Top 7 Ways to Use Postcards to Market Your Business

You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But how do you get that visibility when you’re short on cash? Here’s an idea that’s worked for me. It’s postcard marketing, and it’s very affordable.

You can design and print your own postcards on 67# card stock. (Use a word processing or page layout program.) You can put 2 or 4 cards on an 8 ½” x 11” sheet and then use a paper cutter. Postage is just $.23 a card.

Of course, for best results you need a good list. Make sure your mailings are going to the right people. Also, you’ll get a better response if you offer something of value.

A response rate of 1-3% is the average, but you may be able to generate significant sales from those responses. My referral mailings generally yield business that’s three or more times the cost of the mailing.

Here are some ways to use postcards:

1. REFERRALS - Send postcards regularly to your best contacts asking for referrals. Add a personal, hand-written note if you can.
   
   
2. ANNOUNCE EVENTS – Send postcards to let folks know about events like classes, seminars, sales, open houses, etc.
   
   
3. PROSPECTING – Send a series of postcard mailings to identified prospects to “soften them up” before you phone them. This can turn cold calls into warm calls.
   
   
4. BUILD WEBSITE TRAFFIC – Use postcard mailings to tell people your site is there and when you make significant additions.
   
   
5. GROW YOUR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBER LIST – Postcard mailings can publicize your newsletter to new audiences.
   
   
6. MAKE AN OFFER - Do you have a booklet to give away? Are you offering a special discount? Postcard mailings can get out the word.
   
   
7. THANK YOUS, CONGRATULATIONS, ETC. - Design cards for specific uses and add a personal, hand-written note when you mail them.

Claire Cunningham, president of Clairvoyant Communications, Inc., has 20+ years experience developing and running successful marketing and communications programs. Sign up for Claire’s monthly newsletter, Communique, at http://www.clairvoyantcommunications.com Claire can be reached at 763-479-3499 (Fax: 763-479-2809, e-mail: claire@claircomm.com)