Myth or Legend: Understanding the Power of Direct Mail

 In a world where everyone is glued to the screens of their smartphones and tablets all day long, it can be easy to underestimate the power of something like direct mail marketing.

It would also be a mistake!

Direct mail isn't just as effective as ever; it's arguably more popular, despite what certain myths would have you believe.

People Pay Attention to Direct Mail

One idea that has cropped up about direct mail over the years is that it is easily ignorable. Thankfully, this is false.

According to one recent study, about 42.2% of the people who receive direct mail regularly say that they read it entirely or at least scan it to get the gist. 

Now, think about that in the context of an email. Emails can wind up in a "spam" folder or be ignored entirely. If you catch someone at the wrong time of day, they may even hit "delete" and never think of it again without even considering what the message may have contained.

People Prefer Direct Mail

Another common misconception about direct mail is that it is somehow "less desirable" than email.

Some are operating under the incorrect assumption that just because digital technology is available, we want to use it 100% of the time. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who would tell you this is the case.

But those supposed "downsides" work to direct mail's advantage. In 2021, the Direct Marketing Association conducted a study revealing that 73% of consumers prefer direct mail for brand communication. That's because it's tangible - they can hold it, feel it, and it's far easier to engage with than something like a digital ad. 

Shattering the Myths of Direct Mail Marketing

Especially given the fast-paced digital world we're now living in, two of the biggest myths surrounding direct mail over the years have to do with the idea that it is somehow A) labor-intensive and B) cannot be reliably measured the same way something like an email could be.

Again: both of these things are myths, plain and simple!

With the right partner by your side, direct mail isn't labor-intensive at all. The same types of automation tools that can send emails can also be used in the print realm. You're just getting all the added benefits of print that you don't get from its digital counterpart, like that it is unique, tangible, and much harder to ignore than something that can be permanently deleted in seconds.

Direct mail can also be tested and measured to prove how effectively your tactics work. You can still find metrics like your response rate and platforms that integrate print and digital campaigns, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds regarding insight. All of this is highly actionable information that you can use to improve the performance of your campaigns further moving forward. 

If you're interested in discovering more about how direct mail marketing is more powerful and effective than ever, or if you want to improve your printing and marketing efforts but aren't sure where to begin, please don't delay - contact us today.