In addition to identifying the recipients of your mailing, it is important to consider the content and type of mailing you are going to send out. The costs for postcards, brochures, and catalogs can vary greatly and the type of materials you mail can have a great impact on your campaigns efficiency. Remember, printing and postage costs add up quickly, so make sure you have a clear strategy in mind before you begin designing your materials.
Mailing Varieties
When it comes to choosing the materials for a direct mail campaign, it can seem endless. Postcards are a great choice because they can be printed quickly, the postage and printing is usually cost-effective and they can be designed to catch a customer’s attention without them having to open an envelope. To ensure your message is effective and eye-catching, you might want to hire a graphic design service and/or a professional copywriting service.
If a postcard isn’t enough room to get the information out you should consider a brochure. Most brochures can be “self folded,” which again means no envelope is necessary. Because brochures weigh less than catalogs, the postage fee isn’t as much, but you are still getting more information out than on a postcard. A great money saving tip is to design your mailer for longevity, this is due to the fact many printing companies will provide discounts for bulk orders. If you don’t have someone in-house to design your brochure, there are marketing companies, copywriters and graphic designers out there to help you design an effective brochure.
Catalogs are almost a whole different ball game compared to postcards and brochures. They are usually much more costly to print and take up more resources to design and produce. If you are contemplating mailing a catalog, you should definitely consult a professional production company or marketing firm. You may also want to consider a mailer that refers customers to an online catalog, because this can save you money and is easier to keep up-to-date.
Direct Mailing Services
Direct mailing services act as a one-stop shop for all of your direct mailing needs. It is easier to hire one company who can manage your whole campaign than to hire a design firm, printer, and mailing company separately. Most direct mail companies charge per-piece or per-project, with a large range for cost variation depending on the services you need. Make sure you compare service quotes before making a final decision on a mailing service.