Why Direct Mail is an Essential Part of an Omnichannel Marketing Strategy

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8 Reasons Why You Need Direct Mail within Omnichannel Marketing

Why Direct Mail is an Essential Part of an Omnichannel Marketing Strategy

When deciding what marketing strategies your business is going to use, it can be hard to decide what channel you want to take. Do you want to advertise on social media? Send out emails with special sales? Send out postcards with coupons? The answer to all of these questions happens to be — YES! Research has shown that taking an omnichannel approach to marketing actually achieves the best results. According to MailChimp, omnichannel marketing refers to an organization’s presence across multiple channels. These channels can include websites, apps, social media, and email, in addition to offline channels, such as brick and mortar retail stores or company events. Another large offline channel is… you guessed it, direct mail!

With so many digital marketing channels available, you may not understand why direct mail is such a great marketing tool. Continue reading to discover 8 reasons why direct mail still works!

1. Direct Mail is Effective

In a survey of 1,000 consumers between 18 and 75+ years old, 66% indicated that they act on their direct mail in some way. This percentage goes even higher, up to 74%, when talking about consumers aged 18-39. 72% of another important demographic, parents aged 25-39, said print ads encourage them to make a purchase.

2. Direct Mail is Targeted

The average person sees almost 3000 untargeted marketing messages in a single day. Of these 3000, less than 10 are remembered. However, direct mail can be specifically targeted to an individual person. We can target things such as location, income-level, gender, interests, and a lot of other demographics. Because the message is more relevant to them, they are more likely to remember it. Additionally, 90% of direct mail gets opened and is kept in the household for 17 days on average. 

3. Direct Mail is Personal

36% of consumers feel that direct mail is more personalized and more relevant to them than other advertisements. 50% of consumers feel that direct mail usually includes a good deal on a product or service. Because direct mail is heavily targeted, we can know what sorts of things are important to the consumer and know how to best market towards them. Plus, with things like variable data printing, we can REALLY make it personal. 

4. Direct Mail is Memorable

From emails, to social media, to working remotely, many of us are switching between various forms of digital consumption all day every day. Because of this, digital fatigue is growing. 75% of consumers have digital fatigue, so advertising in a non-digital format is going to make a bigger impact. 22% of consumers aged 18-39 have stated that they like the physical process of receiving and opening mail. Touching something actually uses 21% less mental effort to process and remember a message. Direct mail combines less effort with a pleasurable experience and will leave the consumer with a favorable memory of your company.

5. Direct Mail is Trusted

While the internet is full of amazing information, it is also full of unreliable sources and people tend to not automatically trust advertisements that they see online. However, 90% of consumers aged 25-39 trust direct mail to be reliable and 61% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 75+ tend to have a positive view of direct mail. In fact, even among consumers who have a negative view of direct mail, 42% of them still acted on it. 

6. Direct Mail is Brand-Building

The more times that a consumer sees the same brand imaging, the more they are going to be familiar with it, and the more they are going to trust it. If by the time they see an Instagram ad from a company, they’ve already seen a billboard and a postcard from them, the more likely they are to remember the company and feel a bond with them. By this point, the brand is familiar to them. Direct mail allows consumers to hold on to an advertisement and take a second look at it. This is a unique feature that not many forms of advertising have. 85% of consumers aged 18-39 felt they get to know a brand better through a combination of digital and physical marketing.

7. Direct Mail is Economical

While email prospect lists tend to be more affordable than direct mail prospect lists, 90% of direct mail gets opened. Conversely, only 21% of emails are opened. It doesn’t matter how cheap your lists are if no one is reading your message. In 2021, the average ROI (Return on Investment) for letter-size envelopes mailed to a prospect list was 112%. Comparing this to the 93% ROI that emails got, it’s clear to see that direct mail is the smarter investment of advertising dollars for your business.

8. Direct Mail is Efficient

Direct mail is the key piece of an omnichannel marketing puzzle because it really ties everything together. 90% of people interested in the product or service advertised by direct mail will follow up by visiting the website or following a QR code placed on the piece of direct mail. Now that they’ve been to your website, your digital campaigns can start doing some of the work. Direct mail improves the response rate on other forms of marketing. For example, 60% of consumers aged 25-39 are more likely to purchase if they’ve seen an ad on both physical and digital media. If your direct mail can properly lead them to a digital marketing channel, now your consumer has already seen you in both forms and is way more likely to purchase something from you. 

careers

Direct mail is only one ingredient to a successful omnichannel marketing strategy, but it is an important one. If you haven’t integrated into your company’s marketing campaigns yet, what are you waiting for? We’d love to help you get started!

