Get Creative with Direct Mail Campaigns

The ‘Bank’ List 

You should always keep a Bank List (house list) to be successful with direct mail. A Bank List has names and addresses of prospects and customers that have come through your lead generation activities somewhat like attending networking events but this list is compiled of everyday interactions. This list is just as hot as your Benjamins List but it is ever evolving because of your marketing efforts.

Neighborhood Radius Mailers

A neighborhood radius mailer refers to mailing campaigns that targeted to the neighborhood around where your business is based For example, if you are a dentist, you may want to launch a mailing campaign from compiled clients within a specific radius to your doctor’s office. Or maybe you have quite a few school age clients that go to the same school, you may want to see about adding a mailer to their school’s weekly newsletter telling parents about your products and services and add a coupon so that they would be more incline to try your office over others in the area. Neighborhood Radius Mailer Marketing is a great place to start if you are a new business or if you may be launching a new product or service within an existing business.

The Digital Direct Mail Campaign 

There are so many ways to utilize the power of mobile and web marketing to spread the word about your business. Personalized URLs (PURLs), QR codes, micro sites, and social media, are all popular ways to extend traditional direct mail campaign’s reach. Including a QR code on a postcard mailer will take a “flat experience” to an interactive experience which takes the recipient to a website on their smartphone or tablet that might include a customized special, instructional video, coupon, or an interactive social media page.

Make sure that whatever direct mail campaign you launch, it should be professional looking and an eye-catching design. You may even go as far as set up a design layout plan that best suits how you will engage your potential clients. What I mean by this is that you may start off sending out a postcard that is bright, straight to the point, and offers the quickest way for a potential client to engage with you. Postcards are small in size and does not require opening an envelope. Do you know that billions of mailings go unopened so you don’t want to be amongst the junk mail that most of us gets. Opt to use humor in your marketing (if appropriate) or a catch phrase that can be branded through your overall marketing campaigns.

If you are looking for an easy way to create professional looking direct mail campaigns, try Send Out Cards. Send a free card Today! 

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Compose Direct Mail Campaign ‘Money Lists’

A couple of weeks ago week discussed how a well planned direct mail campaign could launch or re-launch a business successfully. But how do you make sure all your plans go off without a hitch? What do you need in order for all your efforts to make sense? You know the phrase, “the money is in the list?” Well if you have a well composed list of potential clients (or many lists), you can very well guarantee a successful direct mail campaign.

Direct mail campaigns should be well thought out and strategically mapped for one result: efforts equal revenue. If you do not pre-plan your target market list(s), you’ll have bad lists and you will not make money. Compile your target market lists into these types of lists: The Benjamins List (Hot), The Ten Spot List (Warm), and The Much Coinage List (Cold).

The ‘Benjamins’ List

A Benjamins List consists of people who have made purchases from your business and/or have been long standing clients. You could make a second list from this one that complies referrals from your clients. Asking for referrals should be second nature to your business marketing. Utilizing the “happy customer” as your loyal marketer is a no-brainer. Some marketing stats say that everyone knows at least 250 people. Of these people 10-20% will be prospects for your business.

The ‘Ten Spot’ List

A Ten Spot List consists of people who have heard of your products and services directly from you either at a network marketing, seminar, or they may have experienced your products and services in some way, shape, or form. If you are at an event, get a mailing list or create one to capture potential clients that have heard or experienced your products and services. The best way to collect these contacts is by offering a contest giveaway where they leave their business card or fill out a form with the information you’d like to collect. Maybe you attended a conference or spoke at one, you could get a mailing list from the event coordinator to mail your information to those potential clients. However you acquire your list, make sure you do not wait too long to mail out your direct mail campaign. Remember you want to stay ‘top of mind’.

