How to Keep Up With Direct Mail Trends

As we march through 2022, many businesses are left wondering if direct mail marketing is still a trend, if it is worth it, and if their business is missing out by not implementing this form of marketing.

Despite the many new marketing avenues available, direct marketing remains a multi-million-dollar industry, with companies spending $38.5 million of total advertising revenue in the United States on direct mail campaigns. 

With an average response rate of 4.9 percent, direct marketing is still alive and is a beneficial marketing tool all businesses should take advantage of.

Continue reading to learn more ways to help you and your business keep up to date with current direct mail trends: 

Watch What Is Coming in the Mail

One way to see what other businesses are doing is to keep an eye on what is coming through your mailbox.

Whether a letter, postcard, magazine, etc., there is much to learn about increasing brand awareness by watching and taking note of which advertisers are trying to get your attention. 

Ask Your Customers

Take time to learn from your customers and what drives them to different businesses.

What types of ads caught their attention? How do they hear about most local companies? What direct mail marketing items, such as ads, coupons, specials, and more, are likely to get them into a store or to hire a local business?

Check With Other Business Owners

Ask other business owners with similar products or services what works for them and which direct mail campaign strategies have proven to drive results.

Most business owners are willing to share their plans, while others might be tougher when sharing information with a competitor. Access to knowledge other business owners possess is vital in developing long-lasting positive relationships with other business owners, so you can share ideas and work together to learn more about direct mail marketing. 

Direct mail marketing campaigns are on the rise as more businesses start implementing various tools to help directly reach consumers. Everything from postcards to catalogs and coupons to letters can target consumers drawing attention to your brand.

Understanding the latest direct mail marketing trends can help keep your business on top of the latest advertising strategies, helping you stay competitive in your target market. 

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: What is it, and How Does it Benefit Your Business?

Since the introduction of social media, word-of-mouth marketing has dramatically increased.

Before the internet, someone would tell a friend or two if they had a good experience. Today, if they have a good experience, they tell thousands with a short post.

Word-of-mouth marketing allows your business’s brand to potentially get noticed by thousands of consumers, which, if done correctly, can spread like wildfire.

Understanding how word-of-mouth marketing works and how it can benefit your business helps increase your chances of attracting new customers.  

Why Word-of-Mouth Marketing Is Important

According to the American Marketing Associated and the Word of Mouth Marketing Association, 64 percent of marketing executives believe that word-of-mouth marketing is the most effective form of advertising.

However, only about 6 percent claim to have mastered this marketing technique.

With a majority believing in word-of-mouth marketing and so few learning the skill, understanding this marketing tool can put your business in front of the competition and keep your products and services in the minds of consumers.

Even if a person does not need a product or service, they may be more inclined to tell friends and families about what they know about your business through word-of-mouth marketing. 

Using the Three Es of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Three tactics can help you increase your word-of-mouth marketing reach, often referred to as the “Three Es.”

1. Engage

The first E is “Engage,” which means you engage with your followers and customers by setting up a presence in their lives.

Some ways to engage include sending birthday cards, offering special discounts and gifts, and consistently responding to social media posts, comments, and messages related to your business. 

2. Equip

The second E is “Equip,” which means giving your customers something to talk about, such as a fantastic product, high-quality customer service, and fun facts about your business.

When consumers like a company and have things to talk about and share with others, it encourages them to let everyone know about their favorite products and services, which could be yours. 

3. Empower

The final E is “Empower,” giving consumers different ways to talk and share their experiences and recommendations.

The more methods you offer for consumers to share your business, the greater the chance they will. Additionally, empower consumers to feel like they are a part of the process, such as asking questions, running contests, etc. 

Word-of-mouth marketing has been around since the first caveman started trading, and with technological advancements, it has become significantly easier to utilize this advertising method.

Additionally, it has become more crucial for businesses to understand how word-of-mouth marketing works to use this tool best and achieve optimal advertising results. 

Augmented Reality and the Evolution of Print

In a world full of new technology, augmented reality is used frequently. As a result, it’s now a great way to market your business.

