Blog

06.10.2024

Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a small business owner, crafting a direct mail marketing campaign can be daunting—especially if past attempts haven't yielded the results you expected. Many businesses dip their toes into direct mail with a single postcard campaign and are quick to write it off when the returns don’t immediately materialize. If this sounds familiar, fret not. This article will equip you with the strategic insights needed to create a successful direct mail campaign, moving beyond the basics and diving into the key components that can make or break your marketing efforts. We’ll explore: What is direct mail marketing?The three ingredients for a successful direct mail campaignWhat to look for in a direct mail services provider How to get started with your first direct mail campaign What is Direct Mail Marketing? Direct mail marketing, often referred to as Smartmail Marketing by Canada Post, involves sending physical marketing materials directly to the homes or offices of targeted consumers. Although digital channels have dominated over the past decade, this more traditional form of marketing remains highly relevant, engaging potential customers in a direct and personal way. In fact, over 60% of Canadians feel a strengthened relationship with businesses that reach out via direct mail, proving its potential impact. 3 Ingredients for Successful Direct Mail Marketing 1) Solid Campaign Strategy As with any marketing campaign, direct mail requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses the goals, objectives, key messaging, and other essential elements needed to effectively reach your target audience. If your outreach is focused on acquiring new customers, a single mail drop may not be sufficient to see the results you’re hoping for. Over time, a successful direct mail strategy will create brand familiarity with multiple touchpoints. Consider planning a series of mail drops throughout the year, such as quarterly mailings, to maintain engagement and brand recall with your audience. This approach ensures your message is reinforced over time, allowing you to adjust your strategy based on your audience’s response and market trends. 2) Digital Component to Campaigns Did you know that blending digital marketing with direct mail is proven to enhance the effectiveness of both? Statistics show that direct mail campaigns integrated with digital efforts lead to a 40% higher brand recall and significantly more engagement. By coordinating your direct mail with online campaigns, you can create a cohesive marketing strategy that leverages the strengths of both mediums. Here’s an example of what that might look like in your campaign strategy. Consider you're launching a new product line. You start with an attention-grabbing direct mail piece—perhaps a beautifully designed postcard or a small sample package. This mailer not only announces the product but also includes a unique QR code that directs recipients to a special landing page on your website. The page might offer more detailed information about the product, an introductory discount, or even an invitation to sign up for an exclusive webinar. At the same time, you launch targeted digital ads that echo the design and message of the direct mail piece. These ads would appear on social media platforms and Google, reinforcing the message seen in your audience’s mailbox. As recipients of the direct mail visit the landing page, your digital ads can also employ retargeting techniques to keep your brand and message top of mind, increasing the likelihood of engagement. By integrating these digital and traditional channels, you’ve now created multiple touchpoints with your audience, enhancing their journey from initial curiosity to final purchase. 3) Big-Picture Budget Effective direct mail campaigns are not about one-off attempts but a sustained effort that integrates seamlessly with your overall marketing strategy. Budgeting at minimum $12,000-$15,000 annually for localized direct mail marketing campaigns can provide the necessary funds to craft impactful, creative content and maintain a consistent mailing schedule that will genuinely resonate with your audience. For larger companies with larger audiences, this number can vary widely. This may leave you wondering: how do we track the ROI of our direct mail campaigns? Like most marketing initiatives, there’s no perfect science. However, there are some tried and true methods for tracking the effectiveness of your direct mail campaigns that we dive into in this article, including: Using trackable coupons or promo codesLeveraging customized URLs on your mailersDedicated phone numbers and emails to track replies Using QR codes to track scans and form completions If you’re looking for a more low-budget, one-and-done marketing tactic, a digital initiative such as paid advertising may be a better option for your business. What to Look for in a Direct Mail Services Provider When choosing a partner for your direct mail campaigns, look for a provider with a comprehensive suite of services. Partnering with a Canada Post Smartmail Marketing™ Expert like WCD ensures you're working with a team skilled in strategic planning, creative design and the technical expertise to ensure your mailing is done to Canada Post standards. These partners can help optimize your campaigns for maximum impact and efficiency. As a Smartmail Marketing™ Expert Partner, we’ll work with your team to create direct mail advertising that uses highly effective messaging and thoughtful creative to build brand awareness, produce quality leads, and attract new customers. Need help with campaign design? Our in-house design agency crafts integrated direct mail campaigns that get results. Jumpstart Your Direct Mail Marketing Ready to switch up your marketing approach? When executed with a thoughtful strategy, direct mail marketing can significantly elevate your brand's visibility and engagement. Download our FREE 6-Step Guide to Direct Mail Marketing to begin crafting campaigns that not only reach but resonate with your audience. Or, contact us to get started today.

