The Hottest Holiday Direct Mail Tactics This Season

Holiday mailing is in full effect! But, if you’re like many businesses, you may only be on your second or even first round of mailers. Don’t worry, that’s good news! It means there’s still time to perfect the ideal seasonal direct mail piece. Perhaps you know that your mailer is tried, tested and true, but if it’s time to switch up your methodology, take a beat from these on-trend tactics:

1. Medium Is In

Medium-sized direct mail pieces are winning the show. Since 2010, nearly 71% of mailed offers were medium in size, one third of which used a #10 envelope. The trend is sure to continue through the holiday season. Medium pieces are big enough to stand out amongst other items, but not so large that they become a nuisance in the mailbox (It also doesn’t hurt they they’re healthier for your budget, too).

2. Make a Statement

Yes, of course, a clear call-to-action should always be a key component to your mailer, but that’s not the kind of statement we’re talking about here. If you consider the fact that your mailer is sure to be just one of many in a colorful stack of holiday mailers, it becomes clear why it’s that much more important to make a strong statement with the mailer itself. Think bright colors, catchy phrases, unique shapes, or a haptic element – anything to stand out and make your piece more unique.

3. Give Consumers a Present

It is the season of giving after all! Give your consumers, or potential consumers, a gift! Whether that come in the form of tempting discounts, offers, or a small item sent with your direct mail piece. In the words of Don Corleone, “…Make him an offer can’t refuse.”

4. Mail Frequently

Once is nice, but twice is better, three and they’ll finally buy that Christmas sweater. Okay, okay, we just made up that saying, but it fits the moral of point number four well. Consumers are being bombarded with offers during the holiday season so be sure to mail regularly to keep your business fresh in the mind.

We want to know – what tactics are you planning to use in your holiday mailers this season? Tell us in the comments! 

That’s a Wrap – Time to Prepare for the Holidays

Summer is on its way out the door, so you have a plan for holiday season, right? “But, it’s only September?!” you might be saying. Correction – it’s already September. Mid-way through September, might we add, and that means that if you haven’t started planning for your holiday mailers yet, you need to stop puttering around on blogs and get going already! Here’s a little nudge to get you going on the right path:

Aim to Send in Early to Mid-November. You want to get the attention of prospects early, before their mailboxes are overflowing with direct mailers – at which point most of those well-planned pieces will go straight from mailbox to trash bin, never having been seen. Begin prep work on your holiday pieces now, so that you can be sure they are clean, neat and finished by November. Be sure to contact your direct mail company early in the process to set deadlines and goals.

Be Jolly. You may be thinking Football season and bonfires now, but mentally fast forward to Thanksgiving as you prepare your piece. The holiday season is supposed to have a warm, festive feel so make sure your piece reflects that.  Add something fun and interesting to your mailer, or an incredible offer, to standout among all the other shiny glittering offers in the mail box. It is the season of cheer, so give your prospects something to be cheerful about!

Create, Send, Repeat. Repetition is key during the holiday season. Shoppers and customers are busy and distracted with the chaos of the season, so you have to give them a gentle reminder every now and then. If you’re first mailer goes out early, you’ll have plenty of time to send multiple rounds without pestering your prospects.

Befriend the Internet. Using direct mail to drive online traffic is a tried and true effective marketing technique. Be sure to include information about your online presence on your mailer. That way, you’re not only targeting the traditional brick and mortar shoppers, but the internet-savvy demographic, as well. Boom. That’s what we call the DM one-two punch.

How have you started planning for the holidays? Tell us in the comments! 

A Holiday Direct Mail Marketing How-To

The holiday season provides a great opportunity for direct mail marketing. With the allure of gift-giving season right around the corner, there is no time like the present to build some promotions around your product or brand.

There’s one thing you have to keep in mind, though – your business is not the only one doing direct mail marketing right now. That’s why it’s more important than ever that your direct mail package stands out. Here are some tips to make that happen.

1.)   Seek Professional Help

Get expert help. Hiring a direct mail marketing company can help you craft an appropriate and professional-looking holiday design for your mailer. They also offer postal services that can help speed up the packaging process.

2.)   Don’t Underestimate QR Codes

The value of QR codes should not be overlooked. They can prove to be a valuable marketing tool. The opportunity to engage customers and get them excited about shopping with you is made simpler through a QR promotion.

3.)   Promotions to Get Excited About

This is the promotional portion. Ensure your direct mailers are bringing in the intended customers by offering them something to get excited about. Use mailers to inform potential customers about in-store prize drawings, buy-one-get-one free offers, and exclusive deals.

4.)   Add Intrigue

Recipients opening their mailbox to a stack of mailers are not likely to sift through each one, that’s why it’s important that your mailer stands out. One option is to create a three dimensional mailer. They are a bit pricier than their traditional 2-D cousin, but during the holiday season, that cost is well worth your while.

If the 3D mailer doesn’t interest you, consider other interactive options such as making your mailer into a scratch off. Each scratch off square could link to a particular percentage off of a product or purchase.

Either way, you’re getting your customer more engaged and looking at your mailer longer.

Now you have all of the information you’ll need to get started on a successful holiday direct mail campaign. Just don’t wait too long! With the holidays quickly hurdling toward us, customers are ready to buy.

Do you have any other ideas for creating a great holiday direct mail campaign? Tell us in the comments below.

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The Tray Way is the blog for Tray, experts in the printing, mailing, logistics and promotional products. You can learn more about our capabilities by visiting our website, as well as ourFacebook and Twitter pages. For information about the company and its successes, visitwww.trayinc.com