Augmented Reality Explained

Augmented Reality (AR) is the layering of digital content like video, 3D, or 3D animation over real-world environments to create an engaging and interactive consumer experience.

It makes your print more interactive by encouraging people to download apps, use QR codes, and more. As a result, print has grown and is used in a new way.

Bringing People Closer to Products

WebAR, which they call AR and print, is now being used to bring people closer to their products and allow them to interact with them.

It will enable people to access the best of both worlds: Engaging and immersive experiences that are easy to access. WebAR is popular now and is an excellent accompaniment to tried-and-true print.

Both are needed in today’s market. Traditional print is tactile and is a great way to interact with customers because they are taking more time to look at their mail these days.

However, WebAR is a great way to further interact with customers because it is online and provides a more effortless and cost-effective way to promote your business.

As of February 2017, Pokémon Go became the first AR-centric app to reach 650 million downloads and can be credited with starting the mobile AR app movement.

We all remember people going crazy for this new game, which introduced us to a new type of reality.

Promote Effectively and Professionally

AR solves the dilemma of whether to invest in print or digital by providing marketers the ability to make the most of both worlds by seamlessly integrating their print and digital together, working in unison on the same marketing goal.

You no longer have to choose the best way to market your business. Instead, WebAR and print work closely together to promote effectively and professionally.

You can easily add immersive, interactive content to your magazine ads, postcards, brochures, and more.

Enhance Direct Mail

Now people can take your marketing product and scan it with their phones to find more information. Again, it’s a no-brainer, and it furthers your marketing efforts.

This allows them to answer their questions, make a purchase, and even promote it on social media.

You can even use tracking tags to see how far your marketing has gone. In fact, direct mail campaigns that were enhanced by AR delivered an increase in response rates from 2-3% to a massive 35%, so it makes sense to use AR.

In addition, AR solutions have finally become cost-effective and executable without intensive training or complex design software, allowing savvy marketers to take advantage of this unique advertising enhancement right now.

Whether you use a postcard, a brochure, a catalog, or other direct mail options, we can help you get the most out of your marketing efforts.

Check us out today!

Becoming a Mindful Leader

Everyone is different, which is why various leadership styles exist.

Some of the most common ones include democratic, autocratic, laissez-faire, strategic, transformational, transactional, coach-style, and bureaucratic leadership. However, one often overlooked and quite effective leadership style is the mindful leader. 

Mindfulness is one’s ability to be fully present and observant while also being in control and not overreacting. 

Mindful leaders possess specific beneficial characteristics, making them stand out and be successful. 

Mindful leaders have emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to notice and manage one’s feelings while seeing and responding adequately to the emotions of others. 

Psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of The New York Times bestseller book Emotional Intelligence has created a model that divides emotional intelligence into 4 quadrants. 

• Self-awareness is the ability to be aware of one’s mood and thoughts and their impact on others. Some aspects of self-awareness include emotional self-awareness, accurate self-assessment, and self-confidence.


• Self-management is the ability to effectively manage one’s feelings, thoughts, and actions. Some aspects of self-management include emotional self-control, transparency, adaptability, and optimism.


• Social awareness is the ability to accurately gauge others’ emotions and situations, allowing you to make better decisions and actions. Some aspects of social awareness include empathy, organizational awareness, and service.


• Relationship management is using the above skills to manage social situations effectively. Some aspects of relationship management include influence, conflict management, and collaboration. 

According to the Harvard Business School, emotional intelligence accounts for nearly 90% of what makes high performers stand out. Responsible leaders are also sure to stand out. 

Mindful leaders take responsibility. 

When you let go of the desire to insert blame, you can take responsibility for yourself and the business better. 

Blaming people or situations is often a waste of time. Instead, observe to accurately understand the circumstances so you can focus on the decisions you can make while accepting the areas you can’t control. 

By taking responsibility, you open up doors to possibility. Blaming, victim thinking, and fear create limitations and barriers. By taking full responsibility for the aspects you can control, you’re opening yourself and the business up for success. 

Mindful leaders are powerful.

Power isn’t just for the loud and strong, it’s for those who acquire respect. 

Mindful leaders are often respected for their ability to…  

• Give the situation and the people before them 100% of their attention.