Contact us today to integrate direct mail into your omnichannel marketing strategy and increase the effectiveness of your advertising budget.

Call PrimeNet today at 1-800-826-2869 and ask for Scott or fill out our contact form here.


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Postage Rate Updates for 2023

Effective as of January 22, 2023.


The U.S. Postal Service has routinely raised their rates twice a year for a couple of years now. The next set of postage rate increases are set to go into effect January 22, 2023. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of prices that will effect your business most.

Click an image below to enlarge:

For information on postal services not listed on our postal charts, such as Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), please contact us or call 1-800-826­‐2869.

Learn more by viewing the announcement released by the U.S. Postal Service here.


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Postage Rate Updates for 2022

Effective as of July 10, 2022.


The U.S. Postal Service recently announced a slate of newly proposed Mailing Service price changes which has been approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). These new rates are scheduled to go into effect on July 10, 2022. The proposed price adjustments for First-Class Mail®, Standard Mail®, Periodicals and Package Services are consistent with the pricing requirements appearing in 39 U.S.C. § 3626 and do not implicate the pricing requirements appearing in 39 U.S.C. §§ 3627 and 3629. The PRC also concludes that the proposed classification changes for these classes are consistent with applicable law and regulations.

Click an image below to enlarge:

For information on postal services not listed on our postal charts, such as Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), please contact us or call 1-800-826­‐2869.

Learn more by viewing the announcement released by the U.S. Postal Service here.


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Paper? Yeah, we've got that. Direct mail paper shortage supply chain issues

How PrimeNet is Tackling Paper Shortages and Supply Chain Issues

Supply chain issues — this seems to be the new buzz word as of late, but what does it mean and how is it impacting businesses? According to Business Insider, supply-chain disruption started over a year ago as a result of rising consumer demand paired with the effects of COVID-19. Business closures, labor issues, and equipment shortages all led to a backlog of product. Once these products were all being produced again, a transportation bottleneck in the form of port backlogs also added to the crisis.

Because of these supply chain issues; many businesses have been experiencing stock issues and the direct mail and the printing industry is not immune to these troubles. 

How Can I Combat These Supply Chain Issues?

Unfortunately, many businesses have been hearing, “We are sorry, that product is on back order.” or, “We are out of stock.” Luckily, there are a few ways that you and your business can prepare for these challenges and keep things running smoothly.

out of stock, supply chain issues

Keep track of your inventory.

Even in the “before times” it has always been important to keep track of your inventory. Now so more than ever, keeping up to date with your supply stock is crucial. The only way to know that you are about to run out of supply is to keep your inventory tracked. You don’t want to be caught off guard and then realize it may be difficult to restock your product.

Purchase early and in bulk.

Don’t wait until you are almost out of stock (or worse, completely out) of an item before you decide to re-purchase. Supply chain issues combined with shipping challenges may lead to you being out of stock of a popular item for a long amount of time. Be prepared, and order what you need ahead of time. Purchasing in bulk can also help alleviate this. If you purchase more up front, you won’t need to order as often. Purchasing in bulk often leads to a bigger discount on the purchase price as well!

Be flexible and look into creative solutions.

While you might be accustomed to ordering the same products as usual, you may need to bend a little bit during these trying times. Is your vendor out of stock of the item you need to order? See if there is an alternative product that can work just as well. Having trouble finding your go-to envelope? Look for a similar sized envelope, or a mailer in a different color. Has your vendor run out of the paper that you usually use? There are generally alternative types of paper that you can use, whether it be a different size, weight, or color. Have shipping costs eaten away at your bottom line? Look to see if there are different ways to ship the product.

Find an alternate provider.

Unfortunately, your current provider may just not have the ability to do what you need them to do anymore. Here’s where PrimeNet Direct Marketing Solutions comes into play! Fortunately, since these supply chain issues have begun, we have still been able to provide excellent products and services for our customers. Let us help you as well!

