One Minute Marketing Ideas

Direct Mail Advertising Ideas For Political Campaigns

Direct mail advertising is one of the best ways to deliver a message to voters. Over the years we’ve launched hundreds of direct mail campaigns that have helped candidates become winners! Here are few factors that should be kept in mind.

1. Clarify The Goals Of The Mailing
   For example:
   - Introduce the candidate if he is not well known
   - Talk about the most important issues
   - Ask for contributions 
   - Ask for volunteers
   - Expose competitor’s weaknesses
   - Invite voters to a town hall meeting
2.  Putting Together The Best Mailing List
   USPS Mail Carrier Routes are the least expensive mailing lists and can be mailed at the lowest postage rates. Carrier route maps are available and can be compared to target specific voting districts or precincts. Even if there is a bit of overlap, the savings will probably outway the cost of a more targeted list.
   You can also purchase a targeted list by party affiliation (including independents), age and income, education levels, ethnicty and more.
3. Use Full Color Postcards With Lots Of Photos
   It’s true, a picture is worth a 1000 words, or more! But, don’t just use a head shot of the candidate that looks like it came from a drivers license. If the candidate is for Education, get a photo of him at a school with kids. If he’s pro-business, get a picture at a Chamber of Commerce Meeting. If he’s for moral values, a shot with the family on Sunday talking to the Pastor. You get the idea. 
4. Use Direct Mail To Drive Voters To Your Website
   Make sure there is lots of good content about the issues and the candidate. Don’t disappoint web visitors. Your website doesn’t have to be “Madison Avenue”. It can even have a “home-made” look, but it most deliver on content and be worth the voters time.
5. Send An Invitation To “Ask The Candidate”!
   Not always possible, but if you can manage it, get a cell phone and dedicate the phone number to taking calls from voters. Invite them to “ask the candidate”, “express their views” or just “sound off”. You can limit calling to specific times during the day or week.
6. Target Residential Communities With A Club House
   Use USPS mail carrier routes to target communities with a club house. Contact the homeowner or condo association and ask if you can use the facilities for a mini town hall meeting exclusively for their residents.

Direct Mail Advertising Ideas for Realtors

The success of a direct mail campaign is determined by a number of factors, starting with having a clear objective for the campaign. Once you have defined the goal of the campaign, the postcard must be designed to motivate the prospect to respond to your call to action, for example, come to your office, go to a website or call on the phone.  We call this motivating offer “A Magnet”.

Here are a few Ideas and Magnets that have been used successfully by our clients. Use one or a combination, but do not over crowd the postcard with too much information. The postcard must pass “The Glance Test”, which means the reader will know what the card is about with just a passing glance. This can make the difference between getting noticed or being tossed out as junk mail.

1. It is all about you!
   When you are advertising your services, it is not the time to be modest. Selling Real Estate is a one on one,  personal service. Include your photo and a brief resume. If you are new to the business, do not try to conceal it, let folks know that you are building a reputation and will work harder to get results. Include memberships in community organizations or church groups. If you live in the neighborhood you are targeting, be sure to mention it.
2. Use Mail Carrier Routes To Target Your “Farm Area”
   Use mail carrier route maps to target your farm area. Direct mail is the best way to keep in front of new listing prospects. USPS Mail Carrier Routes can be mailed at the lowest postage rates and Carrier Route Maps are available to compare to your Farm Area. A smaller list, mailed frequently will yield the best results. Remember, your name needs to be “top of mind” when the decision to sell is made. The only way to do that is to mail on a regular basis.  Be consistent and over time, the listings will come. Once you’ve built momentum, it’s time to expand that farm area.
3. Develop A Market Plan for New Listings And Give It A Name
   Sure, most listings sell through the MLS. What other marketing activities do you include with your listing service? Open house, lawn signs, newspaper advertising, website, door hangers, etc. Make a list and present it as a results oriented marketing package. Make it even more special by giving it a name i.e. “The Exclusive, Bill Sullivan, Residential Real Estate, Marketing Plan”.
4. Use A Slogan To Help People Remember Your Name
   Sometimes it may seem corny, but it works. i.e. “Selling Your Home? If You’re In A Hurry, Call Billy Murray!”
5. The FREE Market Analysis Offer
   Everyone uses this offer, but perhaps a little rewording can make it more appealing, by targeting curiosity: “Find Out How Much You Neighbors House Sold For….You May Be Surprised!”
6. List The Houses You’ve Sold Recently. Don’t Have Any? You Can Still Make A List.
   Put together a list of houses that have sold recently, including prices and a brief description. If they are not your listings, put a small disclaimer at the bottom “complied from MLS data base”.
7. Can You Offer A Discount Brokerage Fee? People Love To Save.
   If your broker allows, you might consider offering a discounted brokerage fee and advertise: “Full Service At A Lower Fee”!