• Filter their thoughts before they speak.


• Lead by self-motivation instead of fear or manipulation.


• Stay calm under pressure.

Research has shown people spend 47% of their time thinking about something else and not on what they’re currently doing. Almost half of people’s time is spent not being mindful!

Where do you lie on the mindfulness spectrum? Try taking a quick self-assessment from the Harvard Business Review. If you’re like most people, you have room to grow.

Luckily, there are tactics you can use to become a more mindful person. 

Practice mindfulness to become a mindful leader.

Aim for at least five minutes every day of mindfulness. 

This means finding a quiet place to sit and focus on your breathing. It’s a way to calm down, push away future anxieties, and focus on the present. By practicing in neutral times, when stressful situations arise you’ll be better able to focus on your breath to calm down. 

Many find mornings the best time to practice mindfulness, mainly because we release the most stress hormones within minutes of waking up. Practicing mindfulness can be a great way to counteract this. 

Stop multitasking to become a mindful leader.

Multitasking fragments your focus. 

Multitasking is also ineffective because humans are terrible at it. Research found that only 2.5% of people can effectively multitask. Do yourself and your mind a favor by cutting back on this ineffective work tactic. 

Decrease distractions to become a mindful leader. 

By decreasing distractions that break your focus, you’ll be able to stay in the present. 

One major culprit of distractions is your phone. It’s constantly pinging with notifications from texts, missed calls, emails, and social media apps. Try sectioning off times of the day when you’ll be phone free. Communicate this with coworkers, friends, and family. Then, you can use these phone-free, distraction-free times to get your most challenging work done. 

Emails are another common distraction. They go off throughout your day. Responding to emails feels productive, but in reality, they disrupt your work. If possible, try pausing all email notifications, instead blocking off a time of day to check your email box. 

Mindfulness is both a leadership style and a way of life. By incorporating it into your life, you’ll be better able to calmly tackle day-to-day problems with focus. 

Mindfulness: Paper Versus Digital

Speaking of mindfulness, when it comes to advertising, you want your target audience to be as present and focused as possible.

Although digital advertising does have its advantages, one major problem is focus. It’s often harder for people to focus and be mindful when using screens because of all the distractions. 

However, paper can be a powerful tool to initiate mindfulness in the recipient. It’s much less distracting, allowing the viewer to focus their entire attention on the paper at hand.

We can help you capture your potential client’s attention with print! 

Advanced Leadership Skills for Managers

Managers can make or break the workplace atmosphere, seeping into a company’s outputs. 

Unfortunately, good management can sometimes be hard to find. Poor management costs $7 trillion globally, or  9-10% of the world’s GDP. This staggering number can decrease if companies hire and train better-equipped managers.  

Below are the top 4 skills required for advanced leadership in the workplace. 

Advanced Leadership Skill 1: Communication

Clear communication prevents workplace hiccups. 

Communication requires the ability to properly convey sometimes complex ideas to a wide range of people. Age, background, skill level, and personality can prevent clear communication. 

Sometimes the most difficult skills in life must be mastered through trial and error. However, you can keep a couple of critical aspects in mind when communicating. 

• Actively listen. If you catch your mind thinking about your extensive to-do list, stop and bring your focus back to the conversation.


• Positive body language. This includes smiling, making eye contact, and not crossing one’s arms.


• Connect. Connect with others through shared experiences by telling stories and being vulnerable. Also, try making time in your day to talk with your coworkers casually.


• Kindness. People are more likely to openly listen and talk to those who seem kind. So be kind throughout your life, and it’ll show.

Proper communication is necessary for any leader because it’s needed throughout the office, especially when explaining projects and tasks when delegating. 

Advanced Leadership Skill 2: Delegation 

The higher up you go, the more important it is to rely on others. 

However, it seems many people want to do everything themselves. This attitude ends up harming the entire team and company. 

Delegation is about first realizing you can’t do everything and pulling yourself away from micro-managing tendencies. 

The next step is being able to see your team without judgment. Knowing your team members’ strengths and weaknesses will help you delegate tasks in a way that benefits everyone. 