03.12.2024

Thinking of self-publishing your book? From autobiographies to photographic memoirs, the trend towards book printing on-demand is reshaping how authors and publishers approach the creation and distribution of books. With a vibrant literary culture and advanced printing technologies, Canadian writers and publishers have first-class access to an ecosystem that empowers self-publishing like never before. WCD has divested of its print and signage divisions to Cober Solutions, offering expanded national capabilities. Find out more >> This guide delves into the essentials of on-demand book printing in Canada, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to navigate this new approach to publishing. We’ll get into: What is On-Demand Book Printing?Why Authors Choose to Self PublishThe Benefits of On-Demand PrintingHow to Approach Book Printing in Canada Key Considerations for Choosing a Canadian Book Printing Company You’ll learn the basics of this evolving industry, and key steps you can take to print your very own book on demand. Let’s get into it! What is On-Demand Book Printing? On-demand book printing is a printing process that empowers you to print books in specific quantities as needed, ranging from a single copy to a few hundred thanks to the nimble technology behind digital printing. This model is a departure from traditional bulk printing, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution for authors and publishers. Why Authors Choose to Self-Publish A primary motivator for self-publishing may be a desire for creative control over your book's content, design, and marketing. Self-publishing allows authors to retain full rights to their work, making decisions about the cover art, format, pricing, and distribution channels—all according to their vision and goals. Self-publishing can also lead to higher royalty rates compared to traditional publishing routes, offering authors a potentially better return on investment. Access to self-publishing platforms has lowered the barrier to entry, empowering authors to reach their audience directly without the need for approval from a publisher. For example, many authors now leverage their online audiences to market their books and sell them directly through their own website, using a print-on-demand method to order only as demand requires. This direct access empowers authors to share their unique voices and stories, catering to niche markets or specialized topics that might not attract mainstream readers. It’s the artists and small businesses that love to story tell—like photographers, business advisors, life coaches, poets, and more—that are greatly benefiting from this new approach to publishing. The Benefits of On-Demand Printing Book printing on-demand has many benefits when compared to traditional methods. Let’s take a look at a few. 1) Lower Costs Traditional printing methods often require large initial print runs, leading to high upfront costs and the need for storage space. On-demand printing eliminates these concerns by allowing authors and publishers to print books only as orders come in, dramatically reducing storage needs and minimizing the financial risk. This is particularly handy for independent authors and small publishers who may have limited budgets. 2) Eco-Friendly Option By producing books only when there is demand, you can cut down on the overproduction of unsold copies, meaning less paper consumption and waste. This sustainable approach aligns with growing consumer and industry interest in environmentally friendly solutions. 3) Flexibility to Update Content Because on-demand printing produces books in short runs, authors have the luxury of updating the content of their books between each run with ease. This is particularly handy if your book requires frequent updates to remain relevant, or if that first pass at editing didn’t quite make the cut. It also opens up opportunities for authors to customize books for specific audiences or to test different versions of their work. If these benefits sound worth the investment, read on for insights on how you can get started with book printing in Canada. How to Approach Book Printing in Canada Congratulations! You’ve decided to print your book. While there’s no one way to tackle the production of your piece, here are some general steps to follow before you can hit ‘print’. 1) Research Printers — When you’re looking for a company to print your book, search for printers that specifically offer on-demand printing services and who specialize in book printing in particular. See the section below for some key factors to take into consideration when choosing a service provider. 2) Prepare Your Manuscript — If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to ensure your manuscript is entirely edited, formatted, designed, and ready for printing. It’s important to remember that your printer will not edit your manuscript for you, so however you deliver it to them is how it will turn out in production. Some printers will have an in-house creative services team that can help you with format and design. 3) Choose Your Book's Specifications — Decide on your book's size, the paper type, and binding. This includes decisions like whether your book will be hardcover or paperback and what style and aesthetic you want it to have. This is where budgets can drastically vary, so it’s good to come prepared with an understanding of your price range. 4) Request Quotes — Contact several providers to compare quotes. Prices can vary based on the book's specifications and the quantity ordered. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for when it comes to book printing, and sometimes investing a bit more to guarantee a quality product can save you headaches down the road. 5) Consider Distribution — Some on-demand printers offer distribution services, including direct shipping to customers and listings on major retail sites. If you choose to ship your product yourself, you may want to select a printer that’s within Canada to avoid hefty cross-border shipping fees. Key Considerations for Choosing a Canadian Book Printing Company Here’s what we suggest you look for when selecting a Canadian book printing company. 1) Quality The quality of your book reflects on you as an author or publisher, so prioritizing printers that use high-quality materials is important. Look for companies that are transparent and request samples of their work to get a tangible sense of the final product's quality. 2) Turnaround Time While the appeal of on-demand printing includes not having to stockpile books, it's important to remember that on-demand means production times can vary. Ask about expected turnaround times to make sure they align with your publishing timeline, especially if you have specific launch dates in mind or are coordinating marketing efforts. 3) Customer Service If you're navigating the process for the first time, you’ll want a print partner that’s on your side! A responsive and helpful printing company can offer guidance, address your concerns, and provide updates throughout the printing process. Look for companies with positive reviews to get a sense of their reliability. 4) Creative Services Many book printing companies offer design assistance, which can be invaluable for creating a professional-looking book cover and interior layout. Opting for a printer that provides these services can save you time and effort, making the journey from manuscript to final piece feel like a breeze. Begin Your Book Printing Journey By leveraging the flexibility, cost-efficiency, and eco-friendly aspects of on-demand book printing, you can navigate the publishing landscape more effectively and bring your literary creations to eager readers with ease. Book printing is now available through Cober Solutions.

