Darwin

Having a slow week up here in Michigan. So I'm around the house catching up on some projects I've been puttin' off. When the mail comes, I open the box and start fingering through a batch of letters.

I come across the second letter and it's handwritten--addressed to me. I look at the return address and it is un-readable. Words stamped so small, the average senior couldn't read it. Immediately, I'm open it because my thinking is-I never get personal letters handwritten. In it, there is this wonderful, full-color flyer and biz card (WTF?)

It is a dumpster drop-off Co. that wants my business. WOW. Now mind you, I get a lot of junk mail like every other contractor--and is quick to dispatch it to the nearest trash receptacle, but talk about instant idea.
This is a GREAT idea.

I usually try to advertise by placing myself in the customer's place. Would I open a letter that seemed personal in nature? Heck yeah! The main problem with traditional mailers is- being able to get you to open the blasted letter in the first place! (and everything else like postcards get chucked too).

How many of you guys have tried this approach? Does it work? (worked on me)??

__________________

rbsremodeling

There was a thread about that last year. I think a few members here tried it.

__________________

Being an idiot frees a man from having to live up to others peoples expectations.

Darwin

Yeah, what got me was- I never open junk mail, (but the ol' shredder does) and it seems I'll be trying this approach. Heck, it's been a little slow but I've just got 2 calls- a few minutes ago.

Also, I think this company's approach is pretty cool. I will hire them as needed ( considering they took the attention to detail by addressing the letter in a personal nature).

Heck the letter wasn't even metered. Just a regular First class stamp. I think starting off with about 500 letters a give me an idea of what to do next.

__________________

bert0168

Funny you mention this. I am in the process of getting a brochure together to send out in hand addressed envelopes with a letter along with the brochure that is personally signed.

The reasons you stated for opening the letter are the exact reasons I am going to try this method.

I actually found my mason from a letter he sent out in a similar fashion.

I'll let you know how it works.

Check this thread too:
http://www.contractortalk.com/f12/up...09/#post641957

__________________
www.ddcontractors.net

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCo. Yep, you guessed, sold by a fancy white guy, installed by the brown army.

concretemasonry

There are some very basic rules for sending out mass mailings that work well and are woth it.

1. Always use a pretty or commenmorative stamp that is not quite "square" with the envelope.

2. Use hand addressed envelopes. - With the current software and printers, this can created a very personal address with some variations.

3. Make the enveope unusual, but not cheap looking. Avoid the glossy finishes and mass production look.

4. Some people insert a plastic credit card into the envelope to get it opened and not shredded.

5. Never use bulk mail or a zip code more than 5 digits.

6. I all else fails, spray it with perfume and have a name like "Angel" in the return address.

I have had people send me a 7# paver as a part of a mailing program. The cost may seem excessive, but it is worth in for some markets and products.

Direct mail can be cheap and ineffective or it can be profitable depending on what you do and who you mail to.

__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

Darwin

I like this one . Should it be the "in-the-strip-club perfume" or the "tip toein' thru the daisies" smell?

__________________

CF Construction

We've tried this approach, and continue doing so. The people in which we target when we do things like this are mostly architects and doctors. I go online and go to the website of local hospitals. When I'm there, I pull up their doctor directory, and basically that's where my work starts. We do this with doctors because in the past we've discovered that some of them are in the process of leaving the hospital to start their own practice. Obviously, the area that they will use to conduct their business will need some extensive interior remodeling, in which will require the services of a licensed and insured General Contractor to ensure that the process is as smooth and painless as possible. This approach in the past has worked and has helped us get several big projects. We recently completed offices of neurologists, cardiologists, and a doctor who does endoscopy.


In addition to our construction related services, we also offer expediting services (running permits/plans to the corresponding cities). This is how we approach architects when we mail them. We offer our expediting services to them and you'd be surprised how many of them do it themselves and are willing to hire others to do that for them. The thinking behind this, which again has resulted to be true because we've won several projects because of it it's because at times architects are working on plans for a client whom at the moment has just completed the "design phase" of their project and don't have a G.C. to turn too. By offering our expediting services to these architects, we've basically put our "foot in the door" with their firm. We make them aware that we're a licensed and insured General Contracting company and that our service are available to them or their clients at any time, in which that's when the doors open for us. I basically do Google searches to see architectural firms within the South Florida area to target. From time to time I also purchase those Architect Digest magazines because obviously many of them advertise there.

In the past we've targeted interior designers/decorators, but the outcome hasn't been that favorable. We've probably landed a couple of jobs from them which is still good so from time to time we still target them, but not as heavily as the other two.

Another group of people we target are luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, lounges and nightclubs. Again, being that this is Miami, many of these establishments are constantly doing upgrades in their facilities for an updated look and to compete with others. I've also sent out letters to management in luxury condominiums, which in return have referred some of their new buyers to us to help them out with whatever remodeling idea(s) they may have.


This is a very good approach and quite inexpensive compared to other choices out there. The key is knowing how to approach all these prospects. Approach them wrongly and you've just closed an opportunity for you and your company.

__________________
CF Construction and Remodeling, Inc.
"Your Vision Is Our Commitment"
General Contractor In Miami

Park Place

I have tried it - Out of 150 that I sent we got 1 call which turned into a sale, so it seemed worth it to me... Time consuming but worth it..

We have also started stuffing bags with flyers / free literature from suppliers with our lables on them... For every 100 I send out I usually get one call.. People seem to like the info..

Best of Luck