Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Los Angeles Direct Mail: Variable Data Printing--The Secret to Personalizing Mail for Each Different Customer in your Database

If you have ever received a personalized direct mail piece, you can probably understand why it’s response rate is dramatically higher than a “static” piece of mail. First of all, you are immediately greeted by your name, and the imagery and design appeals to your unique tastes. The text is also relevant and personalized to your interests, and the offers seem intuitively created to match your likes, needs, and buying history. The secret behind creating mail pieces that seemingly addresses potential customers individually is done with Variable Data Printing (VDP) and database marketing services, which combine to execute direct mailings personalized to each recipient. Variable data printing is the process of utilizing mail-merge technology to insert information from your database or mailing list into the content of the postcard, magazine or various mailers. A typical mass mailing or bulk mailing is known as a "static" mailing. In other words, everybody on your mailing list gets exactly the same mail piece with no personalization. However, with variable data printing technology, it is possible to personalize each mail piece for the recipient, and this is important because personalization creates the effect of speaking directly to the person.

Let's face it - wouldn't you prefer to be addressed by your name and not "Dear Sir or Madam" when you receive mail? If you answered yes then you are not alone. Nationwide case studies show that almost 70% of people prefer personalized direct mail over standard "static" direct mail which results in the highest mail response rates. Additionally, the study showed that personalization increased response rates by as much as 30%. This means a higher rate of return for your business and marketing plan.

Therefore, let Avalon Communications in Los Angeles make a dramatic difference in your next Direct Marketing Campaign. By using state-of-the-art software, we prepare your mailing in accordance with the latest U.S. Postal Service requirements, which allows us to pass deep postage discounts directly to you. We help companies create personalized direct mail pieces that speak to their prospects and customers every day. Avalon Communications in Los Angeles will help you increase your profits by getting rid of the unnecessary hassles, long turnarounds and extra costs. Whether you need brochures, catalogs, or anything to go into your Direct Mail package, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality, cost-effective, first class service that you can expect with every project. Let us help you grow your business! Contact Avalon Communications today at (310) 644-7777 or visit http://www.avalon-communications.com

Monday, March 1, 2010

Guide to Direct Mail Marketing: Action Steps #1 LISTS

Even in today's wired world, old-fashioned direct mail has its place in an integrated marketing strategy. A marketing piece sent by e-mail can be deleted before it's even opened, but a postcard sent in the mail will at least get a glance.

Direct mail is a form of communication that allows you to:

Build your brand.

Target consumers by locality, which is harder to do with e-mail.

Measure marketing impact.

Action Steps #1
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Build or buy the best mailing list
Begin by collecting addresses from your existing customers. To expand beyond your current customer base, buy a mailing list from Avalon Communications. You simply pay for the list.
And Mail your Marketing Material (Postcard, newsletter,e.t.c) to your Prospective customers on the list.

EASY EASY EASY

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Los Angeles Direct Mail: New Direct Mail Services from Avalon Communications in Santa Monica

Avalon Communications Direct Mail and Printing would like to announce that it is now offering their direct mail and printing services in Santa Monica, CA. Because of its agreeable climate, Santa Monica had become a famed resort town by the early 20th century. The city has experienced a boom since the late 1980s through the revitalization of its downtown core with significant job growth and increased tourism. Santa Monica is home to the headquarters of many notable businesses, restaurants, bars, and local businesses. Therefore, if you are in Santa Monica, do not let the uncertainty of the economy cause you to cut back on the expenses that you need in order to promote your business to all of the potential customers that Santa Monica has to offer. Direct mail services and direct mail marketing allows companies and other establishments to interact with residents of a certain community such as Santa Monica in order to call the residents to action in some specific way. You probably know that direct marketing and promotion are vital to the survival of your business. It is vital not just to deliver good service to your existing customers, but to continually promote for new customers. This is especially true if your goal is not just to stay at the same level but to expand your business.

Start saving time and money. Our experts will prep your cards for the mail system, helping you secure the maximum available postage discounts and improving deliverability. Avalon Communications has been providing the best direct mail and printing services in the Los Angeles area, and their successful marketing strategies have allowed many satisfied business owners to regain a presence for their business. Avalon Communications success and and demand for its services has caused the company to expand to many other areas in Los Angeles, including Santa Monica.

Let us help you grow your business! Contact Avalon Communications today at (310) 644-7777 or visit http://www.avalon-communications.com

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Los Angeles Direct Mail: Direct Mailing and The Rise of Postage Rates

With the rising cost of postage and paper, the accountability of direct mail as a primary tool for acquiring subscriptions and customers is under pressure. Consumer marketers, however, say that its relevance is as strong as ever. The USPS reported a 3% drop in mail volume for the first quarter of the fiscal year of 2008. This decrease indicated that marketers are reducing mail quantities or eliminating campaigns all together due to the weak economy, shrinking budgets, rising production costs and most importantly, the increased postal rates which at times, can make up the majority percentage of a campaign’s total cost. While the U.S. Postal Service has offered a reprieve to mailers by vowing not to increase rates in 2010, many mailers are still struggling with their expenses. Rates have increased earlier this year, and these increases, combined with the struggling economy, are making it a very difficult year for direct mailers.

Direct mail providers are scrambling for new and more efficient ways to keep their direct mail costs down. One way for direct marketers to do this is that they should consult with their mailer to see if their mail pieces qualify for automation or non-automation rates which are based on the mailing class, dimension and weight of the pieces. Mail pieces that qualify for automation require less manual handling by the USPS, and therefore means a reduction in postage costs.

