Copyright (c) 2006 A Marketing Connection
Looking for an inexpensive way to market your business consistently? Let's talk about post cards. I've been regularly sending post cards to a select group of about 100 people for about two years now. I'm sending them to my dream clients. As a marketer I know that it's important to have my name in front of my prospects on a continual basis.
As a marketing coach I teach my clients to put marketing systems in place so they can get the marketing done and then move on to running their business (which they often enjoy much more than marketing). I want you all to market on a consistent basis AND not have to put hours upon hours of thought or energy into marketing every month.
You can do this easily and effortlessly by putting marketing systems in place.
My post card system is one of my favorite marketing systems and that's the one I am going to share with you this week. I have helped several clients set this up and I know it is one of their favorite systems too because once you put it in place you really don't have to worry about it for an entire year. And you can feel good knowing that you are marketing consistently to your prospects without being involved in it every step of the way each and every time you market.
Post cards are beautiful because they are short, sweet and to the point. Because they don't need to be opened they are less intrusive for many people and more likely to at least get glanced at before they are thrown in the trash. Because they are smaller than a sales letter and more tangible than an email they are more easily stored. How many do you have stored in your office waiting to be used?
I send a post card each month to the list I've developed, which I am always adding to and subtracting from. They each have a catchy photo on the front, a short, attention grabbing bit of information on the inside, and a call to action with my contact information. Fairly easy to put together and implement.
I've helped clients put a few of these together and the really good planners do a year ahead of time and then don't worry about it until the next year rolls around.
Key points to a successful post card campaign:
1. Your call to action is key. It's easy to just sign-off with your name and not remember to ask the prospect to take an action. Visit my website, call me today, sign up for my ezine, etc.
2. Have something short and relevant (or attention grabbing) to say. For example, you could include a short fact or interesting piece of industry information. Another option is to be funny or to tie in with an upcoming holiday or event. You could also discuss an upcoming sale or contest, or an event your company is sponsoring. Your post card can also be used as a coupon or discount off. Use your imagination.
3. Consistency is important. Sending post cards to prospects once a year is not likely to increase your name recognition or bring in new business. However, seeing your company over and over again every month is much more likely to have results.
They key to post card success is consistency, the call to action, and putting the system in place so you don't have to think about it each month. It just happens.
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Author of Healthcare Copywriting Secrets Revealed, Kelly Robbins is an award winning copywriter and marketing coach/consultant. She also publishes
The Healthcare Marketing Connection, a free e-zine on healthcare marketing tips. Contact Kelly to receive her free report, "5 critical things you must know when writing for the healthcare industry" - info@KellyRobbinsLLC.com or 303-460-0285.
