Direct mail still alive and kickin?

The unfortunate part about reading and studying much of what guys like Gary accomplished, is the fact that a lot of their tips and tricks would be equivalent to painting a target on your back and begging for attention from the FTC.

Some of Gary;s best, and most profitable, copy ever....just wouldnt fly these days.

With that said, Direct Mail is still a massive business and I have seen a number of people combine affiliate marketing with direct mail and profit big time
 


That's most likely the reason for your poor results. There isn't enough room on a postcard to do a complete selling job. My packages consist of 8 pages thick with copy, lift note, and order form.


Well here's what I did. I probably did about 5-7 drops (thousands per time) of post cards. I tried the standard sized card, then moved up to the larger card due to what you said requiring 44 cents for 1 mailing.

I then tried 2 batches of a #10 envelope; with window making it look like a dam ticket or bill trying to trick them into opening it.

Amongst the 5-7 postcards, and 2 batches of # 10 - of course, I used the utmost professional approach. I had good designs, good letters, I paid for lists (used 4 different companies). Hell, maybe it was just my niche or something, but it just wasnt working for me.

I think working hard on a website, putting $ into SEO would def. have a far better ROI than direct mail.
 
Well here's what I did. I probably did about 5-7 drops (thousands per time) of post cards. I tried the standard sized card, then moved up to the larger card due to what you said requiring 44 cents for 1 mailing.

I then tried 2 batches of a #10 envelope; with window making it look like a dam ticket or bill trying to trick them into opening it.

Amongst the 5-7 postcards, and 2 batches of # 10 - of course, I used the utmost professional approach. I had good designs, good letters, I paid for lists (used 4 different companies). Hell, maybe it was just my niche or something, but it just wasnt working for me.

I think working hard on a website, putting $ into SEO would def. have a far better ROI than direct mail.

The size is not the problem bud its your media. Would you call a debt relief company who randomly sent you a junk email post card? It screams scam, someone would need to be extremely desperate to fall for that.
 
I believe the selling happens with a #1-800 on the card. The postcard is just a teaser to get them curious enough to pick up the phone.

Unless the teaser doesn't get them curious enough to pick up the phone. There are many reasons why a postcard wouldn't (and would) work.

I've never done postcards but putting myself in the prospect's shoes, I'd need a damn good reason to pick up the phone and listen to someone pitch me on a product or service based on a small amount of copy on a postcard.

Calling an 800# is an active process. It's not like clicking a banner or an Adwords ad where you can bail with the back button within seconds.
 
Well here's what I did. I probably did about 5-7 drops (thousands per time) of post cards. I tried the standard sized card, then moved up to the larger card due to what you said requiring 44 cents for 1 mailing.

So, did you get better results with the larger postcard over the smaller?

Amongst the 5-7 postcards, and 2 batches of # 10 - of course, I used the utmost professional approach. I had good designs, good letters, I paid for lists (used 4 different companies). Hell, maybe it was just my niche or something, but it just wasnt working for me.

There are many reasons why a campaign might not work. The list is probably the most important aspect of the entire thing. Nevertheless, just like anywhere else it takes time and testing - the only difference being is that with direct mail you need some very deep pockets to test as opposed to online methods.

I think working hard on a website, putting $ into SEO would def. have a far better ROI than direct mail.

Perhaps a better ROI but in terms of profit direct mail will trump SEO.
 
Unless the teaser doesn't get them curious enough to pick up the phone. There are many reasons why a postcard wouldn't (and would) work.

I've never done postcards but putting myself in the prospect's shoes, I'd need a damn good reason to pick up the phone and listen to someone pitch me on a product or service based on a small amount of copy on a postcard.

Calling an 800# is an active process. It's not like clicking a banner or an Adwords ad where you can bail with the back button within seconds.

Off the top of my head, I've purchased 2 products/services this way from just postcards. One was from when I moved into a new house and received a postcard from a company who sold blinds. Called them up and a week later I had spent $1,500 on custom blinds. All from a basic .40c postcard and a company I had never visited or spoke with before.

It definitely works but just like PPC, you are wasting your $$$ if you can't write great ad copy and match up the product with the right demographic.

The advantage with this is you can buy mailing lists of people who already pulled out their credit card before and purchased a similar product or service. Plus, you can have a live sales person on the other line that is going to increase conversion rates.
 
Is ROI more important than profit dollars?

Does this even make sense? Self nullified?

