There are so many marketing channel options now it can be hard to decide where you should invest to get the most bang for your buck. According to the DMA's 2017 "Response Rate Report," direct mail continues to provide the best response rate. The cost per acquisition rate is higher than other channels, but it is worth it.
Keep in mind that the best marketing is done through multiple channels, so make sure you are able to track each channel’s results. Use the ones that work best for you.
Almost all business types currently use direct mail and benefit from it. So, let’s get into the details the DMA found in its report of what they are doing that is working.
- Postcards - A house file had a 5.7% response rate with an ROI of 29% and prospect file had a 3.4% response rate with an ROI of 23%.
- Letter Sized Envelopes - A house file had a 4.37% response rate with an ROI of 29% and prospect file had a 2.5% response rate with an ROI of 23%.
- Flat Sized Envelopes - A house file had a 6.6% response rate with an ROI of 37% and prospect file had a 4.9% response rate with an ROI of 30%.
They do not track rates for self-mailers or booklets, I am not sure why. The two most common uses for direct mail are direct sale and lead generation, and no matter the use, a flat size envelope wins. So how are companies tracking their direct mail results?
- Online - 61% of companies are tracking online with the use of PURLs, landing pages and more.
- Phone - 53% of companies track phone calls to either a call center or designated location.
- Code or Coupon - 42% of companies use coupons or codes to track.
They also use, at much smaller rates, matchback, linked sales transactions, list coding and others. There is no right or wrong way to track, do what works best for you. The most important thing is that you are tracking your results.
Now, are you curious about volumes of mail? Based on monthly volume, companies are doing the following:
- 50,000 or less = 39% for a house list and 36% for a prospect list
- 50,001 - 150,000 = 21% for a house list and 15% for a prospect list
- 150,001 - 250,000 = 16% for a house list and 12% for a prospect list
Finally, let’s look at cost per format:
- Letter: $22.55 for a house list and $39.75 for a prospect list
- Postcard: $14.60 for a house list and $29.70 for a prospect list
- Flat: $29.30 for a house list and $31.90 for a prospect list
As you can see from these numbers, direct mail can really be a benefit to your marketing. If you have done direct mail before but not recently or if you have not used direct mail before, you need to make sure that your final designs meet postal regulations. There is no reason to pay extra postage when you don’t have to. Your mail service provider can help you navigate the regulations and facilitate your direct mail campaigns. Are you ready to get started? Your prospects and customers are waiting to hear from you.
- Categories:
- Business Management - Marketing/Sales
Summer Gould is Account Executive at Neyenesch Printers. Summer has spent her 31 year career helping clients achieve better marketing results. She has served as a panel speaker for the Association of Marketing Service Providers conferences. She is active in several industry organizations and she is a board member for Printing Industries Association San Diego, as well as the industry chair for San Diego Postal Customer Council. You can find her at Neyenesch’s website: neyenesch.com, email: summer@neyenesch.com, on LinkedIn, or on Twitter @sumgould.