Meryl
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 [...]
Make Old Ideas New
I just read this article titled “Tactics to ensure your direct mail is open” in the Direct Marketing News. Being a seasoned creative person in direct marketing, I’ve read these same “tactics” a thousand times. Still I was engaged and inspired by it. Why? The author, Nancy Harhut, gave these tactics new engaging titles, and [...]
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/ .
An Easy Trick to check U.S. Letter Mail Aspect Ratio
Here is an easy trick to check U.S. letter mail aspect ratio. Just divide the width of your envelope or postcard by the height. If your results are great than 1.3 and less than 2.5 you are good. Why is letter mail aspect ratio important? It’s the key to getting the lowest postage rate, by [...]
How to create an effective
email list
From time to time clients tell me they would like to send out an email to get new customers. I ask them about their email list and they tell me they are going to purchase one or they have been compiling a list of names. Of course you can send out an email from a [...]
Create art from your email
Email can now be used as a medium to create animations with audio. I don’t agree with the name of the domain, but here is the site — spamrecycling.com. It’s free and fun to use. Above is an image created from an email that I received.
