Postcards in envelops or without

[bejamshi]

Hi, after having targeted (addressed mail with contact names) an introduction letter, I would now like to send out postcards to the same group.

The previous campaign was in the company envelopes with letterhead. Should I also mail the postcard in the company envelopes or by itself will do.

I am just worried that it might be looked upon as junk mail by the receptionist and thrown out where as in the envelopes it can look more formal and get to its target person.:D

[morea]

psst... it's envelopes. And letterhead is one word. ;)

Generally I think that part of the appeal of a postcard is that you can pop them right into the mail without and envelope. I don't think that it's necessary in this instance.

[bejamshi]

Oh How I love you Morea, so did you say it is not necessary in envelopes?

[budafist]

No envelopes also saves money and time. You don't have to buy envelopes and you don't have to stuff 'em.

[urstwile]

And actually, I think a postcard makes it a lot easier to see that it's not junk mail, as opposed to the reverse, where you have to open up an envelope and/or look at a return address to decide whether or not you want to look at it.

[PrintDriver]

postcard is cheaper to mail.
I'd wonder about someone who put a postcard in an envelope...

[budafist]

I'd wonder about someone who put a postcard in an envelope...

Me too actually. In fact, I know exactly the kinds of people that would put postcards in envelopes...:rolleyes:

[bejamshi]

buda, it is crazy wabbit that puts postcards into envelops :P

But that is why I have you guys, so I make a good carrot decision.

:)

Thanks no Envelopes

[morea]

bejamshi, it's still envelopes.

[bejamshi]

Opps I am a bit crazy, too much carrot juice.

[DougFa]

Hi, after having targeted (addressed mail with contact names) an introduction letter, I would now like to send out postcards to the same group.

The previous campaign was in the company envelopes with letterhead. Should I also mail the postcard in the company envelopes or by itself will do.

I am just worried that it might be looked upon as junk mail by the receptionist and thrown out where as in the envelopes it can look more formal and get to its target person.:D

Hi Bejamshi,

I don't think you really need an envelope for your postcards. Just make sure it has an attention getting cover. And (contrary to some) Iwould put as much copy as I can on the back. Make it true direct response.

Keep in mind: there are two approaches to direct mail. One is the "sneak up" and the other is the "junk up"

The "sneak up" letter is designed to look and feel like a personal letter. therefore you want NO company name, no logo just a handwritten address (no labels) and a live postage stamp (no meters). You want NOTHING to give away the fact taht you are a company soliciting services. Also just don't stick a full-color brochure in the envelope, otherwise people will feeel ike the yare being "conned" or "duped". They WILL be expecting something like a letter or personal communication so use that format.

The "junk up" on the other hand is a mail piece that does not hide itself by being a "personal" or "a-pile" mail. It clearly identifies itself as a commercial solicitation. So if you are going to go this way, put compelling messages, images, testimonials on both sides of the envelope. No sense in being "half pregnant" - go all the way!

A good resource for direct mail is, "The Ultimate Sales Letter" book by Dan Kennedy. Find it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Hope this helps.

Doug

[bejamshi]

Thanks doug, For now i have been sending out a letter of introduction (official) with company envelopes to new clients. Now I am giving them 10% off on their first order with free consultation and quote.

The postcard I would be sending out to the same group later on, this is the reminder postcard.

I am also sending the post card on its own to new places too.

I just stuffed the envelope with the letter and postcard and it looked really nice. I think that would be good too to send to new potential clients.

[morea]

why did you bother posting not one, but TWO threads dealing with discounting if you were just going to discount anyway?

Are you overpricing your services?

Are you one of those people who marks their prices up and then marks them back down in order to advertise that they are "on sale"?

Whatever happened to this:

Thanks so much, now i am a believer in NO DISCOUNTS

"Free consultation and quote' sounds like a scam. How else are you going to get a client? Nobody charges for quotes. Would you pay a business to tell you how much they would charge you for something? You need to know what a customer needs to quote it for them (there's your 'consultation'), and you need to tell them what it would cost before they hire you. If, by "consultation," you mean that you are giving your clients your design concepts before you are hired for a project, you are setting yourself up to be ripped off - they can take your ideas, which you gave them for free, to a production artist and pay that person to execute the concept, likely for less than hiring a designer.

Don't lowball. If you are worth your rates, you shouldn't have to offer discounts.

[bejamshi]

Morea, the reason I posted my previous postings is to get other peoples ideas, I do not think there is anything wrong with that, after that I felt it is good for me to give first time customers a discount which is done to attract clients. I am not overpriced and this has nothing to do with it. I seen many of my friends who are into this business who because of this method only are now raking in money and have a steady client base.