The ‘Much Coinage’ List

A Much Coinage List is any list of potential clients that has people who are more than a year old contacts. You could also create a list of people whom you know little or nothing about that may be interested in your products and services. Some may use contacts from a phone book but may I suggest utilizing niche resources for example if you are a cupcake business, you may want to go to an online wedding directory to scope out potential brides who may be interested in your products for their upcoming wedding.

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Black Tea. The Eliminator.

The healthy benefits of black tea come from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant just like green, oolong, and white tea varieties, but black tea generally has more flavor and caffeine than the others. Since black tea can keep its flavor for several years, it has long been an article of trade. It has been known throughout history that bricks of black tea were used as a form of currency in parts of Asia well into the 19th century. Over 90% of all tea sold in the West is black tea. Currently India, China, and Sri Lanka are the world's largest producers of black tea.

Immune System Booster

In order to fight off bacteria and viruses that cause illness in the body you must have a strong immune system. Black tea contains tannins, a ‘catechin’, which has the strength to fight viruses such as influenza, dysentery, hepatitis, colds and flu because it suppresses tumors. Also there is alkylamine antigens in black tea that also speeds up the immune systems response to ward off diseases. It does help to drink at least 3 to 4 cups of black tea each day to help lower inflammation and eliminate deadly pathogens.

Cancers Prevention

Studies have shown that black tea works in protecting against abdomen, prostate and also breasts most cancers. Black tea contains an ingredient, TF-2, which often is responsible for causing apoptosis, which is programmed passing away of most cancers cells, as the normal tissue continues to be unaffected. Furthermore, black tea can also substantially reduce the threat of oral cancer for those who smoke cigarettes or other various tobacco products. Black tea additionally helps prevent most cancers by curbing this creation and growth of malignant tumors. The antioxidants, polyphenols, found in black tea assist in protecting against this creation of probable cancer causing carcinogens in the body, resulting in elimination of a number of types of cancer such as ovarian, lung, prostate, colorectal and also bladder cancers.

Consider Organo Gold’s Black Ice beverage provides a cool blast of refreshing black tea. Organo Gold’s Black Ice contains no artificial sweeteners, just pure, natural honey. With the addition of Ganoderma and Amazonian guarana, you’ll be ready to seize the day and conquer anything that comes your way!

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Reddish (Rooibos) Tea. The Protector.

Local to the Western Cape of Southern Africa, Red Tea - rooibos is a shrub type plant with very long, needle-shaped foliage that turn reddish after fermentation. When you push through the countryside to the north of Cape Village, you observe rooibos just about everywhere. Rooibos is a traditional drink of the Khoi people of the Cape. Red tea, rooibos tea, has become well-known lately on account of higher antioxidant reports. This tea is refreshing and because it has no caffeine it does not trigger jitters.

Caffeine Free

Rooibos plants are naturally caffeine free so that means that they are not chemically processed to be decaffeinated. So anyone can drink the tea and it can be consumed in unrestricted amounts. For example, the Khoi people drink at least 5-6 cups of rooibos tea per day. Because of its huge quantities of antioxidant properties like aspalathin and nothofagin, Rooibos tea can protect the body by fighting off free radicals and provide anti-inflammatory guards to disease.

Stops A Number of Cancer Types

Many reports have shown a link between the usage of rooibos tea and the reduction of cancer-causing substances. The reason being of the active principle antioxidants that contain antimutagenic attributes meaning that they defend tissue & DNA deterioration and also hinder them from developing into most cancers.

Consider Organic Red Tea. Organo Gold's Organic Red Tea combines organic red tea leaves with the Ganoderma you love and Cordyceps militaris, another incredible ingredient that has a well-respected history in China. This is the perfect tea to maintain balance and clarity in the body.