PrimeNet Direct Mail Building

PrimeNet Can Help with All Your Printing and Direct Mail Needs

Whether you are looking for a commercial printer for supplies such as menus, flyers, brochures, business cards, etc. or direct mail items such as postcards, self-mailers, and letters—we can help! PrimeNet has been in business for over 60 years. We are big enough to get the job done, but small enough to care about getting it done right. And, we mail and drop ship NATIONWIDE. We have worked hard to combat supply chain issues and can help your business continue to run smoothly.

Give PrimeNet a call today at 1-800-826-2869 and ask for Scott or fill out our contact form here. We can’t wait to create your unique direct mail piece and start driving business your way!


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Stand Out Unique Direct Mail for Memorial Day St. Patrick's Day

Consider Eye-Catching Die Cut Mailers

PrimeNet is busy developing fresh direct marketing ideas, designing new attention-getting mail pieces, modernizing proven pieces from the past, rolling out new programs and finding the best way to keep costs under control for each of our clients. 

One of the most creative ways to grab attention with your direct mail pieces is by using a die cut.

What's a Die Cut Mailer?

Die cut mail pieces give you the ability to create eye-catching folds, shapes, and cut outs within your direct mail piece. This technique can help draw attention to your marketing materials and help build better brand recognition. 

People tend to get multiple pieces of mail in their mailbox every day. What better way to stand out than to have a uniquely shaped piece of mail? Check out some examples that we have below!

Shamrock Die Cut Mailer

The Shamrock die cut mailer ships out in a large full window envelope so that postage cost can be kept low, yet the mailer is clearly visible to your recipients. There’s plenty of space for your message, coupons, offers, and a call-to-action. There will be something of interest for each customer!

Shamrock St. Patrick's Day Direct Mail

The shape of this mailer clearly lends itself to events surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. However, with a little imagination, the shape can be used for any industry and any theme. For example, above we have a direct mail piece for a pest control service and a spring-themed piece for a car dealership.  We also show a beach-themed piece that is generic enough it can be suitable for a number of industries including healthcare, retail, HVAC, and food and beverage.

Flag Die Cut Mailer

patriotic american direct mail advertising

This 11″ x 8.5″ Die Cut Flag really stands out in the mailbox because of its unique flag shape. Printed on heavy stock, this double sided piece inserts into a 12″ x 9″ full window envelope. This flag die cut is perfect for summer holidays
like Memorial Day and 4th of July! It is also the perfect shape for a direct mail piece for political mail.

Don’t want to pay for postage? With a staple and a rubber band this piece could easily turn into a door hanger!

Die Cut Mailers with Pop-Out Panels

The pop mailer adds a fun element to your message while being budget-friendly on postage. It originally looks like a regular post card, but by pulling on a perforated pull tab, the consumer can see even more of your message! Interacting with your direct mail piece will certainly keep your brand in your customer’s mind.

Tent Die Cut Pop Self-Mailer

Die-Cut Pop Mailer House, Tent, Mailbox, etc

The tent die cut pop self-mailer can lend itself to multiple designs. Realtors, HVAC, Lawncare, and Home Repair Companies can create a design with a house. The shape also lends itself nicely to a tent sale design for auto dealers. With a little imagination, this design can work for any industry!

unique shaped mail, pop out design direct mail

Oval Die Cut Pop Self-Mailer

Die-Cut Pop Mailer Football, Ear, Pie, Turkey, Rainbow, etc
unique hearing aid direct mail

This self-mailer presents endless flexibility for your direct mail campaign. Utilize this fun oval pop out as a football during football season, an ear for hearing aid stores, or even a pie or turkey during the holidays. This uniquely shaped mailer is perfect to promote your message loud and clear. 

Get started on your die cut direct mail piece today!

With die cuts, the sky really is the limit. We have several pre-made die cuts for your use, but we can also work with you to create something completely unique for your brand! 

If anything you see here peaks your interest, give PrimeNet a call today at 1-800-826-2869 and ask for Scott or fill out our contact form here. We can’t wait to create your unique direct mail piece and start driving business your way!


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Valentine's Day Marketing and Direct Mail

Plan Now to Use Valentine’s Day to Attract New Customers and Increase Revenue

While Valentine’s Day isn’t until February, the time to plan your Valentine’s Day marketing is NOW. We are about to be in the middle of proposal season. According to the well-known wedding planning site, The Knot, 37% of engagements happen between November and early February. When you think of Valentine’s Day, what do you think about?  For some, love is in the air! But for others, eliminating the competition might be the theme… think the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.

