Direct Mail Marking Is Dead

Saodavi · 05-23-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itgl72

My biggest issue with mailing out from online services is the time gap between the order and the home owner getting the card. I currently have an account with QuantumMail.com and it used to say 8-14 days before they receive the letter/card last time I used it. I was just working on a standard size post card, just something to keep my face in front in between other mailings and it told me 5-8 days which isn't terrible. Nothing is as quick as you dropping off a box of letters to the USPS office I guess.

I wonder if any of you folks that use envelopes, or just mail out the 8x11 letter itself with out an envelope use a paper folding machine? I have seen inexpensive paper folders that folder the 8x11 paper, up to 3 at a time, into neat trifolds. I have been considering getting one.

We print 1/2 page post cards (duplex) on Letter-sized heavy-duty (12 pt) card stock. Then we take them to Kinko's and they'll cut the whole stack in half for almost nothing ($1). The quality is good and I get the message across without people having to open anything.

I've done the envelope thing. Kinko's will fold it for you for like $.03 per page or less. Even so, it's a huge hassle stuffing the envelopes, labeling them, stamps, etc. Printing the postcards w/mailmerged addresses has been the easiest by far.

Morristown · 05-23-2007, 08:53 PM

Staples will do it for .02 per page. but I would still get the folding machine for $250 as it will pay for itself after a while if you are going to do envelopes.

Jim

Saodavi · 05-24-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SummitNJ-Realtor

Staples will do it for .02 per page. but I would still get the folding machine for $250 as it will pay for itself after a while if you are going to do envelopes.

Jim

Yep ... somewhere after the 12,500th envelope ... you'll be making some sweet mula. If you mail out 1000 envelopes a month, it'd only take a year. On the other hand, $250 isn't the much and it saves a lot of hassles and travel time.

Besides, I'm sure you've all seen the SNL skit regarding kinkos. I'd rather not go there if I don't have to.

REM Consultant · 05-24-2007, 11:04 AM

Personally, I do not think Direct Mail Marketing is dead. I think the world of marketing is all about balance. There needs to be a mix of both traditional and online marketing to achieve really good results. Also, the target audience needs to be kept in mind in the sense of where would my target audience most likely shop? web, newspaper, magazines, etc... and leaning more towards one medium more than others.

People need to be bombarded with the same message via 2-3 different mediums before anything actually registers.

Karen
Real Estate Marketing Consultant
www.remcommunications.com

itgl72 · 05-24-2007, 07:06 PM

The magic number, so they say is 7 times, people need to see the same thing 7 times before they register they saw anything. Well I picked up a letter folder device. Rather inexpensive but if it is worth it Ill get a better one that does more pages later on. I'm just working on the envelope part. I know the best thing is hand written. But a few hundred hand written, when you don't have someone to do it for you is a tough pill to swallow. Theres always windowed envelopes, even colored ones..

DFW Realtor · 05-26-2007, 02:34 PM

I can remember before I became a Real Estate Agent and knew nothing about Real Estate, In So Cal. We were thinking about selling our house. We were getting this piece of white paper with big bold letters on it stating that he would list our house for 4% and I didn't really even know the concept of what a commission was. I just know that we kept every single piece of paper and after about the 4th one, a long with other Realtors fancy Pancy expensive direct mail stuff, we chose him. Got an offer less than 24hrs later for what we wanted.
I think Direct Mail does work, cuz has for me also, but it's not for everyone. Those who say it doesn't work is because they failed at it or a top agent that can afford better advertising told them. And those of us that direct mail does work for, is because we don't just send them out once or twice a year, but we do month after month or every other month.
So again, Direct may work for some and may not for others.
DFW Realtor

Joshua Sloan · 06-07-2007, 02:23 PM

So we've clarified that sending out postcards DO work if done right, quality print, you have a good call to action and your consistent.

Someone mentioned here that the "Call Now for a free CMA" no longer works, so what messages are you sending that are actually working? What calls to action are you using that are generating leads that are leading to sales?

Thanks.

habjerke · 03-01-2008, 03:39 PM

Hi everyone!

I've really enjoyed reading this thread!

A lot of good information about direct mail.

The one thing I miss though, is examples of how you make your flyers etc...Colours, pictures, message +++

Could you send me some examples on haav-bj@online.no of some campaigns you had success with?

Im from Norway, so I promise you it wont hurt your business

as im not competition!

stu berger · 04-05-2008, 05:07 PM

I have been using direct mail for 20 years. If you send the correct mail pieces it is the best way to get listings. I use direct mail for expireds, farming and my sphere of influence. Bornio is correct, you have to send something of value and direct response pieces that will generate more leads than you can handle.

GetSmart · 04-06-2008, 08:42 AM

with direct mail, you have to split test as well to see what is working and to see if it can work better. you can send the same message and change the lay out and get better results.

the only thing about direct mail for me is it has trends and if you don't follow the trends, you could be missing the boat. when i first started out, newsletters were great, then the trend switch to personal touches, to post cards, to greeting cards. I have noticed if you have a message that has worked in the past, just change the vehicle and you will continue to see success.

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