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Drink Tea for a Cure

Tea is probably the the most appreciated and consumed refreshment on the planet. Besides being a delectable, affordable drink which includes no calorie consumption, tea contains many therapeutic advantages. As more research is done, tea shows important antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and also anti-cavity attributes that boost the immune system preventing and reversing chronic diseases.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, let’s focus on the benefits of tea in regards to cancer. A lot of research shows benefits of tea in protecting against most cancers as well as prostate, pancreatic, breasts, colorectal, esophageal, bladder, lung, and also abdomen. The particular catechins presented in tea reduced mobile or portable mutations, deactivating a number of cancer causing carcinogens, and also reducing the creation and also increase of cancers. Consuming possibly a number of cups a day can be important to reap this anti-cancer advantages.

This week we will explore the benefits of: 

• Green Tea 
• Red (Rooibos) Tea 
• Black Tea 

 Green Tea. The Preventer. 

Physicians have speculated for years about the health advantages of drinking green tea extract. Health reports on green tea extract are promising and today health professionals have identified that green tea extract may avoid the spread of breast and prostate cancer.

Chemicals in green tea extract named polyphenols seem to prevent two proteins that promote tumor cell growth and migration — particularly, this vascular endothelial increase factor (VEGF) as well as the hepatocyte increase factor (HGF).

Green tea consists of L-theanines, an amino acid in which soothes by creating alpha human brain waves. Furthermore, influencing the release of dopamine. The largest quantities of theanines are only in Japanese green teas as opposed to the American version, which often consists of a lesser amount of.

Consider Organic Green Tea from Organo Gold. The exceptionally soothing and flavorful character of Green Tea combined with the healthy benefits of Organic Ganoderma* provides a drink rich with antioxidants.

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Direct Mail Launch Campaign. Create Lists.

Marketing and advertising your own business may be most difficult to figure out especially when you are unsure as how to strategize your efforts. What you have to understand about strategically marketing and advertising your business is that all it should do is help you get the word out about your brand’s products and services. Of course some do this better than others but let’s try to keep it basic so that it is easier to point out what works and what doesn’t work.

The most basic way to market your business is to use direct mailers. Direct mailers are the most efficient and cost-effective tool you can use when you are launching or re-launching a business. And when you’ve achieved success with this tool, all you do is “rinse and repeat” your efforts.

Your marketing efforts as a business is to start, continue, and sustain relationships with your clients and potential customers. Direct mailers help your business pinpoint who your target audience is as well as help your business find additional targeted audiences Here are some tips to composing a direct mail campaign:

1. Direct Mail Tips: Decide on what results you want to achieve
   
   like raising brand awareness or introduce new products/services 
2. What’s your medium? Post cards, cards, brochures, letters, or flyers can be considered or used strategically throughout a direct mail campaign. 
3. Tailor a catchy phrase or message. 
4. Add an offer to give incentive for acting quickly on the offer. Include your website, social media addresses, and/or QR codes to drive traffic online. 
5. Create multiple lists of your hot, warm, and cold markets. 

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What Makes You Stand Out From The Competition

The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind. If trained well, it can create enormous wealth. ~Robert Kiyosaki 

Video 3

Now that you know your WHY, what’s so unique about you that causes you to create a business that gives a unique experience to customers and potential clients? Honestly there is a business inside us all but in order to bring that business idea from invisible form to visual form, we must be strong in our thinking. We must not only feel confident but know we are capable of bringing these ideas to life. As an entrepreneur, small business owner, or simply business owner, you must rise above fear. You must ask those hard questions about how you see your role in this world, your community, and in your immediate family/friends. How do you harness that perspective and fuse it into your business, so that it lives, speaks, and demonstrates it in every action your business takes.

It’s Your Passion. Now Make It Your Business. 

Les Brown asks many questions in the video but one stands out. He asked do you give before you ask? Are you giving value to your customers or potential clients before you ask for the sale or ask them for the opportunity to do business with you? I encourage you to launch or re-launch a business idea that was harnesses from your passion. The world is waiting on that “something special” product and service that only you can create. Make it happen no matter what the obstacles in your mind may think...You have something special and that is YOU! 

