How to Better Reach Your Clients Through Mailings

Do you have a database of contact information for your clients? What about people who are interested in your company, but who have not yet made their first purchase? If you don't have a database of contacts, you should. Keeping in contact with your current and future clients keeps you on top of their minds, which makes them more likely to buy from you.

You probably get e-newsletters in the mail from businesses you frequent. You probably get coupons and postcards in the mail for businesses too. Do you find yourself shopping from those vendors? If they offer something you're interested in, you probably do. And so will your audience.

What to Send
You have several options as to what to send your contacts. You can send them regular specials or sales items. Consider creating a sales campaign specifically for your contacts that entitles them to special deals that the average shopper can't get. This exclusivity will make the offer that much more attractive.

You can create a regular newsletter, filled with information on your industry and your company. You don't have to make the entire newsletter a commercial about your company. People like to get useful information without being bombarded with advertising. You can tastefully input an ad or mention of your product to the side in the newsletter while maintaining taste and usefulness.

When holidays come around, spread the love. Send holiday and birthday cards to your mailing list, letting them know you're thinking of your clientele on these special days. As you know, people like to feel special, and getting a card from you will make them feel fantastic.

Customers appreciate being in the know. If you have an event coming up, sending them an invitation is a great way to encourage that community feel that often results in long-lasting relationships between customers and businesses.

Digital or Print?
People respond differently to email and direct mail. Some will read every email and throw out what they consider junk in their post office box. Others prefer tangible pieces they can put on their fridge. Consider your audience first.

Also consider costs and resources. Can you afford to print and mail a postcard to 200 contacts? Email campaigns are cheaper in that sense, but make sure you have a professional design the email in an appealing manner so that people will be enticed to open it.

Every time you get a business card, add that person to your database. Leave out a sign-up sheet at your checkout so that customers can sign up for your mailings. Post a sign-up link on your website. Anywhere you can, get contacts.

Before long, your database will grow, and so will your sales. By keeping your customers aware of you and your business, you are effectively driving them to your store!