. We can help you target specific zip codes for distribution of your brochures, flyers, and other advertising materials. Plus, we offer “one stop” solutions for all direct mail marketing products and services at lower costs than traditional methods. Contact us today to learn more about Every Door Direct Mail and how it can benefit your business! Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a USPS product and service that allows you to mail to every address in a select area. It’s the perfect solution for small businesses that want to reach more potential customers without having to manage names, addresses, or postage permits. The USPS takes care of all of the details and has a mail permit specifically designed for retailers.

     

    The Benefits

    The benefits of being able to manage and, in effect micro-manage, your messaging can be exponential. This is because you’re speaking to a very specific set of customers.

    Take, for example, the neighborhood restaurant. If you want to attract more business, you could go door to door and hang menus. That tactic costs time not to mention the materials costs. For a fairly low price though you can send out a concentrated EDDM Postcard to houses in the surrounding area, inviting them to stop in for a “Neighbor Special.” This type of visceral, targeted marketing is really only available through programs like EDDM. Also you don’t need to buy a list anymore!

    In addition to promoting a special event and driving in customers on one night, EDDM Postcards can help build awareness. People may drive by your location all the time and think “We should stop there sometime.” By keeping your place top of mind you can turn that drive-by traffic into actual stop-in traffic.

    The “Non-Blanket” Approach

    It’s not uncommon for businesses to take a blanket approach to their marketing efforts. Plastering the town with ads, billboards, radio spots, emails, and more often ends up having the unintended effect of the messaging just becoming white noise.

    Utilizing EDDM postcards provides you with the opposite result. You are reaching a specific subset of the population with a message that is relevant to them. By limiting your audience, you can actually increase your sales!

    Make People Feel Special

    Information moves fast and everyone wants to know the latest, now. When someone can be that person in their group, the influencer who can share something new, they get a special feeling. It’s a feeling that makes them feel good.

    When you’ve got a new product or service, these influencers can help spread the word, but they have to get the word first. Reach out with a specific EDDM Postcard announcing your latest and greatest. When the cards are engaging and direct, these influencers will be more inclined to share their messaging. Imagine after a Little League game, they turn to the other parents and say “Hey, let’s go to ______, I just heard about a special they have.”

    Or discussing with their neighbors a “new lawn service” that looks really great. All because of EDDM Program.

    Tell a Story

    Every marketer knows that it’s rare that you can get a magnificent increase in sales from just one ad. It takes time.

    It’s possible to be sure, but it’s certainly the exception. Those who plan on it being their marketing strategy are sure to be disappointed.

    EDDM Postcards give you an opportunity to take the time you need. In fact, they can do more than increase a sale, they can increase your brand. The difference being, of course, creating a one-time customer vs. a loyal brand ambassador.

    Use the EDDM Postcard experience to tell your story across several mailings. Introduce your company, make an invitation, play up your local connections. You’ll discover that residents respond well to companies that are close to them and seem to have their best interests at heart.

    Look and Feel

    It’s important to take advantage of the EDDM format for how it can target and reach customers but it’s equally important that the message those customers get is strong. That’s why it’s important that your postcards have a professional look and feel to them.

    People a sub-conscious understanding that is a company puts out shoddy ads, their work will be sub-par. But when an ad is polished and direct…

    Cost Effective

    When you hear USPS, you might immediately think that EDDM Postcards will be cost-prohibitive for you. After all, the price of stamps seems to rise every year so it would make sense that a program like this would have a heavier cost to it.

    Well, that kind of thinking is wrong. Currently, the USPS has an “intro” rate of $0.185 for EDDM Postcards. (In some instances that cost can actually start at $0.174!)

    Next Steps

    So here’s the thing, EDDM Postcards are a part of the USPS. You could certainly lock yourself in a conference room for a few days and try and make the system work for you. But why? Catdi Printing is a trusted partner with the USPS and we know all the ins and outs of the EDDM program.

    When you’re sending EDDM, you’re asking people to trust you, the expert in your particular field. This is a time though when you should heed your own advice and turn to someone who can help you not just use, but master the EDDM system.

    Remember it’s not just about mailing some postcards, it’s about creating engaging messaging inside of an impact-full design, and then delivering that to a targeted, qualified audience. All you should be focused on is helping customers and counting your sales at the end of each EDDM-driven day.

    When you’re ready to let EDDM work for you call the professionals at Catdi Printing, we’d love to talk.

  • How to Make Your Business Brochures Catch the Eye

    How to Make Your Business Brochures Catch the Eye

    If you have business brochures, what sort of impression are they making on potential customers?

    Or worse yet, are potential customers even bothering to look at them?

    With so many different things vying for peoples’ attention, your brochure needs to be eye-catching. If it isn’t, then it’s time for a redesign.

    So here’s the big question:

    What Makes Business Brochures Stand Out?

    Of course, the design and appearance are the first things that will grab the attention of potential customers. But the other important feature is the copy – which, if done correctly, will also pull in and captivate.

    So here are some ways to make your business brochures appeal to customers:

    1. Make It Colorful/Bright

    Whether it’s one bold color to make your brochure neat and clean, or several colors to break up sections, the color goes a long way to catch the eye.

    If you are using color, you’ll want to incorporate your brand’s color(s) as the dominant colors. This keeps consistency across all branding.

    But color isn’t the only game in town. The bold contrast of black and white can also be effective in catching attention while conveying a professional brand image.

    2. Pick a Larger Size

    Anyone can produce a print brochure on standard 8.5″ x 11″. That’s why everyone does.

    But you can differentiate your business brochures by changing up the size. You could go smaller, but a bigger brochure will physically stand out more.

    So instead of using standard letter size, consider going with the following:

    • 8.5″ x 14″
    • 11″ x 17″
    • 11″ x 25.5″

    And don’t forget about the fold. Of course, you can use the traditional trifold, but other more creative folds could make some serious impact.

    Talk to your printer about different brochure services they offer.

    3. Grab Them with Cover Copy

    As we mentioned, your copy is as important as your design in terms of getting your business brochures to stand out.

    Especially when it comes to the front cover.

    Go beyond just the name of your business or product. Include a thought-provoking question or statement that will make that potential customer want to learn more.

    Or lure them in with an exclusive invitation or special discount.

    4. Know Your Customer

    Once you’ve got the front of the brochure covered, think about what questions your customers might have. Then be sure to provide the answers in logical order within the design.

    When the copy is customer focused rather than product focused, it shows that you know and understand them. This will help to build rapport and, ideally, land the sale.

    5. Make It Interactive

    Another component you may not have considered incorporating into your design is interactive features.

    You might use one of those QR codes that’ll send customers to your website, social media page, or mobile app.

    If you’ve got some real tech savvy – or know someone who does – you can take it one step even further by developing an augmented reality platform.

    By doing this, customers can hover their phones or other mobile devices over your brochure and access videos, full-on 360-degree product views, or other resources that might compel them to buy from you.

    6. Use Eye-Catching Fonts

    You’ve taken the time to get the copy just right, but what about your fonts?

    Certain fonts will capture the spirit of your brand or business better than others.

    Typically speaking, the most effective fonts for business brochures will be those that combine distinctive styling with easy readability.

    There’s no rule against doing something different to be memorable. Just be sure you’re not memorable for all the wrong reasons.

    7. Provide Lists AND Descriptions

    You might be tempted to just slap down a bunch of lists, thinking that this will save the reader time and get your brochure noticed.

    Sure, you can use a powerful font and bold color to highlight a list and draw their interest. But then let them know how they’ll benefit from your product or service.

    For example, create a list of all the amazing features provided by your product or service. But then include what those features mean and how they would benefit the consumer.

    8. Include Great Photography

    Have you ever seen business brochures with photographs that look like they were plucked from an old family album?

    It’s important that you choose your photography carefully.

    These days, even phones can create high-resolution quality images, so there’s no excuse for using old photos.

    To make those images stand out, go ahead and experiment with different filters and treatments. Just be sure, though, that the images complement one another, as well as the rest of your color pallet and brand.

    You want that photo to stand out – but not like a sore thumb.

    9. Make It Personable

    Unless you’re in the business of selling boredom, avoid that zipped-up corporate tone in your brochure.

    When you’re working on the cover design and copy, be sure to speak directly to the audience. Use the words “we” and “you,” for example. Keep it conversational.

    And by all means, avoid the tech speak. It gums up the works and pulls from an otherwise flowing design.

    10. Provide Just Enough Information

    The first big challenge is to make your brochure eye-catching. But then what makes it keepable?

    After all, you don’t want them to read it over and then throw it out.

    Include snippets of helpful information like how-tos, hints and other tips to encourage the reader to keep the brochure and maybe even pass it on to others.

    But be careful. There’s always the danger of providing too much information. While you want to include descriptions, avoid long blocks of copy. They’re a customer repellant.

    11. Make the Call to Action Obvious

    You’ve got a cover with provocative copy in eye-catching fonts and bold colors.

    You’ve provided helpful and important information in a friendly and conversational way.

    Your images are tasteful and professional.

    But where’s your call to action?

    Obviously, you’ve gone to all this work to make your brochure stand out. But you’re not entering it into an art show. You’re hoping to elicit a response from potential customers.

    Your call to action is key. So be sure that it’s not hidden away.

    Are You Ready to Make An Impact?

    When designing your business brochures to stand out, remember this:

    Your ultimate focus should be on what the reader wants and, even more importantly, how you can give it to them through your design.

    And if you’re looking for professional printers to make your design shine, contact us to request a quote. We’d love to work with you!

  • Best Tips to Make Sure You Cross all the T’s and Dot all the I’s on your Mailers Design

    Best Tips to Make Sure You Cross all the T’s and Dot all the I’s on your Mailers Design

    Are you planning your new direct marketing campaign? Do you want to make sure that you get the best response and that the campaign is a success? In today’s post, we’ll share the best tips on making sure you cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s on your mailers design for a successful campaign.

    One of the major highlights of a successful mailers design campaign is to be laser-focused on every little detail. All this collectively can make a huge impact on your target audience, which is not an overstatement.

    To begin with, it is easy to get bogged down in the design aesthetics. However, there is more to a successful campaign than what meets the eye. Here are some of the best tips to keep in mind for a result-driven mailers design. These tips will help make a lasting impression on your target audience. Did you know that the brain takes only 13 milliseconds to process images perceived by the eye and that it takes only 50 milliseconds to form an impression about your promotional tools?

    That’s right, so you really have to make sure that everything is precise and impactful in your mailers design.

    So, let’s get started, shall we? 