For businesses advertising to attract new customers, Valentine’s Day can be a unique opportunity to let your lead-generating advertising dollars do both with direct mail. At PrimeNet, we can customize our direct mail marketing postcards for a wide variety of industries, including yours. 

Could your business benefit from using direct mail to attract new customers by sending advertising postcards to targeted consumers asking if they are “in love with” their [insert your product or service here]?

Valentine's Day Mail Marketing

PrimeNet can help a business in almost any service industry PROPOSE to ELIMINATE THE COMPETITION with a Valentine’s Day direct mailing. We want your business to feel the love for your marketing plan with PrimeNet.

We can even use our targeted mailing lists to get your message to the perfect audience. Check out this small sampling of examples that we can create a direct mail marketing campaign for!

Those in the Financial Planning Industry can promote Retirement Plans to People in a Specific Age Range.

Members of the Remodeling Industry can advertise a New Kitchen Remodel to Homeowners with a House Over a Certain Age.

In the Home Services Industry, we can market Pest Control Services to Homeowners with a Specific Income.

…and many more!

Contact us today to get started generating leads for your business and attracting new customers so that you can increase your business’s revenue!

Call PrimeNet today at 1-800-826-2869 and ask for Scott or fill out our contact form here.


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Direct Mail for Tutoring and Education Services

Are You Ready for Back to School Season? Direct Mail for Tutoring and Education Services

It’s official, the kids are back in school! While parents may be rejoicing, they may also be realizing that the less-than-conventional education that most students received last year may leave them falling behind. That’s where YOU come in.

Many students may be in need of additional tutoring sessions, study programs, and extra educational help this year. But, how do you make sure that these students and their parents are choosing you for these services over your competition? Well… that’s where WE come in.

Why Direct Mail?

There is a very simple reason why direct mail marketing campaigns still thrive in this digital age: they work!

Think about how many ads you will see on television or hear on the radio– or see on billboards throughout the day. It’s so many. It’s enough that consumers have learned how to tune them out.

A simple reason people might ignore this kind of advertising so easily is because it’s not tangible. Direct mail, on the other hand, so very tangible – you hold it! It gives you a sale, promotion or coupon that you can grasp right in your hand. That’s quite a bit harder to ignore.

Check out some examples of what your next educational direct mail campaign may look like:

Why PrimeNet?

PrimeNet Direct Marketing Solutions is a full-service direct marketing company. We have been in business since 1962… that’s over 50+ years of direct mail experience!

Personalized Experience
When you work with PrimeNet, you will have your own personal account manager that will focus on your business and help you get the results you are looking for.

Targeted List Strategies
We also offer list services. This means that WE can do the work of figuring out who to mail your marketing campaigns to. Based on your specific products and/or services we can target your ideal prospects. For example, we can be sure to send your tutoring advertisement to parents of age-appropriate children, in a specific income bracket, within a radius of your educational institute. Learn more about our list services here.

Creative Services
Don’t have an artist on your team? No problem! PrimeNet offers creative services AT NO ADDITIONAL COST for your marketing needs. Our creative designers are in-house and have extensive experience in the direct marketing industry. They will work with you to make your educational piece attract new clients to your business. Check out some of our samples!

Need additional printed materials?

PrimeNet Direct Marketing Solutions is more than just direct mail! We can help you with any print needs that you may have. Whether it’s postcards, letters, flyers, posters, pamphlets, or brochures — we’ve got you covered.

Using a high quality printing company like PrimeNet can make the difference between appearing as a professional or an amateur.

For more advice on how to make sure you are choosing the best printing provider for your business, check out this blog post.

Are you ready to start a lead-generating marketing campaign for your educational service?

To start your next direct mail campaign, contact PrimeNet today! With a combination of attractive art and a top-notch mailing list, you’ll be sure to attract customers in no time!

Call PrimeNet today at 1-800-826-2869 or fill out our contact form here.


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Summer Business Promo Ideas: HVAC, Pool Services, Landscaping and Pest Control

It’s officially summer time and that means it is getting hot in here! But that’s okay – we’ve got some marketing tips to help you keep your cool regarding your business this summer season. Whether your business offers HVAC, pool, landscaping, or pest control services, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure that you have a profitable summer advertising plan in place. Companies in the heating and cooling, pool service, landscaping, and pest control industries are often small business. Unfortunately, small business tends to come with a smaller marketing budget. But that’s okay! Below are 6 tips to maximize your advertising budget and increase sales during this time.

