What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a postcard?
____ sandy beach image with a note – “Wish you were here”
____ elections Canada voting station notification
____ a Christmas card
____ do people really read these
My answer is the sandy beach image. However, with modern printing methods it is now very inexpensive to print postcards – and the best part is you can put a ton of information on a handy little card that you can use so many ways.
Of course you can mail them – thus the ‘post’ card name.
Have you thought of using them other ways as well:
- As a hand-out along with or instead of your business card. They are just that much bigger so you can include more information about what you do; about a special offer; about a contest.
- You can use them as mini-displays alongside a product at your location
- You can drop them in people’s mailboxes for that personal touch – you never know, you might actually get to talk to the resident of the home when you’re there – not that many of us have the time for that kind of personal marketing. (Maybe your teenage son or daughter needs a few extra dollars and can do this for you).
- They can be left on counters at willing locations for others to pick up – much more noticeable than a business card.
Would you like me to go on?
Be creative with post cards – eye-catching and general information at a glance works well. If you don’t plan on mailing them, the reverse side can be used to tell more specific information.
Here’s another tidbit – use them to promote a contest. Now you have the means to collect information from perspective customers as well . Make sure the card offers a location for people to fill in their name, address, phone and email address. For a promotion like this to work best, the postcard should include the postage for best results. But either way – people are only to eager to give you information if they think they might win something. Try it!
Postcards are also a great way to say “Thank You” to your customers, or send Holiday Greetings. Direct-selling your product or service isn’t always the best way to get sales. Just staying in front of your existing customers, especially to say “Thank You” goes a long way. We all know it is cheaper to keep an existing customer than to attain a new one. And more importantly those existing customers — if happy, are a great source of referrals.
So get creating your next postcard.