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Slow Your Thoughts Then Launch

So now that your passion has been lit or reignited, how do you define your business mindset? Are you the careful type that has to write everything down, read all the books you can find on the topic, and weigh your options before you act? Or are you the take action type that leaps at every opportunity that presents itself and cuts their losses if the idea didn’t pan out the way you had thought? Maybe you are the brimming in wisdom type that seeks out opportunities that resonate with your passion and go with those opportunities that seem to be the best fit?

How Do You See Yourself?

Whether you are the careful type, action type, or wisdom type, you have to be in think-mode about how your business is going to exist. When you break down the word “Business”, it can read as Busy-ness, having a great deal to do with diligence and a sense of persistence. When we are launching a new business or relaunching one, we have to consider our thoughts.

“Thoughts Become Things.” -Unknown 

Here are a few videos from Les Brown that breaks down the discovery of the entrepreneurial mindset. Before we can launch we must consider how we think about ourselves and what we think about the products and services we are getting ready to give to the world.

Start With Your Dreams and get busy

Video 1

Tell Your Story 

Video 2

Those who have never considered owning and operating a business would probably find inventing, designing, building, growing, and maintaining a thriving company overwhelming and exhausting. What is so unique about an entrepreneurial mindset? I have to say it has to do with perspective. No matter how long you've been in business, it's important that you take on the perspective that you're starting it anew today. Overall, your business is a product of how you, the designer of it, thinks about what it sells, what it does, how it does it, and how you help it grow. So, you must know exactly what you want, where you are going and how you plan to get there. 

 Check your mindset Before Launching

Here’s an assessment by Success Magazine to help you understand how you see yourself in business. 

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Ignite Your Business Rocket with Passion

For some the title “entrepreneur” can be a tagline and not necessarily the true essence of what the person is or doing with their business. So what is the definition of entrepreneur? An entrepreneur can be defined as someone who starts a business or businesses and is willing to risk loss to make money. Hmmm? The word entrepreneur sounds so destructive and not on purpose. How about the definition of small business owner? A small business owner is someone who thinks within a limited capacity and are more concerned with minimizing risk and mistakes. Hmm? That seems frightening and dull! What is the difference? I believe the difference is in mindset. However you visualize yourself to be, entrepreneur or small business owner, it is how you see yourself owning and operating in that role.

 "If you can dream it, you can do it." -Walt Disney 

To be a business owner means to encompass both of what is described of being an entrepreneur and a small business owner: a risk taker and risk minimizer. You have to enjoy the creative process of imagining a better way to do business or help your fellow man, be resilient with making mistakes, and strategic enough to take those mistakes and design a plan for that business to prosper and thrive financially. I found a few inspiring videos by Les Brown that really cut to the chase of what it takes to have or develop a mindset for business. Here he describes the #1 ingredient to light and reignite your business mindset: PASSION!

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5 Online Tools to Help Boost a pre-Launch

The whole reason to pre-launch your new business or promote a re-launch of a business is to muster up excitement and eventually turn that excitement into sustainable revenue. A successfully thought out pre-launch will have a positive effect on any business model so tapping into tried and proven pre-launching marketing strategies will ultimately maximize your business exposure to the right prospects as well as set up a targeted customer base having large growth potential. Along side the 7 ways to pre-launch a buzz-worthy business, here are 5 online tools to help boost your pre-launch!

LaunchRock
This online platform allows businesses and individuals to create “launching soon” pages equipped with promotional functions like branding, crowd-funding, website design, app design and advertising that will help them gain anticipation for new or retooled products and services.

HARO
A secret in the PR business, HARO helps connect you to reporters who are seeking sources for articles they are writing.

PRLog
Distribute a press release on PRLog.com to gain exposure and get the word out about your business.

Headliner
Use a powerful tool like headliner to broadcast your message via social media to showcase who you are and boost your brand.

Indiegogo
Indiegogo helps your business gain exposure through campaigns that can be designed to raise money for a new business, idea, products, and/or services.

