Thursday, March 28, 2013

Direct Mail Response Devices and How to Craft Them


Successful direct mail packages contain three things: an attractive offer, a call to action, and a response device. The offer is the Incentive. The call to action is the Imperative. And the response device is the Instrument.

The most well-known reply device is the business reply card. But today it could also be a landing page on a website. To make sure your mailing generates the kind of response you want--and the kind of sales you want--you must have a reply device that is clear, complete, compelling and convenient.

Clear

* stands out in the package and is easy to find

* gives explicit instructions on what prospects must do to buy the product or service

* has sufficient space for handwriting

* keeps choices (size, color, options) to a minimum

Complete

* repeats the offer and call to action

* shows price, tax, shipping charges and the total if possible

* describes payment terms (cash, check, credit cards, instalments, deferred payment)

* includes the complete address and phone number of your organization

* contains an unobtrusive key code so you can track response

* describes where your privacy policy can be found repeats mailing instructions

Compelling

* features a strong, customer-focussed headline

* reiterates the offer in a compelling way

* summarizes the main benefits of your product or service

* expresses the price in the lowest terms possible ("Lease for only 75 cents a day.")

* includes other selling points, such as paying by instalments and guarantees

Convenient

* features the customer's name and address pre-printed on the form

* has check-off boxes wherever possible

* is postage-paid or features a toll-free number

* includes a deferred payment plan ("Invoice me later.")

* includes the return address pre-printed




0 comments:

Post a Comment


Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Français Deutsch Italiano Português
Español 日本語 한국의 中国简体。