The size is not the problem bud its your media. Would you call a debt relief company who randomly sent you a junk email post card? It screams scam, someone would need to be extremely desperate to fall for that.

I'd call anyone given I required their service. Similar to the guy above me, someone bought a homeowners list and hell if I wanted blinds I'm sold. You have to understand, I pulled data of people whom hit a strict criteria and just fell within 30-60 day delinquency status (of shit, what am I gonna do about my debts?). Anyhow, it didnt work. You saying scam, well - that comment could be related to pretty much anything. Your post makes no sense.


So, did you get better results with the larger postcard over the smaller?

Perhaps a better ROI but in terms of profit direct mail will trump SEO.

Better ROI believe it or not was on the smaller cards. Conversion was def. below 1% (call ins, not sales). Was horrible. On Friday I made $500, today I made $700 (from recent SEO) - so your theory on making more money on direct mail doesnt apply to me or my business.

Maybe its just my industry. If its working for you guys, good!!! Just giving my opinion here.
 
Better ROI believe it or not was on the smaller cards. Conversion was def. below 1% (call ins, not sales). Was horrible. On Friday I made $500, today I made $700 (from recent SEO) - so your theory on making more money on direct mail doesnt apply to me or my business.

Maybe its just my industry. If its working for you guys, good!!! Just giving my opinion here.

I believe it. And of course when I say direct mail will trump SEO, I'm generalizing. SEO is "free-ish" traffic. You have a lot of room to mess up and test your way to success without losing your shirt.

On the other hand, direct mail is anything but free. If you don't get it right, you're shit out of luck and you have to dig deep into your pockets again for another test.

Nevertheless, a well executed direct mail campaign will trump a well executed SEO campaign simply because of the nature of the medium and the available volume. That's not a theory, it's a fact.

It seems like you're doing good with SEO. You should consider testing direct mail a bit more until you make some headway. It will be worth it in the long run.
 
I'd call anyone given I required their service. Similar to the guy above me, someone bought a homeowners list and hell if I wanted blinds I'm sold. You have to understand, I pulled data of people whom hit a strict criteria and just fell within 30-60 day delinquency status (of shit, what am I gonna do about my debts?). Anyhow, it didnt work. You saying scam, well - that comment could be related to pretty much anything. Your post makes no sense.


.

People won't just give out their ssn and credit details to randoms. Its sensitive data. Its not like buying a product. Its not like buying a normal service.

My post makes perfect sense if you understand your demo. An extremely professional letter would work much better. You would be able to describe your service and build the trust of the consumer.

Example: Notify them that your company D were notified by Y company that they had just defaulted and may need some help. Long sales pitch about services here..
 
Hmm, for those that have tried both -- is it better to have call centers ringing leads, or to send out direct mail as discussed in this thread? Was going to to go with the former, but this thread has me thinking about direct mail as well now.
 
New Idea To look in to, I never knew it's a great idea to promote CPA offers with direct mail. I did it before when I use to sell credit card terminals, and really didn't put any effort into it. You guys taking it to a whole new level, mixing it up with CPA offers.. That a genius idea..You gotta love WickedFire.........
 
New Idea To look in to, I never knew it's a great idea to promote CPA offers with direct mail. I did it before when I use to sell credit card terminals, and really didn't put any effort into it. You guys taking it to a whole new level, mixing it up with CPA offers.. That a genius idea..You gotta love WickedFire.........

stfu
 
People won't just give out their ssn and credit details to randoms. Its sensitive data. Its not like buying a product. Its not like buying a normal service.

....Which is why we dont ask for 16 digit account numbers, or SSN information until a month after signup. I've been doing this for years, so I'm well aware on what to and what not to do. Also, all postcard and direct mail (in most cases) will ask for some type of confidential information (to place orders of course).

Hmm, for those that have tried both -- is it better to have call centers ringing leads, or to send out direct mail as discussed in this thread? Was going to to go with the former, but this thread has me thinking about direct mail as well now.

In my opinion (again, everyone else may be different). If someone is willing to sell you a live transfer (to make your phone ring) at $20/per; if you drop $1,000 you are (GUARANTEED) 50 telephone conversations. With my response rate, for every $1,000 spent at 44cents per mailing (2,272 mailings) I was getting only a handful of calls. Again, every persons approach, niche, list, can change the numbers to make this post irrelevant. If you have the money to blow it to "try" this by all means, go for it.

In due time, ill try it again im sure. But for now, I tried - and didnt work. Whos this guy the op is mentioning in the first post tho; gary h?