| With direct mail campaigns, you have a formidable foe: | | | | shape that will help your marketing piece stand out |
| the envelope. The envelope is a necessary element | | | | from the rectangular boredom that is the rest of the |
| with brochures, letters, flyers - basically anything other | | | | mail. You cannot get too crazy though - check out the |
| than the postcard - and it can be the one thing that | | | | U.S. Postal Service's Web site at to make sure your |
| stands in the way of the prospect seeing your | | | | shape or size is legal with them. If it is not, you will end |
| message. | | | | up just wasting your money. Unless, of course, you like |
| But it does not have to be. You can use the envelope | | | | having wallpaper made out of odd shaped envelopes. |
| to work for you, not against you. An envelope does | | | | "Hey, you!" Personalize the envelope. That is right, I am |
| not have to mean a one-way ticket to the trash can. | | | | talking to you. Use the recipient's name on the |
| All you have to do is adjust your envelope printing | | | | envelope and address that person directly. (And no I'm |
| methods and you can change a foe into a friend. | | | | not talking about the address label - I am talking about |
| Here are some envelope printing ideas to make your | | | | using space other than the address label.) Use a |
| envelope enticing instead of a roadblock: | | | | colored font (red or green work well) to send a |
| Ditch the plain white, look-like-everyone-else envelope. | | | | message directly to the recipient on the front of the |
| White is not your only option when it comes to | | | | envelope, preferably in a handwriting-type of font. Use |
| envelopes. This is an easy one - since most other | | | | the first name: "George, you can save 50% on your |
| envelopes are white, you can choose any color other | | | | next gardening purchase." |
| than white and have a great chance of sticking out | | | | Start your advertisement on the front of the envelope. |
| from the crowd. A yellow, red or green envelope can | | | | This goes along with the previous recommendation of |
| work wonders for getting people's attention. Just make | | | | personalizing the envelope. If you do not want to take |
| sure your envelope is a light color so that the post | | | | the time to print each individual's name on the front of |
| office's ink can still be seen clearly. | | | | the envelope, print something more generic. You can |
| Try this on for size: use a different size envelope. Mail | | | | use a teaser like "Look inside for a coupon for $10 off |
| your letter in a huge envelope. Mail your brochure in a | | | | XX product" or "Who can give you the lowest interest |
| tiny envelope. Or use a square envelope. Use a size or | | | | rate? |