Email or letter marketing?

Cliche time: Marketing is a process, not an event

You need to set a process in motion that uses (imaginitively) post, email, phone, flyers and perhaps other media such as avertising, SMS (can't stand it myself), sponsorships, PR etc etc.

Budget is obviously an issue, but I would ccertainly invest in good quality date and good quality images for your portfolio.

A lot of maketing 'campaigns' fail because they concentrate on hitting everyone once rather than a structured approach to a target audience.

Best of luck!

 

[UWSStudent]

i can provide a small to medium email list, keyword and location specific. get in touch.

 

[Target]

Have you read ANY of this thread?

 

[zoebowlerhat]

Hi,

This is something our company is trialling at the moment. I found Targets post helpful, especially the information about who we can send email to legally as I had wondered about this.

I agree with channs post that offering something for free is a good step forward. This is the approach we have gone for with a weekly email giving the option of opting in and it seems to be generating some interest but half the battle is people reading the initial email. I do agree that some people might object to unwanted emails or see it as spam and hit delete without bothering to read it.I myself have deleted email in the past without reading.

I think our next step is finding ways to direct people to our website and they can choose to opt in that way. It feels less forced. We have already tried flyers in the post and not had massive amounts of success. So any more ideas would be much appreciated.

Thank You

 

[Target]

Agreed, Zoe, channelling potential customers to your website is a good tactic. Getting them there and then securing a sign-up is the challenge, and ultimately that's about incentive. The better the incentive, the better the response. A bit of a glib statement, I know, but it's a basic that's usually overlooked.

'SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER!!!' Erm, no thanks.

'ENTER A PRIZE DRAW TO WIN ONE OF 5 iPADS'. Hmm, now I'm kinda interested.

'WIN AN ALL EXPENSES PAID WEEKEND IN NEW YORK WITH A SUPERMODEL OF YOUR CHOICE'. Blimey, where do I sign?

George

 

[androo]

This has been a really helpful thread

I'd like to ask, if i'm targeting my first customer.

Should i first phone the business, then follow it up with a letter or email. I'm still struggling with the process of eqiuette when first contacting a new 'customer'
As i'm unsure what to do when the inital contact is made, is in an introduction/finding out who they are etc?
If anyone has any tips/advice that would be great, as i'm lost

 

[SamN1987]

Hi

We have been using a e-mail marketing company called point across and then following up the e-mails with telephone call a couple of days afterwards, the success rate has really been quite reasonable.

Sam

 

[teamsuccessusa]

There's alot of debate on this, I say try both and go with what works for you. I would recommend for your past and current clients mailing a letter and signing it to give it the personal touch. All others I would try the email way and monitor your results.

 

[point across . co . uk]

Postal marketing is more effective but when dealing with large numbers the costs involved can be quite significant, especially when compared to e-mail marketing which can reach a larger number of potential customers at a lower cost.

 

[royalmatt]

I would suggest few things please.

Use Solid tile first that can elaborate your inside services
Don't use useless info or information in details as it irritates the potential customer.
Don't use Pricing structure in H card
Use Contact number in bold At the top side.


Actually I design business card world wide, If you want to know any more, I am obliged

Thanks

 

[Globconference]

Im looking to drum up more work for the coming season and therefore going to be sending out a letter to potential customers. With this letter I was going to enclose a business card.

With many businesses dealing with email on a regular basis nowadays, Im wondering if I should send the letter this way - saving on costs (stamps, paper, ink etc) OR is it best to send via post with business card and sign each letter individually.

Also, any advice on the letter. What I have is one A4 sheet long, introducing us, bullet point what we do, and thanking them for their time.

Thank you

Hello,
The better way is try instant message service at a bulk volume
call me 07877419399

 

[Target]

"The better way is try instant message service at a bulk volume"

Do you mean text messages? If so, where does he get the mobile phone numbers?

 

[td2011]

It's difficult as email can be cheaper, but to be honest for the line of business that you're in I would respond better to a leaflet through the door. You will need to work out the ratio of how much more business you are likely to get for the expense of physically printing out letters. If you're more likely to get business via the letter route and little via email then it should be worth the spend. Really hope it works out. Good Luck