5 Steps to Getting Your Direct Mail Noticed

Guest post by: Dan Kennedy

Are you looking for more ways to get your mail noticed? Then don’t simply go with the same old, same old when it comes to your postcards and letters. Go out on a limb – get crazy and do something totally offbeat – in fact, don’t be afraid to get outrageous!

Here are 5 easy steps to making sure your direct mail gets noticed and stands out from the crowd of clutter in that mailbox.

Step #1: Accept the Idea that C-R-A-Z-Y is GOOD!
Here’s the deal… your prospects are bombarded by thousands of marketing messages every day. Most of them blend together into a bland, faceless, meaningless mess.

To stand out you HAVE to be different. And in fact, you have a much better chance of getting noticed if what you send looks SOOO different from everything else that they HAVE to stop, take a second look, and then do a time out to check it out.

And don’t limit your thinking on this to letters and packages – absolutely postcards, flyers, brochures, even business cards can be designed that are eye-catching in terms of what they say, how they look, and what they propose.

For example, put a picture of yourself dressed up in some superhero costume, hanging upside down, riding on a bull, whatever. Or do something with the postcard itself – print out your message on a great big, ugly yellow postcard covered with handwritten notes and doodles.

Whatever… do something and get NOTICED!

Step #2: Understand that You are NOT Your Customer
Okay, so you’re thinking “sounds good, but it won’t work in my business because my customers, or clients, or patients, or prospects are too sophisticated for that kind of advertising.”

Sorry to break this to you, but it’s almost certain that you are DEAD WRONG.

It doesn’t matter who they are or what profession they’re in, people are bored and overwhelmed and often the only way to cut through the clutter is to be OUTRAGEOUS. Who notices? Everyone. And if they notice, they are much more likely to buy. Crazy, Weird, Different,

Outrageous advertising appeals to all types of customers from all walks of life.

If it’s appealing and interesting, it’s plenty sophisticated. Presidents of Fortune 1000 companies, presidents of banks, accountants and lawyers respond to OUTRAGEOUS advertising. And they do so with enthusiasm. These are some of the same people who many would have thought would have never responded to this type of advertising because it wasn’t “sophisticated” enough for them.

Remember, you are not your customer!

Step #3: Always Be Looking For Ideas!
Now that your eyes are open to the possibility, start paying attention to ads you see in the newspapers, magazines, billboards, flyers, etc. There’s plenty of crazy advertising out there – keep your eyes peeled for ideas that you can model and leverage for yourself.

And it doesn’t have to be crazy in itself, you can take a well-known commercial and put a wacky twist on it to make it your own. For example, how about “the Least Interesting Man in the World!” – have a guy standing in an office meeting where everyone at the conference table is asleep… and it’s all because he doesn’t use YOUR product!

There’s inspiration all around you – just train yourself to constantly be on the lookout for it.

Step #4: Get Personally Involved!
Here’s a notion that a lot of business owners NEVER consider – make yourself a celebrity! People like to do business with other people, not faceless corporations. Inject yourself into your advertising and don’t be afraid to look silly… in fact, the sillier the better! Send postcards with crazy photos of you on vacation, the secret “new product laboratory” in your office, or traveling to other offbeat locations.

Make the effort to not only make your mailings stand out, come up with ways to put YOU front and center as someone personally involved. When done right this really does increase your business.

And last but certainly not least…

Step #5: Have Fun
Don’t miss out on this key step – you need to have FUN with your advertising!

This is one of the biggest bonuses to applying these techniques – they’re simply a whole lot of fun to do! And you’ll soon discover that your customers will love it too! In fact, you may find out that putting together these ads is the most enjoyable thing you do in your business – with the possible exception of making the money all these crazy ads create for you!

Learn more tips and secrets on how to attract a flood of your ideal customers in 60 days or less by claiming your FREE copy of the “Road Map to Success – Business Growth System”, compliments of PostcardMania and GKIC (supplies are limited)!