    Write a Clear and Persuasive Call-to-Action

    No matter how creative and impressive your postcard, brochure, or flyer design is, it won’t contribute to your business if it doesn’t generate the response you want. Put simply; you need a persuasive and clear call to action to guide your audience towards a sale.

    After explaining your business offerings and effectively putting your brand message across, it is crucial to have the perfect CTA to ensure your audience is prompted to act. So, just as vital as your direct mail campaign’s design, words, and feel, a CTA should guide your audience to take the next step. Hence, it should be simple, specific, easy to understand, and uncluttered.

    • Make sure you mention it clearly so that the readers don’t struggle through the reams of the print to find out what you want them to do. Some great CTA tips include:
    • Build a sense of urgency through FOMO tactics (like limited time offer, expiry date, coupons, or vouchers)
    • Keep it short and simple
    • Separate your CTA from the body copy so that it stands out

    Double Check Contact Information

    As marketers have to manage and monitor every aspect of the mailers design campaign, mistakes are inevitable. However, what a bummer will it be if you get the basic contact information wrong? Needless to say there is simply no margin for making such a mistake. But sometimes, as marketers are focused on so many other elements of a direct mail campaign, they forget to pay attention to the little details that can cost them a fortune. The last thing you want is a potential customer contacting the wrong phone number.

    Therefore, it is advisable to double-check your contact information. Ensure that your email address, phone number, and postal address are correct.

    Choose the Right Color Scheme

    According to a research study, color increases brand recognition by nearly 80 percent. Here it is essential to understand that the psychological impact of colors is widely used in marketing which helps build your brand image and provoke specific emotions.

    Therefore, choosing the right color scheme can significantly contribute to your direct mail design. So, take time to research the market to see what colors are best suited to promote your products and services.

    For instance, studies also show that nearly 42 percent of people think that blue is a color associated with reliability and trust. So, keep these little details into consideration to ensure your mailers design campaign is a massive success.

    Target the Right Audience and Area

    Another aspect you need to focus on is establishing the correct target audience for your company so that your direct mail message can resonate with the audience. Indeed, direct mail is the core channel for bringing new lead generation to the organization. And to ensure this, you need to target the right audience and area.

    Get started by establishing your buyer persona. Also, leverage data from the online channels and previous campaigns. All this will give you a clear direction for key demographics such as income, age, gender, occupation, etc. Next, segment your message by its unique characteristics.

    Invest in Quality Print Marketing

    Print marketing quality plays a pivotal role in the success of your promotions. No matter how strong your brand message may be, if it is not readable and the printing is low quality, your message will fail to deliver. Therefore, invest in quality printing services.

    Make sure all the text on your direct marketing tools like postcards or brochures is clear and visible. Remember that the printing of your marketing material can make a big difference. Your audience is likely to read your marketing material if it is well-designed and has high-quality printing.

    So, consider these tips for a high-impact and result-driven direct marketing campaign. At Catdi Printing, we specialize in custom designing, printing, and mailing marketing material. Contact us to discuss your direct mail needs, and we can provide you with quality assistance at every step of your campaign, ensuring it is a massive success.

  • Chaos to Order: Pocket Folders for Efficient Organization

    Chaos to Order: Pocket Folders for Efficient Organization

    Welcome to our comprehensive guide on utilizing pocket folders to achieve efficient organization. In this article, we will explore the benefits and practical applications of pocket folders, providing insights on how they can help you transform chaos into order. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an individual seeking better organization in your daily life, pocket folders are powerful tools that can streamline your workflow and enhance your productivity. Join us as we uncover the secrets to mastering organization with pocket folders.

    The Power of Pocket Folders

    Pocket folders go beyond being mere stationery items; they possess the ability to revolutionize your organization system. By harnessing their potential, you can effectively manage your documents, keep track of important information, and boost overall efficiency. Let’s delve into the key advantages of incorporating pocket folders into your organizational arsenal.

    1. Enhanced Document Management

    One of the primary benefits of pocket folders lies in their ability to facilitate efficient document management. With multiple pockets and sections, these folders provide designated spaces for different types of documents, enabling you to categorize and organize them effectively. Whether you need to sort bills, contracts, research materials, or meeting notepads, pocket folders offer a convenient solution to keep everything in one place.

    2. Streamlined Workflow

    In our fast-paced world, a streamlined workflow is vital for maximizing productivity. Pocket folders allow you to structure your tasks, ensuring that important documents are readily accessible when needed. By keeping everything organized, you save valuable time that would otherwise be wasted searching for misplaced papers or information. A well-organized folder system allows for a seamless flow of work, improving overall efficiency.

    3. Portability and Accessibility

    Pocket folders are designed with portability in mind, making them ideal for professionals on the go or students moving between classes. Their compact size and lightweight nature enable you to carry essential documents wherever you need to be. Furthermore, the organized pockets ensure that the information you require is readily available at your fingertips, eliminating the need for rummaging through stacks of papers.

    4. Personal and Professional Applications

    Pocket folders are versatile tools suitable for various settings, both personal and professional. Students can utilize them to store class notes, assignments, and reference materials, while business professionals can keep track of client documents, project details, and important presentations. The adaptability of pocket folders makes them invaluable in any organizational endeavor, ensuring efficiency in a range of scenarios.

    Tips for Effective Pocket Folder Organization

    Now that we have established the benefits of pocket folders, let’s explore some tips for organizing your documents effectively within these versatile tools.

    1. Prioritize Sorting

    Begin by sorting your documents into relevant categories. Create labels or employ color-coding systems to differentiate between different types of information. This initial sorting process lays the foundation for a well-organized pocket folder system.

    2. Utilize Multiple Pockets

    Leverage the multiple pockets available in pocket folders to further categorize your documents. Assign each pocket a specific purpose, such as “To Do,” “Urgent,” or “Reference.” By doing so, you can easily retrieve the required information without any confusion. The structured layout of pocket folders enhances efficiency and ensures everything has its designated place.

    3. Regular Maintenance

    Maintaining your pocket folders is crucial for sustained effectiveness. Dedicate regular intervals to review and update the contents of your folders. Remove any unnecessary documents or outdated information, ensuring that your folders remain clutter-free and optimized for efficiency. Regular maintenance prevents the accumulation of unnecessary papers, allowing you to stay focused on what truly matters.

    4. Secure Important Documents

    For added security, consider incorporating folder fasteners or paperclips to keep important documents intact within the pockets. This precautionary measure minimizes the risk of loss or misplacement, providing you with peace of mind. By securing vital documents, you can confidently navigate through your pocket folders, knowing that crucial information is well-protected.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, pocket folders are invaluable tools for achieving efficient organization in various aspects of life. From managing documents to streamlining workflows, these versatile folders offer numerous benefits that significantly enhance your productivity. By implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can harness the full potential of pocket folders and transform chaos into order.

  • Are Door Hangers Effective Advertising

    Are Door Hangers Effective Advertising

    It might become quite expensive when it comes to advertising your new or existing business to locals in your area. But there are ways to introduce your products to the target audience through creative and innovative ideas without it breaking your budget.

    This is where this door hanger advertising idea will come in handy as it is an example of good marketing material to reach the target audience. The potential of these little ads is limitless but is it an effective enough way to advertise your business.

    Find out whether this advertising method will be adequate to reach those potential customers you want to draw to your business.

    What Is a Door Hanger Ad?

    A door hanger marketing ad is a cardboard or plastic sign designed to easily hang on a door handle or knob. This card comes in many different sizes and shapes but is mainly made in a rectangular shape to hang down and display nicely.

    These cards are printed with various information about specific products or services provided by businesses in the area. This card hanging on the door is a welcoming message to anyone who enters the house or residence through that door.

    How Effective Is Door Hanger Advertising?

    Everyone living in an apartment or even a house in any neighborhood must use that front door. Even if they just need to check the mailbox or put out the garbage bag they need to use that door.

    A hunger advertisement on the door handle will draw their attention and pique their interest to see what it is about. This is much like online marketing. It is personal while not only targeting one type of audience, and everyone will see it.

    With a hanger marketing campaign, you can reach everyone, even the stay-at-home buyers and the study-at-home students. Another great thing about this is that you can do many different types of advertising on this single type of media.

    A hanger campaign can be more effective than standard junk mail you get in the mailbox, which people may throw out without reading. This type of marketing will also make potential customers more curious to take a closer look at the ad.

    Which Businesses Can Use Door Hanger Marketing?

    Many businesses can benefit from hanger marketing, and we will list a few of them here. This type of advertising is great for services that happen on an ongoing basis, such as lawn mowing and pool cleaning.

    Any type of home care service will be able to gain customers through this marketing method. Also, any type of business that operates in an area can advertise their services or products on these door hanger ads.

    What Formats Can Be Used?

    You can use any shape or design you desire when advertising your business or service in this way. A suitable method is to add a small business card at the bottom with perforation marks to remove it quickly.

    This way, customers can have added value with a business card to use later when they need your services. Another great thing is that the door hanger ad can be any shape and size to make them more intriguing.

    Real estate and Corporate door hanger design template vectors

    What Are the Benefits Of Door Hanger Ads?

    There are several benefits to effective door hanger marketing that both large organizations and small businesses can use.

    • Because they are hand-delivered, it feels a bit more personal and the target audience will feel you care about them.
    • They are a much more affordable and cost-effective way of advertising and cost much cheaper if you buy them in bulk.
    • Reaching a local audience such as local residents and homeowners, and even students is a very effective method.
    • Because everyone will see them when they enter by the door, potential customers will ignore a very low percentage of this type of ad.
    • With this type of advertising, there is a good chance that you will reach more than just the occupants of a home. Visitors like family and friends may also see the ads, increasing your exposure potential.
    • There is no size limit as is in the case with direct mail marketing, where the size of the envelope determines the ad size.

    Legal Issues

    It is not illegal to hang a door hanger ad on someone’s door. Instead, it is known as canvassing, which is legal. This means you do not have a direct conversation with the potential customer and are not directly selling a product.

    However, before you do this in your area, it is good to research because some areas may have bylaws that prohibit it.

    Some Helpful Hints

    There are certain things you need to keep in mind before you go out and advertise your business with door hanger ads.

    1. First of all, you should find your target audience and determine in which area they live, for instance, high-end house cleaning services. You can not advertise this type of service in an area where most students live who can not afford it.
    2. Start with a small group by focusing on a small radius of residences in your area so you can do it yourself. This will also help you see the return on your ads and you can always broaden the audience later.
    3. Make sure your ad is easy to understand and concise, and the copy is short and to the point.
    4. You should make use of professional designers to design your ad so it will look and display well.
    5. Keep the ad clean and relevant to what marketing message you want to bring to the audience.
    6. Focus on just one item, product, or service at a time with a clear call to action.
    7. Age, gender, and income level are some of the most important topics to research when you are looking for your target buyers.

