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By The Printing for Less Team

In addition to using the plays and techniques discussed in our previous two posts, incorporating insights from subject matter experts across industries can help you develop comprehensive and effective customer lifecycle management strategies to drive growth, retention, and advocacy. Here are some key points that experts often emphasize: 

1. Customer Needs: Experts stress the importance of deeply understanding customer needs and preferences at each stage of the lifecycle. This involves conducting thorough market research, collecting data, and leveraging analytics to gain insights into customer behavior. 
2. Personalization: Effective customer lifecycle management involves personalizing interactions and tailoring offerings to meet individual customer preferences. Experts advocate for segmentation strategies based on demographic, behavioral, and psychographic factors to deliver targeted and relevant experiences. 
3. Relationships: Building long-term relationships with customers is a key aspect of lifecycle management. Experts emphasize the significance of nurturing customer loyalty through consistent engagement, exceptional service, and meaningful communication. 
4. Communication: Engaging customers throughout their lifecycle journey is critical for retention and advocacy. Experts recommend implementing multichannel communication strategies and leveraging automation tools to maintain regular touchpoints and provide valuable content and support. 
5. Feedback: Soliciting feedback from customers and incorporating it into product/service development and improvement processes is essential. Experts advocate for establishing feedback loops, conducting surveys, and actively listening to customer concerns to enhance satisfaction and loyalty. 
6. Additional Revenue: Leveraging cross-selling and upselling opportunities is another aspect of effective customer lifecycle management. It’s suggested that identifying complementary products/services and using targeted marketing and personalized recommendations to drive additional revenue from existing customers makes them stickier and more likely to be retained over time.
7. Monitoring & Analysis: Continuous monitoring and analysis of customer lifecycle metrics are crucial for assessing performance and identifying areas for optimization. Experts stress the importance of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), such as customer lifetime value, churn rate, and satisfaction scores to measure success and guide decision-making. 
8. Agility & Adaptability: Finally, experts emphasize the need for agility and adaptability in responding to changing customer needs and market dynamics. Customer lifecycle management strategies should be flexible enough to accommodate shifts in consumer behavior, technological advancements, and competitive landscapes.   

Physical and Virtual
It’s clear that the most effective strategies are those that embrace the synergy between physical and virtual experiences. Direct mail, still often overlooked, emerges as a powerful tool in this fusion, transcending its traditional role and becoming a conduit for art, storytelling, information, and connection.

Direct mail, when executed with creativity and precision, can be an integral part of the customer journey. It transforms from mundane correspondence into personalized, engaging experiences that resonate with recipients. It’s not just about sending a piece of paper—it’s about forging meaningful connections and leaving a lasting impression.

In the realm of modern marketing, direct mail is no longer just mail, it’s a versatile medium that has the potential to elevate your brand, captivate your audience, and drive tangible results. So, embrace the power of direct mail, and unlock its potential to enhance every step of your customer’s journey. With modern, automated solutions, you can harness the full potential of direct mail to create memorable moments that extend far beyond the mailbox.

By The Printing for Less Team

Direct mail can serve as a powerful tool across every stage of the customer lifecycle, and it all begins by identifying opportunities for improvement in customer experience areas and gaps that need to be filled.  

In the “Awareness” stage, direct mail stands out in a cluttered digital environment by offering innovative designs, textures, and formats that can captivate recipients’ attention, making your brand memorable right from the start. Better awareness can lead to a 20 to 30 percent increase in engagement. That’s why a great first impression is an essential beginning step.

Best-practice programs weave in high-impact, low-cost print materials at the top of the funnel. What’s more, organizations are now able to create moments of elevation in their messaging, while introducing true moments of insight for prospects. For instance, a creatively designed postcard or a well-crafted brochure can pique curiosity and initiate the customer journey effectively.

Introduce Yourself

During “Engagement,” the physical nature of direct mail fosters a deeper connection than do digital channels. Recipients are more likely to spend time engaging with mail, flipping through pages, and examining content. This hands-on experience creates a stronger emotional connection, leading to better brand recall and message retention. For example, interactive elements such as QR codes, augmented reality, or video can further enhance engagement.

