Direct Mail Strategy

[Bailey Kramer]

I'm thinking about using the Direct Mail Strategy to target multi-family properties and owners who might be motivated to sell.  I've heard of using List Source as a tool to collect addresses of properties.  I would love to hear other people's thoughts, strategies, and experiences using the Direct Mail Strategy.  

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Joe Cassandra: @Bailey Kramer

Hey Bailey, 

I'm on month 4 of my sends and haven't gotten a deal (or even an appt). Mailing about 2,500-3,000 per month. I'm in marketing as a career and am more impatient as a direct response copywriter, I get instant results on my marketing. 

But as many said, you have to keep mailing even when the returns aren't there because just one deal can pay for the mailing + some. 

I'm still learning the logistical part. After my 6 touch mailing is done, I'll probably reevaluate to see if I should hit a new list, try a new mail house, spend more on PPC. 

I'm fortunate to have the budget to stomach a $0 return on my mailing...but couldn't do that forever :)

Why are you using a mail house on an untested mailer? Seems risky. You have to figure out why it doesn't have any draw.

Take your monthly budget of 3,000 mailers and split it into 4 groups.

For your testing, you will pay a high school student to assemble it for you. Use real stamps. Address the mailer to the owner by name. Tell the owner what you have to offer them. "I buy houses for cash!" "I'm interested in your property at 1234 Main St" or something like that. Keep the message short. Include your phone number. Answer the phone when it rings. Don't let it go to voice mail. They won't call back.

Split the mailer into 1,500 postcards and 1,500 envelope/letters with "see through windows" from Staples. Make sure the envelope is slightly larger than a standard envelope. Put a return address on the mailer so you can track returns. Send it out so it arrives on tuesday thru thursday. You don't want it to arrive on a monday when everybody else's mailer arrives.

Send 750 of mailer 1 to list 1 (On each mailer put a "1" in the lower left corner so you know which list it came from) Include a mailer to yourself. It's called "seeding" the mailer so you know when it hits and that it actually got delivered.

Send 750 of mailer 2 to list 2 (On each mailer put a "2" in the lower left corner so you know which list it came from)Include a mailer to yourself. It's called "seeding" the mailer so you know when it hits and that it actually got delivered.
 
Send 750 of mailer 3 to list 3 (On each mailer put a "3" in the lower left corner so you know which list it came from)Include a mailer to yourself. It's called "seeding" the mailer so you know when it hits and that it actually got delivered.

Send 750 of mailer 4 to list 4 (On each mailer put a "4" in the lower left corner so you know which list it came from)Include a mailer to yourself. It's called "seeding" the mailer so you know when it hits and that it actually got delivered.

Do this for 4 months with different lists and different mailers.

Keep a spread sheet so you know which lists and mailers work for you. Most lists are garbage with old information and there are hundreds of ways to compile lists some of which work better for your area and offer to buy.

Once you start getting calls, you know you are on to something and then you can use a mailing house. Keep in mind that most mailing houses take weeks to get out that which you can get out in a few days. Is your time important to you or is ease of marketing? For mailings under 5,000 do it your self. You can be sure it got done and sent out in a timely fashion.