|
|
magicman02 Veteran user 304 Posts |
For the people on here who use or have used direct mail, do put together the letters, stamp them and deliver your letters/postcards yourself to the post office or do you use a company? What is the best way to do it?
|
Kellar New user 27 Posts |
This topic can take a few DIFFERENT directions and everyone thinks they know the answer,...myself included!
But to help you the best way I ( or anyone ) can we have to know your intended outcomes, ie; who, what, where, when and of course why! Who: do you have a specific list of people and how many? What: what are you offering and be specific? Where: Is it a local list? When: Is it a time specific offer or promotion and Why: why direct mail over the other methods and vehicles of contact? I really look forward to seeing where this thread goes, there are a lot of (actual) pros here, guys that have been and still are working the trenches! |
magicman02 Veteran user 304 Posts |
I got a list of colleges that are nationwide and list of companies with 100-125 employees in my area. Combined with the college and corporate list, the list is about 5,000-6,000 names.
Direct mail is probably the most time effective way for me to promote my services to these sectors since I can't really email every one the list or call everyone. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I have a question, and I apologize if I come across as rude.
If you have done corporate shows, and also college shows, and are qualified to work that sort of market (and also qualified to mail to a larger list like 5000-6000 names), why wouldn't you have done direct mail marketing earlier in your magic career? Your direct mail question seems like a basic question that a beginner might ask, yet you are talking about mailing to markets that an advanced performer would work (and mailing on a scope that an advanced performer would do). - Donald P.S. To answer this question, as if I was dealing with a beginner, this is what I might say. When you are starting to do direct mailing, you generally work with a smaller list (ex. up to 500 leads at a time), and do all of the work yourself. Because you have more time and are learning the ropes. As you advance in your marketing and you expand the reach of your business, you start mailing to more and are then likely to hire out the work. It's a time vs. money concept. If you have less money but more time, then you do the work yourself. If you have more money but less time, then you spend the money hiring other professionals to help you with your mailings. It's also a little bit about your personal preferences for control. Some performers want to manage everything about their mailings (quality control), and so they want to handle everything themselves.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Besides what Donald said, mailing to companies with only 100 to 125 employees will get you very little if any results. Some performer only mail to companies with over 500 employees.
I realize the country has changed and there are not many large companies to deal with today. It is a new market place, and I have been considering the service industry more then manufacturing companies. Colleges, that is a tough business to break into, but not impossible, but you have to have a great show with some educational topic to sell. I do my own mailings, as you cannot find a mailing business that will only mail to certain types of businesses, they do the shoot gun approach. The current most economical approach to mailings is the post card, it will get those that may be interested in your service, then you can send a brochure. Letter alone will not get any results. Picture post card with some comments works well in todays high cost market. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-12 07:39, wmhegbli wrote: I would guess that magicman02 was asking about mailing companies, where you supply the master copy of your letter and your mailing list, and they do the work. In that case, the mailings are only sent to those who you choose. No shotgun approach. Some of my friends use this type of mailing service. That is how I know about it. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Donald, yes you are right again, a friend of mine uses such a service. As a matter a fact that is why he went that way. Cost him $750.00 for 12000 mailing of post cards.
As far as making your own list, get city directories and start typing in Excel. Check your library, there is all kinds of reference book that list all types of companies by catagory. The Chamber of Commerce use to make list of companies in their area, but they no longer do this. They also use to list local clubs and organizations, but do not do this any longer either. Does anyone know a good way to find clubs and organizations any more, I have checked with the local Welcome Center and they do not do it either. How does one find local clubs. Like the local chaper of the Electronics club. |
iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
I think you mean 1200. At 12000, that's less than 7 cents each. Postage (even in bulk) is more than that. If I am wrong, PLEASE give me the name of that company. If they are still in business that is.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Direct mail - how do you do it? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |