Magnetic Marketing from Magnets USA

Advantages of Using a Direct Mailing Service for Marketing Campaigns

9/27/2021

Direct mail marketing is an effective way to reach your existing customers and prospective clients. By utilizing a mailing service to send out your physical advertisements, you not only save time, but money as well.

Keep reading to learn more about direct mail marketing for your small business. Plus discover the benefits of using a printing and mailing service to send out your branded marketing materials.

What is Direct Mail Marketing?

Where digital marketing is advertising through digital methods such as search engines, websites, email and social media, direct mail marketing is advertising through physical correspondence. This may include sending postcard campaign, or our favorite, mailing out personalized calendars with your promotional information.

Does Direct Mail Marketing Still Work?

Despite the move to more digital methods of communication over the years, direct mail marketing does still work. The numbers also show that this marketing method actually has a higher response rate than email, in spite of its declined use.

Here are some of the things that this method of advertisement so effective for business marketers:

Direct mail has a higher return on investment (ROI) than both paid search and online ads.
This method of promotion has a higher response rate than email.
86% of consumers read their mail. As a result, most businesses who employ this strategy gain 10% more new customers than they do with email.
It’s an interactive way to reach existing customers as well as new ones. Including a coupon or promotional offer can help remind customers you’re available and encourage them to take action.
People love getting letters. And handwritten notes are even better! They make customers and potential clients feel valued. That’s why our printing and mailing services provide handwritten fonts for your GiftNotes™ and envelope addresses.

It’s a great way to connect with prospective clients that don’t use email or social media. If your target audience doesn’t really use digital forms of communication, direct mail is a great way to touch base.
Companies are turning to digital marketing now more than ever. This means more competition and fewer opened emails. On the other hand, it paves the way for greater success with direct mail marketing as there’s a much better chance of being seen. Including a small gift with your marketing materials, such as a personalized fridge magnet or magnetic sports schedules, not only makes consumers more likely to open their mail, but it also leaves them with an advertisement they’ll keep and utilize. So, you always stay top-of-mind.

How Much Does Direct Mail Marketing Cost?

When you consider the price of both cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-impression (CPI) campaigns, direct mail doesn’t cost much. Most pieces of direct mail will result in costs anywhere between $.50 and $3 each.

In contrast, a typical CPM (cost per mille or 1000 impressions) on Google generally runs $2.80 and up. Whereas social media advertising will bring you an even bigger bill. Twitter runs $5.76 on average for CPM ads, LinkedIn is over $6, and Instagram is around $6.70. Facebook, on the other hand averages over $9.

When you take into account that direct mail has a higher engagement rate than both email and online ads, this form of marketing can actually cost less than most digital advertising. Therefore, it’s a wise investment when you need to stretch your budget further.

However, there are many factors that determine what you pay in the end. By sending higher volume campaigns with Magnets USA®, you receive additional quantity discounts that save you even more.

How to Use Direct Mail to Reach Consumers

If you’re new to using direct mail to reach your customers, we have some tips to help you get started. These easy ideas will not only save you time, but also money.

Have a clear definition of your target audience before you begin. By directly targeting your consumer base, you increase your return on investment as well as your engagement rate. You also save money by not sending out advertising materials to people who don’t need your services or products. (If you aren’t sure who your target audience is, Magnets USA® can help you create one!)
Run test campaigns first. We recommend you send out smaller direct mail campaigns to your target audience first to gauge its potential for success. Make sure you include a coupon code you can track online along with your contact information. This allows you to monitor the engagement.
Just as you would with a customer email, include a strong call-to-action on all the marketing communications you mail out. This can be a survey, a coupon, or for real estate marketing, an invite to an open house or customer appreciation event.

Design your mailers or postcards for direct mail so they stand out and are visually appealing. You also want to proofread your direct mail pieces to ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
Just as you include your contact information on your business mailers and postcards, don’t forget to also provide your social media and website information. This can help grow your social media following and provide an additional way for you to reach prospective customers with the services you offer. You can do this by either providing your social media handles or by including a QR code that can quickly be scanned for instant access to a custom landing page for the campaign. (Need help engaging your customers on social media? Check out our real estate social media post ideas!)
Make sure you follow up with customers after you send out a campaign. Keep track of the response you get from potential clients. Then reconnect with those who engaged by sending a thank you card.

You’ll find that you save both time and money by using a direct mailing service. When you use our bulk mailing service, we not only send out your campaign materials for you, but we also print and assemble them in-house right here the United States.

Need ideas for your first full-service mailing? Our self-mailer, year-at-a-glance calendars are Every Door Direct Mail® compliant with no need for an envelope! They are just one of the many full-service options we offer to help you succeed in your direct mail advertising campaigns.

