The Illusion of Print Mail Services
If ever there was a lazy way to easy profits in mail order it has to be the concept of letting someone else do all the work for you.
In theory, it works like this: You send a camera-ready circular or ad to someone who advertises a print/mail service and they will print and mail it (along with many others) to 1,000 to 25,000 names on their own list. You simply pay a one-time charge while they do all the work. Now, multiply this by 5, 10 or more such services and you could (still theoretically speaking, of course) have several thousand of your offers in the hands of prospective buyers within a few weeks.
The problem, is that it doesn't work that easily, at least not to the point of making it profitable for the dealer who expects to become delunged with orders. Even the very best mailers in the business can produce only a small percentage of return for their clients, so you would have to have a very high markup on your offer and reach millions of people if you hope to make it profitable. If you already have a test-proven offer that produces about 3% return when you mail the offer by itself, you will be lucky to get one-half of 1% when mailed by a mailer along with hundreds of others.
Yes, some offers can produce a profit, even with such a small percentage of return, but they are extremely few and far between. First of all, you would most likely have to be the high markup that is required. If the offer calls for $10 and you can produce it for $1 reality is: That's 5 orders per thousand...50 orders per 10,000. Some offers might be able to survive on this, others cannot. You will have to do some figuring to determine whether it's worth trying.
On the down side of this practice, there has been quite a bit of speculation about such print/mail services as to their honesty and quality of their services. Many of them offer poor printing, often smudgy or in various shades of gray instead of crisp black and white; some of the lists they use are so overworked, they have become virtually worthless. Even the best mailers use primarily "Opportunity" lists, so merchandise offers would hardly be appropriate. Another flaw in this idea that some crooked mailers are out there who simply don't mail the quantity they claim. It seems they print and mail only hundred or so, but claim to mail in the thousands. This is very difficult for anyone to prove or disapprove, so the entire idea of using a print/mail service is precarious at best.
Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer This article may be freely reproduced on the Internet as long as the resource box remains intact. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ DeAnna is the publisher of the ezine, Prospecting and Presents. Subscribers get one free ad per week. Subscribe today by visiting http://www.pnewsletter.com To thank the publishers/webmasters that use my article, I offer one free solo ad. Simply fill out the contact form on my contact page listing the url it was used on or sending me a copy of the ezine it was used in. Once I confirm the location of the article, then we can make arrangements for the solo ad. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Note to publisher/webmaster: Feel free to remove the part about the solo ad when you get ready to publish the article.
MORE RESOURCES:
|
Putting marketing on (ste)roidsBusiness MirrorIn conversation after conversation, CEOs, presidents and chief marketing officers tell me their companies are looking to marketing to lead their businesses ... |
|
NStar Green needs better marketingBoston GlobeMarketing NStar Green properly would require stressing the point that NStar's basic product as it is now produced is destroying the earth's environment. ... |
|
Marketing a Noble CallingFireEngineering.comI asked how many in the class are pursuing careers in marketing. Lots of hands went up. Then I asked them what they want to do with such a career. ... |
Google News
|
 |
 |
 |
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Use Marketing Judo to Beat Big Competitors
If yours is a small business and you have big or even huge competitors, you may be laying awake at night wondering how can you possibly beat them. You can't out-advertise them, or out-promote them, and you probably won't be able beat to its prices.
The Most Important Marketing Principles of All Time
As you have probably experienced there is a lot of hype in the business and marketing world. New concepts, revolutionary methods and the like land in our in boxes every day.
New Years Planning Critical Success Factors
New Year's is a good time for strategic planning or re-planning your business. But don't think that's the only time.
10 Start Up Marketing Tips
This list has been compiled as a result of years of working with business owners who didn't quite lay the right groundwork when they started up, and ended up paying for it later. Sometimes, what seems like a means of saving money actually ends up costing more in the long run.
Marketing Strategy - Shift the Focus
Most of the service providers I've worked for or with don't like marketing or selling. In fact, a lot of them will say they "hate it.
Five New 5 Ps!
NO! When I say "5 P's", I'm not talking about the big 5 P's of marketing everyone's familiar with.Here I'm NOT referring to Product, Price, Place, Promotion and Package!But I'm talking about the FRESHEST 5 P's I believe will be extra useful for your websites and newsletters.
Forget Conventional Marketing - Embrace the Web!
Tactical marketing processes are once again undergoing fundamental shifts from traditional to web-based processes. Many traditional marketing firms/agencies are still touting the tried and true to their clients; i.
The Power of a Survey
How many times have you been asked to participate in a survey? If you are anything like me then the answer is probably hundreds. I am often being stopped in the street and invited to take part in a survey that will only take a few minutes.
Marketing Got You Stumped?
It's not unusual for entrepreneurs to find the whole idea of marketing
intimidating. Even seasoned business owners often feel their marketing
efforts aren't working.
Tie-In With Others To Maximize Your Business Leverage
One of the most rewarding, inexpensive, under-used, and effective methods of marketing is to tie in your marketing efforts with the efforts of others.The cost of acquiring a new client or customer is enormous.
The Process of Change in Marketing Approaches
In a world economy that is in constant flux and undergoing turbulence, more companies are realizing that their most precious asset is their customer base. An even more important realization is the need to satisfy the whims and fancies of these customers in order to survive in these increasingly competitive markets.
Networking: The Cost of a Connection
"Networking is a waste of time," said JoAnne, owner of a busy print shop. "Besides, I advertise in the daily paper.
Happy Hunting!
Before you ever get on the telephone, send a marketing piece or
set up an appointment with a potential customer, you must first
identify whom that customer might be. To do that, you will need
to create an "ideal customer profile"-a profile of who would be
the best possible prospect for you and whatever you are selling.
4 Ways to Get a Prospects Attention Fast
Can you remember the last dozen advertising messages beamed at you today? Can you remember even one of them? Most people can't.This illustrates a major obstacle you need to overcome before you can successfully promote your product or service.
Top Four Marketing Secrets of Building a Professional Practice
Building a coaching or consulting practice can be rewarding and lucrative. Sadly, many who get started on this path simply can't make it.
What to Look for in Display Graphics and Trade Show Graphics
Display graphics are graphic images used for illustration or "display" purposes. Display Graphics are usually printed on paper, vinyl or fabric using a "large format" printing device.
Take the Logo Litmus Test
Here is your C.I.
5 Tips to Heat Up Your On-Line Marketing Using Off-Line Tactics
The internet of course brings a huge arena of marketing
opportunities for you. The ability to do business with people
around the world has now been made readily available through
a web site and email.
Test Marketing--How to Increase Your Direct Mail Marketing Response by Using the Internet to Test
I've discovered a really fantastic way to discover what works best in direct marketing, BEFORE doing traditional direct marketing. Use these internet tools to find what works best, then apply what you've learned to your traditional direct marketing, direct mail, etc.
The Power of because...
"Do it!", "Do it now!", or "Do it because..
|