4 Steps To Launch Your Direct Mail Campaign

Direct mail continues to be a powerful marketing channel, providing a physical and personal way to engage with your audience. Whether you're targeting customers in the UK, US, Canada, or even on a global scale, getting started with your first campaign is easier than you may think. By following these four steps, you can guarantee your direct mail campaign is set up for success, using reliable services such as Royal Mail and USPS. 

Step 1: Define Your Campaign Objectives 

Before launching a direct mail campaign, it is essential to determine your goals. Ask yourself the following 3 questions: 

1. What do you want to achieve? (e.g. drive sales, boost brand awareness, or increase event attendance)
2. Who is the audience you aim to target?
3. What steps would you like recipients to undertake?

Establishing goals will guide every aspect of your campaign, from crafting messages to measuring success. For instance, if you're promoting a new product, your objective may be to increase visitors to your website or motivate customers to visit your store. 

Remember to always keep your audience in mind. Tailoring your campaign to their needs and preferences will boost engagement and response rates. 

Step 2: Build and Optimise Your Mailing List 

A well-curated mailing list is essential for any effective direct mail campaign. Begin by recognising your audience groups, such as:

1. Exisiting customers
2. Prospective customers
3. Geographic or demographic-based groups 

In the UK, you can use services like Royal Mail's Address Management Unit to improve your mailing list and verify its accuracy. Additionally, Stannp provides an excellent Postcode Radius Search (PRS) feature, which allows you to focus on households within a defined radius of your selected postcode. For more information on how to use this tool effectively, visit our blog How to use our radius search tool. This feature is perfect for campaigns targeted by location, such as promoting a new shop or event. 

In the US, USPS provides address verification tools such as CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) to standardise and confirm addresses. Maintaining a tidy and current list reduces waste and guarantees that your message is delivered to the appropriate audience. 

Step 3: Design Your Mailpiece and Create Your Message 

The design and content of your mailpiece are essential for attracting interest and prompting action. Here are a few suggestions: 

• Select a suitable format: Options include postcards, letters, self-mailers and greeting cards. Postcards are cost-effective and perfect for quick messages, whereas letters can provide a more personal feel. 
• Write a compelling message: Your content must be clear, concise, and geared towards prompting action. Emphasise the benefits of your proposal and incorporate a strong call-to-action. 
• Incorporate branding: Make sure your mailpiece reflects your brand's look and feel, including logos, colours, and tone of voice. 

In both the UK and US, services such as Royal Mail and USPS provide design guidelines and templates to assist you in designing professional, attention-grabbing mailpieces. For additional inspiration and tips, visit our blog on how to create impactful direct mail. 

Step 4: Print, Send and Track

Once your mailpiece is designed, it's time to print and dispatch your campaign. Our service enables you to simplify this process, handling everything from design to delivery on a single platform. 

Consider these tips for a more seamless experience: 

• Test your campaign: Start with a small batch to assess performance before scaling up.
• Track your results: Use unique QR codes, promotional codes, or custom URLs to evaluate response rates and ROI. Stannp also offers tracking solutions for your business mailings, allowing you to keep an eye on the effectiveness of your campaign. 

Partner with Stannp for effortless direct mail campaigns 

At Stannp, we simplify the process of creating and managing direct mail campaigns, targeting audiences in the UK, US, Canada and beyond. Our platform connects with both Royal Mail and USPS, guaranteeing your mail arrives on time and on target. 

Ready to begin? Register at Stannp.com and start your campaign within minutes. Let's bring your direct mail vision to life!