Reducing mail quantities to achieve budget or eliminating once successful direct mail campaigns should not be the answer or response to the rise in postage rate and costs. Successful marketers have implemented better practices specifically in the area of postal optimization. Despite rising postage costs, it is possible to create successful, cost effective direct mail campaigns by aggressively analyzing mail piece design, mail logistics, data hygiene processes, mail tracking and deliverability. Utilizing effective strategies and best practices combined with technology can enhance conversion rates and the overall economic value of a direct mail campaign. For more information or for a direct mail quote, please contact Avalon Communications in Los Angeles at (310)644-7777, or visit http://www.avalon-communications.com. We offer high quality direct mail services at affordable prices.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Los Angeles Direct Mail: The Importance Of Choosing the Right Mailing Audience

Direct marketing involves more than marketing messages going through the mail. The most common forms of direct marketing are telephone sales, solicited or unsolicited emails, catalogs, leaflets, brochures and coupons. Successful direct marketing also involves compiling and maintaining a large database of personal information about potential customers and clients. Direct mail then, is a marketing message that's delivered to prospects by mail. Direct response is direct mail that requests a response from the recipient through the mail. Thus, it is a marketing technique in which the seller sends marketing messages directly to the buyer. Unlike other forms of marketing communications, such as TV advertising or placing articles in newspaper, with direct mail you don't have another medium carrying your message for you.

Direct mail is a unique blend of advertising and sales. With direct mail, you have total control over the presentation of your message, and direct mail allows you to present the product or service, make an offer and try to close the sale. Direct mail is used in many different situations, limited primarily by the imagination of the advertiser. Stores typically use direct mail to advertise new products or to distribute coupons. In addition to the simple goal of creating sales by offering products through the mail, direct mail is a tactic used for other marketing goals, such as exposing your product to a larger geographic market. You might also use direct mail sales results as a way to test new markets for store locations. Furthermore, you can obtain qualified leads for follow up. If your product or service is expensive, direct mail may be a cost-effective way to gather qualified prospects.

Although most people are familiar with direct mail to consumers, many businesses also advertise their products and services to other businesses. Business to business direct mail is a particularly lucrative segment of the market; marketers can target their messages to precisely those recipients that are likely to become customers. In the end, direct mail allows companies to isolate their marketing dollars to high-probability prospects and avoid wasting money on those that are likely to be uninterested. Direct mail experts agree - your sales success with direct mail is directly related to the quality of your mailing list. Even the best product or offer will be wasted if your direct mail is sent to the wrong people. For more information on how to reach the most effective audience, please contact Avalon Communications to learn about their direct mailing services and tips at (310)644-7777, or visit http://www.avalon-communications.com

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Los Angeles Direct Mail: Ful Service Direct Mail and Fulfillment Services

A full service mailing company is one that offers not only mailing services but also other services needed to achieve a successful direct mailing endeavor. For example at Avalon Communications in Los Angeles, we offer additional direct mail services such as Personalized postcards and mailers fold-over mailers, tabbed mailers, personalized letter and envelope mailing, specialty mailers with perforated paper, and membership card mailers. We also provide stationary, envelopes, and document material, and marketing and sales support collateral.

If you are going to employ mailing services effectively, you need to make sure you’re getting the maximum impact for a minimal cost. That means making sure your direct mail goes to a specifically targeted audience and getting any available discounts to reduce your postage costs. With our state-of-the-art mailing software and addressing equipment, we not only save you time and eliminate the production headaches, but we can get your mailing directly to your customers faster and for less money. We can help you construct your optimum marketing mix and design your marketing campaign from concept to completion. Regardless of the scope of work or size of the customer base, our professional staff provides un-paralleled service for every direct mail campaign—including product distribution, data management and regular project reporting.

Whether your goal is to reinforce your customer’s loyalty, promote new products, increase sales or attract new prospects, direct mail can be the most measurable, precise and cost-effective solution to reach your audience. At Avalon Communications in Los Angeles, we offer personalized direct mail, fulfillment and marketing services to help corporations reduce costs, increase revenue, reduce cycle time, and build loyalty. Our goal is to offer comprehensive, informative, and straightforward contact services that are easily assessable and functional for all clients. Staying in contact with current customers and partners across multiple channels with direct enhances communication and is priceless when establishing new business relationships. For more information, please contact out direct mail firm in Los Angeles at (310)644-7777 or visit http://www.avalon-communications.com

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Purpose of Los Angeles Direct Mail Marketing

Direct mail is a way of advertising in which advertisers mail printed ads, letters or other solicitations to large groups of consumers, and it is a marketing technique in which the seller sends marketing messages directly to the buyer. Bulk-mail rates are used to lower the cost of the mailing, and targeted mailing lists are used to maximize potential response. Unlike other forms of marketing communications, such as TV advertising or placing articles in newspapers through media relations in Los Angeles, with direct mail you don't have another medium carrying your message for you. With direct mail, you have total control over the presentation of your message.

Advertisers in Los Angeles have found direct mail and printing appealing for a number of reasons. It takes their message directly to the consumer. While consumers might walk away from a television ad or flip past a newspaper ad, they will eventually open their mailbox. Advertisers also like that they can direct their message as narrowly or broadly as they want, using bulk mailing rates. By receiving the mail at home, direct mail puts the advertiser's message in the hands of the consumer at the time the consumer might be likely to read it, along with the rest of the mail.


In addition to the simple goal of creating sales by offering products through the mail, direct mail is a tactic used for other marketing goals. Direct mail will allow you to expose your product to a larger geographic market, such as Los Angeles. Therefore you could use direct mail sales results as a way to test new markets for store locations. Your business can also obtain qualified leads for follow up. If your product or service is expensive, direct mail may be a cost-effective way to gather prospect customers. Therefore, use direct mail to grow your business and attract customers! Avalon Communications in a Los Angeles direct mailing firm providing full printing services, customizes mailing, and much more. For more information, please contact Avalon Communications at 310-644-7777, or visit http://www.avalon-communications.com