5 Habits of Highly Effective Postcards

I love postcards. You've probably received one from me in the past year touting my special report, "Making Money as a Resume Subcontractor." Postcards have a number of advantages over other types of direct mail -- and they get attention!

The United States Postal Services' "Simple Formulas" series offers an excellent analysis of the advantages of postcards. Here's an excerpt:

1. They're simple.
A postcard has to get someone's attention while they're going through the mail. And a disorganized mass of information just isn't going to do it. Simple headlines work best. Don't write a book. Make believe that every word is costing you $1,000.

2. They're timely.
When asked what was the most effective mailer he ever created, a highly regarded copywriter pulled out a postcard. On that postcard, in big bold type it said, "Your warranty expires October 26." Do you have a timely message for your customers? Use it.

3. They're printed on both sides.
What are you supposed to do now that your warranty is expiring on October 26? The answer to that question is on the other side of the postcard.

Your postcard has two sides. Use them. But that doesn't mean fill every inch. You may want to use one side like a poster and the other for a few details. Or put an ad on one side and a personal message on the other. Just remember to keep it simple.

4. They're attractive.
In some ways, the design of a postcard has to work harder than the design of any other media. There are no envelopes to open or gimmicks to play with. Your postcard doesn't necessarily have to be a work of art, but it helps to make it attractive.

5. They're measurable.
A postcard can also be a coupon, a gift certificate, or a ticket to an event. Ask people to present the coupon to take advantage of an offer or promotion. Counting coupons helps you measure the effectiveness of your promotions. That way you can better understand what worked and what didn't.

Get more business-building tips at http://www.usps.com/directmail

You can order inexpensive, effective postcards using a service like VistaPrint:

50% Off All Postcards

Reactivate Your Clients

Need to drum up some business? Send out a postcard to your mailing list of existing clients … it's always generated me a half-dozen phone calls -- or more, depending on how long it's been since my last newsletter or postcard.

I've created a postcard template you can print and insert your contact information into, or open the PDF and modify it directly (don't ask me how to do this -- if you know, you know; if you don't, just print out the hard copy and paste in your information). Here's the template:
http://www.rwdigest.com/updatepostcard.pdf

Insert your contact information in the box provided (along with a special "reactivation offer" if you'd like) -- don't forget to include your return address on the right hand side of the postcard (see my sample for guidelines).

You can see how I've modified it (including making it a two-color postcard) at:
http://www.rwdigest.com/Bridgetupdatepostcard.pdf

You can also just use the FRONT side of the postcard, if you'd like, and create your own customized back side.

Photocopy it onto brightly-colored cardstock paper and cut to yield an 5-1/2 by 8-1/2 postcard (2 per page). These postcards require $.34 stamps ($.37 after June 30, 2002).

Or take it to your local quick printer and have it printed in color!

You can also use VistaPrint (50% Off All Postcards) to create custom printed postcards very inexpensively!