5 Direct Marketing Tips

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IBC

Direct marketing works for businesses. When you put these techniques together online, it creates a sales funnel process online. Here are the 5 Direct Marketing Tips that can build your business.

1. Reminders

A reminder could be anything from a postcard reminding the customer when they are due for an oil change, dental cleaning or a suggestion to repeat the purchase of a bouquet of flowers for their Grandmother. As long as the service or product is something that needs to be repeated or gets used up, this method will work for your business. In addition to a response the customer will be happy that they were provided with such individual attention.

2. Special Promotions

Everyone loves to save money. So what better way to grab attention than by offering an opportunity to save a little green? Sending a mailing with a chance to win a new product or offering $15 off a purchase of $60 or more, will inform new and existing customers about what you have to offer. Be sure to set an expiration date and make it prominent on the mailing so customers will hurry in to save money now, before the promotion is over.

3. Start a Catalog

By sending out a listing of all the services or products you provide you are able to educate the consumer on what your business has to offer. This type of direct mail can also give an individual the opportunity to buy your product or service through mail order. Be sure to include your telephone number and your web address as an alternate way to order your products. By mailing out a catalog of services and/or products you are notifying the public of your business and giving them the opportunity to purchase your products if visiting your store is not an option. If creating and mailing a print catalog is out of your budget, put the catalog on a website, then send out an inexpensive postcard to customers and prospects pointing them to the catalog on the web.

4. Announce New Products or Services

When your business decides to offer a new service or product it is an exciting time. Why not share the excitement with your customers? Sending a notification that you now lay retaining walls along with the usual landscaping services or that a computer program you offer has just been updated allows the consumer to take action to purchase that new item. Perhaps one of your customers was looking into retaining walls but never knew that you offered that service. Now that they a the company they trust offers the service they need the decision is easy. People like to be kept informed.

5. Start a Newsletter

A great way to keep your customers informed is by a newsletter. In your newsletter you may want to include articles that are related to your business, special offers for newsletter readers, announcements about new products or services, or possibly stories about your staff. Pick a schedule for the newsletter (monthly works well for many businesses) and stick to it. When customers and prospects see your newsletter on a regular basis they'll start to remember you and your company as an authority and a reliable source for the products and services you sell.

This works with your list building strategy, which is used with these direct marketing techniques.