Postcards are an effective way for many business owners and marketing managers to attract new customers and increase sales from existing ones. Postcards are inexpensive to produce and mail. You can produce one in less time than you need for a letter or self-mailer. You can use postcards in dozens of ways to promote your business.
attract new customersgenerate leads for your sales forcegenerate traffic at your trade show boothdrive buyers to your websitestrengthen relationships with your existing customerssecure sales appointments with qualified prospectsannounce a special offernurture relationships with long-term prospectsintroduce new products and services to your customerspersuade prospects to try your demo software CDincrease traffic to your retail storeinvite clients to your eventpersuade prospective clients to invite you onsite to conduct a needs analysisannounce the opening of your new business in a neighborhoodannounce a special offerwin back inactive customers with a special promotionpublicize your new business hoursannounce that you will be in the area on a certain dateshow that your real estate firm has listed or sold a home in the reader's neighbourhoodremind a customer that her car is due for a serviceannounce to clients that you are moving, giving your new addresssurvey your clientsannounce the re-opening of your business after renovations are completedistribute a coupon that gives the holder a discount at your storeannounce the opening of a new location near your customers and potential customersremind customers when the product that you sell (such as home heating oil) is ready to be replenishedsend a follow-up note after sending a sales lettersend a thank you noteremind customers of a seasonal deadline for orderingannounce a retirementcapture names and addresses of potential customers by asking them to mail back your warranty cardkeep in touch with clients with a simple "We're thinking about you" messageintroduce a new manager, sales person or customer service repoffer a mystery gift that is redeemed by visiting your businessannounce that you are going out of business (may it never happen!)
About the author
Alan Sharpe is a business-to-business direct mail copywriter who helps business
owners and marketing managers generate leads, close sales and retain customers
using creative direct mail postcard marketing. Learn more about his services and sign up for free weekly tips like this at http://www.sharpecopy.com.
? 2005 Sharpe Copy Inc. You may reprint this article online and in print provided it remains unaltered (including the "About the author" message at the end).