What is Full-Service Mailing?

In short, full-service mailing is a service designed to send out your advertising materials for you through the United States Postal Service.

Our custom mailing service provides you with personalized, printed materials and a complete mail service-in-one. We not only help you create your custom marketing products to keep you top-of-mind, but we also assemble and mail out your campaign materials for you.

Is It Cheaper to use a Mailing Service?

Our quantity discounts allow us to send your direct mail marketing materials via USPS for less than buying stamps and mailing them yourself.

To qualify for our discounted bulk mailing service, you need to order at least 200 direct mail marketing pieces. We then tackle the job of printing your marketing materials, assembling your mailers, then sending it out to clients for you.

For additional savings, Magnets USA® also sends out your direct mail pieces up to 3.3 oz. for the same cost as a 1 oz. product.

Why Use a Mailing Service?

There are several reasons to let us both print and mail your magnetic marketing products using our easy mail service.

Convenience
Affordability
Time-Saver

The last thing you need in your life is more stress. By utilizing our bulk mailing service, we save you time and money. After all, just thinking about sending out 500 direct mail pieces seems daunting. That’s why, in addition to our custom promotional products we also offer full mailing services.

From printing your personalized marketing materials to stuffing, sealing, addressing, and shipping your envelopes, we’re dedicated to making your life easier!

We can even help you create a targeted mailing list, so you can reach more people and generate stronger leads. Choose our comprehensive mailing services today and learn how we can help you attain your business goals more efficiently.

What Does Full-Service Mailing Include?

Our mail services are a convenient way to send out your marketing pieces. Our full-service mailing includes the following to make sending direct mail more efficient and effective:

Our cost to you includes the actual cost of postage, single list processing, CASS (coding accuracy support system) certification, printing the return and mailing addresses onto envelopes, insertion of your direct mail marketing materials, packing and post office delivery.
We offer four font choices that are printed directly onto your envelopes rather than attaching printed labels.
We verify every address and remove undeliverable or incomplete addresses from your mailing list.
For an additional fee we also offer return service requested for undeliverable mail and address service requests for mail forwarding.
Our printing and mailing service also allows you to include a letter with your direct mail marketing materials. These letters, called GiftNotes™, are available as an upgrade with our small, padded products, promotional calendars, and smaller sized marketing magnets. These personalized notes are available in three sizes to best serve your needs and can be customized with your message, font choice, and photo or contact information for a more personal connection.

Customer Feedback on Our Mailing Services

Still undecided? Here are some of our customer reviews from people who used our services for their real estate direct mail marketing:

My magnets arrived yesterday, and they are perfect! A co-agent received hers as well, and I must admit that I am envious of the outstanding job Magnets USA did with addressing and stuffing her magnets. I will surely use that service with my next order. Thank you for your help in expediting our orders. We are thrilled! - Lovelle Blitch, RE/MAX

I recommend your mailing services to other agents, because it's hassle-free and saves me a ton of time and money. - John Pate, RealtySouth

Thank you both so very much. So far, we have attracted 4 buyers and a listing due to our KNOCK postcard mailing. This program is intended to take a lot of stress off of our clients. They could immediately see the benefits! The jumbo glossy postcards came out beautifully and yes, there are a few addresses to update so thank you for the suggestion to have undeliverable mail sent to us. (also giving us a chance to touch these clients). We intend to do a second KNOCK mailing at the beginning of May or thereabouts. - Justine L.

Whether you need a postcard mailing service or a bulk mailing service for custom campaign materials, Magnets USA® is here to help! Feel free to contact us to learn more about how we can assist you with your advertising needs. Or visit our website now to see what we have to offer!

For more marketing tips and custom promotional products to keep you at the top of game, subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Why You Need a Greeting Card Service for Your Real Estate Business

9/14/2021

Greeting cards are a great resource for real estate agents. They offer a personal way to reconnect and thank clients for their support. By utilizing a greeting card service for business, it’s easier than ever to gain customer loyalty and generate referrals.

Why Should I Use a Greeting Card Service?

If buying and selling real estate is the core of your business, relationships are the heart. Real estate agents discover new leads through former clients as well as the network of other industries they work with – competing agent, mortgage brokers, property managers and real estate investors. Therefore, it’s exceeding important that you take the time to nurture and develop these connections. Personalized greeting cards are a simple yet effective marketing strategy that help you do just that.

Direct mail marketing is proven to be a powerful tool in real estate marketing whether you send out yearly promotional calendars or canvas a hot neighborhood with postcards. Custom greeting cards are simply an extension of this strategy. They can help to expand your efforts to grow your business faster.