Proper delegation helps the workplace run smoothly and more efficiently. It leads to higher growth rates, revenue, and job creation. But you can’t delegate if you aren’t confident in yourself and your decisions. 

Advanced Leadership Skill 3: Confidence

All the intelligence and leadership capability in the world would be worth nothing without the confidence to execute it. 

Confidence is like the glue that holds everything together. Leaders must be confident in themselves, the company, and their own ideas to pursue greatness and fulfill their visions. 

A confident leader…

• doesn’t let fear deter them from opportunity.


• executes ideas into action.


• doesn’t overanalyze.


• shares the confidence bug.

Confident leaders help build a successful business. Therefore, be confident in yourself so you can pursue excellence. 

Advanced Leadership Skill 4: Pursue Excellence 

The inner drive to be your best self isn’t taught but comes from within.

This trait is what makes some managers stand out. Managers who pursue excellence genuinely want the company and the employees to succeed, and they’re willing to put in the extra time and effort to achieve excellence. 

These managers have high self-expectations and are willing to continually learn and grow through experts and daily experiences. Managers who pursue excellence are valuable assets to the company. 

Outstanding leadership brings the company together to pursue common goals. While you’re out leading, we’re here behind the scenes making sure all your print marketing initiatives go smoothly.

Top 3 Reasons Small Businesses Should Consider Offline Marketing

Jingles used to incorporate business phone numbers quite frequently.

But now, we direct people to our websites or a physical address. Sure, things have changed, but it’s still advertising. We still need to reach people and ask them to visit our location.

And now that more people are working from home, they have more time to read their mail.

You can send flyers, postcards, and brochures in the mail, and they’ll get noticed. So here are three reasons you should consider offline marketing in addition to your online marketing efforts.

Top 3 Reasons Small Businesses Should Consider Offline Marketing

1. Offline Is Still Relevant

Offline marketing tools reach many more people than just online. This is because people do much more than just spending time online looking at websites.

In 2018, Nielsen found that Americans spend half the day (11 hours) interacting with media. Out of those 11 hours, over four hours are live TV, 36 minutes are “time-shifted TV” (DVR), and almost two hours are radio.  

This means that seven hours has nothing to do with online. Radio, newsprint, and direct mail marketing are good reasons to shift your advertising offline. People want information more tangibly.

2. Solidify Your Message

The more you get your name out in front of people, the better. And using different methods, such as offline, helps solidify the message and make your budget stretch farther.

Repeated brand exposure not only keeps a brand’s messaging and products top-of-mind for consumers, but Entrepreneur reports that it can also instill a sense of familiarity and trust.

Not everyone wants to spend time online looking for answers to their issues. And direct mail, for example, allows you to target specific people ideal to your market.

In addition, people perceive direct mail as more reliable and trustworthy.

3. Offline Marketing Is For All Ages

We tend to think offline advertising is for the older people who typically don’t use online to gather information. However, this is simply not true.

All ages love to get mail, listen to the radio, and watch TV.

The USPS Household Survey found that response rates from 18- to 21-years-olds doubled in 2016.

That’s good news because offline marketing is affordable.

Using both online and offline marketing is best to get optimal results, and we’d love to help you with it. Contact us today!

10 Tips to Increase Productivity as a Busy Entrepreneur

Productivity is a critical factor in being successful.

Although it would be nice to have our goals reached by relaxing at home all day, there is a rewarding feeling of achievement knowing that effort was put in for a great outcome.

This is easier said than done; being productive daily takes self-control and discipline. There are so many factors that go into running a business. Incorporating organization into your day and staying productive can assist and guide you as a busy entrepreneur. Here are a few ways you can do that!

10 Tips To Boost Productivity

1. Prioritize.

Looking over a long to-do list can be stressful.

Instead of becoming overwhelmed, try organizing your to-do list into priorities. Determine which task is the most crucial to complete and stick with that one. Taking it one step at a time changes your perspective and helps you take a realistic approach to overcoming that stubborn list!

2. Communicate.

Communication is essential in all areas of life- especially in the workplace.

Many problems arise from a lack of communication, and this can waste time and resources in many different instances. You can avoid conflict down the road by ensuring you communicate with everybody involved.