As you can see there is a lot of information and strategies out there to help you position a successful pre-launch. Take the time to draft out how you’ll pre-launch your business giving thought to what types of return on your time you’d like to receive. After all, you never get a chance to correct a bad first impression! Make the first impression of your business a positive, long lasting, buzz-worthy event.

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3 More Ways to Pre-Launch a "Coming Soon" Business Launch or Re-Launch

It’s so important to have solid plans for promoting the launch or re-launch of your business because you want to be able to make a long and sustaining impact on all the efforts you put forth. We live in a digital world that craves information so why not utilize that concept to market your business! Here are 3 more ways to pre-launch your business for buzz-worthy results. 

Shift from Lecture Mode to Monologue Mode - Engage prospects with conversation by answering comments and questions as they come in to your website/blog and create marketing that “speaks to” rather than “preaches to” potential clients and customers.

Partner Up - Find joint venture partners who already have compiled a list of people who would be interested in your product or service. A compiled list of people interested in a related market to yours and see if they would be interested in promoting your product. They would send an email to the people on their list that directed them to your pre-launch content. Then you track the sales you made to those visitors using sales tracking software, and you pay your joint venture partner a commission on those sales.

Give Prospects A Reason To Act - It’s important to have some type of deadline—you need to give people a reason to act. There’s always a launch special (special offer or special pricing) that goes away at the end of the launch. In general, the special launch offer is available for five to seven days, and it’s not unusual to see half the sales come in during the last 24 hours or so.

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A Buzz-Worthy Business Pre-Launch

You are a business type: Mogul, Entrepreneur, Serial Start-Up Artist, etc. in the midst of letting the world know about your products and services but how do you create a “buzz-worthy” business launch that will turn into repeat customers and valid sales. This month we are going to focus on some strategies and concepts to launch a new and upcoming business as well as provide some tips to re-launch a business that may be stagnant.

3-2-1 Get Ready to Pre-Launch

As new business owners it can be quite overwhelming to know that you not only have to focus on the legality side of a business but also the marketing side to really make your business venture a solid one. That can be quite hard if you are of the creative mind behind a product but have no knowledge of accounting or building a business plan. This week we would like to share some business tips on how to pre-launch a new and current business through some marketing tactics. We are going to assume that you have all your financial and legal preparations handled and just zero in on ways to grow anticipation for your products and services!

4 Ways to Pre-Launch

Tell A Friend - Before you make the big announcement that you are launching or re-launching your business, there is a cost-effective way to let others know before spending a whole lot of money and that is to let those in your immediate network know! Give a little heads up within your network that something huge is on it’s way and you wanted them to be the first to know. Go to your social networks, email contact list, and address book to get started and encourage them to tell their friends. This is a great opportunity to make sure you have everyones current information and build anticipation for your upcoming launch.

Create Anticipation - Publish pre-launch content around your products and services before you release them. Content like a blog, video giving hints or tips about what these products/services can do, or audio of some testimonials. Alert the press about your business launch by sending out paper press releases to local news stations or you can also send electronic press releases. Any media coverage about your launch can be advantageous.

Have A Launch Party or Online Launch Event - A launch party or event can draw potential new customers and increase public exposure for your businesss brand name. At the party or event, you may provide attendants with food and entertainment – creating a relaxed environment where you can introduce your product/service and create buzz. You can also take pictures of your launch party and post them on social media sites to get more attention.

10 Day Pre-Launch Countdown - In a 10 day period, create a “drip campaign” that not only informs your audience that something is coming but that this product and/or service is going to enhance their lives in some way so they need to be ready to receive it! Give prospects the opportunity to be transformed by your products and services by showing them how it can impact their lives now and future wise. Teach them about the products and services benefits and create an ownership experience giving your prospects a feel for what it would be like to own your products finishing your marketing with a special offer for your prospects to buy into.

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