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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
Curiosity opens the envelope
I recently received this envelope, which looks like a package due to the label and kraft color, from a credit card company in the mail. Upon touching it I felt some padding inside. It certainly piqued my curiosity. Is there something special inside for me? I opened the envelope just to find a prominent credit [...]
Positive Change at the Post Office
U.S. Postal Service expands direct-mail simplified addressing. What does that mean to small businesses? As quoted from the press release —It “enables business mailers, in most instances, to conveniently address mailpieces to ‘Postal Customer’ when complete coverage on any designated delivery route is intended.” This can translate into savings if a business is trying to [...]
Coin Tricks for Direct Mail
Remember getting a letter in the mail with a coin in it? Here’s an article that supports doing that again. http://goo.gl/rfMNY
WCS Bill Stuffer
Description of images: This piece is a self-mailer. The top image is the outside of the folded bill stuffer. The bottom image is what you see when the bill stuffer is open. The bottom half of this opened view is the pouch of the reply envelope. Outside of Bill Stuffer 1. Solid red color and big [...]
