Avoid the Sting of a Possible Postage Rate Hike with Postcards

Recently, the United States Postal Service proposed a postage rate increase for letters and postcards. If enacted, the cost of a first-class stamp would increase three cents to $.49, while a postcard stamp would go up one cent to $.34. While a three-cent increase does not sound like much, when applied across 30,000 letters, it equates to a $900 increase in the cost of advertising.

Though postcard postage may also experience a rate increase, a one-cent hike only increases costs for 30,000 postcards by $300. This difference makes postcards a cost-effective choice in the face of potentially higher postage rates. With the help of a Twin Cities professional digital printer, small businesses can design and mail engaging and powerful advertising pieces.

Making the Most of an Advertising Postcard

A postcard is like a letter that is already open, immediately engaging recipients with its message. It’s easy to customize a postcard with a recipient’s personal information, including their names. Personalization helps your postcard have a powerful impact with recipients.

To create an engaging and effective postcard, first come up with a specific purpose for the mailing. Postcards are great ways to promote a coupon or sale, send a gift certificate, announce a new location, or send a reminder. Adding a deadline or expiration date in the postcard’s message helps create a sense of urgency.

The postcard’s text should be simple, brief, and give the recipient a reason to give the business a call or visit. Marketing experts suggest that a postcard include no less than three repetitions of a call-to-action to stir recipients into picking up the phone.

Pro Tips for Printing Postcards

After companies develop the text for their postcards, they should work with a digital printer to create vibrant and eye-catching lay-outs. Invest in high-quality images and color printing on glossy paper to make the largest impact with recipients.

To maximize advertising dollars, consider personalizing postcards to each recipient. As mentioned before, using a recipient’s name within a postcard’s message is an effective way to get recipients to take action. It is also possible to change the graphics on a postcard according to recipients’ demographic information or interests.

With a possible increase in postage rates, postcards continue to be a cost-effective choice for companies using direct mail to advertise their products and services. To get started on your next postcard project, contact Matreks Printing today at 952-746-4010.