02.13.2024

Advancing Sustainability in the Print Industry by Reforesting the Planet In an effort to further its commitment to environmental sustainability, WCD, a Canadian leader in on-demand print and information solutions, has proudly announced a partnership with PrintReleaf. This collaboration marks a significant step towards a greener future for the print industry, empowering WCD's customers to actively participate in replenishing forests globally and close to home. Through this partnership, WCD can now offer customers a unique opportunity to offset their paper footprint. PrintReleaf's advanced technology measures the paper consumption of each print job run through WCD and translates this data into an equivalent number of trees. These trees are then planted in reforestation sites chosen by the customer, making every print job a step towards environmental restoration. PrintReleaf stands out as the world's first platform to seamlessly convert paper footprints into actual trees. This innovative approach not only contributes to reforestation efforts but also aligns with WCD's mission to embrace eco-friendly practices across its operations. "At WCD, we believe that sustainable business practices are key to a brighter future," says Karen Brookman, President and CEO at WCD. "Our partnership with PrintReleaf represents a significant stride towards advancing environmental responsibility in our industry. This initiative will not only reduce our ecological footprint as an organization, but will empower our customers to join us in making a tangible difference for our planet." PrintReleaf’s technology not only tracks paper consumption, but also ensures the success of each planted tree, with full third-party audits by SGS International. While reforestation efforts span the globe, the company is currently working with planting partners as close as Cariboo, British Columbia to revitalize the land that was impacted by the devastating 2017 wildfires. "We are pleased to provide environmental offsets to WCD and their customers, which will be integral to their sustainability strategy," says Jordan Darragh, PrintReleaf Founder and CEO. WCD’s commitment to sustainable solutions highlights our shared values and goal of working toward a more sustainable business landscape and planet. This partnership creates exciting opportunities as we expand our network of PrintReleaf users within and beyond the Dscoop community and together work towards new environmental offsetting goals.” Together, WCD and PrintReleaf aim to empower Canadian businesses to meet their printing needs while also reducing their environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable planet. WCD invites customers to join them on this exciting journey and learn more by clicking here. About PrintReleaf PrintReleaf offers a unique solution for companies to offset their paper and packaging consumption, contributing to reforestation and carbon offsetting. Their technology ensures a measurable and impactful contribution to global forest restoration. Visit www.printreleaf.com to learn more.