    Summary

    Not every new business has a large advertising budget, but this type of marketing may save you a lot of money. It may also bring many new customers to your business, but you will only know if you try it.

    So, go ahead and do your research to find your target audience and get that ad on the doors.

  • Direct Mail Marketing: How Does It Work?

    Direct Mail Marketing: How Does It Work?

    Is direct mail marketing dead? In short, no, it is not dead. In fact, 70% of consumers like direct mailing instead of digital marketing because it is more personal.

    So if you have already tried direct mailing and it failed, the problem isn’t the mail marketing system; it’s your campaign. Creating an excellent mail marketing campaign can take a long time if you aren’t sure what you are doing.

    There is no need to fret, though; in this brief article, we will cover how to gain the customers you need through a powerful direct mail marketing campaign. Oh, and you won’t have to do it alone; there is a team of people waiting below to hear about how they can properly market your business through mail marketing.

    What Is Direct Mail Marketing?

    Direct mail marketing, also known as mail marketing, is any type of physical correspondence you send to your customers via mail to gain their attention and business. When you send direct mail marketing documents, you will want to be sure to include your business name and logo. 

    Other things to include on your direct mail marketing:

    • A call to action
    • A way for your customer to reach out to you

    Of course, that is the bare minimum that you will put in your mail marketing. You will want to appeal to your customer’s needs, so they reach out to you. 

    Is Direct Mail Marketing Useful?

    Although it may sound outdated to send things via mail, direct mail marketing is still an excellent way to reach your target audience. There are several reasons why this strategy still works.

    It Is Interactive

    One major reason why direct mail still performs so well is that it is a very interactive experience. Customers receive a physical item in the mail. When you include a promotional offer that requires your customer to do something with the mail, such as bringing the flyer into your store, it makes your client more likely to keep it and look at it. 

    It Has a Wider Demographic

    Direct mail can have a more extensive reach than digital marketing, depending on your target audience. If your audience does not have an email or doesn’t frequent social media, direct mail marketing can reach those customers you would have missed with digital marketing. 

    It Is Creative

    Using direct mail marketing does not mean that you are stuck with analog advertising; there are so many different ways that you can combine direct mail with digital marketing. Physical mail marketing allows you to engage your customers in more ways than you could with only digital marketing. 

    There Is Less Competition

    Many companies are switching to mainly focus on their digital marketing campaigns instead of using direct mailers. This opens an excellent opportunity to stand out to your target audience. People nowadays are surprised by physical mail, so an eye-catching mailer can go a long way when advertising your business. 

    How Much Does Direct Mailing Cost?

    The price of your direct mailing campaign will depend on several different factors, including the kind of mail you send and how many pieces you wish to send. If you plan to send oversized mailers or catalogs, you can expect to pay around $10 or more per piece because of their weight. Standard postcards cost between $0.10 to $0.30 per card. 

    In addition to the mailer’s cost, you can also expect to pay for the design of your mail piece. You can always create something for free in Microsoft word, but you are limited to their templates in the Microsoft suite.

    Instead, it may be best to employ a professional to design your mailer. The price for a professional varies based on the own rates they set. 

    Printing Costs

    The cost for printing can vary based on if you need color ink or if you are okay with black and white. Color mailers are best to use if you want to catch the attention of your target audience. 

    Other printing costs:

    • Paper quality
    • Paper size
    • One-sided pieces
    • Two-sided pieces
    • Number of prints

    In general, printing costs vary between $0.03 to $2.00 per piece, depending on the level of detail needed for your mailer. 

    Distribution Costs

    Lastly, a final cost you will need to consider is the distribution cost which is what you pay to have your mailers mailed out. Distribution costs vary based on current postage rates and how much mail you send out. In general, it is best to expect to pay between $0.25 to $2.00 to mail out your mailers. 

    How Does Direct Mail Marketing Work?

    Mail marketing campaigns are similar to the digital marketing process. The main difference between the two is the way the information gets distributed. In order to have a successful direct mail marketing campaign, there are a few steps you will need to follow. 

    Establish Goals and Objectives

    Before you send out your direct mail campaign, you must first identify what you would like to accomplish with your campaign. That step can be challenging if you have never had a direct mail marketing campaign. If this is you, there are a few questions you must ask yourself. 

    What Do You Wish to Achieve?

    What is it that you want your campaign to do for you? Do you want it to generate sales? Some companies who answer this question say that they want their campaign to build awareness among their target audience. Others wish to supplement a digital marketing campaign to help get the message into the hands of their audience. 

    What Do You Wish to Accomplish in Six Months?

    How about one year? Your long-term goals for your direct mailing campaign may differ from the goals of your first campaign. Still, it is best to know which direction you want to go so you can move in the right direction with each of your direct mailing campaigns. 

    What Skills May Be Transferable to Direct Mailing?

    The foundations for a digital marketing campaign aren’t much different than those in a direct mail campaign. Audiences, copy, and design assets may be repurposed and used in a different marketing channel. 

    More questions may arise as you continue to build on your campaign, but as you answer these basic ones, your objectives and goals may start to become more apparent. Be sure to be very specific in your goal-setting. When creating and sending out your campaigns, it may be best to attack your goals to data to optimize your processes and messaging as you become more familiar with direct mail campaigns. 

    Understand Your Target Audience

    With those questions out of the way, you need to define your target audience for the campaign. The more you clarify and define your audience, the better your mail marketing campaign will deliver the results you want. 

    For example, when looking at your target audience, ask yourself, “what are their problems?” and “What are their needs?”. You will also want to answer how your offer solves their problems.

    Your target audience probably has a lot of different solutions available for their problems. Still, the goal is to make you go from being a possible solution to the only logical solution. 

    If you are mailing to your current leads or customers, there is a good chance you already have detailed information about your clients. If you have new prospects, you may not know much about them. So before you send out your campaign, be sure to dive into audience research so you can create an offer that is sure to resonate with them. 

    Audience Data

    When defining your target audience, there are three main categories you should focus on: behavioral, demographic, and psychographic. Behavioral data includes email engagement, website activity, sales engagement, and purchase history.

    Your demographic data includes details such as your clients’ income, age, marital status, and gender. It can also include the industry they work for, the size of their company, and more. Psychographic data dives deep into your customer’s opinions, hobbies, attitudes, and values. 

    Buyer Personas

    Buyer personas are crucial because they help identify common problems, traits, and needs among the ideal buyers of a specific service or product. Buyer personas are a great starting point to help you and your team understand your audience. 

    Create Your Mailing List

    With your audience deciphered and your campaign goals set, it is time to create your mailing list. In general, there are two different types of direct mail lists that you can use, purchased lists and house lists.

    House lists are the addresses and names of clients you already collected data from. If you have a marketing automation tool or a CRM, you can use it to store information from your customers. 

    Your house list is valuable because these customers are already familiar with your product and your company. Some of these clients may have already purchased something from you, so they won’t need too much awareness building or nurturing content as your other prospects may. 

    Purchased lists are a bit tricker than your house lists. High-quality purchased direct mail lists enable you to select a specific group of people with a high degree of deliverability. It is crucial that you work with a reputable company, such as Catdi, to ensure that you send your mail to excellent and active addresses. 

    Develop a Call to Action

    If you want your direct mail process to be as successful as possible, you will want to create a good offer and a call to action. If you do not put effort into those two things, your campaign will blend into the background, and you won’t reap the results you want.

    Unless you have an on-staff copywriter or a copywriter yourself, you may want to invest in a copywriter. They have the ability to convey the message you want to your audience in a way that they can best understand. 

    How to Write a CTA

    Your CTA, or call to action for long, should be short, quick, and to the point. When creating your CTA, there are three factors you must focus on. 

    Three main factors in your call to action:

    • What you’re selling
    • Why this product or service will help them
    • How to get said service or product

    It doesn’t matter if your direct mail campaign is selling a product to Gen Zs or if you’re offering an educational piece to CEOs; you will want to make sure that your call to action is clear and to the point. You want your offer to be very compelling and attractive to your target audience so they will say “yes” and will seek your service. 

    Make Your Offer Beneficial

    So you have an excellent product that fixes a considerable problem amongst your target demographics, right? Your target audience doesn’t know that, so you need to figure out a way to communicate a strong benefit.

    Your mailer will go into the trash as quickly as possible if you don’t. When explaining the benefit of your product, be sure to appeal to emotions first and logic second.

    Let’s be honest, we all do things we need to do, but we procrastinate and do them when we have time. When we are presented with something that we think we need or want, we’re more willing to act. 

    Start Your Mail Marketing Campaign!

    We all know that in order for a marketing campaign to be successful, you need to make sure you reach your target audience in a way that they best understand. You want to ensure that your message conveys emotions that make them want to reach out to you.

    Direct mail marketing is an excellent way to reach your target audience in a way that digital marketing may not. If you are ready to start seeing a massive return on investment, contact us now! 

  • Direct Mail Marketing Services: 17 Tips for Your Marketing Strategy

    Direct Mail Marketing Services: 17 Tips for Your Marketing Strategy

    According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, companies should put at least 7 to 8 percent of revenue towards marketing. And if your business is in its early stages, that number could go up to 20 percent. In today’s world, digital marketing gets a lot of press. Integrating a USPS-endorsed direct mail marketing campaign could amplify your visibility even further. But with people becoming increasingly blind to ads, banners, and emails, effective direct mail can cut through the noise. direct mail marketing services aren’t just another interesting idea to leave on the drawing board – it could be a critical piece of your promotional strategy.

    But how can you get more out of your direct mail marketing? What tips and tricks can you use to generate big-time results from your direct mailing efforts? Read our list of 17 tips to learn how you can become a lean, mean, direct mail marketing machine.

    1. Know Your Target Demographic

    When everyone in your service area has a mailbox, it can be tempting to start throwing mailers at every address you can get your hands on. But mail marketing, particularly when leveraging an accurate mailing list, is one of those areas where it pays to be selective.

    Here’s why: understanding the principles behind effective direct mail campaigns can drastically improve your marketing return on investment.

    Even if you’ve got the most amazing product ever invented, not everyone will be in the market 100 percent of the time.

    Some people don’t have funds on hand right away. Others might not need the product any time soon. If you want to get more bang for your direct mailing buck, you need to find the people who will look at your mail and say, “This is exactly what I was looking for.”.

    Are new homeowners or recent newcomers a core demographic for you? Targeting them through effective direct mail could enhance your response rate. Does your product or service make more sense for apartment dwellers or people in a higher tax bracket?