However, for many professionals, time is a concern. There often seems to be too little time in the day to accomplish all the tasks we’ve set for ourselves. There’s also your budget to contend with. This is where a greeting card service designed for business can assist you. Using a greeting card service will not only save you a lot of time, but it can also reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Minute Mail Gifts: Greeting Card Service for Business

When you choose Minute Mail Gifts for your custom note cards, you get more than just a greeting card service. We also provide the opportunity to include a memorable tuck in gift with every card you send. So, whether you’re sending out real estate thank you notes or pop-by gifts by mail, we have you covered!

Our business service is quick, easy, and affordable. You can customize greeting cards with your personal message, photographs, and a surprise inside in about a minute for around $5 each! We also offer personal touches for greater impact such as handwritten fonts, the ability to turn your own handwriting into a custom font, and custom signatures.

Does a Handwritten Card Service Make a Difference?

Handwritten cards are a throwback to before the digital age. That’s not to say, however, that they no longer have a place. In fact, as handwritten cards have become rarer, their impression has grown.

Where a successful email campaign has an open rate of about 23%, standard direct mail has an open rate of about 42%. However, handwritten cards offer even higher engagement. In fact, they boast a 99% open rate. In turn greeting cards created with handwriting also see a much higher response rate. This means you’ll see significantly more conversions than both digital marketing and traditional forms of direct mail.

Not only does handwriting cards increase conversions, but it also makes customers and potential clients feel valued. As you can also include a small gift inside your card, your message is instantly taken to the next level. You’re practically guaranteed to stay on the top of clients’ minds when you choose a handwritten greeting card service.

The best part about using Minute Mail Gifts is that you don’t have to write out the cards you send. Instead, we provide a variety of beautifully crafted, handwritten fonts for you to choose from. Or you can create your own font using your handwriting.

We then print your message and optional photographs onto the cards, so they appear to be handwritten. Then we mail them to your addressee on the date you indicate using a real stamp. We also include a memorable keepsake gift of your choosing with every card. So, your clients and prospects receive a fun surprise with every communication.

Reasons to Send Out Personalized Cards

You now know how effective and efficient it is to send personalized cards as a real estate agent. However, you may be wondering why and when you should send cards. Here are some of the top reasons to use a greeting card service to mail cards to clients:

To welcome new clients.
For personal occasions such as birthdays, graduations, or anniversaries.
To celebrate a happy closing day.
On holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.
To thank clients for referrals.
To announce new listings or homes that just sold.
As a pop-by gift by mail.
In order to periodically touch base with past clients.
To thank other REALTORS® that have shown your listings.
As thank you cards for attending an open house.
To renters you want to target to buy a home or to homes listed for sale by the owner.
As a paper invite to an event or open house.
To let the people you met at networking events know that it was nice to meet them.
As a thank you to other professionals you work with such as appraisers, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control companies.

Discover more reasons to send real estate thank you notes here. Or explore more reasons to send a greeting card.

Ready to get started using Minute Mail Gifts as your greeting card service of choice? Try it now!

Welcome to Minute Mail Gifts: The Best Greeting Card Service for Business

9/3/2021

Handwritten cards are a wonderful way to build client relationships. By utilizing our greeting card service for business, you ensure every connection is personal and targeted. Learn how sending custom notes to clients can help you succeed. Plus discover the unique features we offer at Minute Mail Gifts that allow you to take customer service beyond the sale.

Do You Need a Greeting Card Service?

We have all, at one time or another, given a greeting card to someone we know. While most of us are familiar with card exchanges with friends and family, business relationships can benefit from them as well. In business, they help us target individual customers in a very specific way. And the more personalized they are, the more they show your clients that they matter.

However, choosing and sending a physical card can often be time consuming. From the trip to the store followed by another stop to pick up postage stamps, you’ve just drained an hour out of your day for maybe a handful of people. Sure, a Facebook post, text or email message is faster, but does it really make an impact?

What if there was a way to not only fully personalize your greeting cards, but also add a memorable gift AND have it mailed out for you?

What Is Minute Mail Gifts?

Minute Mail Gifts is an extraordinary greeting card service. This time saving solution provides the impact of in-person gifts without ever having to leaving your home or office. In less than five minutes you can choose, personalize, and send a custom greeting card WITH A GIFT to between three and five people you know. How’s that for fast?

There are so many options for making greeting cards special. While money and gift cards are common, these choices are rather basic. Instead, when you choose our greeting card service for your business, you not only make a personal impression, but you entice the customer with a fun surprise. In addition, we also offer handwritten fonts and enable you to share your favorite photos!