11.23.2023

If you’re a marketer, you know firsthand how quickly the marketing landscape shifts. But as algorithms update and trends come and go, there’s one tried and true traditional marketing tactic that has stood the test of time—and that’s direct mail marketing. In a marketplace driven by digital experiences, direct mail alone may not give you the results you’re looking for. However, research shows that integrating direct mail with more modern digital marketing and data-driven strategies can create powerful campaigns. In fact, people pay 39% more attention to integrated direct mail and digital campaigns than they do to single-media digital campaigns. Just imagine the impact that could have on your campaign results and ROI! TL;DR — Integrating digital marketing and data-informed strategies with direct mail can enhance the effectiveness of both. To get your creative marketing gears turning, here are three innovative ways to merge digital and physical for maximum impact, including: Personalized URLs and QR codes Leveraging data for targeted mailing Syncing email marketing with direct mail 1) Personalized URLs and QR Codes One of the most effective ways to integrate digital marketing into direct mail is by using Personalized URLs (PURLs) or QR codes. These tools create a seamless transition from a physical mail piece to a digital platform. Here’s how it works: PURLs: These are unique, personalized web addresses included in your direct mail piece. When a recipient types this URL into their browser, they're taken to a highly personalized landing page that might greet them by name and offer tailored content or special deals based on their preferences or past interactions with your brand. QR Codes: These are scannable codes printed on your mail piece. While QR codes have been overused in some aspects of marketing, print materials are where they really shine. When scanned with a smartphone, they direct the recipient to a specific web page. This could be a promotional video, a sign-up form, or a special offer. Using PURLs or QR codes allows you to track engagement levels and gather data on your audience’s preferences, which couldn’t be achieved without the digital aspects of the campaign. These methods provide real-time insights on landing page visitors and conversions, so you can more accurately measure the ROI of your integrated marketing campaign. That’s a major win! Using QR Codes on Neighbourhood Mail Neighbourhood Mail™ is one of three categories of direct mail marketing offered by Canada Post. Because it targets generalized neighbourhoods or regions, it’s ideal for mass awareness campaigns if you’re looking to acquire new customers. If you live in Canada, you likely receive Neighbourhood Mail™ often because it is the least targeted and most economical option of the three. Whether it’s your local pizza shop or home hardware store, small businesses often send postcards or pamphlets via Neighbourhood Mail™. To streamline the customer experience, they’ll add a QR code to lead the customer back online without having to type in a URL manually. Next time you check the mail, see if you can find a piece of direct mail with a QR code on it and let us know—do you think this tactic is effective? 2) Leveraging Customer Data for Targeting From your social media accounts to past order addresses—your marketing team is sitting on a goldmine of customer data and insights. Leveraging these insights, you can create highly targeted direct mail campaign lists to significantly increase the relevance and impact of your mailer. Here's how: Analyze your audience Dive into your audience insights to better understand their preferences, interests, and buying habits. This could include demographic data including household income, locations, age and marital status. But depending on the nature of your business, you could also go deeper into things like the type of car they own, whether they like to take winter vacations, or whether they live in an older home. How is all this relevant? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out. Find similar customers Say you own a roofing business and you want to send marketing messages only to areas where people live in older homes that may need new roofing. Or perhaps you’re an auto dealer looking to sell more inventory of pre-owned cars. By segmenting your data to give you a list of customers that have previously purchased these things from you, you can use Canada Post’s Postal Code Targeting services to find similar customers. How does it work? Because you likely have your customer’s addresses on file from past order details, you can use Postal Code Targeting to send direct mail campaigns to postal codes that have similar audience attributes to your existing lists. This method of targeting is based on the old adage, “birds of the same feather flock together.” Meaning, people generally live in the same area as similar people.