Thought Leadership

Personalization is key during the “Consideration” stage, and direct mail offers ample opportunities for tailored communication. By leveraging customer data and segmentation, marketers can create highly relevant mailings that address individual preferences, pain points, and aspirations. Personalized mailings can significantly influence purchase decisions and move prospects closer to conversion. Organizations that include direct mail in the consideration stage typically see a 20 to 30 percent spike in engagement.  

Meeting Maker

Direct mail is a powerful driver of the “Conversion” stage by delivering purchase-oriented calls to action. Including incentives such as coupons, free samples, or limited-time offers invites recipients to respond immediately. Additionally, integrating direct mail with digital channels through personalized URLs (PURLs) or QR codes enables seamless online conversions, tracking, and attribution, maximizing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Organizations that succeed in converting a high percentage of prospects to customers typically focus on addressing pain points and delivering incentives to act, including offering free trials, discounts, recognition, and gifts. Creating moments of connection and elevation can help marketers achieve breakthrough results.​ Organizations that develop effective conversion methods see a 15 to 30 percent boost in interest.

Sales Acceleration

Direct mail has its uses during the “Retention” stage, too.The physical nature of direct mail creates a sensory experience that leaves a lasting impression on recipients. Unlike transitory digital ads, physical mailings have a longer shelf life, often occupying physical space in homes or offices and serving as constant reminders of the brand. Sending a personalized thank-you note or exclusive offers to existing customers strengthens relationships and increases share of wallet and leads to higher customer retention.

What does best-practice customer retention look like? Key experiences include moments of connection, elevation, and celebration. An organization must re-engage on the customer’s terms, acknowledge key​ personal or professional milestones and achievements, offer the right incentives, and engage in other activities that enhance the relationship.

Customer Retention

Finally,targeted mailings play a crucial role in nurturing and retaining customers during the “Loyalty” stage. By segmenting the customer base and sending relevant content and offers, brands can demonstrate appreciation and value to their most valuable customers. Creating loyal customer advocates requires a focus on moments involving connection, elevation, and celebration.

This can take many forms that span the digital and physical realms, including direct appreciation and acknowledgement, rewards related to referrals or references, soliciting reviews from loyal customers, conducting surveys, and doing product beta testing.​ Exclusive invitations to events, early access to new products, or personalized anniversary or birthday gifts can also all solidify loyalty and turn customers into active brand advocates loyal customers.  

Appreciation

Direct mail offers a multifaceted approach to engaging customers throughout their journey. By leveraging its unique attributes, direct mail enhances the customer experience, drives conversions, and strengthens brand relationships, ultimately leading to sustainable business growth.

This is that time of year that flies by like a snowball whizzing by your head. Which means Black Friday is looming, and the high-stakes game of holiday selling and shopping begins. What could be the winning strategy—for both sides—is direct mail. 

While the uninitiated might still believe physical mails is as outdated as the flip phone, clearly, it’s not, as the creative and innovative work done by major retailers—Kohl’s, Macy’s, L.L. Bean, etc.—can attest. Using this “old school” approach has shown results are nothing short of spectacular. 

To illustrate, we have here 7 creative Black Friday direct mail campaigns from some of the world’s most famous brands—and some others. But this isn’t just about admiring pretty designs or clever copy. While it’s fun to just see what other marketers are doing, it’s also possible to extract actionable insights from the examples that you can apply to your own marketing strategies this year. 

From the art of creating urgency to the science of personalization, these examples are a masterclass in direct mail marketing. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to make a big impact or a marketing professional seeking fresh inspiration, there’s something here for you. And they’re just fun to look through, as well. 

Macy’s  

This attention getting postcard uses the entire front of the postcard to display one clear call to action and QR code, leaving no confusion for the recipient. 

Image Source: Who’s Mailing What 

Ashley HomeStores 

This mailer is a personalized letter sent in a double window envelope with a fake check to capture the attention of recipient in the mailbox. 

Image Source: Who’s Mailing What 

L.L. Bean 

A classic catalog from a classic brand. On the back cover, notice the personalized Promo Code in pink and unique customer code in yellow, ensuring L.L. Bean can track the success of this specific offer and customer engagement. There is also a barcode for retail whosstores to use if the customer chooses to bring the office into a retail store.  

Image Source: Who’s Mailing What 

Ulta 

The largest beauty retailer in the US sends multiple Black Friday direct mail campaigns, but this one aimed at loyal customers caught our eye. Ulta’s rewards program, Ultamate Rewards, gives exclusive members-only offers during the holiday season. This postcard boasts a simple $10 off offer and lets members know they can claim it either in-store or online. 

