Top 10 Direct Marketing Posts of 2010

As 2010 comes to a close, it’s time to take another look at the ten most popular and important posts on blog.mailprint.com during this past year. And the drum roll please…

Is Your Direct Marketing Positively Impacting Your Customer Life Cycle?

Our overall #1 most viewed article focuses on helping readers define the customer life cycle of their organization, and how they can align their direct marketing strategy to their customer lifecycle for maximum results.

Key Quote: “While everyone knows that it costs 6-10 times more to acquire a new customer than to maintain a loyal customer, most direct marketing is heavily weighted toward lead generation…”

Is Social Media Marketing Poaching Direct Marketing Results?

Research shows that while marketers are shifting budget to social media marketing, many “are not convinced of the value or ROI” of social media. This article examines the situation, and presents a four-step plan to implementing social media without sacrificing results.

Key Quote: “So even though marketers believe that direct marketing and other traditional tactics are more effective, they’re willing to divert budget to social media. Is this a rational decision to test new marketing tactics, or are marketers just succumbing to peer pressure and a search for ‘the next big thing?’”

Guide to QR Codes for Direct Marketers

QR Codes and other 2-Dimensional barcodes have already swept Asia and Europe, and are showing up increasingly in the U.S. on billboards, packaging, TV commercials and much more. This article documents what QR Codes are, how they are used in direct marketing, and how you can implement them in your next campaign.

Key Quote: “QR codes represent a lifeline for direct marketers looking to connect with an increasingly mobile, online audience.”

Direct Mail: Destroying the Environment or Improving the Economy?

Targeted direct mail marketing plays a key role in improving our economy. This article explores the environmental effects of direct mail, and how organizations can improve their direct mail campaigns, while improving their environmental-friendliness.

Key Quote: “There are countless ways to make sure your printing and mailing practices support the environment, rather than destroy it…”

Tracking Direct Marketing Results with Google Analytics Annotations

Direct marketing is proven for driving visitors to your website. This blog post guides you through a simple way to track the online effect of your direct marketing using a free tool from Google.

Key Quote: “While Google Analytics Annotations has many uses for marketers, IT, sales managers and others, it’s great for direct marketers who want to track how the direct mail campaigns, email blasts and other touches they send affect overall web traffic.”

Personalize Your Marketing The Google Way

This article explores three techniques Google is using to increase the satisfaction and loyalty of their users, and how direct marketers can do the same.

Key Quote: “Good news! You don’t need an 11-digit annual revenue to communicate with your prospects and customers with Google-like relevancy and personalization.”

Personalized Marketing: Beyond the Name Game

With CRM systems, online data sources, and behavior tracking tools, marketers have more data than ever they can use to create relevant, highly-targeted communications. This highly-visual post explores some real-life uses and best practices.

Key Quote: “Many people have a hard time making the connection between “using data” and how that translates into variable direct marketing, so let’s look at some examples…”

Email: Direct Mail’s New BFF

For many direct mail practitioners, the rise of email as a marketing tool has caused much concern and frustration. However, this post looks at four new ways direct marketers are using the two channels together for better results.

Key Quote: “Mail has not died. It just has a new BFF… email.”

A Creative’s Guide to Personalized Database Marketing

Everyone knows that making your marketing relevant to each recipient will improve your results and ROI, but many marketers and designers struggle with incorporating their data and creative. Here are five tips on getting started.

Key Quote: “As you can tell, there’s a reason personalized marketing isn’t used by all of your competitors: it’s hard. But, it’s a lot easier once you’ve done it a few times.”

Revealing the Direct Marketing Secrets to Double-Digit Response Rates

While many direct marketers are thrilled by a 2% response rate, casinos consistently return response rates in the 10%-30% range. This post explores six secrets to their success.

Key Quote: “Whether you love the gaming industry or hate it, you have to admire some of the forward-thinking ways they employ direct marketing.”

Got a favorite direct marketing post from another blog? Please share it below in the comments.