1. Choose a Strong Offer

In order to incentivize a potential customer to use your HVAC, landscaping, pest control, or pool service company, you have to offer them something special! The easiest way to do this is by offering them a special offer via running a promotional price or giving them coupons off of specific services. Make sure that your call-to-action is the highlight of your message. What do you want your customer to do? What is your goal of sending this message out? If you want to get more tune-up appointments, offer a tune-up special. If you want more people to sign up for your pest control maintenance plan, offer a one-year special pricing plan.

HVAC-Direct-Mail-Postcard
An eye-catching HVAC marketing design with two offers on it will attract customers.

2. Stand Out From the Crowd

Make your design unique from the competition. Create a stunning, eye-catching design that will make the reader pause a moment and take in your message. It’s also important to use the proper images, fonts, and call-to-action.
For more tips on creating great marketing material, check out our other blogs, Six Things That Should NOT be on Your Direct Mail Postcard and Don’t Lose Your Message in a “Pretty” Design.

Pest Control Direct Mail Lawn Service Postcards
Use eye-catching graphics to grab your customers’ attention.

Another way you can stand out is by having a design that is different than just a typical postcard offer. Direct mail comes in all shapes and sizes! For example, PrimeNet offers postcards, letters, self-mailers, checkbooks, uniquely shaped die-cut designs, magnet add-ons, laminated postcards, and sticky notes. To see a variety of examples we have to offer, click here.

Die-Cut Pop Mailer House, Tent, Mailbox, etc
Stand out from your competition with a unique pop-out style postcard.

3. Utilize Multichannel Marketing

If your budget allows, advertising your small business with more than one channel is a great way to better target your audience. The more brand exposure you have, the more you’ll be recognized as a credible business. Look into direct mail marketing campaigns, radio ads, tv commercials and social media campaigns. Receiving a postcard in the mail from your company and then later seeing your post on their social media feed will help cement your business in your customers’ minds. Social media also allows you to grow your audience because if someone interacts with your post, their social network may also see it. Try keeping social media designs simple and trendy. Be careful of not being too text-heavy. Using a funny graphic is a great way to encourage people to interact with your post.

Pest Control Spring Marketing Blog Image
A message that makes your customer laugh will help them remember your business.

4. Use a Customer Referral Program

One of the number one ways of attracting new customers is by word of mouth. Offer incentives to your current customers to refer their family, friends, and social network. You could offer them money off of their service if a new customer mentions their name or enter them in a contest when they allow you to put a promotional sign in their yard. You can also host a giveaway on your social media page and encourage your customers to share it on their pages.

pool marketing tip yard sign
A yard sign that a whole neighborhood will see every day is a great promotional tool.

5. Offer a Subscription Discount

Getting a customer to call you once is great, but the real value is in having a REPEAT customer. Create a customer who is loyal to your business. For example, an HVAC company can offer a one time tune up special or can offer a bigger discount if a customer signs up for a one year contract. This will also ensure that if the customer has any emergency needs, that they call YOUR business over someone else. It’s great if a pest control company can get a customer to book an extermination, but it’s better if they can sign them up for a yearly plan to come out multiple times a year for preventative services.

6. Repetition is Key

We recommend targeting your prospective audience at least 3 times. Seeing your marketing message multiple times will build your credibility and show that you are a trustworthy, stable business. It will also simply familiarize your audience with your brand and make it more likely that they will call you when they need you. If your pool pump goes out, you are much more likely to call the company that you’ve seen a few times than a company that you’ve never heard of. Often, the day that a potential customer receives your first marketing message isn’t going to be the time that they need your services. Oftentimes in the HVAC, landscaping, pool, and pest control industries, customers are only calling when they are having an issue that needs to be fixed. You can’t always predict when that will be. Getting your prospective clients familiar with your small business NOW, means that they will call you when they need you in the future.

Are you ready to start your lead-generating marketing campaign for this summer?

To start your next direct mail campaign, contact PrimeNet today! With a combination of attractive art and a top-notch mailing list, you’ll be sure to attract customers in no time!

Call PrimeNet today at 1-800-826-2869 or fill out our contact form here.


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In Memory of Mark Keefe

mkeefe


July 18, 1959 - March 15, 2018

Friend, mentor and leader whose legacy will be remembered. Time will never erase the work you have accomplished here or the positive impact you have had on our lives.

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