Direct mail postcards can you promote your business quickly, efficiently and inexpensively. But to exploit these advantages, you need a reliable and efficient program in place. That is where postcard printing services come into the picture.
These days there are dozens of postcard printing, but not all are created equal. This can include the vendor selection overwhelming. But it must not be. To understand the differences between these companies, youeasy to evaluate and compare their performance.
Here are some key criteria you should: eighth
Knowledge and experience
When shopping for a postcard printing, you should find out what background and experiences they have. The good news is, you can also pretty easy - just visit their website or pick up the phone and call.
A company is only as good as its employees, so find out:
Who makes the company?
What unique skills andExperience do they have?
How much do they know about printing and direct mail marketing?
Do they offer educational resources as part of their service?
Did they publish relevant articles in magazines or online?
Design Options
As far as your potential customers are concerned, reflect your direct-mail postcards your company as a whole. Thus, design matters. Ask printing, what kind of design options they have. If they say that only the pressure, and that you are onOwn to create a design, keep shopping!
Some providers will offer a variety of design options to adapt to the different skill levels of their customers can.
Common offerings include:
Web-based design tools
Complete design templates that customers can personalize
The ability for customers to upload their own designs
To use stock images for clients
The ability for customers to prove their designs online before checkout
Choose a postcardCompany that at least two of these design options. If you find one that offers all of them, even better!
List Options
When it reached with the direct mail marketing is the list more than just a way to your audience. Your list is your audience.
Most marketers maintain an in-house database of customers and / or perspectives. So ask when reviewing the e-card marketing company, to determine whether you can upload your own list. This is a joint bid, but it isBest to be safe.
But what if you do not have a mailing list? Or what if you have a mailing to a new group of prospects to do, people who are not on your in-house list? In this case, you need a provider that offers a list of any online edition.
This type of function is not as widespread as the "own use" approach, so if you are a vendor who can find these offers, please write them on for further consideration. Then proceed to evaluate it at the other checkpoints in this basislead.
Mailing Options
"Of course, a post card printing will mail my postcards for me. That's what they do, is not it?"
In most cases, yes, a postcard printing service to print your postcards and e-mail for you. But there are some that the design and printing, but not the actual shipping. Do not assume - just ask.
Another consideration: what if you only have your postcards printed, but you prefer to stamp and mail it (even apersonal note)? Some manufacturers print and mail your postcards to your list, but they will not print, and deliver them to you. If you see, you need both options to make it in advance.
Price Structure
One would think postcard sets would be easy. But in truth there are a number of variables taken into account and ask questions.
For example, some card providers 'basic' prices, not that doing things like two-sided color have or postage. In such cases, you have to do a little math to figure out the true cost per postcard. Other vendors have an "all inclusive" price that accounts for design work, full color on both sides, and postage (no math!).
You should also find out about rebates. Some providers charge less per postcard, the more you order. This "volume table" should be published on their website, so you can easily calculable costs.
Other vendors have a fixed price per> Card, no matter how many you order. With these providers, there is no reward for larger orders.
Ease of Use
Even if you have a postcard printing service scores well in all other areas, it will not matter if you can not figure out how to use their service. The technical term for this is "usability".
Sites, hair dryer, has everything that a degree of user friendliness. If usability is high, you do not need to think too hard on completion of your task. WhenUsability is low, you get a headache at best and may your task to complete in the worst case.
First and foremost, find out whether the service is entirely web-based or not. Finally, the whole idea of using a Postcard service is going to the logistical burden on them, right? You should be capable of a postcard marketing to take place from home or office computer. In the era of Internet commerce, there is no reason to have this capability.
A good way to Gauge a vendor to visit their website usability and sniff. Move through the website and read the information that you encounter. You will get a pretty good feel for how easy and efficient the system is.
Conclusion
Direct mail marketing with postcards can be an inexpensive, effective part of your overall marketing program. But to get the most out of it, you need a provider to find the right one for you. Use this guide to evaluate Postcard> Marketing vendors. Choose wisely, and your direct mail postcard program will be easier to handle, more efficient and more professional.
* Copyright 2006, PostcardSmart.com. You can use this item again in its entirety on your website or blog, as long as the source, author's note and hyperlink links are intact.
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