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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Here is an interesting topic that I think will be neat to see what kind of response we all get from others.
In regards to marketing your kidshow..... Do you feel that when marketing to schools and libraries that postcards or sales letters get better results? I not aksing about birthday parties and private events but rather educational programs. For years I've done sales letters and gotten a good response. However, I am considering postcards but would like some thoughts from others. Here are the pros and cons of each.... SALES LETTERS.... 1. You can assure they will open the letter if you hand address it. 2. You can make the letter as long or as short as you want. 3. You can paint a mental picture in the clients mind. CONS are as follows.... 1. 41 cents per stamp 2. you also have to pay for envelopes, ink, paper, etc. 3. takes time to fold anf stuff each envelope POSTCARDS... 1. you can put your picture and add color to both sides 2. cheap to print yourself or have professionally printed 3. only 26 cents per stamp CONS... 1. you cannot fit as much information on a postcard 2. no way to guarantee they will read it |
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
Your CON #2 under postcards is incorrect. I defy you to pick up a postcard and not turn it over to see what's on the other side. Better yet, spread a bunch of postcards out in an area where there are a lot of people and observe what they do upon picking up the postcard. They turn it over.
The trick is to keep the text clear, clean, short and simple. Send them to a Web site or a phone number to learn more. The photo should be one that will make them want to know more. On the other hand, once I see a sales letter in my mail box, I toss it unopened into the waste basket that's sitting right beneath the mail box. At least the postcard gets a second glance.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
What I meant under CON #2 was that they might glance at it and toss it. Of course this works both ways. You are right, people do turn a postcard over and read what is on the other side.
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
I think they work best when you use both of them. send a letter then send postcard,etc.
Ken |
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Cesar Munoz Veteran user 370 Posts |
Would it be possible to run a side by side test--to see which one is more effective?
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
When I was in the photography business I had several real estate clients who regularly sent out post cards. According to them, they got a better response from post cards than from letters.
By the way, I disagree with the difference in postage costs even being in the equation. If the method produces the results that you are looking for, it doesn't matter what the cost of postage is, we're only talking about pennies per piece. If you are hand addressing the envelopes, you are obviously will not be sending out huge quantities at one time. |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Hmmmm....interesting!
I've talked with some who say post cards are like throwing pennies into the air dollar bills falling down. Others say they are a complete waste of time! |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
My wife is a retired teacher and I always got along well with the administrators at the schools. Let me tell you, they do read the post cards and they do hire based on them. They usually had a little box like for recipies they kept them in and they went back to them when they needed a clown or petting zoo or magician. Now what I think would be cool, and I've not seen these, is a post card with a punch out business card on it so they can have that.
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
I'd go with post cards. My opinion is that they get to the point quickly versus letters which end up being longer than necesary. Letters soliciting products don't get read by me v. postcards (from realtors)I look at to see the price of the sold home and other quick details. Still, like Ken Scott has said already...it's probably not this or that but this and that which works best.
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I am going to see what post cards can do.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Todd75
You are talking about a picture post card aren't you?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
There are also lots of different types of sales letters (a whole variety of what you can put in an envelope). And again, some styles work better for some performers than others.
- Donald P.S. I personally have little to no experience with using postcards for lead generation, but it seems to work well for some people I know.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Al-
I am referring to a postcard with my picture on it as well as a brief bio of my programs. It is more of a way to get them to my website than anything! |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12942 Posts |
I send out 5,000 post cards in August. I don't think I would be able to send out 5,000 sales letters. When I receive a call they tell me they got the postcard.
I ALWAYS read postcards I receive. You can't help BUT read a postcard. Todd if I did as many shows as you do I wouldn't change a thing! In the case of middle or high school a sales letter MAY work with a post card. John |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Another thing you can do is a "split test." You have to do it in bigger numbers, to get a true accuracy.
Let's say your mailing list is 1000 schools. Split your list in two. At the exact same time, to the exact same market, send out 500+ postcards and 500+ letters offering the same show (message in your mailing has to be the same). Then track the results of how many phone calls inquiries AND also the amount of bookings, etc. Ask them what mail they got (or track it by writing down what you sent to what schools). Then you will know what seems to work better for you. For it to be tracked and evaluated fairly, you have to have the 4 "M"s. Right Market, Right Message, Right Moment, Right Medium. If you play with any of those, you skew your test results. - Donald P.S. I like the idea of alternating between letters and postcards. I think Ken mentioned it on this thread, and I've others talk about it, as well.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I've been doing sales letters for years but they are such a pain to do. Print, fold and stuff! Very time consuming!
I agree....you are always going to flip the postcard over and read it! I just dropped 500 in the mail on Saturday so we shall see what happens! |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
You know the drill.
Track total cost, effort to do the mailing, and response rate. If it works for you, keep at it. If not, re-evaluate and try something a little different. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12942 Posts |
Todd, When I purchase flyers from: http://www.nationalcolorcopy.com/default.asp they send them to me folded. I have someone stamp and label for 1 penny each. So for 1,500 letters (never done that I do postcards) it would be $30. Maybe a little extra to stuff.
John |
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justini New user Salisbury, MD 54 Posts |
For those of you doing this how are you compiling the list of who to send the postcard or letter to? Say I want to mail a postcard to every family in my town with children under the age of say 10? How do I get that list? Is it even available?
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Hi Justin -
In the first post, Todd explained his question was in regards to marketing school and library shows. Personally, when it comes to children's birthday shows, I market in a more passive way. However, if a person wants to be more active, and create a mailing list for the birthday market, there are other ways like draws, creating a fan club, etc. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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