    Advertising your top-of-the-line, organic dog food to people who don’t have pets is a waste of your money and the recipient’s time. When you’re offering the right product to the right audience, you might be surprised at the results you’re able to get. An effective direct mail marketing campaign often yields a high return on investment by engaging the right demographic directly.

    2. Personalize Your Direct Mail Piece

    It’s been said that 90 percent of leading marketers believe that personalization is an essential part of making businesses more profitable.

    And on an intuitive level, this makes sense, especially when you consider tailoring your direct mail marketing campaign to the specific interests and needs of your audience. After all, are you more likely to respond to the words “Hello Your Name!” or “Hey you!”?

    Because your direct mail is being sent directly to prospects, you’re already ahead of the curve when it comes to personalization. All you have to do is look for more opportunities to continue drilling down.

    For instance, let’s say you’re a home appliance company and you’re hoping to drum up new business. There are at least two demographics that you can target with your mailing campaign:

    People who are buying new appliances and people who are looking to replace their current ones.

    New homeowners in the process of buying a new fridge might respond well to a direct mailer that talks about the importance of buying a well-made appliance that can last for a lifetime. While renovators and people in the midst of making upgrades might respond more to a mailer that makes a strong value proposition.

    When people read your direct mail, you want them to feel as if you’ve read their thoughts and created a customized solution, making them part of an exclusive target audience. The more you’re able to hone your message, the easier it’ll be to personalize your campaign. Personalized mail pieces are a cornerstone of effective direct mail marketing best practices.

    3. Have a Clear CTA

    Be honest.

    How many times have you read an informative blog post or watched a YouTube video only to see the content provider struggling to recommend your next steps? Or worse yet, how many times have you gotten to the end of that content only to find that the offer at the end is generic to the point where you don’t feel compelled to click through?

    If you’re like most internet users, your answer to these questions is, “More times than I can count.”.

    You might be able to get away with a subpar call to action on the internet. But with a mail piece, it takes a lot more effort on the part of your prospect to fire up their laptops, enter the URL you’ve given them, and read up on your products. This is why including engaging and straightforward calls to action in your direct mail marketing campaign is crucial. As such, your call to action is crucial, and including a QR code leading to an exclusive offer can significantly increase engagement. This strategy is a critical component of a successful direct mail marketing piece.

    Don’t be shy about asking people to purchase your product or check out your site. And don’t muddy the waters by being unclear about what you want your audience to do with your mailer.

    Be firm. Be clear. And tell them why doing business with you is an opportunity that they don’t want to miss out on.

    Your conversion rates just might surprise you.

    4. Lead With the Benefits

    Whether you’re selling widgets, groceries, or your amazing services, there’s one thing that all of your leads and prospects will want to know:

    How will your product or service help them solve their problems?

    In some cases, the connection between the product and your target demographic’s needs and wants will be fairly linear. Tailoring your message in a direct mail piece can reinforce this connection. Without food, your prospect knows that they’ll starve. So if you’re a local grocer, you probably don’t need to spend your opening paragraphs talking about the wonders of milk and bread.

    But even when you’re selling a product that everyone needs, you can still find ways of emphasizing the benefits of doing business with you. How does this look in practice? Let’s revisit the example of the local grocer.

    Let’s say your store has comprehensive inventory, great prices on staples, and a ton of locally produced goods. Creating a direct mail piece that highlights these benefits can attract more customers to your store. Nearby families might not need you to talk about how much they need groceries. But you can spend time showcasing how they’ll save time and money by making you their go-to grocery store of choice.

    On the other hand, if the benefits of using your product or service a less clear, you might want to devote some of the space in your mailer towards helping people understand the benefits of doing business with you.

    One of the biggest selling points of direct mail marketing is that you have plenty of room to sell people on doing business with your company. But the key to running consistently profitable campaigns is being able to give a compelling answer to the question, “What’s in it for me?”.

    5. Consider Your Larger Marketing Strategy

    Although there are plenty of businesses that operate almost entirely through word of mouth and direct mail marketing, you don’t have to put all your eggs in one advertising basket.

    For instance, let’s say that you’ve got a Facebook ad campaign going and that you’ve been able to look at your website analytics and pin down a few key cities and neighborhoods to refine your mailing list.

    They say that marketing campaigns very rarely work out on the strength of a single ad. People often need time to think before making a major purchase and sometimes life happens and folks forget to follow up.

    Direct mail marketing can be a strategic means of retargeting or letting your current customers know about your fantastic new offer. Put another way, direct mail services don’t have to be rolled out and utilized in isolation. Combining tactics from the best practices for a direct mail marketing campaign can create synergistic effects, amplifying overall success. Your direct campaigns, enhanced with effective tracking of response rates, can supplement and work within your larger advertising strategy more easily than you might think.

    6. Use Colors That Make Sense

    In North America at least, different colors have different cultural connotations. As such, companies need to think strategically about whether their chosen colors support the image they want to put forward with people.

    For instance, hot pink is a striking color. But if you’re selling guns and gun-related accessories, you might not be broadcasting the message that you’re hoping to send if your target demographic includes hunters and military vets. Incorporating a direct mail marketing campaign targeting those specific interests could enhance your connection with this audience. However, if your target demographic is women in search of self-defense weapons or flashy hunting rifles, then maybe hot pink is exactly what you need.

    Graphic design doesn’t come naturally to everyone. And even then, these sorts of brand considerations are often easier to see when you’re not closely tied to the production process.

    As a company, we offer some of the best graphic design services in Houston. We’ll work with you to design the kind of eye-catching business material that makes prospects stop in their tracks and say, “I don’t usually do this, but I want to see what this company has to offer me.”.

    7. Make Sure Your Copy is Snappy and Engaging

    A lot of businesses will take great pains to explain what they mean about everything. They want every word to be precise. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that good and accurate copywriting doesn’t have to be boring.

    For instance, did you know that there are action words and phrases that are designed to grab attention? Even your use of exclamation marks, descriptive phrases, and a strategically placed QR code in your direct mail can buy you more time with your prospects.

    We all have that friend or relative who can be long-winded when it comes to their favorite subjects. And many companies, in their quest to throw the kitchen sink at their advertising efforts, are prone to making a lot of the same mistakes.

    Even if the substance of your direct mail advertisement boils down to the words “We Sell Paint”, you don’t have to use that as your headline. Before you invest in a direct mail campaign, you’ll want to make sure that your copywriting is as polished as you can get it.

    8. Go Larger

    Think about the last time you grabbed the mail. You probably saw a bunch of bills, flyers, and envelopes. Can you remember the last time you received a standard-sized envelope that didn’t come from your credit card company or your bank?

    With direct mail campaigns,  size matters a lot. You have to draw the eyes and convince people to give your mailer a chance to hook them.

    A larger-sized mailer stands out immediately. It grabs people’s attention and makes them take notice. Plus, there’s the added benefit of having more room to advertise.

    Of course, many businesses have to balance the appearance of their direct mailers against the price of purchasing and mailing their postcards and letters out. But if you can opt for an envelope that fits in the mailbox while still being larger, you’ll be well on your way to standing out.

    9. Keep Statistics

    We’re going to let you in on a little secret: mastering the art of the effective direct mail piece can significantly boost your marketing efforts.

    Marketing is full of moving parts. Once you have a few campaigns going, it’s easy to reach a point where you know that things are working but you’re not quite sure what’s happening under the hood, highlighting the importance of tracking the ROI of your mail efforts.

    With direct mail, there are a lot of factors that you don’t have control over. But you can find relatively easy and low-cost ways to measure your results.

    For instance, if you’re directing people to take advantage of a specific sale on your site, can you use a unique URL or special code that will let you know who’s buying as a result of your direct mailer? If you’re asking people to come to your shop, is there some way that you can measure the increase in foot traffic to get a general sense of how your campaign is going?

    Setting up attribution systems and planning your data collection process can be tedious. But once you have those numbers at your disposal, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions for your business.

    10. Test Your Direct Mail Campaigns

    Let’s say you’ve launched a direct mail campaign and are happy with the results. You’ve seen a lot of sales. But then your new marketing hire reads your letter and says, “I think I can improve on this.”

    How do you decide which direct mailer to use? You go with the one that performs better after you run your A/B tests.

    Sometimes, you might think you have a winning campaign. You’ve got amazing headlines, fantastic copy, and a call to action that speaks to your prospects. But when the campaign is finally used, the results are less than you hoped for.

    And to make matters even more complicated, even when you’ve done everything right and the campaign is going well, many direct mail materials become less effective over time.

    So how can you establish a baseline while making sure that things are going smoothly? You take our previous tip about tracking your statistics and then use that information to decide which campaigns to roll out, focusing on those with the highest response rate.

    11. Don’t Overreact

    According to SmallBizGenius, direct mail recipients will buy 28 percent more items can be sold when utilizing a carefully crafted direct mail marketing strategy that adheres to direct mail best practices. than people who haven’t received direct mail. With those numbers, it’s not surprising to see that many businesses see direct mail campaigns as a no-brainer.

    Even though the numbers look incredible, however, it’s important to remember that these are just averages, and refining your mailing list can significantly improve your ROI. You have no control over when people will see their mail or how a particular neighborhood will react to your offer.

    If the campaign underperforms, you’ll want to avoid calling it quits. And if a campaign performs beyond your wildest dreams, you’ll want to avoid reading too much into those results. You need to measure performance over time to determine if you’ve got a winner.

    12. Make Your Offer Irresistible

    You could be selling your products to people who desperately need them. But even when you’ve got your targeting down and your staff ready to go, the way you frame your offer matters.

    Copyblogger breaks down the process of creating awesome offers into four main components:

    • Real business value
    • Great taste
    • Perfect timing
    • Urgency and exclusivity

    And while you might have some or a few of these ingredients, you have to think very seriously about how you can crank your offer up to 11.

    Can you offer direct mail recipients an exclusive, time-sensitive deal? Can you highlight the ways your product will feel awesome while fixing a real problem for your audience? Even before you start talking about the design and feel of your product, you’ll want to make sure that your offer is the real deal.

    13. Set Aside Resources for Your Direct Mailing Campaigns

    What has the potential to singlehandedly make or break your direct mailing campaign? Your willingness to put resources into it.

    Direct mailing isn’t the type of thing that you can do half-heartedly. You need to spend time lining up your inventory, putting in funds, and polishing up every aspect of your ad.

    Imagine living in a world where Nike didn’t invest in product development or creating informative brochures for its 2021 product line. Or imagine working with an employee who constantly put in 50 percent at work. The customer experience would likely suffer on all fronts, right?

    Direct mailing campaigns are a major undertaking. But if you want to experience the power of a well-written direct mail letter, it’s important to make sure that you’re giving it everything you’ve got.

    14. Don’t Be Afraid to Follow Up

    It’s been said that in 80 percent of sales, companies often have to make around five follow-up calls after the first meeting. And believe it or not, you might have to take a similar approach to your direct mailing campaign.

    Your dream customer could have misplaced your coupon or had a personal emergency that prompted them to forget about your offer; a reminder brochure in their mailbox could reignite their interest. Sometimes all you need to do is give them a little nudge by sending another ad or making use of your digital marketing efforts, perhaps through a follow-up QR code-laden postcard. You’d be surprised at how much more revenue your direct campaigns can generate by adding a follow-up system.

    15. Mine Your Mailbox for New Ideas

    Chances are that when you’re off the clock, you probably have a ton of promotions sitting in your mailbox every week. Before you comb through the pile and trash the rest, you should make a point of studying your mail.

    Did that local hair salon use an attention-grabbing font? Did that windshield repair company use a border design that you couldn’t help but notice? Your mailbox is a treasure trove of direct mailing information.

    Even if you find yourself getting irritated by the ads you’re reading, you’ll still be walking away with a solid sense of what not to do. Learning from the mistakes in others’ direct mail pieces can inform your strategy.

    16. Work With Professionals

    No matter which way you slice it, direct mail campaigns require a unique combination of skills to work.

    First, you need designing ability. Next, you need top-notch copywriters. And, if you’re not experienced when it comes to printing, you could run into issues with ink bleeding, misplaced graphics, and more.

    When you hire a direct mail letter service, you have the luxury of knowing that your campaign is in professional hands. Instead of you having to spend time and money learning the ins and outs of direct mail marketing, you can sit back and enjoy the results in front of you.

    17. Find a Direct Mailing Services Provider That Understands Your Area

    Have you ever wondered why local businesses often provide better service? In many cases, it’s not because they have more money and resources than the multinational corporation down the street. It’s because they’re significantly more in touch with the needs of the local community.

    In Texas, people have a unique outlook on life. You don’t want to find yourself pouring time and resources into a marketing campaign that doesn’t resonate with its intended audience.

    That’s why it’s not enough to look for direct mailing services with technical design and printing skills. You also need to make sure that you’re working with a company that has a deep understanding of what Texans are looking for.

    Don’t be the company that’s sending San Antonio’s material in with the Houston direct mail. Start your relationships off on the right foot by working with a local service provider.

    Direct Mail Marketing Services for Your Business

    At the end of the day, direct mail marketing is a skill. Sure, you could spend the next few weeks and months trying to figure out how to make the process work for your business. But there’s an easier way to get your needs met – you can find a printer that offers direct mail marketing services.

    Whether you’re looking for a direct company or you’re planning to take your business to the next level, we have the skill, talent, and experience to help you get incredible direct mail marketing results at an equally astonishing price.

    Request your free quote today!

  • Top 14 Benefits of Having a Direct Mail Marketing Strategy

    Top 14 Benefits of Having a Direct Mail Marketing Strategy

    Have you ever wondered how a direct mail marketing strategy could help your business? Well, believe it or not, good old direct mail is still one of the most powerful ways to reach new customers and keep in touch with existing ones.

    It’s a great way to get people talking about your brand, drive traffic to your website, increase sales, and more!

    There are many benefits that come from having a direct mail strategy for your business, especially since most marketing noise these days is focused online. So, using old-school tactics can really get you some serious visibility.

    If you want to know what makes this type of marketing so effective, read on. We’ll tell you all about it right here.

    1. A Direct Mail Marketing Strategy Is Cost-Effective

    One of the most practical, and cost-effective ways to market your business is by direct mail advertising. It can definitely be a powerful asset when trying to reach out and get in contact with your ideal customer.

    The general rule of thumb for running an ad campaign via direct mail marketing is that each piece should usually fall under $1, allowing you to send out bulk postcards or promotional flyers to capture your customer’s attention.

    As long as you source the right printing company, you will be able to receive high-quality printed materials in large quantities at a very low price!

    2. Easy and Fast and No Technical Know-How Required

    Direct mailing is easy; making it perfect for anyone who isn’t tech-savvy. No one wants to have to hire a developer or IT team just for the purpose of designing and implementing a direct mail campaign.

    This approach would definitely cost you more than what it’s worth. Luckily, there are plenty of DIY sites that can aid you in creating your own direct mailing postcard designs such as Catdi.com.

    This allows you to create personalized ads at no extra cost! So save yourself the hassle and time by using these free services.

    3. Statistics Prove That It Works

    According to this article by the Direct Marketing Association:   “98% of consumers questioned said they had taken action after receiving direct mail – such as visiting a website, phoning in or purchasing a product”.

    This proves that even though we live in a digital age, direct mailing is still very effective. This medium continues to be one of the most tested and proven ways to capture your potential customer’s attention.

    4. Your Customers Are Still Using It

    If you’re like most people, you probably toss out junk mail without reading it; however, it’s interesting to note that 52% of consumers read their mail every day.

    It’s even more impressive if you consider that Americans spend, on an average day, about 17-28 minutes reading email, with 30% checking email at least once per hour!

    But why do these numbers seem so disproportionate? It’s simple really; there is nothing personal about an email message.

    Our daily lives are inundated with emails from everyone from friends and family members, to newsletters and unsolicited messages from businesses.

    In contrast, postal mail is a personal message from a particular business or individual, making direct mail more immediate and easier to digest.

    5. It’s Cost-Effective in the Long Run

    In today’s economy, it seems like everything is going digital. But that crazy thing is, that almost half of all US adults still prefer paper books over e-books.

    It might surprise you to learn that even though paper book sales continue to decline by about 1% each year, there are actually more books being printed than ever before!

    So if people are buying books without moving away from their comfort zones, why would they change the way they obtain information when it comes to advertising?

    6. It’s No Surprise That People Love to Collect Things

    Whether it be stamps, coins or even fruit, people love to collect things. We like to keep our possessions forever (or as long as possible), which is why marketers use this mindset to their advantage by offering incentives through direct mail campaigns.

    According to the USPS, more than 55 million Americans are active members of collector clubs.

    The average age of a collector in the US is 44 years old; with 75% of them being male and 25% female. It’s also worth noting that 78% of all collectors have attended college and 51% have earned a postgraduate degree!

    These are the people who are shaping our world, so it only makes sense to target them.

    7. It’s Personal

    There is just something about receiving a letter that cannot be replaced by an email. A handwritten note or even a postcard shows that you put some thought into your direct mailing campaign.

    It shows you made the extra effort to communicate with someone personally, which goes far in today’s world of indifference.

    People appreciate being acknowledged by their favorite brands too, so this can definitely give you an edge if you have loyal customers. A personalized text message might also do the trick!

    8. You Can Target Specific Demographics

    Most businesses aren’t able to send out thousands upon thousands of advertisements at once. Therefore sending out a few hundred letters (or postcards) to specific demographics within your area is most effective.

    It’s certainly more effective than sticking with mass-market advertising. It’s like watching a game of chess; think several steps ahead and you’ll be on the right track.

    Direct mail allows you to do this, especially if you choose to send out letters or coupons that can only be used in your store.

    9. Improved Data Collection

    Everything is going mobile, and marketers are now able to collect demographic data from social media sites, making it easier for them to send the right message at the right time using direct mail.

    Additionally, since people spend a lot of time online, they often use their smartphones when shopping online.

    First, they Google their potential purchase before finally buying it from the website that has the best deal, and this is why Google started their own delivery service known as Google Shopping Express.

    If you can’t beat them, join them!

    10. It Builds Trust

    Remember when we talked about how people love to collect things? Well, one thing they collect is memories, and your direct mail strategy should be designed with memory building in mind.

    People want to relive experiences and emotions whenever they go shopping; and what better way for a small business owner to connect with his or her customers than by offering them something memorable…like coupons!

    Remember those stamps we mentioned earlier? Now’s the time to use them- send out postcards with an unforgettable picture on them.

    Don’t forget that keywords such as ‘exclusive’ and ‘limited time offer’ can also help impress customers and serve to build trust between businesses and customers.

    11. It’s Inexpensive

    Direct mail campaigns are relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider the benefits they provide. For example, did you know that social media marketing is only effective for 5% of your customers?

    That’s a lot of money wasted on advertising that isn’t going to work!

    With direct mail, however, statistics show that a 1-time targeted mailing costs an average of $38 while getting a one percent response requires spending $123 or more.

    This makes sense since people usually bookmark websites that have the best deals on their favorite products, so it would be wise to advertise in this manner if your target audience spends time looking for deals while online.

    12. It’s Easy to Measure

    The beauty of using direct mail marketing is that it has several built-in benefits, one of which is that you can measure your return on investment with ease.

    You see, the moment someone responds to your advertisements, all you have to do is follow up!

    Since most people who visit malls are there specifically for shopping, you’re sure to get them caught in the act if they happen to be nearby when you bring out your mobile shop.

    Use social media to determine where they like to spend their time and chances are they’ll spend some money at your once it catches their eye…and since social media posts last for only 6-18 hours, you’ll need to act fast!

    13. It’s Personal

    We talked about personalization earlier when we mentioned that companies are now spending more money on targeted advertisements than non-targeted ones.

    Direct mail is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal because it allows you to send letters and coupons directly to your consumers as opposed to casting a wide net with general ads which can be off-putting.

    The key here is that if people receive postcards from businesses they’ve been affiliated with before, they’re likely going to feel a sense of loyalty towards them which would make them want to return.

    Not only do personalized ads help create a positive first impression, but they also help a company develop a long-term relationship with customers!

    With social media, forget about being able to post advertisements whenever you please – even if it takes a while for your message to spread there isn’t any guarantee that it will be successful!

    With direct mail, however, since most flyers expire in just 3 days, you can change your advertisement as many times as you want until your desired response rate is achieved.

    Let’s say for example that you want to attract more customers to your new ‘organic’ product line…it would make sense to send out flyers that tout the benefits of organic food.

    Just mail them once or twice a week, and this is a direct mail campaign that is sure to pay off!

    14. It’s Fun

    You might be wondering why we haven’t mentioned social media yet, and the reason is that it isn’t as fun to use as traditional marketing where you can send out postcards and letters via snail mail.

    In fact, direct mail campaigns have been proven to be 54 times more effective than e-mail marketing! So really ask yourself this: what makes people more likely to remember your brand?

    Would it be being online or being offline? Using Internet ads or using traditional postcards? We think it’s pretty clear how much work goes into developing a website.