3. Delegate.

Going along the lines of communication, being able to delegate is a valuable skill.

Look over what you need to accomplish. Is there anything that you can pass on to someone that is qualified? This may require you to look at your team and detect their strengths and skills.

In the end, this will save you time and help you communicate with your team- keeping everybody involved and connected.

4. Develop a routine.

You may have heard this tip before, but that’s because it’s important!

Structure throughout your day will help you stay on track and accomplish what needs to be done. Forming habits that will improve your overall health, like clean eating, exercise, and sleep, can translate to your work performance and mood.

5. Practice time management.

Your workday hours are limited, so you probably want to take advantage of each second you get.

A study from Stanford University found that productivity per hour declines when a person works over 50 hours a week. At 70 hours per week, the amount of work completed is the same as for someone that worked only 55 hours.

This data shows that the more time you spend working doesn’t always result in more work being accomplished. Managing your time is vital so that the quality of your work can be done in a reasonable amount of time.

6. Reflect.

Looking back on the past can be beneficial to improving your business.

Try recognizing what went well and what needs improvement. You’ll be able to analyze which factors created success and build off those things. By reflecting on past projects, you can learn and take feedback to prepare for the future. Remember to not dwell on the past and let it bring you down. Learn and move on!

7. Plan ahead.

While it’s important to reflect, it’s also great to think ahead.

Organize what you need to accomplish and set goals for yourself and your business. Yes, focusing on what you have in front of you is essential, but make sure you’re working towards something. Planning is convenient and will prepare you for your next steps, whatever they may be.

8. Set your boundaries.

You may be stressed at times and doubt yourself, but remember you’re in control!

You know what you can and can’t handle, so don’t be afraid to listen to yourself. Taking on too many responsibilities can be detrimental to your work performance. Learn to say no when necessary, and don’t burn yourself out.

9. Follow the 80/20 rule.

If you’re unfamiliar with the 80/20 Rule (also known as Pareto’s Principle), it simply states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

In perspective, the most productive 20% of your day produces 80% of your work. This concept shows that you can accomplish more with less effort by concentrating on things that will produce the most significant results.

10. Motivate yourself!

Think back to why you started your business.

What were you hoping to accomplish, and have you done that yet? Sometimes, all you need to get motivated is a little reminder of why you do what you do!

These things will help you combat your struggles as a busy entrepreneur and increase your productivity. Remember to prioritize your time and use your resources to ensure that you can reach all of your goals for your business.

We want to see you succeed and help you with your needs regarding professional printing.

7 Advertising Basics for Small Business Owners

With many advertising options, billboards, websites, direct mail, etc., it can prove challenging to advertise effectively. Still, there are guides to lead you down the right promotional path for small businesses.

Let’s take a look.

7 Advertising Basics for Small Business Owners

1. Budget

When you think about advertising, of course, you need a budget. And most small businesses don’t have large ones.

This is probably best used in ways that maximize your return, rather than throwing it all in on one large ad on TV.

Leave that for the big businesses that have large budgets.

2. Website

A professionally-designed site can cost thousands of dollars, so try online templates. These work well to foster name recognition and promote your products and/or services.

In addition, you can add pictures, logos, and illustrations that look professional for a fraction of the cost.

3. SEO Marketing

Promote your website.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a practice that aligns your business with Google’s ranking algorithm.

Get Google to advertise it with the right tools. For example, add relevant (industry- and location-based) keywords to specific places on your website.

4. Paid search marketing

Google AdWords and Bing Ads can bring in traffic to the website and help your business feature prominently when people search for relevant phrases.

For $20 or $30 a day, you can get your name in front of the right people searching for what you have to offer.

5. Social Media

There’s also Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to get the word out. These are relatively easy to use if you know what to say.

It’s possible to hire a writer on a freelance basis who can write these for you. Or, if you have a marketing team, enlist someone to write these regularly.

This is a great way to get in front of people daily, or at least regularly.

6. Traditional Print Advertising

Use flyers, postcards, and brochures for marketing your business effectively. It’s inexpensive, and it works.

