Table of Contents:
What Is Lettermail?
What Are Direct Mail Postcards?
Pricing Comparison: Lettermail vs. Direct Mail Postcards
Industry-Specific Considerations
Tailoring the Choice
When it comes to direct marketing, businesses in various industries constantly face the dilemma of choosing between lettermail and direct mail postcards. Both of these marketing tools serve to deliver targeted messages to specific customers, but the format, pricing, creative potential, and results can vary significantly depending on your campaign’s goals.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the key aspects of letter mail and direct mail postcards to help you make an informed decision on which one is best suited to your marketing needs.
1. What Is Letter mail?
Lettermail is a Canada Post service primarily designed for delivering smaller envelopes or letters. Businesses often use it for sending bills, invoices, newsletters, and other types of personal or transactional mail. In the context of marketing, letter mail refers to direct mail campaigns in which the content is enclosed in a traditional envelope, typically with a letter-sized document inside.
Pros of Lettermail:
Personalization: One of the main benefits of lettermail is the ability to deliver a personalized, highly targeted message. The enclosed letter allows for more detailed content, such as special offers, promotions, or newsletters. This can make it easier to engage with recipients on a personal level, fostering trust and building relationships.
Credibility: Because letters are more formal, they can sometimes have more credibility with certain audiences. This makes letter mail ideal for sending invoices, contracts, legal notices, or anything that requires a professional tone.
Higher Perceived Value: People often assume that letters are more important, simply because they arrive in an envelope. This can drive higher engagement, especially if the letter is well-crafted and the recipient is familiar with your business.
Multi-Purpose Use: Lettermail can be used for a variety of marketing materials, such as brochures, catalogs, and product samples. It also allows businesses to include multiple inserts, such as discount vouchers or event invitations, giving you the flexibility to promote multiple offers in one piece.
Cons of Lettermail:
Cost: Lettermail is typically more expensive to send compared to direct mail postcards. Due to the heavier weight of the envelope and the potential for added inserts, postage costs can quickly add up. If you're mailing to a large list, the cost of production and shipping can be significant.
Less Immediate Impact: Since letter mail is often opened slowly and with caution, it may not have the immediate impact that postcards can achieve. Consumers are more likely to quickly skim through a postcard than open an envelope and read through a letter.
Limited Design Flexibility: While you can certainly get creative with the design of your letter, you’re still working with an enclosed format, which can limit some aspects of visual creativity. The design is generally confined to the inside of the envelope, which may not offer as much room for eye-catching graphics or imagery.
2. What Are Direct Mail Postcards?
On the other hand, direct mail postcards are typically sent without an envelope and consist of a large, printed card that can feature bold, eye-catching designs and messaging. These postcards are often used for more straightforward marketing purposes, such as promotions, discounts, and event invitations.
Pros of Direct Mail Postcards:
Cost-Effective: One of the major advantages of direct mail postcards is their affordability. Since they don’t require an envelope and are usually lighter in weight, the cost per unit is significantly lower than lettermail. This makes postcards an excellent choice for businesses working with larger mailing lists or tighter marketing budgets.
Immediate Attention: Postcards tend to grab attention immediately due to their large, colorful design. Unlike letter mail, which is often opened in stages, direct mail postcards are typically seen at a glance, which can be particularly beneficial for time-sensitive offers, events, or seasonal promotions.
Creative Freedom: Direct mail postcards offer a wide range of design possibilities. You can use bold graphics, creative imagery, and vibrant colors to make your message stand out. Postcards are often designed with attention-grabbing visuals to quickly convey a message, making them ideal for creating impactful marketing materials.
High Open Rates: Since postcards are often sent without envelopes, there’s no need for the recipient to open them. This means they have an inherently higher open rate than lettermail, where the recipient has to take extra steps to engage with the content. The front of a postcard can immediately deliver your key message, ensuring greater exposure.
Cons of Direct Mail Postcards:
Limited Space: One of the limitations of direct mail postcards is the lack of space for long-form content. If your message requires more detailed explanation, a postcard may not be the best medium. Letter mail would be more suitable for complex or personalized offers where more context is needed.
Less Formal: Unlike letter mail, postcards can feel less formal. While they are great for marketing campaigns, they may not always be appropriate for certain industries or for delivering messages that require a more serious or professional tone.
Potential for Being Overlooked: While postcards generally have higher open rates, they can also be easily discarded if the recipient is not immediately interested in the message. This is especially true for businesses that send generic, non-targeted postcards, as these may end up in the recycling bin without a second glance.
3. Pricing Comparison: Lettermail vs. Direct Mail Postcards
When comparing the costs of lettermail versus direct mail postcards, it’s clear that postcards generally come out on top in terms of affordability.
