Postcard idea, any good?

[She Says]

I am a bit of a saddo and love browsing through the vector art on istock. I've got this idea to make postcards out of some of the art, with my business name, phone number and url on the back. I would put one in with each order, or use them to write notes to customers, or when I send samples etc So it would function as a note, compliment slip and large business card.

Now my thinking is that if it is a nice enough postcard the receipent will keep it, thereby keeping my business details. This is opposed to a more convential business postcard with images of products and logo or sending a business card.

I have photo postcards and a decent printer so can print off short runs easily myself. Do you think this is a good idea or would it be better to use more of a business style postcard or compliments slip?

 

[printingcom]

I think it's a neat idea. I like it. Anything you can do to catch attention is a good thing. You could double up the purpose too - use the back as feedback cards - ask the recipient to rate their purchase.

Try it on your home printer to see if it works as you hope - if it does, we can help with 'real' postcards which will cost you much less per card. They're full colour on thick card with a gloss laminated front - and they're half price at the moment - just £64 for 1,000: http://www.printing.com/group/postcards

 

[Postforce]

Yes - sounds a great idea. I know its slightly different but we have had two customers in the last month switch their mailing marketing from letter to postcard - instant impact - and as you say - more keepable (if there is such a word!) Go for it!
PS I've been using fotolia lately seems a bit cheaper than istock.

 

[Dawg]

Get them printed by a print house unless you have a really good printer at home/in your office, (probably laser rather than inkjet), and know how to prepare the artwork. There is no point in buying decent artwork and then using mickey repro.

Depending on your inkjet/laser printer you can always overprint a blank space on the back so the card can have multiple uses. (Overprinting on gloss, and to some extent silk, can be a nightmare.)

I'd also go for offset rather than digital if quality is important, (it is), as altho' digital can be great the prep is tricky IMHO to make it look top.

I do at least 6 cards a year and have done since about 1995 and that's my advice based on an expensive learning curve.

 

[She Says]

Thanks for the advice. I thought I'd give it a go myself first to see what happens then get them professionally printed in bulk if it works. I have a pretty good printer for printing digital images.

'keepable' is what I am going for

I'll have a look at fotolia,thanks for the recommendation as istock prices have gone up in the last year or so (although I still think it is good value for what you can get).

Printing.com those prices sound very good, I'll have a look at your website.

 

[OPC-Oxford]

Love your idea sounds like it could just be a successful marketing tool. I like printing.coms idea of feedback. If we can provide a printing quote come the time I would be delighted to oblige.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on with your test batch.

 

[Jeff FV]

We do this.

You can see some of our 'Thank You for shopping with dots and spots' cards here

We also produce bespoke cards - for example halfway down our comissions page you can see a postcard we produced for a client for a change of address card.

What we're trying to (and I think, have) achieved, and what your trying to do is produce something that looks so good the recipient sticks it on their fridge and is then constantly reminded of you.

The cost is not prohibitive - I'd go for it. If you want help with the artwork, let us know (I know that sounds like a plug - sorry, meant more as an offer of help!)

Jeff

 

[patientlady]

I am a bit of a saddo and love browsing through the vector art on istock. I've got this idea to make postcards out of some of the art, with my business name, phone number and url on the back. I would put one in with each order, or use them to write notes to customers, or when I send samples etc So it would function as a note, compliment slip and large business card.

Now my thinking is that if it is a nice enough postcard the receipent will keep it, thereby keeping my business details. This is opposed to a more convential business postcard with images of products and logo or sending a business card.

I have photo postcards and a decent printer so can print off short runs easily myself. Do you think this is a good idea or would it be better to use more of a business style postcard or compliments slip?

I like this idea! I know people keep business cards which certainly works for me, but I do like the compliment slip, note idea...

 

[fourblankwalls]

We are an online retailer too. I'll tell you what. If you put one of my cards in each of your parcels, i will add yours in to mine. That way sales increase across different areas and everyone gets a pretty picture too.

 

[sineadnorton]

Postcards are a great advertising tool, we always get a great response rate for them for both our laundry business (when we send them to b&bs and the like) and for the leaflet distribution business.

We are based in Northern Ireland, and have a local ironing service so if anyone wants to send me a fewpostcards for their websites or services, I can give them out to our customers who use our ironing service by placing one in each of their baskets / laundry bags. They love it if they think they are getting something free or a special offer.