my direct mail - please check! - Virtual Assistant Forums

Lia-VSS · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

Hey

Any chance if you can look at the attachment and read my direct mail that I aim to send out to businesses (I shall be doing this next tuesday... apparently, tuesday's are the best week to be sending out direct mail/newsletters...!)

Just a few notes:

* The Read More boxes are actually linked to pages on my website

* The funny characters (again!!) - I have looked at it and I can edit the text in my e-mail editor, so I can delete the characters

I hope you all like it

Any questions/comments, go ahead!

ChristinaVOS · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

I assume you are sending by email.

It looks good to me. Very nice idea. I'd like to actually see it in the email format. it looks like it might be a bit long and alot of people don't like to scroll when they see an advertisement email. you can send to me if you'd like. PM me and I'll give you my email address.

Office Goddess · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

Looks good, Julia! Carry on...

Lia-VSS · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

thank you!! anyone who would like to see it please message me and I will send a e-mail to you

Tess · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

Julia, looks really good

Great job!

You could try shortening it up, or at least the appearance of length, by making your buttons a tiny bit smaller and moving them up in line with your last line of text in each section - right justified.

One quick thing I noticed - you'll want to say 'We are efficient workers who...'

vainparadise · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

Looks fantastic, I like it a lot!

virtual writing · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

I really like it ... and it's timely, as I'm about to snail mail something similar. Thanks!
Mary
www.asthemoonclimbs.com

winslowgirl · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

Wow..I loved it!

beyondwallva · #9 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007

That was a great idea.

Lia-VSS · #10 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007

wow!! thanks for the great responses!! Looks like it's basically done!

Tess, I have amended the text

christina - as per your e-mail - I can't widen the template

sorry!

thanks again!

equipbiz · #11 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007

Julia I would love a copy of this as I am interested in doing it myself - I am based in Ireland. Could you email me as I can't PM yet as I'm a relatively new member. Thanks!

Lia-VSS · #12 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007

Hi equipbiz - I have emailed you a copy of our direct e-mail

any questions please do not hesitate to ask me.

Agnes · #13 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007

Very nice Julia!

Lia-VSS · #14 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007

thank you - I shall be sending this today (luckly internet is working today, woohoo!!) - wish me luck!

equipbiz · #15 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007

Office Butterfly thanks for sending me a copy of your direct mail, much appreciated.

I have given the whole ‘e-campaign’ area some serious thought over the last few days as I pondered on whether or not it was something I would consider for my company. My conclusion is that I myself would prefer not to use this method as a marketing strategy. I thought it might be useful – to you and others – to put down my thoughts in a post as 'food for thought' for others who might be considering something similar. I don't want to put a dampner on your campaign - far from it - but I thought another perspective on it might be worth a look.

Direct mail campaigns – usually ‘snail mail’ are one of the first marketing strategies most new businesses think of. And those in business a while often consider it as a new way to attract business contacts. As anyone here (who has tried direct mail campaign by post) will know, they are not always the most efficient or cost effective means of advertising, especially when you are new in business.

The objective of a direct mail campaign is to get hundreds of people’s attention for a few minutes to advertise your business or service – right? How many of your postcards, brochures, etc. end up in the bin? The response rate is approximately a 1% return. It may be a little higher perhaps if you follow up directly by phone afterward – assuming that’s an option of course.

With direct mail campaigns you are a complete stranger and there is no trust between you. Also it is often an intrusion and can be seen as very impersonal. There are also Data Protection Act compliance issues (for example you must not mail or call anyone who has opted out of being contacted under the Mail Preference Service or Telephone Preference Service).

With an email campaign I would worry about the whole area of “spam” and certainly in Ireland and the UK there have been prosecutions against those sending unsolicited mail. The area of law that covers this is a fairly grey area but it is one that legislation is changing on all the time. Obviously there are *some* ways around it – like opt-in etc. Spam is something that can anger a lot of people too so I would worry that it ‘may’ mean your first impression is not the one you might like it to be. In addition, it has to be said that a half decent spam programme will ensure your email goes straight to the “Junk Mail” box and is never seen so that is another potential pitfall that I can think of.

My own view is that networking at events or through other mediums – for example your local Chamber of Commerce perhaps - is much more effective. You can verbalise in person what it is you are doing and how you can help their businesses. My own opinion is that direct mail campaigns (by post or email) pale in comparison. Personal networking and recommendations from current or past clients have been by far the best methods of generating business, at least in my own experience. I think nothing wins the business like the personal touch.

If you do go ahead with the campaign, the only advice I would give you is to get the most up to date contact lists possible and send mail-outs that are well targeted and sent only to a strong client list. And definitely use an opt-in/out somewhere in it for self-protection. Good luck with it!