Lettermail typically involves higher production costs due to the need for an envelope and the possibility of additional inserts. On top of that, the postage for letter mail is usually higher as well, especially if the envelope exceeds standard size or weight limitations.
Direct mail postcards, in contrast, are less expensive to produce and send. Since they are often smaller, they are subject to lower postage rates, and their streamlined design means fewer production costs. This makes postcards a great option for businesses that want to get the most out of their marketing budget while still reaching a large number of potential customers.
4. Industry-Specific Considerations
The choice between lettermail and direct mail postcards often depends on the nature of the industry and the type of message you want to convey. Here’s a breakdown of which format works best for specific industries:
1. Real Estate
Best Option: Direct Mail Postcards
Real estate professionals thrive on visually compelling marketing that grabs attention. Postcards are excellent for showcasing property images, advertising open houses, or sharing market updates. Their bold designs and immediate visibility make them ideal for reaching potential buyers or sellers quickly.
However, lettermail can be used effectively for personalized communications, such as follow-ups with prospects or sending detailed market reports to high-value clients.
2. Retail and E-Commerce
Best Option: Direct Mail Postcards
For retail and e-commerce businesses, direct mail postcards offer an affordable and impactful way to promote sales, discounts, and loyalty programs. Their ability to display bright visuals and concise messaging works well for driving foot traffic to stores or visits to online platforms. Including QR codes on postcards can seamlessly bridge offline and online experiences, enhancing customer engagement.
3. Professional Services (Legal, Financial, Healthcare)
Best Option: Lettermail
Industries like legal, financial, and healthcare often require a formal, professional tone to maintain credibility and trust. Lettermail is better suited for these sectors as it allows for detailed, confidential communications. Enclosing contracts, financial updates, or appointment reminders in an envelope ensures privacy and professionalism.
4. Non-Profit Organizations
Best Option: Lettermail
For non-profits, fundraising campaigns and donor communications are more effective when they feel personal. Lettermail allows organizations to include heartfelt letters, personalized appeals, and even donation forms. The perceived thoughtfulness of a letter can evoke stronger emotional responses and higher engagement compared to a postcard.
5. Hospitality and Travel
Best Option: Direct Mail Postcards
In the hospitality and travel industry, visual appeal is key. Postcards with vibrant images of destinations, hotel packages, or vacation deals can immediately capture attention. Their affordability makes them ideal for promoting seasonal offers or announcing new services.
6. B2B (Business-to-Business)
Best Option: Lettermail
B2B communications often require detailed content and a professional tone, making lettermail a better fit. Sending proposals, service catalogs, or personalized offers in an envelope aligns with the formal expectations of corporate clients. However, for trade show invites or product launches, direct mail postcards can work as a complementary tool to create initial interest.
7. Education
Best Option: Direct Mail Postcards
Schools, colleges, and universities often use direct mail postcards to attract prospective students. Postcards showcasing campus life, key programs, and upcoming events can resonate well with both students and parents. For more detailed information, such as acceptance packages or enrollment forms, lettermail becomes essential.
8. Automotive
Best Option: Direct Mail Postcards
Car dealerships and automotive service providers benefit greatly from direct mail postcards. Whether it’s advertising a sale, promoting a maintenance package, or reminding customers of their next service date, postcards can deliver a clear and actionable message at a low cost.
9. Entertainment and Events
Best Option: Direct Mail Postcards
Event organizers and entertainment companies often rely on direct mail postcards to promote concerts, shows, or festivals. The immediate visibility and vibrant designs of postcards make them ideal for creating excitement and driving ticket sales. For VIP invitations or detailed event itineraries, lettermail can provide a touch of exclusivity.
10. Home Services (Renovation, Cleaning, Pest Control)
Best Option: Direct Mail Postcards
For local businesses offering home services, direct mail postcards are a practical choice. They allow for quick and clear communication about services, pricing, and special offers. A well-designed postcard can stand out and encourage homeowners to take action, such as scheduling an appointment or requesting a quote.
5. Tailoring the Choice
Each industry has unique needs, and choosing between lettermail and direct mail postcards depends on factors like target audience, message complexity, and budget. For campaigns that require a personal or formal touch, lettermail is the way to go. For bold, cost-effective promotions that demand attention, direct mail postcards are unbeatable.
Both lettermail and direct mail postcards offer unique benefits depending on your marketing strategy, budget, and desired outcome. If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution that allows for bold design and immediate impact, direct mail postcards are a great choice. However, if your message requires personalization, a more formal approach, or the inclusion of additional content, lettermail could be more effective.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on the specific needs of your campaign, your target audience, and the resources you have available. By understanding the pros and cons of each format, you can choose the best option for your business and ensure that your direct mail campaign delivers results. Contact us today the find the best choice for your business!