11.21.2023

The holiday season is fast approaching—which means now is the perfect time to think about how you can make a lasting impression on your customers, employees, and partners. Lucky for you, our latest offerings are designed to add a touch of personalization and holiday spice to your upcoming gift-giving and event festivities, making this year's holiday experience that much more special (and simple)! Let’s dive into our favourite ways to make your holiday season both memorable and impactful this year, including: Local goods gift boxesBranded holiday cardsPersonalized holiday party invitations Custom corporate calendars, and more! Give the Gift of Curated Goods Meaningfully Made by Local Makers Creating heartwarming gifts for your customers just got a whole lot easier. Collaborating with Alberta creators, we've curated custom gift boxes full of premium products—all sustainably sourced from local makers you'll love. What's inside? Option 1 includes two stunning glasses from MTNPAK Glassware, gin from Burwood Distillery, tasty treats from The Shortbread Company and hand-crafted coasters from Kingwood Decor. Option 2 includes mouthwatering maple syrup from Wabanaki Maple, a custom-made tree ornament and wooden calendar stand from Rocky Mountain Creators, and a brand-designed calendar to go with it! The best part? We top both options off with personalized, custom-designed cards and address labels that add a tasteful touch of branding to every gift. Plus, we fully manage the kitting, packaging and mailing—making it a hands-off experience through and through! Send us a note to inquire about pricing and availability. Personalized Holiday Cards For An Extra Thoughtful Touch Sending out holiday cards is a time-honoured tradition, and working with us, you can elevate yours. Say goodbye to generic, store-bought creative and tap into designs that effortlessly align with your brand. With a personalized holiday card, you can send warm wishes to your customers and partners in a way that says "we care." Personalized Invitations & Décor For Memorable Holiday Parties Planning a holiday party? Imagine custom-designed invitations that capture the essence of your event, setting the tone for a memorable celebration. And when you arrive, every little detail — from the party favours to the table settings — is flawlessy thought out. Our in-house Creative Services design group specializes in bringing your vision to life, ensuring that every detail of your event's branding effortlessly reflects your unique theme.

