Christopher H
Serial Entrepreneur building companies; Social Entrepreneur strengthening nonprofits
Need to create a direct mail marketing campaign built around postcards sent to nonproft orgnaizations executive directors.
Need to create a direct mail marketing campaign built around postcards sent to nonproft orgnaizations executive directors.
Looking for someone to help us design the message and postcard.
Any advice or recommendations?
Thank you
www.echoDonations.org
Answers (36)
Kivi L
Nonprofit Marketing/Communications Consultant, Trainer, Coach and Blogger
Best Answers in: Non-profit Management (1), E-Commerce (1), Web Development (1)
Hi,
If you can provide some additional details about the subject and the goal of the postcard campaign, I might have some recommendations for you. But I need to know what you are trying to achieve first.
Kivi
Benny G
Sales Manager: Premiums and Promotions at The Memory Company
Best Answers in: Career Management (3), Using LinkedIn (2), Ethics (1)
I am sure I can help.
read on...
moderpostcard.com
Drew B
International Organizational and Leadership Development Consultant Strategic Planning Facilitator, Professional Coach
Best Answers in: Organizational Development (13), Non-profit Management (11), Change Management (5), Using LinkedIn (2), Economics (1), Government Policy (1), Compensation and Benefits (1), Internationalization and Localization (1), Business Development (1), Project Management (1), Professional Networking (1)
As Ken beat me to it, I can only second his advice - Modern Post Card.
Links:
Feel free to contact me if you have not already found someone.
Links:
Bob K
Marketing Consultant/Creative Strategist
Best Answers in: Internet Marketing (2), Business Development (2), Advertising (1), Customer Relationship Management (1), Lead Generation (1), Sales Techniques (1), Personal Investing (1), Blogging (1), Wireless (1)
I repeat the modern postcard advice. They are mostly a printer, but they provide design help as well as in-house mailshop work. Very nice facility and great people.
If you want more sophisticated strategies and hands-one consultative design help, then contact me for some more recos. But I would still say Modern is the best choice for postcard and self-mailer mailings.
Bob
Allegro Communications is an expert in developing and executing direct mail campaignsanywhere in the country as well as North America and Europe. I have worked with them on many occasions, and they even developed a web-based direct mail system customized to our needs. Their staff is competent and responsive, and they will make sure you are pleased with the final product.
www.allegrolink.com
630-495-1600
Ask for Ada or Carolyn
Jay H
CEO, The Annuitas Group
Best Answers in: Lead Generation (4), Direct Marketing (3), Customer Relationship Management (2), Advertising (1), Business Development (1), Sales Techniques (1), Professional Networking (1)
Jay H suggests this expert on this topic:
Jennifer Hoff is your contact. Great direct marketing mind.
Marian K
Delivering Great Online Experience
Best Answers in: Direct Marketing (3), Viral Marketing (1)
Hello Christopher,
I can give you some advice on the message.
From your website I understood you want to offer your services to non profits as a business partner. It means that you can get them donators who with your help are going to enjoy benefits of tax deduction. Besides you can help the non profits by co-marketing them in your list of charities. Win-win situation.
I suggest you before creating any letter or actual copy, think about some 'big idea' that will be supported by the claim or headline. Witty and to the point idea would be using an envelope with a picture of London-er or normal bus full of waving people inside and on the roof, comming to their address label...Headling might be: "10 simple ways how to bring donators to you ..." and inside should be something that gives credit to your propositon - if you have budget, then something tangible, if not then something meaningfull that supports your claim or give logics to the customer.
HTH
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariankret
Links:
Lois K. G
Direct Marketing Expert, Agency Owner, Author and Speaker
Best Answers in: Direct Marketing (4), Conference Venues (1), Internet Marketing (1), Business Development (1), Customer Relationship Management (1), Sales Techniques (1), Writing and Editing (1)
You want to mail postcards to executive directors at non-profit organizations...for what purpose? First of all, if you're going to aks them to do something...they probably won't even notice your postcard, if it gets out of the mail room.
Why not write them a letter, and ask them whatever you want...and tell them what the benefit is to them.
Good luck. Lois Geller
Links:
Cheryl Ann B
Project Manager, eMarketing and Relationship Marketing, Biopharmaceuticals at Novo Nordisk
Best Answers in: Viral Marketing (1)
I'd suggest finding a source that can do variable data printing. You are trying to reach top level executives with a relatively unremarkable approach. You can increase response if you exploit the full potential of VDP and use several points of personalization on your postcard. I've done this myself with great results.
Sharon G
Executive Director, Artists for a New South Africa
Best Answers in: Government Policy (1), Public Relations (1), Non-profit Fundraising (1), Ethics (1)
As an executive director of a nonprofit, I have to caution that many of us are inundated with mail and work so might not respond to a mailing. While I am not in any way suggesting you don't send postcards (and I am a Modern Postcard fan as well!) you might also try and reach out through various nonprofit and foundation networks, such as National Network of Grantmakers, Grantmakers without Borders, Funding Exchange Network, Council on Foundations, service providers like Network for Good, Groundspring, Foundation Center, Center for Nonprofit Management, and websites such as Idealist.org. Many non-profits engage with training, services, and new concepts based on the word of mouth of fellow nonprofit allies. I hope this is helpful.
We may be able to help... see my note.
Your audience, your message and your offer should determine your format. While postcards may be inexpensive, they may not get through the "gatekeeper" or get the response you need.
I would love to help design and write your postcards.
Look at my website at www.cobyneillcreative.com
in the area of Public Service Work.
I can discuss your needs more tomorrow after lunch.
Sincerely,
Coby Neill
417-379-0535
Links:
Gordie Allen of Leads-Plus has developed a really interesting and effective program that uses cards (not postcards) to get your message across and help you gain ethical access to decision makers.
