Online ads just can’t compare to the tangible feeling of an eye-catching postcard in your hand. Postcard marketing connects to consumers more personally to the brand. Postcards can be distributed to businesses anywhere and mailed to the homes of potential leads or loyal customers. Boost your business with postcards in the following ways:

Deliver a short personal message

The personal nature of your message will evoke a positive response from the potential clients you’re targeting. Droves of bulk mail typically ends up in the trash, but a visually appealing postcard with a personal message attracts interest. Also, because postcards don’t require envelopes, they’re likely to be read. Your message is delivered simply and directly to your target audience.

Provide easy & cost-effective advertising

Postcards are inexpensive to mail and cost less than letters. Easily create original, expressive art that represents your brand and speaks to the heart of your loyal customers or potential leads. For as little as 30 cents per card, you may just land another customer.

Maximize your valuable time by mailing postcards directly from your printing company. Using an outside vendor, you eliminate wasting resources on this marketing strategy. Procure materials from an overnight service, such as Overnight Prints postcards, and you can send marketing messages promptly. Most print warehouses will take care of the postage and mail drop — what could be easier?

Drive traffic to your ecommerce site

Not only can postcards personally resonate with consumers, they serve as an effective tool for increasing the traffic of your online site. Use incentives. Invite people to visit your website to receive a special gift, check out a blog, sign up for a contest, or participate in a webinar.

While determining monthly postcard campaigns, create a theme directed at your demographic’s top interests. Keep your client base piqued with interest by featuring your latest offerings. Two-thirds of recipients age 18 to 34 prefer to receive product information by mail rather than online, an ICOM information and communications survey informs. Direct marketing isn’t dead. Successful business to consumer outreach is markedly enhanced by mailing postcards.

Create consumer relations

Use postcards to build and maintain relationship with your client base.

Mail a postcard to:

• Wish a happy birthday and offer a special birthday discount
• Thank a customer and invite them back
• Send a holiday greeting
• Remind a customer about a checkup or renewal
• Offer coupons or discounts
• Promote a campaign sweepstakes or giveaway

Track marketing progress

Postcards provide opportunities to effectively track marketing initiatives. Include a call to action in your message or feature a QR code that directs a recipient to your website. Learn what demographics are most responsive to certain types of messages. Using data, continue to improve your postcard marketing strategies as one of the most malleable solutions for growing your business.

Does your business use postcard marketing? Share your tips in the comments.

Guest post by John Montgomery. John researches business and technology trends from his home in the desert. On weekends he writes, gardens, and takes care of his small, green hobby farm.