08.28.2023

Celebrating Pride at WCD with Jonathan Tieh, Graphic Designer Our team truly believes in the power of diversity and inclusion to strengthen our communities and create a world that leads with kindness and acceptance. As we gear up to celebrate Calgary Pride, we sat down with one of our 2SLGBTQ+ staff members, Jonathan Tieh [he/him], to delve into his personal experiences, reflections, and insights about what Pride means to him. Q: What does Pride mean to you? A: "Pride means allowing yourself to be your true self—unapologetically you. It represents my ability and freedom to be who I am and openly love the people I choose, without stigma and shame. The dictionary defines pride as 'a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people.' That's what it's all about, respecting each other—but most importantly, yourself. In whatever you do and whoever you love." Q: How do you celebrate Pride? A: "As a first-generation Asian-born Canadian growing up Queer in a Christian, conservative household, I did not know many 2SLGBTQ+ community members and I felt that I could not relate to many people. I wanted to hide from myself and blend in. I wanted to be 'normal'. But truth be told, we are all unique individuals, and I want to celebrate coming together to share our differences. Our characteristics make us who we are, no matter our religion, ethnicity or race." "I celebrate Pride by being with my closest friends who have uplifted me through years of turmoil and judging myself for being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Ever since moving to Calgary three years ago, I've felt so much pride and love from the community, especially WCD, that I now call home. I celebrate Pride every day by surrounding myself with loved ones and positive vibes. Other ways I celebrate our community include going to the Pride parade, and supporting other queer artists at drag shows and art shows in the city." Q: How do you show support for diversity and inclusion in the workplace year-round? A: "I show support by showing up to 2SLGBTQ+ events that WCD supports and sponsors. It's important to be around like-minded people, and I love that WCD does the same by being inclusive and fostering a culture that is welcome to every age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Treating people in a way they wish to be treated rather than the way you wish to be treated is another way I try to make people feel included." Q: What is your advice to businesses who want to be better allies to the LGBTQ+ community? A: "To always be inclusive and make a space welcoming for people of all sexual orientations. Advocate and educate people and spend some time learning about the history of Pride, a movement preceded by the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York. Businesses should be asking if there is something they can do to make their 2SLGBTQ+ coworkers feel like they are welcome and valued. For example, is there a benefit that excludes 2SLGBTQ+ employees? Start a dialogue and make resources available to try and create a workplace where all employees will feel valued and accepted." Show Your Pride As we approach Pride month, let us all remember that the journey to inclusivity and acceptance is ongoing. Let's stand together as allies, celebrating our differences and embracing our true selves. Calgary Pride Week takes place August 26 - September 4, 2023. Learn more about the week's festivities and what you can do to get involved by visiting www.calgarypride.ca. Thank you to Jonathan for sharing his insights and experiences with us—and Happy Pride! 🌈

07.31.2023

It's been a busy start to the summer for WCD—full of community, connection and downright fun! As we dive into August, our team is reflecting on the past few months, instilled with a newfound sense of excitement and opportunity for the second half of the year. For us, this season has been a reminder that the true driver behind everything we do is connection. In celebration, here's a behind-the-scenes look at our summer, so far. 1) Pride in Art This June, our team gathered at the stunning Sky Garden on the 54th Floor of The Bow Building for 2023's Pride in Art—an art exhibition and networking mixer for local LGBTQ2S+ artists and the community. As proud sponsors of Pride in Business, WCD was honoured to support this artful and inspiring event for the second year in a row. 2) West Canadian Cup On Sunday, July 2, we gathered with clients, partners and staff for the 37th Annual West Canadian Cup at Spruce Meadows. This iconic event has become a coveted tradition for WCD, bringing together business and community leaders to connect and enjoy a morning of world-class equestrian show jumping. 3) Calgary Stampede As a Calgary-born business located just minutes from the grounds, the Calgary Stampede has always been special to the WCD team—but even more so this year with our appointment as the organization's Official Print Partner. It's a title we were proud to live up to, helping the Stampede share its story and connect with its customers, volunteers, and stakeholders through high-quality print, signage, and creative design. The best part? After a busy season of preparation, watching it all come to life and immersing ourselves in the atmosphere we'd helped to create. Here are a few of this year's highlights: The Great Indoors Volunteer Lounge Volunteers are the backbone of the Calgary Stampede. Creating a calm, inviting environment for them to kick back and enjoy a delicious meal in the midst of their shift is important to the Stampede, and we love helping make that happen. Transforming the volunteer lounge with signage and creative decor, our Great Indoors theme is a play on bringing the outdoors inside. This year, our Creative Services team designed a Western naturescape that brought the space to life in vivid colour. Stampede Pride Day This year, WCD was proud to sponsor Calgary Stampede Pride Day—a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion, and community. The Nashville North tent came alive as attendees sported Calgary Stampede rainbow boot stickers and rallied in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community. The energy was electrifying, with sensational drag performances to boot! It's a 'Yahoo' From Us Happen to see a 'Yahoo' sign or two pop up around Calgary in July? It's entirely possible they were produced by yours truly! From vibrant lawn signs to fun stickers and window clings, we helped Calgarians show off their Stampede spirit in style. To the Chuckwagons! We were honoured to print this year's iconic chuckwagon tarps, showcasing the vibrant colors and designs of the participating teams and their sponsors. These tarps are more than meets the eye—they represent the rich heritage, fierce competition, and true community spirit of the Calgary Stampede. Plus, we got to meet some superstars! We were especially excited to collaborate with MobSquad, who comissioned Indigenous artist Nahanni Giuricich of the Sayisi Dene First Nation to design their eye-catching tarp. We worked closely with Nahanni to ensure her vision and the integrity of her concept translated beautifully to MobSquad's chuckwagon box, tarp and barn area. Thank you to our incredible community for making this a summer to remember. To stay up with the latest exciting news and events, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook!

