Prospects Influential List Brokers have over 30 years of experience in the direct marketing industry. Here are some pointers we learned over the years:
- Determine your budget. Know how many sales (or new customers) you need to generate in order to make a profit. Setting a budget will then enable you to determine the size of your target market and which direct marketing methods is likely to be the most successful
- Define your target. You may have many target markets but each needs to be well defined. There are over 70,000 different Direct Marketing Lists available worldwide for both Business and Consumer target markets.
- Determine the best method to reach your target. Mail, phone, email, sms/texting or any combination
- Understand your Objective. Is it to increase sales, create brand/company awareness, or just impart information?
- Perfect the offer. What is your offer? What are its benefits? Why does your audience need it? Does your offer have credible value? Is it understandable, relevant, unique, imaginative, urgent, and risk free?
- The Message. The bottom line with any direct marketing campaign is to generate awareness and/or sales. You have to be very clear as to what you want the recipient of the message to do. Your message needs to be clear, concise, and even repeated several times in your communications. If your readers are confused, they will not act.
- Set the timing. When is the best time to initiate your campaign? Be aware of external factors that may impact your campaign’s success. How long until the follow-up?
- Repetition. Your target market may not respond the first time. A market’s receptiveness to your offer may mean seeing your name up to 7 times before they buy. That includes TV, Radio, Newspaper, Magazine, Referral, Direct Mail, Telemarketing, Opt In Email, SMS/Text messaging.
- Tracking the Results Establish accurate tracking tools such as key codes, promotion codes and/or coupons. Opt-in Email and SMS/Texting Lists automatically come with detailed tracking reports
- Review and evaluate your campaign Did you reach or exceed your objectives? Was the right audience targeted? Did you receive any complaints, comments, feedback or compliments? Marketing is not an exact science and adjustments may be required to increase successful results.