    After all, you need certain skills like coding and SEO to make sure the site has adequate traffic, but our point is that traditional marketing has its benefits for both the business and the customer.

    So with this in mind, it’s important to consider whether or not you should add this method into your campaign before exploring online strategies.

    Tired of getting lost in a sea of competitors? Try Direct Mail Marketing! With more than 2000-years of success, direct mail is one of the most powerful ways to get people’s attention, even today!

    So, Is Direct Mail A Good Fit For You?

    In the digital age, it’s easy to forget about some of the more traditional forms of marketing and marketing tips. One such forgotten form is direct mail.

    Though it may seem like an antiquated way to reach customers, direct mail can still be an incredibly effective means of communication and persuasion.

    There are many benefits of having a direct mail marketing strategy, which we’ll explore in this post. So why should you consider using direct mail in your business?

    Let’s take a look! 

    Direct mail allows for personalization: With digital marketing, you only have so much space to work with when it comes to personalizing your message for each individual customer. With physical mail, you can include all sorts of extra goodies that help.

    You can also use a direct mail marketing strategy to boost sales by offering coupons or discounts for products or services that will entice new buyers into making purchases they might not otherwise make online or through other channels. 

    And because it’s delivered directly into someone’s hands (or inbox), there’s no need for them to search out information about your company – they already have it!

    This means less time spent educating consumers on why they should buy from you instead of another company which saves both time and money while increasing conversions at the same time!

    That sounds pretty good if we do say so ourselves…and we just did!

    So let us show you how easy it is to implement these strategies yourself today by clicking this link now and checking out our blog!

  • How Can Direct Mail Services Help Your Small Business?

    How Can Direct Mail Services Help Your Small Business?

    Did you know that 70% of Americans say that mail is more personal than other forms of marketing on the internet? And 54% of people were open to receiving mail from brands they were interested in. Of course, you want to make sure that you follow proper direct mail etiquette to ensure you don’t inundate your customers.

    But, if you haven’t used direct mail marketing to entice new customers and hold on to old customers yet, then you are missing out on a crucial piece of the advertising puzzle.

    Keep reading to find out how you can use direct mail services to build your small business.

    Use a Wide Variety of Direct Mailing Tools

    The great thing about direct mail marketing is that far from being dead, it’s becoming more and more innovative in the way it markets to current customers. As you might imagine, the customers of the 21st century are quite a savvy bunch and they need to be marketed to in an intelligent and empathetic fashion.

    Some direct mail formats you can use nowadays are as follows:

    Postcards

    Remember the old days when people would send you postcards from holiday destinations around the world. It used to be so exciting to check your mailbox every day to see if something fun had arrived in it. With the advent of same-day delivery and tracking, it’s not so exciting anymore to receive packages in the mail.

    But you can bring back that tradition of sending postcards to your customers. It could help bring that feeling of nostalgia into their day and it will ensure that your business stays on top of their mind for a while to come.

    Door Hangers

    This is another way to get at your audience. It ensures that your customer will not be able to ignore your direct mail, as they would have to open their front door at some point in the day.

    Even if your customer only glances at your direct mail piece for a few seconds before they dump it, it would have been subconsciously imprinted onto their mind, so they will remember your business the next time they are searching for related products or services.

    Scented Inks

    This is an innovation that’s blowing direct mail services out of their normal realm.

    One way to do this is by using scented inks, so even if your customer wanted to, they couldn’t ignore the heavenly lavender or rose scent emanating from your mail. You could even use nostalgic scents from your customer’s childhood if you are marketing to a particular generation, like vanilla, pine, or the smell of the ocean.

    This is called sensory marketing, and it’s when you use the senses, touch, smell, and sight, to grab your customer’s attention.

    A direct mail piece is great for this because it’s all about engaging the senses, definitely more so than internet marketing would be.

    You could also take advantage of sensory marketing by using specially crafted paper that feels unique to the touch for your direct mailer pieces. Your customer will have to touch your direct mail at some point in time and using special paper will ensure they sense something different about your piece which could entice them to have a closer look.

    Stand Out from Your Competitors

    Social media marketing has inundated the world so much that direct mail has become the black sheep of the family that everyone ignores.

    But that’s why direct mail services can be such a boon for your business. You can be using direct mail marketing when your competitors are not. This means that you could be marketing to your customers in a less crowded and competitive marketplace.

    If yours is the only direct mail piece in the pile of mail that’s related to plumbing services or floral arrangement classes, then it’s more likely to catch your customer’s attention, than if it’s one in a pile of many.

    Take advantage of this trend, by getting on the direct mail bandwagon before everyone else does.

    Every Door Direct Mail

    The United States Postal Service is on your side when it comes to direct mail marketing. It has a program called ‘Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)’ that allows you to have flat mailers delivered to specific neighborhoods using carrier routes.

    The advantageous thing about this is that you don’t need to have a mailing address list at all. All you need to give the USPS is a route and the USPS will deliver your mailer to every house or business on the route (or both). This makes it so convenient for you and cheap as well!

    You don’t need to buy expensive mailing lists from companies. You can use EDDM to market to entire portions of a community. This works especially well if you have a local business like a retail store, a dental practice, or something similar.

    Don’t Forget to Send Your Customers Something Usable

    You’ve probably heard of the psychological effect where if you are kind to someone else, they feel obligated to do something kind in return. This technique is used quite a bit in business and is called reciprocity marketing.

    You can use this in direct mail marketing as well, by sending over direct mail pieces that are useful to the customer in some way. It could be as simple as sending them a fridge magnet or a sticker that they could place on their fridge with a list of emergency phone numbers on it.

    Or you could even send elaborate items like calendars, diaries, pens, post-it notes, or something related like that, with your business logo on it. Every time, the customer uses these items, they are going to be reminded of your business. And when it comes time to reciprocate the favor, they are more likely to seek out your business to purchase your product rather than your competitors.

    Use Custom Print Effects

    Think outside the box when it comes to direct mail pieces. It’s quite possible in today’s innovative market to think of something peculiar and be able to find a direct mail printing company that can create that direct mailer piece for you.

    For example, maybe you are thinking about adding some holographic designs to your direct mail piece. That’s absolutely a possibility nowadays.

    Or maybe you want to create a scratch-off interaction on your mailer. You can do that as well!

    Become creative with your direct mail piece – if it hasn’t been done before, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be done at all! Brainstorm with your marketing team and come up with something that your customers wouldn’t have seen before.

    All you need to do is try out a direct mail campaign with your new piece. If it works, you can keep going. If it doesn’t, you can scrap the project and try something else.

    Follow Direct Mail Etiquette

    No matter if you have been in the direct marketing field for a while now, or if you are new to it, there are certain rules and etiquettes you have to follow to ensure you don’t end up alienating yourself from your customers and potential leads. Some of them are:

    Do not overwhelm your customers with mailing pieces. It’s better to send some higher-quality direct mail pieces once in a while, rather than sending poor-quality pieces every single week.

    Have a mechanism for people to opt out of direct mail campaigns. The USPS has mechanisms for customers to opt out of junk mail, but make sure you have something on your mailing list to allow for that as well.

    Try as much as possible to use recycled paper or post-consumer fiber to create your direct mail pieces, so you don’t become a burden on the environment. Also, showcase this on your mailing piece as well to indicate to your customer your eco-friendliness.

    Many direct mail campaigns use the information they have gleaned about their customers from research and surveys. Make sure you don’t come across as stalkerish or Big brother-ish when you use this information in your direct mail campaign.

    Grow Your Business Using Direct Mail Advertising

    It’s easy to dismiss ‘old’ advertising mediums like TV, radio, or direct mail because social media marketing and email marketing have taken over this world. BUT, that would be akin to dismissing traditional meals like meat and potatoes because new foods like quinoa and kale have become more famous.

    No matter how the world changes, direct mail services will still be as necessary for the marketing game as email marketing is.

    If you wish to take advantage of direct mail services to get at your customers or leads and are located in Houston, then contact Catdi today. We can help you with all your commercial printing needs.

  • What Type of Logo Is Best for Your Business?

    What Type of Logo Is Best for Your Business?

    Most entrepreneurs find it difficult to choose a style that perfectly represents their business. Unfortunately, finding the right logo is among the crucial steps that determine success for startups and small business owners. Creating a perfect logo to represent your business may be overwhelming, especially if you don’t understand the influence different logo types have on your target audience. Below are five common logo types to consider for your business:

    1. Wordmark Logos
      Wordmark logos are easy to identify as they typically use a word as the focal point, often the company name. The success of Wordmark logos hinges on the creative selection of fonts and best for short business names. For companies with two-word names, both words can be stacked together.
      Without illustrations or symbols, text or typography becomes the primary centerpiece of Wordmark logos. Popular examples include Google, the New York Times, FedEx, and Coca-Cola.
    2.  Monogram Logos
      Monogram logos or lettermarks are best for companies with long names. Like wordmark logos, they rely on the chosen font but use the company’s initials or the first letter. Since the entire logo relies on initials, there is a lot of styling and creative use of the negative space to make the letter stand out.
      Monogram logos are naturally more compact than logos with images and appear well in small spaces. Interestingly, many people can identify popular companies using monogram logos, even without knowing the full names. For instance, IBM (International Business Machine), HBO (Home Box Office), and BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke).
    3. Combination Logos
      Combination logos are the most popular types; these logos feature a lettermark, wordmark, and symbol. Most businesses prefer combination logos for their flexibility. In these logos, the symbol often appears at the top, beside, or below the text.
      The symbol used should be an identifying element. For instance, most people immediately identify Nike from the iconic swoosh, despite not having any connection with the brand’s name. Some symbols, such as Apple’s logo, can directly reference the company.
    4. Emblem Logos
      Emblem logos are probably the oldest form of logos associated with companies or organizations with a long history. Most emblem logos feature vintage-styled typography inside a shape, often a circle. While these logos communicate finesse or prestige, they are less versatile, especially if you want to use them on your online platforms. They are intricate, and shrinking them down to fit business cards becomes tricky.
    5. Mascot Logos
      Mascots are common in schools, sports, and towns and can be used by brands looking to take advantage of customer loyalty. This is why some restaurants such as KFC and companies like Red Robin and Wendy’s have mascots in their logos. Mascot logos best suit companies that are still informal, and cannot use new faces to represent the brand.

    Endnote
    Logos affect how customers perceive your business, which is why choosing a logo is a key step to business success. You should understand the pros and cons associated with each logo type before using it.In addition your logo will be placed on all your print collateral such as business cards, flyers, postcards, and t-shirts. With a decision on your preferred logo type, engage business logo design experts for professionally designed custom logos.