06.16.2023

Do email and social media dominate your marketing strategy? With today’s screen-time statistics, it's easy to overlook the tried-and-true method of direct mail. Despite what some marketers assume, direct mail remains a highly effective tool for businesses to engage with their target audience in a tangible and personal way. With careful planning and execution, direct mail campaigns can yield impressive results and help your business stand out from the competition. Let’s explore five powerful ways your marketing team can leverage direct mail to drive growth and boost your business, including: Generating New LeadsNurturing Customer RelationshipsShowcasing New Products or ServicesDriving Website TrafficRe-Engaging Dormant CustomersOr, dive into the basics of direct mail > 1) Generate New Leads Direct mail can be an excellent tool for generating new leads and expanding your customer base. By strategically targeting specific demographics or geographic areas, you can reach potential customers who may not be as receptive to online marketing efforts. And the real money maker? Personalization—because 84% of consumers say they’d be more likely to pay attention to mail that speaks directly to them. Consider offering exclusive promotions or incentives to encourage recipients to take action, such as visiting your store, redeeming a coupon, or signing up for a newsletter. And don’t forget to include a compelling call-to-action that entices recipients to engage! 2) Nurture Customer Relationships Have you ever received a personalized reminder that it’s time to take your furry friend to the vet? “How nice!” you think, because it feels personal and caring for them to reach out. Direct mail provides an opportunity to nurture existing customer relationships and keep your brand top-of-mind. Consider sending personalized thank-you cards, birthday greetings, or anniversary offers to show your customers that you value their loyalty. By adding a personal touch and making your customers feel appreciated, you can foster long-term relationships and encourage repeat business. Learn how a local business grew with direct mail > 3) Showcase New Products or Services You’re beaming with pride over your new service offering—so much so, you want to shout it from the rooftops! Direct mail allows you to communicate with the people who matter most [your customers] in a visually appealing and informative way. Use high-quality images, engaging copy, and compelling offers to capture the attention of your target audience. Whether you're launching a new product line, introducing an upgraded service, or announcing a special promotion, direct mail can help you make a memorable impact and generate excitement among your customer base. 4) Drive Website Traffic Direct mail isn’t a one-and-done deal—it can and should be used alongside digital channels to drive the best engagement. A study by Canada Post shows that integrating direct mail with digital tactics in a campaign increases brand recall by 40% and makes consumers 39% more likely to pay attention. Include QR codes, personalized URLs (PURLs), or unique coupon codes in your direct mail pieces to encourage recipients to visit your website for more information, or to make a purchase. This integration of offline and online marketing channels creates a seamless customer journey and enhances the overall effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. 5) Re-engage Dormant Customers Direct mail is a powerful way to re-engage with customers who haven't interacted with your business in a while. How? First, segment your customer database based on their purchase history or engagement levels, and then send targeted direct mail pieces that reignite their interest. Consider offering exclusive discounts, sneak peeks of upcoming products, or personalized recommendations based on your customer’s previous purchases. By showing them that you value their past support and want to rekindle the relationship, you stand a better chance of bringing them back into the fold. While digital channels continue to evolve and play a vital role in your growth strategy, direct mail remains an effective and impactful tool to add to the marketing mix. Remember, the key to success lies in creating targeted, personalized, and visually appealing direct mail campaigns that resonate with your audience. So, don't overlook the power of direct mail—it may just be the missing ingredient in your perfect recipe.