Image Source: Who’s Mailing What 

Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto 

Local businesses see great success with Black Friday offers too! This local tire and auto shop knows their customers will be out in force over the holiday weekend, so their offers included oil change and brake specials, a free alignment check, and winter tire specials. Note how they included a map showing their locations, hours, and convenient payment options.   

Image Source: Who’s Mailing What 

Harley Davidson 

El Patron Harley Davidson sent this personalized postcard with the recipient’s name on the front and a gift card offer, enticing a visit to the dealership for Black Friday savings. They utilized a friendly handwritten font to humanize the back, signed by a local team member.  

Image Source: Who’s Mailing What 

Kohls Corporation 

This postcard mailer uses Cyber Monday to capture customer attention. This offer starts before Black Friday and gives shoppers the flexibility to purchase in-store or online. It uses bold holiday colors and fun holiday imagery to connect with shoppers.  

Image Source: Who’s Mailing What 

More Holiday Marketing Resources 

Direct Mail: The Holiday Gift that Keeps on Giving 

FREE Holiday Planning Checklist 

Shop 2025 Holiday  

By Tim Moran
VP, Brand, Printing for Less

Ghosts, demons, hauntings, psycho killers. . .they’re all the stock in trade of whatever you call it: Samhain, All-Hallows Eve, Halloween. The scarier, the more macabre, the bloodier, the better. Little kids, usually afraid of the dark, even dress up like Jason, or Freddie, or Chuckie. . . for fun. Yep, people like to be scared—when the horror isn’t real, of course.

What you’re not going to see is anyone dressed up like at Halloween as a letter, or a postcard, or box. Nobody ever responded to the age-old party query. “So what are you supposed to be?” with the words, “Oh. I’m dimensional mail.”  

Nevertheless, direct mail and its minions are the stars of the horror flick, “Be Very Afraid… Here Comes Direct Mail.” For some reason, the idea of bringing direct mail into the mix scares the bejeebers out of the most serious and stalwart marketers.  

But, just like the cinematic ghouls and slashers, the fears about direct mail are based on stories and myths from times of yore. Because there is really nothing about direct mail to be afraid of. So, let’s take a look at some of these direct mail “things that go bump in the night” to see what’s real and what’s not.  

The Friendly Ghost

This is a good one. With the advent of digital marketing and email, many believe direct mail marketing to be a thing of the past. C’mon, the world is digital today, they say, and the old analog ways don’t cut it anymore. Well, direct mail is no ghost (and if it were it’d be a friendly one)—it’s very much alive and working hard for quite a few marketers.  

• Direct mail has a response rate of 5.3%, compared to email’s 0.6%

The Money Vampire

While Dracula and his vampire friends are known for sucking blood, there are townspeople who believe direct mail is even scarier—it sucks money out of the budget and the organization. As with any marketing program or campaign, there are some upfront costs, but the ROI can be significant.  

• In 2022, direct mail showed an ROI of 43%.   

The Young Werewolves

Werewolves are often depicted as humans who can transform under a full moon into, well, wolves. Transforming the younger generation into customers doesn’t require a full moon but does call for a fully digital campaign. That’s a myth, too—the stuff of movies and song (don’t be eating at Lee Ho Fook’s, just in case). The reality is that younger consumers are quite receptive to physical, direct mail—they find it a refreshing change from the constant digital barrage.

• 72% of Gen Z consumers say they would be disappointed to no longer receive mail  

The Walking Dead

Some believe that direct mail is nothing more than a smelly, shambling Zombie—a dead thing wandering the night and unable to keep up with all the lively, modern marketing techniques that rule the day. Well, don’t be scared kids—something wicked this way does not come. It’s all just another spooky tale for books and movies. Direct mail has new life, seamlessly integrating with cutting-edge digital strategies to create powerful, multi-channel campaigns.

• The use of QR codes in direct mail grew from 3.96% in 2020 to 34.08% in 2023

The Resurrected Mummy

Much like its mythical cousin the Zombie (see above), the Mummy is said to be another of the walking dead—the embalmed and wrapped corpse of Imhotep who seeks and kills those who desecrated the Canopic jars buried with him. While no Egyptian High Priest, direct mail has lofty goals and a much higher chance of being seen and read than any digital counterpart. It turns out that, rather than fleeing in fear,  people still appreciate the physical experience of opening an envelope.

