subject: Direct Marketing : The Basics Explained [print this page] Direct Marketing : The Basics Explained Direct Marketing : The Basics Explained
There are several types of marketing that are aimed at keeping a brand name fresh in the public eye or to get a new company or business off the ground. One such kind is known as direct marketing. This involves methods of reaching prospects by contacting them directly rather than by hit or miss methods like radio or television. Some common direct marketing strategies are well known to many people.
One of the best aspects of direct marketing is that its effects can be quantitatively measured. Sending ads in the mail is still the most practiced form of direct marketing. Coupons are also effective direct marketing tools because they not only make prospects aware of a business, but they have to stop by or visit a website to accept the offer. The number of coupons that come back to the establishment can then be counted up and a percentage of patrons to coupons can be calculated. Fliers and door hangers show up on the doors of seemingly every neighborhood possible. They are not expensive and they don't cost much to produce. Plus, they will most certainly be seen because someone is bound to walk through their front door at least once a day.
It didn't take long for companies to realize the efficacy of direct marketing with email. Unfortunately, this technique can suffer somewhat due to the abundance of spam that hits inboxes. Legitimate, fair offers and ads can become lost is a sea of phishing scams and junk mail. There are several similarities in the two types of email, and many email clients' filters cannot differentiate between them. Email marketing is still productive because the prospect probably provided his or her email address to the company or subscribed to a newsletter and will therefore be familiar with the name. With recognition comes consideration, and the recipient will likely read the mail.
Most people are intimately familiar with the direct marketing strategy of telemarketing. Almost everyone with a phone number has maintained a conversation with a telemarketing representative who is asking for them to buy or subscribe to something. Non-believers will probably scoff at telemarketing and claim that it is a waste of time and money, but it wouldn't be such an attractive form of marketing if it didn't work. If nothing else, the name of the company is heard by prospects, whether they buy anything or not.
With direct marketing, brand names are right in front of a prospect's nose. Mail is still utilized the most, but email and telemarketing are close behind. It is a valuable means by which to get your business or company noticed.