Provide coupons on the handouts to informally track effectiveness.

You can use oversize postcards to get a better reaction since they tend not to get lost in the shuffle.

7. Combine Print and Online Efforts

Print and online advertising complement one another.

For example, on your printed pieces, be sure to have a call to action that involves visiting your website. Then give them a coupon or discount when they visit.

Likewise, when they visit your website, try to capture their physical address so you can send them direct mail. This is very effective.

You can do many things to promote your small business. However, traditional direct marketing is still in high demand.

Check us out today to learn more!

9 Productivity Tips for Business Owners

Are you busy unnecessarily? Are there ways to become more productive and skip some small steps? Let’s take a look.

9 Productivity Tips for Business Owners

1. Outsource.

Some things seem important, but when you look at them more closely, you realize that maybe someone else could do that for you.

For example, think about having another company or person write your thank-you notes and do other small tasks. You’ll save time in the long run.

2. Create a Schedule.

Making lists is a great way to ensure you don’t overlook the essential things that need to get done.

But putting that list into an actual schedule will help you get more organized and make sure those tasks get accomplished.

Schedule specific times to do certain projects, rather than just listing them on paper.

3. One Task at a Time.

Take it one thing at a time, rather than jumping from task to task.

You will accomplish more and won’t feel as frazzled. Stick to the schedule of tasks rather than what pops up in your mind.

4. Plan Ahead.

Try scheduling it a week before instead of printing off notes or sheets for a meeting the day before. That will calm your nerves and will make you more efficient.

5. Review Goals Daily.

Every morning, take a few minutes to review your annual goals and weekly and daily goals.

Think about what you’d like to accomplish in the upcoming year and what you would like to get done today.

6. Turn Off Notifications.

When your computer, phone, or watch constantly beeps at you, staying focused is hard.

So, turn those notifications off for a set time each day. That way, you can get more done without getting distracted.

7. Choose to Be Happy.

Make sure you have a good relationship with your staff. Choose to be happy and to get along with everyone.

8. Schedule Social Media.

You want to be sure you are posting regularly, but you also don’t want to get distracted by this thought all day long.

The best way to combat this is to schedule a specific time every day in which you will post your social media.

9. Reward Yourself.

When you have accomplished your goals, reward yourself with a massage, a fancy coffee, or some time with a friend.

There are so many great ways to improve your productivity, and these steps should help you right away.

If you need help with getting your printing done in a timely, effective manner, reach out to us today!

Visual and Experiential Marketing: Try These Trends for Your Business

When it comes to marketing, businesses have several resources, including several methods to help them engage with their customers and clients.

Developing an emotional connection with customers and clients helps get them to return for your products and services. Everything from making your customers comfortable when visiting your brick and mortar location to being able to handle the products is meaningful to the consumer experience.

Using state-of-the-art visual and experiential marketing trends can help move your customers from “I’m just looking” to “Let’s buy it now.”

Bring the Outside In

Biophilic design is the practice of connecting with a person’s instinctive desire to be associated with nature.

Bring the outside into your business by incorporating natural elements into your space. Ways to bring the outside in include increasing natural light, adding lush, wild plants and flowers, and using natural wood elements.

Social Media and Influencers

As the world has moved online for searching for businesses and products, it might be time to consider using social media and influencers who already have a significant following.

Social media influencers can offer your company a personalized marketing approach by demonstrating how to use your product and sharing a review. This method also creates a direct link to their followers and your customers, provides interactive activity to your social media platforms, and grabs the attention of new customers who may never have heard about your company without the help of an influencer.

VR Technology

Virtual reality technology is a business-changing tool, allowing your business to create sneak peeks for your customers.

For example, head-mounted VR displays enable businesses, such as landscaping companies, architects, and interior designers, to show clients what their space may look like. Many other companies can utilize this method by offering a view to their customers, unlike any of their competitors.

Experiential marketing involves offering a buying experience with a product or service before buying it. This method helps make consumers feel comfortable knowing they are buying a quality product. They can visualize themselves using the product or benefiting from the results of a service. Help make your customers feel more comfortable by testing new experiential marketing tactics that fit your business or service.