Meryl
Unopened Email Can Bring In Sales
People look quickly at their inboxes, and scan subject lines. Therefore just a subject line can bring in sales.
Here’s a simple way to lift email response
Improve response by testing button designs in emails
Ugly and Unorganized Worked!
The artist and organizer in me is always looking for ways to make things attractive and neat. But if there is one thing that I learned over my years as a Creative Director specializing in direct mail, pretty and organized is not always what gets the highest response. Years ago when I worked at Time‘s [...]
New USPS Requirements for Folded Self-Mailers
Beginning this month there are new rules from the USPS for Folded Self-Mailers (FSMs), which mail without envelopes. The changes are: 1. SIZE Acceptable sizes for FSMs are 4-1/4” x 6” up to 6-1/8” x 10-1/2”. Previously, the largest dimension was 11-1/2”. 2. SETUP All FSMs must open at the top and fold at the bottom. [...]
Barcodes are a great design element for direct mail
Here’s a piece I designed for Newsweek. Very basic, but take note of the barcodes that I circled in red. They are an important design element of the piece. It makes the form worth something more. It’s saying this is a special access form, and your so lucky to have received it. BTW, the barcodes [...]
Judging Email Creative Based on “Images Off”
Here are two emails, both with the images off. If you were to click “images on” (show content), the email on the bottom is “prettier”. This fits perfectly into my argument that good design is not always the prettier designed. I would say that the one on top is the better design. The message is [...]
Update on USPS Postal Barcodes
The Post Office was retiring the Postnet barcode in May 2011, replacing it with Intelligent Mail barcode. They are now relaxing some of the requirements. Postnet barcode will still be allowed for Business Reply Mail, Automation Discounts and Confirm Service. To learn more go to: http://goo.gl/96KFs
5 Reasons to Use Coupons
Coupons are effective. Consider these points from http://smallbusinessbonfire.com/blog: 1. Coupons are time-based and encourage fast action. 2. Coupons offer an immediate benefit. 3. Coupons can push on-the-fence purchasers toward making a purchase. 4. Coupons can give previous purchasers a reason to purchase again. 5. The success of your coupons can [...]
50 folds in 120 seconds
See Kit Hinrichs do 50 folds in 120 seconds to the tune of the William Tell Overture. Click here.
Are Bigger Postcards Better?
Are mailing oversize postcards worth the additional expense? Oversize postcards stand out more in the mailbox. But are they really more effective than smaller postcards? Read more about this here.
An Invaluable Book on Form Design
Forms are an integral part of business communication but “…if a form is too complicated, confusing or obscure, it can become a barrier to clear communication, wasting time and money and potentially harming the publics perception of a business or brand.” Here is a book that proves to be an invaluable resource for creating clear, [...]
A fun look at email oversending
Fun! This comic strip, created by Brad Colbow reflects how people will feel if they receive too many emails from a specific company. To see more of Brad’s work go to http://bradcolbow.com/archive/ .