How Is Your Greeting Card Service Different?

Minute Mail Gifts has several key differences when compared to other greeting card services for business. These distinctions make our service popular, fun, and affordable.

One, we are not a subscription service. Send as many or as few cards as you like. We only bill you for the cards you create with convenient automatic billing once per month.
Two, our service provides more than just a personalized card. You can also include a small, unique gift inside every handwritten card you send.
Three, our greeting card service is fast, easy to use, and affordable. Minute Mail Gifts offers FREE personalization and postage with ALL our card designs. Add a handwritten message, beautifully printed photos, and a fun surprise. We’ll then mail out your cards for you using a REAL stamp -- all for around $5 each!

How Do the Gifts Work?

Money and gift cards are often quickly spent. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. By sending our greetings cards and distinctive line of gifts together, you’re less likely to be forgotten. Our creative tuck in gifts really make a difference. Use them not just to show appreciation, but also as a marketing tool to improve loyalty and gain referrals. Plus, you’ll brighten someone’s day! And isn’t that a great feeling?

To add a gift to any card you send, simply click on the ADD A GIFT button after reviewing your personalization. From there you can choose from a wonderful variety of small, tuck in gifts including our magnetic bookmarks, refrigerator magnets, sticker packs, notepads, magnetic photo frames, our credit card multi tool and more.

Then just click send! Your personalized greeting card and gift will be mailed directly to your recipient right away. Or you can schedule your cards and gifts to be sent on the date you indicate.

How to Use our Greeting Cards and Gifts Service for Business

Personalized greeting cards are an effective way to thank customers and retarget your marketing efforts at the same time. Did a past buyer just celebrate their first year in their new home? Send a homeversary card with a small gift to let them know you value their past business. In turn, you’ll be their top recommendation when neighbors or family members start their search for a new home. (Check out these happy housiversary messages for more ideas!)

They also are a great substitute for pop-by gifts. Pop-by gifts are popular marketing strategy in the real estate industry. Stopping by with an appreciation gift is a method for reconnecting with past clients to help generate future referrals.

Today, we battle trying to find the time with the desire to also keep at risk customers safe. Our greeting cards service works with your business, whether you’re a REALTOR® or work in another industry, to help you quickly and safely reconnect and display your gratitude for their time or business. (Learn how to use our service for real estate pop-bys.)

Ideas for Real Estate Agents

As illustrated, there are a plethora of ways to put our greeting card service to work for your business. Our personalized note cards and gifts are a wonderful way to build relationships and gain the referrals that heighten your success.

Here are some of our favorite ways that realtors use Minute Mail Gifts:

To send quick and easy Realtor® pop-by gifts.
Wish someone a happy house anniversary!
Celebrate a closing with a happy closing day card.
To mail out referral thank you cards.
For general real estate thank you notes.
To send Christmas pop-bys or custom holiday cards.
As a thank you for a listing.
Use them to promote a special offer streamlined specifically for the intended recipient.
To reconnect with clients on their most important days, such as birthdays or wedding anniversaries and offer your congratulations.
As a gesture of thanks after an interview or listing presentation.
To reassure and thank customers after a showing.
Send a card to home that’s for sale by the owner, especially if you’ve shown a client the home. Frustrated homeowners trying to make a sale on their own may then turn to you for your services.

Benefits to Using Minute Mail Gifts

There are a number of benefits to using Minute Mail Gifts as your go to greeting card service for business. Here are just a few of the many reasons our program can help you tackle your marketing:

There’s no need to keep any stock on hand. This means no trips to the store for materials or stamps. Plus, you don’t have to find a space in your desk to store yet more marketing materials.
Our greeting cards and gifts encourage reviews and referrals. However, they also help to build friendships and long-lasting business relationships.
You don’t need to block out time to send cards all at once. You send them from your phone as occasions arise. This is especially helpful if organization is not your strong suit.
It’s quick and easy! Compared to the time it takes to hand write a card, and purchase a separate gift to include inside, you’ve carved out a lunch break. Instead, you can create and send a card and tuck in gift in about a minute!
We offer handwritten fonts for personalizing your cards in addition to a custom signature. You can even create a font from your handwriting to use on every card you send.
Upload your addresses to automatically add them to each card you send. This makes it easy to send cards on the go. You can also schedule cards to mail on a future date.
From start to finish we handle the time-consuming tasks that come with creating and sending cards. We print your card, add a tuck in gift, and mail them together for you!

We are so excited for you to give Minute Mail Gifts a try. Once you begin using our greeting card service for your business, we’re confident you’ll want to use it again and again. Click here to get started using our simple solution to handwritten direct mail marketing!