As I said it is a first time offer for the first order. The percentage is also not that much for me to feel a hole in my pocket.

I am not one of those artists that sells my work for cheap neither do I want to damage my industry by always giving discounts.

[bejamshi]

The 'Free consultation and quote' yes i agree quote is free but not my time for consulting, I am willing to take away from my production work to drive over and meet the client and discuss ways of meeting their needs, this is money lost on my side so in a way yes it is Free consultation.

I never provide spec work either. This is not the case for me.

Also when there are 10,000 graphic designers in and around my area and they are all searching for a piece of the action, please tell me what do I offer that they others don't have and please do not say quality and service and such and such....

They all claim that, that is a broken record, customers need a better phrase to catch their interest.

We live in a society that everyone wants to save, my offer is a limited time offer for first time customers.

Here is a true story, my friend who went on the same path has now moved to new bigger office and has a 5 figure income come in every month because of such tactics.

Otherwise she would be working for someone else and making peanuts.

[morea]

ah, silly me. I must have forgot somewhere along the way that it's all about money. :rolleyes:

[bejamshi]

morea, It is a method that works, It is done by all major companies and it is brining them business. If i was to sell my work for 50% off or provide spec work then i am an idoit, but I think my offer is reasonable.

[Drazan]

Discounting not done by all major companies. Else I could go to the roofers and have them fix my one roof at half off with the promise of refering other roof projects too them. you can't go to a realty broker and say "I want to buy two houses I see you have a sale for 50% off the first one". Sounds a bit rediculous doesn't it. I have never given discounts.

Honestly do you come off in real life as you post in the forums? Inexperienced, uncertain, nothing taken seriously, and you love everyone as if your some type of flower child. If you keep calling yourself crazy then some people might start to believe you.

This is a group of professionals, in some aspects others have refered work to people in this forum based on posts and advice. you have asked about every aspect in the design industry - or close to it. And yet you claim to have 11 years experience as a senior designer. It begs to question how you came to the position of freelancing and your actual abililties.

The forum is rather transparent, what you post and how you post is how people see you. Is a crazy "wabbit" with uncertain, unknowlegable, non-decision making posts really how you want to represent yourself to a groups of professionals?

Jade

[bejamshi]

Jade your full of insults, I have to really try hard to respect you on your professionalism.

[morea]

Jade is actually VERY professional, and she makes some very valid points.

I am disappointed by customers who do not recognize the value in hiring a professional designer, but I am much more disappointed with DESIGNERS who don't appreciate the value in what we do.

[bejamshi]

So your saying even 10% introduction offer to new customers is bad?

[Drazan]

It wasn't an insult. It is my impression of your many posts, and the "love yous" in your replys. It was an honest opinion. But again, honest opinions are hard to receive.

Also it is hard to read a post and not inflect ones perspective in reading the post. It's text. I have no intention to insult you, I merely questioned the overall impression that you leave on this forum. Intentional or not, that is how you do come across to me. My opinion.

If you are looking for more work, then I inferred that there are other professionals here that refer work to other people. I've done it myself on occasion. However, from the impression and posts that you have, I would not refer work to you. Also if this "gathering of opinions" comes across to your clients then that may also be restricting you in your business.

Professionals are problem solvers who need to be decisive in their commitments to bring the customer exactly what they want/need and that will best benefit them.

Sucessful business ventures are also led by those who are decisive and straight forward in their decision making process. I've led two multimillion $$ companies for over 6 years as an office/business manager. I've led my own freelancing business for nearly 10 years and yes at times being totally freelance. I'm now with another Graphics company that I helped create solid business practices and procedures, split the accounting from one company into two, and wrote business plan for. I've also helped rebrand the company. We are now having people fly in across the country to see us, specifically, and we have national and international clients, as well as a loyal local following. Our team is well suited to take care of just about anything that is remotely thought of. I am now the senior designer of the firm.

Professionalism is how I got to where I am now. Honesty is one of those vices that people some how seem to think is a bad thing in today's age.

And if you want to know why I don't do freelance exclusively is that I was sick, which I found out was from cancer, for over a year. According to my doctor I litterally had pre-cancer for a year before finding out that it was actually cancer. I've no choice but to work for others until such time that my energy and finances are back under control. I don't expect to be in that position for a few years.

[bejamshi]

I am sorry to hear about your illness, I wish you speedy recovery and very happy that you are were you are at with this company. Thank you for your feedback.

[frankster]

I would say postcard in 5 consecutive envelopes, like pass the parcel with a little prize in each layer. Something little and fun like the toys and candy you get in pinatas. If I'm taking up valuable life opening mail from other companies trying to sell me thier services then I want some candy or a whistle! :rolleyes:

[bejamshi]

Thanks frankster that is a wonderful idea.