which is better, a Letter, postcard, or flyer?

[sergman89]

As we all know its time to advertise.

Me and my business partner have decided a letter may be better for a first run at it this year.

I think a post card would be good for the second run, which I get 1000 for 60.

And a flyer might be good for a third fun, maybe even a door hanger!

With your experience Im asking which has the best return on investment?

The letter is a more professional way of saying hi, but alot of people may say hmmm junk mail?

The post cards have a clever design on the front that will catch eyes, and flyers/doorhangers have a 5% return as I read from this site.

Any thoughts, or comments?

Thank you in advance!!

[walker-talker]

I would say a letter with a hand-written target and return address on the envelope would do the best as far and getting the potential customer to read. I don't think I would enclose a letter, but maybe a flyer. A 5% return on any piece on direct mail is outstanding. I read somewhere that the national average (non-industry specific) is 2.6%. I mailed out 2500 postcards (twice) a few years ago and average 1.7%. In this economy, I would think .5%-1% would being doing ok.

[kirkmbrown2001]

I put out 200 postcards in a wealthy neighborhood last year and got 1 call for an estimate but didn't get the job. Whichever option you choose, don't expect miracles!

[walker-talker]

Originally Posted by kirkmbrown2001

I put out 200 postcards in a wealthy neighborhood last year and got 1 call for an estimate but didn't get the job. Whichever option you choose, don't expect miracles!

That's a .5% rate of return..not surprising. I have never targeted the extreme wealthy, but I have heard it is a tough market to penetrate (for lawn care).

[sergman89]

Thoese are insane numbers, I past out 200 very low quality door hangers and I got 6 clients, only 3 were steady though! Then FREE word of mouth recieved another stead 6 from that go at it.

thats not 5% but higher then 2%

I am assuming putting out professional letters (without individual names) might catch a good few eyes. Then bang out some post cards a week later. Then door hangers two weeks after. come april postcard it one more time

Each go at it will be a little over 700 homes so that people know the name of our business and think KM before any other

[sergman89]

Not to slap anyone in the face, just re-read last post.

Just saying I usually get around a 5% response then word of mouth does the rest.

*Also posting to bump the thread*

[bustutah]

I've found that the best roi is postcards the cost is low and distribution cost is low. Remember constant marketing is the key do all 3!

[sergman89]

Originally Posted by bustutah

I've found that the best roi is postcards the cost is low and distribution cost is low. Remember constant marketing is the key do all 3!

Do you know of a place cheaper then VistaPrint to get the postcards?
They have 1k for under 60

and I am thinking about buy an address list of 1k for 40 as well.

Does that sound like a good deal, or is there somewhere better for either?

In the end to mail out 1k postcards it will cost me about 300

[Lux Lawn]

This year I sent out letters to about 100 local businesses that may require landscaping service's. So far I have gotten 1 call,went and gave the estimate just waiting on a reply. I also sent letters to about 40 management companys in the area, got two calls from them already but no work yet.

[sergman89]

Im hoping the letter gets in there head, then send out postcards a few times.

Im thinking if I spend 1k on advertising I should get the money back in 1 month of mowing.

1k will get me 3k postcards with address and mailed out and then I can get some door hangers and put them up.

Its a one month process