  • 4 Types of Common Printing Services for Real Estate Agents

    4 Types of Common Printing Services for Real Estate Agents

    Did you know that, according to Norada Real Estate Investments, the sales of single-family homes in the Houston housing market in 2021 exceeded what was already the record volume of sales in 2020? The percentage that these sales exceeded was more than 10 percent. Considering how many homes have sold in the last couple of years, it’s an exciting time to be a real estate agent in the Houston area.

    However, you likely know that it’s important for you to stand out as a real estate agent. If you aren’t doing this, this can be stressful.

    Fortunately, with commercial printing, you can find ways to stand out by using the best real estate printing options.

    Not sure where to get started? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll review the most common printing services for real estate agents.

    Finally, you can stand out and sell more homes than ever. Read on to learn more.

    1. EDDM Postcards

    One of the best services that commercial printing companies offer to real estate agents is the design and printing of EDDM postcards. You might be wondering, “What are EDDM postcards?” Well, “EDDM” stands for “Every Door DirectMail .”

    The United States Postal Service offers this service as a bulk mailing option.

    With it, you can reach a large number of customers, even if you don’t have their addresses.

    All you have to do is think about which mailing routes might be most beneficial for you to be sending these postcards to.

    For example, maybe there’s a Houston neighborhood that’s popular among young families who eventually move out when they have their next child.

    By choosing a mailing route that passes through this neighborhood, you’ll be able to reach people in these neighborhoods who could be promising clients.

    The EDDM postcards will be delivered by USPS to every single active address on the route or routes you choose, improving your chances of getting more clients than ever.

    How It Works

    If you’ve decided that you want to use EDDM postcards, the first thing you need to do is think about the design of these postcards. This is where online printing services, such as those available with us at Catdi, can be helpful.

    When you get EDDM postcards through us, we have many designs, templates, and sizes that you can work with. We’ll ensure that your postcards are more likely to be effective and reflect your brand.

    Then, we’ll print your EDDM postcards. This is helpful as USPS has guidelines when it comes to what these postcards can be like.

    Instead of having to stress about it yourself, you can have the peace of mind that everything will be designed and printed according to these guidelines.

    Once you’ve used our design and online printing services, all you have to do is decide which route you want to use for the EDDM postcards service. There is a map available through USPS that you can use to guide your decision.

    2. Postcards

    One of the best online printing services you can use as a real estate agent is the creation of postcards. These are different from the postcards we mentioned above, as they don’t have to follow any specific formatting guidelines like with the EDDM postcards.

    This means that you’ll have the opportunity to design postcards of any size or look you like.

    However, by working with us at Catdi, you can have professional help designing postcards that reflect your brand and are more likely to get you more customers.

    This is a cost-effective marketing tool that will improve your sales over time.

    How It Works

    All you have to do is design these postcards with our help. We have pre-set designs that can help you envision what you want them to look like. We’ll also discuss how to include elements of branding such as your logo and brand colors on the card while keeping everything looking good.

    Then, once we’ve decided on a final design together, we’ll print these postcards off on the best paper for the job.

    Once you have these postcards, you can place them around your office and in neighborhoods where many potential homebuyers are currently living.

    3. Business Cards

    While there are many online alternatives to designing business cards on your own, these aren’t going to be as effective as what you can get with the help of a commercial printer. The fact is, self-designed business cards look unprofessional when compared to the ones you design with a professional.

    This is for two reasons. First of all, the design itself might not be right, as it can be easy to create a design that’s out of balance or has a combination of colors that are jarring to the eye.

    Second, self-designed business cards that are printed with a printer that isn’t a high-quality printer can end up looking drab, with colors that don’t stand out, paper that’s lower quality, and a finish that isn’t how you envisioned it.

    Fortunately, at Catdi, we offer high-quality printing of business cards.

    How It Works

    All you have to do is work with us, where we’ll discuss how your branding and logo will be present in the business cards you design. Additionally, we’ll select all the right details to put on the card, putting each element in the right place and selecting the right colors and fonts.

    Then, we’ll print your business cards off with the right, high-quality paper and inks. In the end, you’ll have a multitude of high-quality business cards.

    You can use these in meetings, keep them in your office, and leave them in areas where your potential clients go. As a result, you’ll strengthen your brand and sell more homes, too.

    4. Flyers

    Another commercial printing service that you can use to market your real estate agent services is the design and creation of flyers. This is a great way to bolster your business, whatever size, as you can hang these flyers up where your potential customers are most likely to be.

    Flyers can be incredibly useful because of their versatility. Some can serve more as advertisements, like above.

    Others can be used in your office to explain the process you go through with your clients.

    If someone’s considering hiring you, handing them a sheet that’s beautiful, branded, and clear—with all the information they need—this is something that could help convert them into a client.

    Flyers need to have information in the right order, as well as the right combination of colors, images, and fonts without looking too cluttered.

    If not done correctly, they won’t be as effective. This is why it’s so important to hire a professional.

    How It Works

    When it comes to creating a flyer for your real estate agency, you need to take several steps. First of all, meet with the commercial printing services company to discuss what you want to design the flyer for. You might even be interested in designing multiple flyers.

    The company will help you reach the goals you want to with these flyers. By identifying what information the client needs and working with you on providing those details, they’ll help you put the right text on the flyer.

    Additionally, they’ll ensure that your branding elements, such as colors and recognizable logo, appear on the flyer. While putting in these elements, they’ll choose the best fonts and make sure the flyers aren’t cluttered.

    Then, the commercial printing company will print off your flyers. After this, you can place them in your office so your potential clients can learn more about your services.

    Additionally, you can put more marketing-related flyers in areas you know your potential clients are most likely to frequent.

    Need Commercial Printing Services?

    Now that you’ve learned about commercial printing services for real estate agents, you might be looking for commercial printing services near you in the Houston, Texas area. In this case, you should look no further than Catdi.

    At Catdi, we’re experts when it comes to commercial printing services.

    We offer a variety of services, including the design and printing of EDDM postcards, postcards, business cards, and flyers.

    We also print print-ready templates, promotional swag and products, brochure printing, digital printing, large format printing, and much more.

    To learn about our design work services, get more information now.

  • 5 Major Types of Landing Pages

    5 Major Types of Landing Pages

    The right landing page can keep visitors on your website longer and convert them into paying customers more often. But landing pages are only effective as its quality and how well it aligns to the company’s core objectives. 

    Different objectives require different types of landing pages, and knowing what the major types of landing pages are and when they should be used is key to finding a landing page template that delivers. Check out these major types of landing pages to help you determine which will work best for you.

    1. Product Landing Page

    Your website’s home page is meant to provide an overview of your business and products, as well as have links for those seeking more detailed information. Due to this broad goal, a home page may not be the best place to direct visitors who have come to your website in response to a campaign around a specific product. A product landing page is a better destination for that.

    The product landing page strategically displays the product in question to the audience. It typically features images, videos, product descriptions and how-to guides, all capturing the product’s details. Anyone clicking on the product ad on third party websites, social media and elsewhere on your website should land on the product landing page.

    2. Squeeze Page

    The squeeze page is a means of collecting email addresses from incoming visitor traffic. With an email address, you can create a deeper connection with prospects by disseminating engaging content and persuasive product promotions. Squeeze pages usually have a simple design and include a convincing call-to-action (CTA) button.

    Since you are a business they are probably interacting with for the first time, people are unlikely to provide their email addresses unless you can give them something in return. Through squeeze pages, you can offer whitepapers, ebooks, newsletters, free product trials and more, in exchange for the email address.

    3. Lead Generation Page

    The lead generation page, just like the name implies, is meant to generate leads for your brand promotion or business. While it may have the appearance of a squeeze page, it has a bigger objective of collecting more detailed data from the visitor. Detailed information would often include name, email address, location, designation, company name, industry and company revenue.

    Because you will be collecting much more data than you would with a squeeze page, you have to have a compelling headline and message. Prospects will have to spend a minute or two to fill in this information, so it has to make sense for them. Ensure that you make it clear your website adheres to applicable privacy laws such as the GDPR.

    4. Splash Landing Page

    A splash landing page aims to immediately capture the attention of a visitor. It will usually appear before the person lands on the page they originally clicked on. The splash page is thin on content as it looks to capture visitor attention for less than a minute. 

    Brevity is key on this page, as it isn’t aimed at conversion, but rather meant to announce promotions, webinars or new arrivals. You could also use a splash landing page to confirm visitor age or set language and geography preferences.

    5. Long-Form Sales Landing Page

    The long-form sales landing page is perhaps what many people think of when they imagine a landing page. A permanent fixture of the world wide web for years now, it is the online equivalent of an infomercial. It follows a long-form format written in persuasive wording that directs a prospect into subscribing for a service, or buying a product.

    A long-form sales landing page will contain a mix of product descriptions, benefits, discount codes, testimonials, videos, FAQs and multiple CTA buttons. There is no limit to the length of the page but many are under 5,000 words long to ensure they get the message across without losing the reader’s attention.

    Plan, Then Choose

    Before you create a landing page, set out your strategy, understand your audience and map out your campaign. With that done, you can choose the best type of landing page for your visitors to encounter when they arrive at your site.

  • 4 Ways That Web Design Can Boost Business Productivity 

    4 Ways That Web Design Can Boost Business Productivity 

    In today’s highly competitive market, it’s not enough to just have a commercial website. You also need to consider if your web design is efficient and optimized to serve its purpose. This is used to attract more visitors and boost business productivity. With most consumers turning to digital marketplaces for almost everything they need. It might be time to reconsider if your website is good enough to represent your brand. 

    If you’re redesigning your website or just about to create one, it pays to know how Houston web design can impact your output and profitability. That way, you can decide how you should invest in this aspect of the business moving forward. To help you get started, here are some ways the design of your business webpage can boost productivity: 

    1. Sets the First Impression 

    While you can’t fully control how users will react when they first visit your website. You can help set that impression by having an impressive web design that will gain their approval. 

    An outdated or unappealing interface can create a negative impression, especially on how you run or operate as a brand. On the other hand, if you invest in a first-rate design that offers different features and enhancements. Their first impression will most likely be positive. As a result, they’ll continue browsing your site and might even make a purchase. Even if they don’t buy anything on their first visit. If you’re able to set a positive first impression, they’ll most probably visit your website again. 

    2. Highlights Your Calls to Action 

    A good website design has the ability to position your calls to action (CTA) in a way that your target audience will feel strongly inclined to click on them. CTAs are statements used in marketing strategies that elicit a response from your target customers. To make sure they’re compelling enough, your CTAs should help guide visitors to certain parts or pages of your website where they can find vital information such as contact details, product features, and pricing.  