05.15.2023

So you’ve decided to go digital—congratulations! Undergoing digital transformation is a rewarding process that will dramatically transform your employee and customer experience. Converting your physical records into digital files will not only improve accessibility, but it will also streamline your workflows and enhance your data security. Before the document imaging process can begin, proper document preparation is crucial to ensuring a smooth and efficient scanning process. Here, we’ll explore some best practices for document preparation in digitization, covering tips and techniques for handling various document types and ensuring optimal quality in your finished product. Here’s the rundown: Removing staples, paperclips and bindings Removing sticky notes and adhesive materials Organizing documentsProtecting photographs Digitizing books and bound materials Dealing with oversized documents Ensuring cleanliness Get a 360 degree view of the document digitization process > 1) Removing Staples, Paperclips, and Bindings Before diving into document digitization, remove staples, paperclips, and bindings from your documents. Left untouched, these metallics can wreak havoc on scanning equipment and cause frustrating paper jams. Instead of risking damage, grab some small adhesive notes to temporarily hold together any multi-page documents or delicate materials. They'll keep things neat and tidy in the meantime. 2) Removing Sticky Notes & Adhesive Materials While sticky notes are great for reminders and separating pages pre-scan, they can be real troublemakers if they go unremoved during the scanning process, often hiding important information or causing unnecessary jams and delays. Carefully peel off any sticky notes, taking your time to avoid any tears or damage to the underlying document. Trust us—your future digital files will thank you for it! 3) Organizing Documents Organization is the name of the game when it comes to smooth digitization. Begin by sorting your documents based on logical criteria—whether that’s date, type, or category—whatever works in unison with your electronic content management strategy. By grouping related documents together, you’re not only simplifying indexing, but you’re also supercharging your retrieval capabilities post-scan. It's the perfect system for finding exactly what you need at the stroke of a few keys. Need help solidifying your content management strategy? 4) Protecting Photographs & Fragile Materials Fragile documents, like aged papers or delicate manuscripts, require extra TLC during preparation. Clean, dry hands are the key here—no greasy fingerprints or smudges, please! For an added layer of protection, consider wearing a pair of non-abrasive gloves. They'll keep these precious documents safe from any potential harm. Lay them down on a clean, flat surface and gently flatten them as needed to remove creases or curling. Remember, we're preserving history here! 5) Digitizing Books and Bound Materials If you're digitizing books, you’ll want to open pages as much as you can for the clearest scans—and to keep everything in place without causing any harm, grab some weights to hold the book steady and make sure it’s camera-ready. 6) Dealing with Oversized Documents Oversized documents like maps, blueprints, or posters require extra attention during the digitization process, because you’ll want to capture every intricate detail without any distortions. To do so, flatten the oversized document as much as possible and smooth out any wrinkles or folds. If your document is too big to fit on a standard scanner, fear not! WCD has the equipment and expertise to handle those grand-scale documents with finesse. 7) Ensuring Cleanliness Dust, dirt, and debris are not your friend when it comes to high-quality digitized documents. Using a soft, lint-free cloth or a specially designed document cleaning brush, gently wipe the surfaces of the documents, removing any particles that might compromise the scan quality. Always avoid using cleaning solutions or liquids that might cause damage. Save time—let us prep your documents! Do you have a hefty records collection and lack the resources or time to prep each document in-house? With full-service information solutions, WCD has the team and expertise to efficiently prepare, scan and manage your documents in the cloud. If your files are ready to embark on their digital journey, check out our services by clicking the link below.