Since I'm not entirely sure what your goal is, I can't say with certainty if it'd work for you, but I would encourage you to speak with him about it.
Links:
Mike M suggests this expert on this topic:
Michael is the head of Yaffe Direct and has also been the president of several charitable organizations
Josef K
Vice President Marketing, Trump University
Best Answers in: Business Development (1), Search Marketing (1)
What is the strategy you are trying to execute?
Postcards are a great way to communicate but they are not always the best media to use for every message or strategy. I posted this blog last week which might be interesting to you as you evaluate your marketing options.
http://www.trumpuniversity.com/blogs/marketingmaestro/index.cfm?blogpost_id=1472
Hi Christopher.
Please see my note. Good luck in your mail campaign.
Best,
Anne
Christopher,
Postcards can be a great inexpensive way to get a message across. There are a couple key things that you need to keep in mind. 1) 1 touch is rarely enough. Some experts say that it takes as many as 7 touches before a prospect even understands that you are trying to communicate with them, let alone what you are trying to say. For best results you are going to want to put together a multi-tiered mailing with slightly different messages on each. 2) Your best bet is going to offer something of value to them that is non-threatening if the recipient is unlikely to know who you are. For example a report on "The 5 Fastest Ways to Increase Donations to Your Organization," or something similar that you know their interest in would also signify an interest in what you are offering. One of the best resources for how to use direct marketing to increase your sales is Dan Kennedy.
Links:
John M suggests this expert on this topic:
Check out Betsy's website. http://www.betsycrazcopywriter.com
Roger S
Speaker and Instructor for corporate training and college classes
Best Answers in: Writing and Editing (2), Public Relations (1)
If you still are sorting it out...please consider my firm, Mitchell Rose, as a resource. We have done a number of interesting post card promotions over the years. Make sure you know what your goals are and focus on the list.
Roger
Rick V suggests this expert on this topic:
Integrity with the right experience sums it up. He's the man for this question, but I'm sure he's already contacted you.
Good luck!
Rick
HI Christopher,
My company works side by side with several non-profit organizations and we specialize in advertising and campaign development, the best part is that we are a one stop shop for almost any advertising needs; we can take over your projects, from creation to compleation. We have very powerfull marketing, design, print, promo and mailing capabilities.
If you wish to contact us:
info@reactivitystudio.com
www.reactivitystudio.com
512.351.3560
It would certainly be interesting to become a business resource for your organization.
Looks as if you got plenty of specific help with your question, but I have another idea: Pittsburgh has an organization called the Social Innovation Accelerator that is dedicated to strengthening social entrepreneurship in the Western Pennsylvania area. I have been talking to Jennifer Flannagan there: Social Innovation Accelerator
1224 East Carson Street, Suite 300
Pittsburgh PA 15203
Phone: 412-325-2202
E-mail: info@acceleratenow.org
They are working on creating a sales position to actually market and sell the goods and services that their clients are producing. I suggested that they may want to think about establishing links with like-minded organizations to create a national sales effort - like maybe a catalog of products from social entrpreneurs for the consumer who is interested in supporting this idea.
If this is of interest, please let me know! I am passionate about the idea, and may even volunteer to help get it off the ground.
Mark S
Examination Specialist - American Urological Association and Photographer/Owner at Come Undone Photography
Mark S suggests this expert on this topic:
My expert can help you.
When you get to the stage of mailing, figure out what class of mailing you want to use. By chosing the standard presort mailing class over first class will save some on postage. In addition, also consider the size of the postcard. Different sizes will change the cost of postage. If using a commerical printer or a mailing house to mail postcards, please consider the amount of room they will need for a bar code.
Grant E
Senior Data Specialist / Inbound Sales Team Leader at USADATA, Inc
Best Answers in: Commercial Real Estate (1), Business Dining and Entertainment (1), Government Policy (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Health Care (1), International Law (1), Corporate Law (1), Employment and Labor Law (1), Advertising (1), Viral Marketing (1), Business Analytics (1), Corporate Governance (1), Ethics (1), Using LinkedIn (1)
I can help you on the list side of things. Gepstein@usadata.com
And Modern Postcard is a great source for creating, printing and mailing your piece. You can also look at Postal Connections, PostNet, and even FedEx Kinkos.
Peggy M
CEO/Broker, Rockies Real Estate Network, Colorado. Business & Property Owner. Award-winning Author. Mensan. Educator.
The most economical way is probably going to be to laser print the postcards yourself, once you become good at it. I believe it's worthwhile, in the long run, to learn how to create your postcards yourself, if you intend to mail repeatedly.
Get 4-up postcards with good quality perforations and an accompanying template for MS Word.
Setting up your address database depends on your source. It's really just a text file, when you come right down to it. Then you do a merge in Word to create your address side of the postcard. You can get excellent help on this, if you just look for it a little, on the Microsoft website.
The message side of the postcard is another matter. Whatever you say, be sure that your message includes the VALUE of your services to the person to whom you are sending the postcard.
And don't expect a high return. Hopefully, yours is an industry like mine, where one good response pays for the many cards sent out.
I sincerely wish you good luck in your enterprise!
Links:
Kevin L
CEO, Didit, We-Care.com, DNB.PowerProfiles.com, SEMPO BOD, Author "Truth About Pay-Per-Click Search Advertising"
Best Answers in: Compensation and Benefits (1), Internet Marketing (1), Business Development (1), Public Relations (1), Non-profit Management (1)
Regardless of which vendor you use, consider the postcards as only one touchpoint in the marketing campaign. Follow up with letters, perhaps a call, and if you got permission from the organization, send a fax. email is similarly tricky due to spam issues, but a personalized e-mail that is clearly not bulk mailed can be highly effective particularly if it isn't the first touchpoint.