• 80% to 90% of direct mail gets opened, compared with only 20% to 30% of emails.

Halloween will come and go in no time, and soon enough we’ll be talking about turkeys and wreaths and candles—all stuff, good and nice—and the spookiness will be shelved for another year. But the real horror of it all would be missing out on the powerful marketing opportunities direct mail offers. Don’t let unfounded fears haunt your marketing strategy. Direct mail isn’t a ghost, a vampire, a werewolf, a zombie, or a mummy—it’s a vibrant, effective, and evolving marketing tool that deserves a place in your marketing mix.

By Amber Sikkink
Director of Merchandising and Creative Services, Printing for Less

Welcome to yet another festive season, when creativity meets celebration! We’ve heard your requests for fresh product ideas, and this latest “2024 Holiday Cheer Lookbook” is here to deliver exactly that—just in time for the holidays!

For enterprise organizations, this is the perfect opportunity to thank VIPs, show appreciation to employees, or welcome new customers. For small-to-medium businesses, it’s a chance to drive store traffic, boost holiday sales, or reward customer loyalty. No matter the holiday or the business, our “Lookbook” is designed to offer creative and thoughtful gift ideas that leave a lasting impression.

This year, we remain unwavering in our commitment to showcasing a curated selection of print products and promotional items that reflect your—and our—brand’s values. Our focus on diversity, community, and sustainability shines through with our choice of eco-friendly materials, partnerships with brands that support great causes, and products from women- and minority-owned businesses. You’ll discover on-trend items that make a statement—regardless of your budget.

Maximum Impact This Holiday Season!

When it comes to holiday gifting, keep these four key pillars in mind for maximum impact:

1. Make it Personal: Personalization is essential for showing your recipients they truly matter.
2. Adopt a Tiered Approach: Align your gifts with the sales cycle to ensure they correspond to the recipient’s journey with you.
3. Implement a Persona-Based Approach: Tailor gifts to the unique preferences and needs of specific audiences.
4. Incorporate Evergreen Themes: Draw on the key themes from your major campaigns throughout the year to make your holiday gifts even more meaningful.

Products That Make the List!

Holiday Greetings  

Cost-effective and versatile, postcards are enhanced by the power of variable data. The personalization aspect of this format truly sets it apart. By leveraging any data you have, you can create content uniquely tailored to each recipient, deepening connections and fostering engagement. Use these powerful tools for seasonal marketing to engage customers with crafted messages that resonate.

Brand (the) New Year

Calendars are an excellent holiday gift that keeps your brand top-of-mind all year long. They offer practical use and engaging design, making them a thoughtful choice. Plus, they can feature promotions or QR codes to drive customer interaction 365.

Feed Goodness

Goodies for Good RuMe® Snack Pack: Support women-owned businesses with this gift of goodies, all in a RuMe® Recycled Pouch (with 1-color imprint). This pack includes Effie’s Oatcakes, Lark Salted Caramel Almond Pearl cookies, an 88 Acres Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar, East Shore mustard and pretzels, and J&M Brownie cookies. In addition to the edible treats, this kit includes a branded item to ensure your company name remains memorable long after the goodies are consumed! (Substitutions of equal value may apply.)

Pro Tip: Keep these best practices in mind for sending edible gifts:

• Consider Shelf Life: Place your holiday orders in October to avoid potential inventory shortages, shipping delays, and holiday outages. Aim to have all holiday orders placed by October 18th.
• Mind the Temperature: Chocolate and other perishables can melt in warm conditions. Consider your recipients’ locations and remember that deliveries might spend time on warm trucks.
• Batch Sends Only: Edible items are best for batch or bulk sends. Avoid storing them in inventory, as any shelf time can negatively affect quality.
• Choose Stable Items: Shipping can be tough year-round, especially during the holidays. Opt for sturdy products that are more likely to arrive in excellent condition.

Gift an Experience

Cast Iron Skillet Baking Set: Give a gift that is both delicious and functional! Whether it’s cookies, brookies, or brownies, these 5” cast iron skillet sets provide everything needed to make warm, delicious baked treats at home. Cookie kits also include mini chocolate chips. Customize the box with your logo or create your own design. Includes a 4-color imprint on the box.

