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Take a lesson from the Census Bureau.
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Reach Them Direct
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Zap-Free Tips
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Pass the Word
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Idea of the Week |
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Customer Surveys That Inspire a Response
Customer response forms, whether they are surveys or feedback requests, are an invaluable part of your company’s go-ahead plans. The feedback you receive helps to drive your marketing and product improvement efforts. But, if these response forms are not pleasing to the eye, and easy to use, your customers will be more likely to throw them away than fill them out.
 If you are preparing your company’s survey or feedback forms, take a lesson from the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1995, while they were beginning preparations for Census 2000, they spent time rethinking the effectiveness of the Census forms in creating a desire to participate. They realized the forms were unappealing and hard to follow, and because they wanted to generate a 100% response rate, they needed to find a way to boost people’s desire to participate. What they came up with was a fresh look that combined fact gathering and encouraging language with a fluid design and color scheme.
While the sheer volume of participants in the 2000 Census make this project seem irrelevant to the information gathering of a small company, there are many things that can be learned about form and function from the Census design.- Keep your design simple.
- Use colors that set people at ease.
- Consider the use of rounded shapes and lines, which are more appealing than rigid boxes.
- Inform the participants of the value of their responses.
- Make your form a safe place to divulge information.
Customers want their voices to be heard. When you ask them questions about themselves, you are giving them a place to participate in the future decisions of your company. Presenting your request for information in a way that makes them comfortable and eager to participate will increase your response rate and ultimately, your bottom line.
See more great ideas like this!
Click here to visit the PrintDigital Inc. Ideas Collection.
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Marketing Tip |
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Tips to Increase Response Rate
Creative direct mail is a great way to break through the overload of electronic marketing. Direct mailings can range from postcards, self-mailing brochures, letters, lumpy mailers, etc. Here are a few tips on how to increase your response rate and be remembered:
- Create a series campaign to create front of mind awareness.
- Feature testimonials from happy customers, including a quote, review, or link to read more.
- Include a coupon or promotion with a timely expiration to entice recipients to move on your offer.
- Promote upcoming free events, white papers, or training sessions of interest.
- Celebrate special occasions by sending coupons or discount cards for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc.
- Send a monthly newsletter featuring new products, helpful tips, and upcoming events and sales.
- Hold a monthly contest where recipients submit their mailing for a chance to win. Not only does this increase store traffic, but it can also help build your mailing list for future promotions.
- Throw an open house. Give customers a chance to meet new staff, learn more about new products, enjoy a snack, win give-away items, etc.
- Mail reminder postcards for upcoming appointments - time for a new haircut, time for your dog’s annual vaccinations, you’re due for an oil change, etc.
- Include a postage paid return envelope whenever a written response is requested.
- Increase excitement by including a scratch-off discount offer.
- Establish prestige and add appeal with foil stamping.
- Attract attention with die-cut promotional materials.
- Entice readers to open your envelope with teaser promotions that increase curiosity or urgency on the outside.
- Oversize your mailings to create impact. This includes oversized envelopes, postcards, packages, etc.
- Consider external lists from list brokers, trade associations, or retails that fit your desired customer profile to expand your direct mail audience.
For more ideas on how to increase your customer base with direct mail, stop by today. Creative printing solutions are our specialty!
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Tech Tips |
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Office Electrical Safety
Even though we are living in a wireless age, most computer desks have hidden nightmare of wires, cables and power cords underneath. Because your computer and most other technical gadgets run on electricity (or batteries), here are a few tips on electrical safety in the workplace:
- Always pull power cords, wires, and cables out by grasping the plug, not the wire. You can severely damage the interconnect that way.
- Inspect all power cords, since damaged cords are hazardous and can create fire or shock. If the cord appears pinched, stretched or cracked, throw it away and get a new one.
- When using a laptop, if you sit outside by the pool, or anywhere that is damp or has concrete, abandon the power supply and run off the battery. Sitting in a pair of shorts on an aluminum chair or even just with bare feet on the concrete and a computer in your lap connected to the power lines is an invitation for trouble.
- Test your hard wires in the wall receptacle with an electrical circuit tester to ensure they are properly wired.
- Clean up the clutter. Messy offices can cause an increase in accidents, spills, leaks, and other potential hazards.
- Keep liquid away from all equipment connected to the electricity supply and dispose of any old cups or cans that may be near your electrical equipment. Electrically powered machines may become live to the touch after having liquid spilled on them.
- When clearing jams in office machines, don’t insert fingers or metal objects into working parts, and do not open the machine while the power is on.
- Never overload circuits. Too many cords plugged into a socket or extension cord is an easy way to start a fire.
- Flickering lights are a good indicator that there could be electrical problems. Check it out as soon as possible if this occurs.
- Plugs should fit securely into outlets. Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit, and also be aware that outlets with loose-fitting plugs can easily overheat and lead to fire.
We know there are endless details to worry about on a daily basis, so don’t let your print materials be one of them. Our printing experts will handle your projects from start to finish so you can cross them off your list of worries.
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Uncommon Product |
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Referral Cards
Referral cards are a great way to stay on the mind of your top customers, and reward them for promoting your company to their friends, family, and colleagues. Here are a few ideas on how to grow your business through referral cards:
- Referral cards are a great way to introduce organizations that recruit members (a club, church, or professional group) and invite a prospect to your next meeting. Provide a place to fill in the date, time and location of the next meeting, as well as your contact information.
- Create a memorable, well designed referral card that portrays your corporate or organization’s image, including your logo, address, web site, e-mail, and other contact information. Utilize both sides of the card to maximize the information you can include.
- Encourage recipients to keep your referral card by offering an exclusive discount or free item upon receipt of their card. This is also a great way to track the origination of your referral program sales.
- Reward happy customers for recruiting friends and colleagues. For example, a photography business can give out referral cards to customers. If they refer five people under their name, their next photo package is free.
- Keep a handful of referral cards with you at all times and distribute them any chance you have the opportunity.
- For businesses with various specialties, direct referral card recipients to a custom URL or microsite that highlights specific information of interest. For example, if you run a veterinary business and give a card to a bird owner, direct them to your "bird" Q&A or health tips section.
- Consider holding an internal referral contest by including a custom URL linking to personal web portals. Once the recipient types in the specific URL and enters their contact information, the referral source is notified and can begin contact with the interested party.
Give us a call if you'd like other ideas for recruiting new customers or members. We'll help you develop creative marketing materials to get you noticed and remembered.
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