Using Direct Mail Postcards To Grow Your Business

So you've decided to start making your own postcards for your business; how do you go about the whole process if you have zero idea regarding the design and manufacturing of postcards?

At the most basic, you'll need a tool which you can design the postcards.

After that, you'll need to purchase printing paper - and given the sheer options on the market, you could easily end up getting something that just doesn't work.

And to top it off, do you buy a printer or do you get somebody else to do all the printing work for you?

When at a loss for designing and printing postcards, your best bet at achieving your goals without spending too much is via direct mail postcards.

Direct mail companies specialize in helping you design, print and deliver postcards from start to finish so you don't have to worry about anything else.

By working with these direct mail printing companies, you leverage the wealth of experience available while still keeping your costs low.

Which Direct Marketing Postcards Company To Use?

To start, you scout which companies you would want to work with.

There are a variety of options available including PrintRunner, PsPrint, PrintPlace, OvernightPrints and UPrinting to name a few.

Of those, our top recommendation are:

Before you do anything get yourself a couple of different postcard printing quotes. An accurate quote gives you a good idea about what sort of dollars you might need to fork out for your direct marketing.

How Direct Postcard Mailing Works

• Decide on which company to use and log into their website
• Pull up a list of direct mail postcard templates and examples as reference
• Design your own postcards or upload a postcard design you've commissioned
• Choose the printing specifications - most notably the paper to be used, and;
• Pay for the prints to be delivered to your preferred location.

Why Use Direct Mail Postcards?

In a nutshell, direct mailing is a hassle free enterprise that empowers you to do all the creative work while easing your concerns on printing and distribution.

Imagine what you'd have to go through without direct mail postcards as an option...

Do your due diligence

You'd need to, among other things, research postcard mailing regulations.

Do you know that depending on the size of the postcard you're sending, the area where you can write the address of the recipient (including the allowable graphics or the degree of grayscale prints) also vary?

For example, on a standard postcard of 4.25" x 6" size, you can only write the address in a 2.75" x 2.75" square to the right side approximately 5/8" from the bottom?

The postal service actually rejects mailed postcards not compliant with this regulation which is why it often pays to entrust the job to the professionals who are experienced in direct mail postcard services.

What Direct Mail Postcard Sizes To Use?

In terms of direct mail postcard sizes, you essentially have a plethora of options at your disposal. Here is an easy reference for allowable direct mail postcard sizes that you can use to market your business:

The reason behind the strict adherence to standard postal sizes is because it allows automated handling of mail as it passes through the system.

You cannot simply have any size that you want; or else the postal system would not be able to process it accordingly.

Conversely, by adhering to recommended sizes, the cards are processed, sorted and mailed in a more efficient manner using already installed systems to speed up the process.

Getting The Direct Mail Postcard Postage Right

As a final consideration on direct postcard mailing, you'll need to consider what postage produces the best response results without costing too much.

What will it cost?

In this regard, you will need to examine postage discount options.

The postal service system offers discounts depending on the size of the transaction. For example, first class mail discounts kick in for more than 500 mails, standard mail at 200 mails, or presorted media mail at 300 pieces.

You can use a postage meter to simplify the mailing system and save on cost.

So in summary, consider "outsourcing" your direct marketing routine to direct mail postcard companies.

As we mentioned above, to do that you'll need to:

• Provide a handy list of mailing addresses
• Design your cards from available postcard templates or upload your own design
• Choose the specifications, and;
• Pay for the postage

It's simpler than having to do every process step-by-step and ensures that you can focus on the essential items that will make your business successful without compromising advertising!