Toasts for All

Fellow® Ruby and Rocky Tumblers: Introducing the Fellow® Ruby and Rocky Tumblers! Both Ruby and Rocky feature a ceramic lining, smooth internal geometry, and a drinkable thin lip that enhances flavors and aromas for a complete sensory experience. Ruby is the perfect wine tumbler, while Rocky is designed with a wide opening and flat bottom to perfectly fit a standard whiskey cube. Both tumblers boast a unique swivel lid that doubles as a fidget spinner, providing an engaging touchpoint while enjoying your favorite beverages. Each tumbler includes a laser engraving imprint for a personalized touch.

Home for the Holiday

Totally Bamboo Coffee Scoop with Clip Handle and Grounds & Hounds Coffee: Warm drinks and the holidays go hand-in-hand, just like this dynamic duo! The Totally Bamboo Coffee Scoop with Clip Handle and Grounds & Hounds Coffee make the perfect pair for your morning routine. Scoop the right amount of coffee, mess-free, while the built-in bag clip keeps your grounds fresh by fitting directly onto the coffee bag. Each scoop features laser engraving for a personal touch.

The other half of the duo, Grounds and Hounds Soul Pup Coffee, will help your customers start their holiday mornings off right with this rich and savory, medium-dark roast blend. Its complexity features delicious notes of Tahitian vanilla, walnut, and chocolate-covered strawberry. G&H is dedicated to eradicating unnecessary animal euthanasia and improving animal welfare, providing an exceptional coffee experience with every brew! Twenty percent of all G&H profits support rescue organizations working to give pups in need a second chance. Gifts that do good and serve that higher purpose make the holidays that much more special!

Spread the Warmth

Field & Co.® Buffalo Plaid Picnic Blanket: Give the gift they’ll use all year long with the Field & Co.® Buffalo Plaid Picnic Blanket. Featuring cozy polar fleece, foam padding, and moisture-resistant PEVA backing, it’s comfortable and easy to clean. This versatile blanket includes a 10.5” x 4.5” pocket for small items and features laser engraving. Measuring 47” x 53” unfolded and 7” x 12” folded, it’s perfect for sporting events, picnics, festivals, and more, making it an ideal holiday gift for any outdoor enthusiast.

Did You Know? Corporate gifting can increase the likelihood of future business, with 80 percent of companies saying that gifts help improve their relationship with clients, leading to repeat purchases and referrals.

(Source: The Daily MBA)  

Holidays in the Bag

PTX Backpack Cooler: This cooler is the perfect gift for all your customers’ adventures, combining the functionality of a picnic backpack, travel bag, and hiking daypack. With a fully insulated, water-resistant interior that holds up to 20 cans, padded adjustable straps, multiple pockets, and a cargo cord, it’s both versatile and convenient. Each cooler includes a 1-color imprint for a personalized touch.

Let’s Play

Dryfter RC Car: Drive your brand home this holiday season with the Dryfter RC Car, an action-packed thrill ride! Featuring two sets of replaceable tires, it offers 20 minutes of non-stop playtime controlled by the remote (included). Get ready to drift! For adult use only. Includes full-color dome decals on the hood, roof, doors, and rear license plate.

Tech the Halls

iLive™ Cinema Home Theater Kit: Show your VIPs how much you appreciate them with the iLive™ Cinema Home Theater Kit. This versatile kit transforms any space into an entertainment hub, allowing you to project your favorite movies, games, and photos with a powerful 2500-lumen projector that features Bluetooth connectivity and multiple ports. It includes a 120” foldable screen, an 8W Bluetooth speaker with LED effects, and a 42” adjustable tripod for the ultimate viewing experience. Each kit includes a 1-color imprint for a personalized touch.  

Elevate Your Holiday Gifting!

As we embrace the spirit of the season, let our “Holiday Cheer Lookbook” be your ultimate guide to thoughtful gifting this year. With an array of carefully curated products designed to make a lasting impression, you can spread joy and appreciation to your clients, employees, and customers. Whether you’re looking to enhance relationships, boost sales, or simply celebrate the holidays, our “Lookbook” offers innovative ideas that cater to every need. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to elevate your holiday gifting game—Download the “2024 Holiday Cheer Lookbook” now and get inspired to make this season truly memorable!