    Clicking on a call to action is a productive way of diverting customers to a sales path that you want to create. Using action verbs is highly recommended if you want your calls to action to be enticing enough. Moreover, your web design should use eye-catching elements such as visible buttons, contrasting colors, and large fonts. 

    3. Optimizes Your Site for Mobile Users to Boost Business Productivity

    It’s no longer a surprise that most of your target customers access the internet via their mobile phones. It’s estimated that by 2025, almost three-quarters of the world’s population will rely on their handheld devices to look up information online. This is obviously a figure that you shouldn’t ignore as a business owner. 

    4. Influences Your SEO Strategy 

    Publishing content on your website is something that needs to be carefully thought out, planned, and executed. This is because most web design practices and elements can influence your search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. It’s essential to consider this aspect before you finalize a design for your business website. If you’re not new to SEO, you already know that it can significantly affect productivity due to its ability to boost search presence. 

    Aside from improving the human experience, an SEO-friendly site boosts indexing and crawling. An optimized page appears higher in search engine results pages. SEO and web design should always go hand in hand if you want to make the most of your website. To make sure your SEO strategy keeps up with the site’s features and other elements, be mindful of your website’s readability, responsiveness, ease of navigation, and loading time. 

    Endnote 

    Trends come and go when it comes to web designs, but one thing is certain; your choice of design can make or break your brand. As such, you need to constantly update your website. Make sure it meets all the requirements to maximize business productivity. A good web design shouldn’t only look aesthetically pleasing. More importantly, it should influence your search presence, SEO ranking and mobile-friendliness. Additionally, the first impression it sets with visitors and potential customers.  

  • 4 Great Tips for Designing an Effective Direct Mail Campaign

    A well designed and properly executed direct mail campaign can be very effective at increasing your business brand, your customer base, and your choice of a printing company is crucial to the success of this campaign. Making sure that your materials have a personalized message can be very beneficial to your results. You should make sure that your materials get directly to the point. However, you also need to include all of the relevant information about your company, products, or services.

    The best direct mail campaign will include a printer that is knowledgeable and experienced. With this type of project, he/she will ensure the highest quality materials and the best possible results. A big mistake that is commonly made is the use of colors or text that tends to shock the reader. It may also leave a less than favorable impression of your brand or business. Careful planning and professional design assistance can help you avoid any mistakes. Moreover, it also will allow you to achieve greater success.

    A Personalized Message can Make your Direct Mail Campaign Highly Successful

    If you engage in a direct mail campaign that does not have a personalized message. Be Careful! because you may be making a big mistake. You need to reach out to your readers on a personal level. Moreover, show them exactly how you can help or what you can offer. A generic message will not receive an exceptional response from readers. Many recipients of the mailing may not do more than glance at the materials and then discard them. Make sure the printing company chosen can help with this.

    Get Straight to the Point and then Add More Information

    One of the biggest mistakes with any direct mail campaign is to try and keep the text short at the expense of vital information that consumers need. When you create the content for your direct mail materials start off with the most relevant information, and then add in more details and data that consumers will find helpful. This will help you tailor the perfect content for your business and your targeted consumer base.

    Choose your Printing Company After Careful Research

    The printing company that you use should be a top priority, and you should research each potential business before you make any decisions. Look at how often the printer handles a direct mail campaign, and what previous customers have to say about these services. Avoid any possibilities that do not have quite a bit of experience in this type of work. You do not want to make a quick choice and then end up unhappy with the final results that you get for your money and effort.

    Avoid Text or Colors that Shock your Reader

    When you create your direct mail campaign there are some things that should be avoided. You want consumers to get your message but you do not want to send materials that are unprofessional or that seem rude to the reader. The best materials do not need to shock or antagonize the recipient. Carefully choosing a few appropriate colors and using smaller font and lower case text in most areas will give your business a professional feel and entice consumers instead of turning them off.

    What results did you get the last time you used a printing company for a direct mail campaign, and what would you do differently this time around?

  • 6 Terrific Tips on Marketing Your Business with Direct Mail

    Marketing your business can be easier when you take advantage of direct mail, and there are some tips that can help you do this without a lot of time or expense.  When you take advantage of variable printing. You can personalize your message for each recipient for a slight increase in cost. However, the effect can be enormous.

    Rating the value that each potential customer represents can help you determine where to concentrate your resources so that you get the biggest impact and an increase in revenue. If you want your materials to stand out and the recipient to pay attention then you need to think of some way to make your item different and unique from what others are doing.

    Before you go out and purchase a mailing list, confirm the quality of the recipients, so you get what you are paying for. The text that you include should be placed in small blocks so that they are easy to read. One of the most important tips is to choose a printer very carefully, and only after doing your homework on the company.

    Marketing Your Business More Effectively With Variable Printing

    If the goal is marketing your business then you want to reach each recipient on a personal level, so that they respond better. Variable printing can help you do this for a very reasonable cost, allowing you to change names, colors, and other components according to who the actual recipient of the item is. Why not make a much better first impression and personalize your mail?

    Give Each Targeted Recipient a Value Number or Level

    When you are marketing your business, the objective is to increase your revenue and attract new customers. If you give each lead and recipient a number value that represents their potential as a customer. This helps you to prioritize the customers. One customer who orders $1,000 each month is far more valuable than someone who may only spend this amount once a year.

    Make Your Direct Mail Materials Different and Unique

    When you design your direct mail to help with marketing your business try to be creative and come up with materials that are different and unique. Think outside of the box. For example, find ways to stand out among the many mailers that will be received by the addressee. Add an item in if possible, use an original shape or style, or do something else that sets you apart.

    Verify the Mailing List Quality before Buying

    When you are marketing your business, you want a mailing list that has recipient information that is relevant to your company and products. Verify the quality of any mailing list before you pay money for it. Otherwise you could end up getting little value for the price. The National Deliverability Index can help you determine how effective a list is.

    Accurate address information will help increase response rates, lower shipping costs, and increase the effectiveness of direct marketing initiatives.

    Source: Melissa Data

    Keep Blocks of Text Small for Easier Reading

    Marketing your business using direct mail means that your recipient has to find your materials easy to read and understand. Large blocks of text tend to turn the reader off. Therefore, break it down into smaller blocks with fewer lines in each paragraph. You should also avoid being excessively wordy and adding too much text, save some room for images as well.

    Choose the Printer Carefully to Prevent any Unexpected Problems

    The printer used when marketing your business and ordering direct mail is one of the most important considerations. Look for a business with a lot of experience in the materials and item types that you are looking for. It is normally better to avoid new companies because they may make a number of common beginner errors that you want to avoid.

    What methods and materials do you use for marketing your business?

  • Three Standout Advantages of Print Marketing

    Three Standout Advantages of Print Marketing

    In a world where digital advertising takes increasing precedence, people may wonder about the usefulness of traditional print media marketing. Can’t you reach far more people via their phone screens? 

    Sure, digital marketing comes with a near-limitless reach, but every door direct mail contact will always be part of a company’s advertising arsenal. Let’s look at the top three ways print marketing helps with business growth.

    1. It reaches a local demographic

    Yes, you can target people using social media based on location—but it often leads to imprecise results. For example, if you’re opening a new store or restaurant up the street, you want to meet your neighbors! Why not drop off the equivalent of a greeting card right on their doorsteps? Slip in some coupons, and you’re set. (Restaurants have the advantage of including a takeout menu.)

    2. It’s often more engaging

    Digital ads unlike print marketing disappear in the blink of an eye. The moment a web user clicks that “x” or navigates to a new page, any digital advertising is gone before they’ve taken in the information, let alone internalized it. On the other hand, a print mailer is tactile, tangible, stays in their hands longer, and, with well-designed layouts and imagery, encourages viewers to keep their eyes on it for a longer duration. 

    3. It offers a high ROI

    While e-blasts meet with almost immediate deletions, print campaigns and mailers produce a measurable degree of response. If the recipient is remotely interested and decides to hold on to a flyer or postcard, they now have something on hand for reference. They can come back to it and eventually act on it. With online ads, once a prospect logs off their browser—that content is out of sight, out of mind.

  • 5 Ways the Right Printing Company can Help Your Direct Mail Campaign

    The right choice of printing company for direct mail campaign can mean incredible results. The wrong choice of printer could quickly lead to disaster, and a waste of your precious resources including time and money. There are some ways that a professional can help you get the results that you are looking for from this type of marketing medium.

    Will the mailing information be added in house or will the materials need to be created and then shipped to another facility to add the recipient data? This can make a big difference. An experienced business in this industry can assist you in creating cost effective materials that have a lot of appeal. Moreover, a wow factor for less.

    Professional design services may be offered by the business and this can help you get better responses and feedback from the recipients. Your color selections and materials choices also play important roles in an direct mail efforts that you undertake. The right business choice can help you in all of these areas and improve the campaign results  in most cases.

    1. Will the Printing Company add Mailing Information In House?

    The address printing process for your direct mail campaign may be handled in house or the materials may be sent out for this step once they have been created. In house allows all of the required printing to be achieved in a single process, so the address is printed at the same time as the rest of the text and graphics chosen. This step can save considerable time and money with almost any printing company.

    2. Create a Cost Effective Direct Mail Campaign

    The chosen printing company should be willing to help you choose the most cost effective methods for your direct mail campaign. This may include advice about colors and materials that will lower the cost without impacting the overall design and appeal. Advice on which mailing lists to use and where these can be found may be very helpful. Especially if you are inexperienced with this marketing type.

    3. Professional Design Help can Give Your Materials more Impact

    The best printing company can provide professional design services, usually for an extra cost. This service can be invaluable for terrific results. You want your marketing and promotional materials to wow recipients. To do this the mailings must have a powerful impact. A professional designer may help with the graphics, the text placement, and even the message included on the mail.

    4. Choosing the Right Color Selections Can Provide Better Contrast

    The colors available for your mail may vary from one printing company for direct mail to the next. You will find some printers who have a small and limited selection to choose from while others may provide extensive choices across many ink types and shades. Advice on color selections and combinations can help your direct mail really stand out to consumers.

    5. Get Material Advice for Your Budget, Ideas, and Needs

    The materials that you use with your direct mail campaign are critical to get the attention that your business deserves. The printing company can help guide you to the best possible choices after evaluating your budget, your needs, and your ideas. This will help you get spectacular direct mail at a price that you can afford to pay, Guess what? without sacrificing any quality or appeal.

    What advice or suggestions from a printing company have you found helpful in the past when it comes to this type of marketing?