It has been referred to as "outdated" or even an "ancient artifact". Despite not being as sexy as social networking or online marketing a sales letter is still one of the most powerful marketing tools you can have in your arsenal. While there have been countless books, articles, and blog posts written about sales letters I have found there are still common challenges that most who write a sales letter encounter.
Writing your first sales letter can be a challenge. It can be tough to not sound like you are "selling" your prospects and still get them to take action. With the rising cost of postage you might be thinking "how am I going to get this investment back?"
Many business owners and entrepreneurs avoid sales letters simply because putting up a web page is easier and cheaper. Online competition is rising quickly and yet the volume of mail is going down. Simply put, landing in someone's mailbox gives you the edge over your competition. To give yourself the edge when you mail your next sales letter, I invite you to consider the following:
Most people think any business envelope will do and that will end up with you in the trash can. Consider methods to make your envelope stand out. Using a different colored envelope (i.e. yellow), a wedding invitation, an abnormal sized envelope, and literally any method that doesn't make your letter look like everyone else. Getting your prospect to open your letter is the first battle.
Are you grabbing their attention in the first 10 seconds? Most letters fail to have an over-the-top headline. Your headline should be large, even in red, and at the top. It should reach to the prospect on how they can save time and money when they take the time to read what you have written.