Power Beyond Paper - Postcard Magnet Mailers

Frequently Asked Questions - Production

Ryan Christensen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:03:00 GMT

If you are scouring the web looking for information about the powerful and beautiful postcard magnet mailers, congratulations, you've come to the right place.

Below you can find a selection of the most frequently asked questions, specifically relating to production details.

If you need more product information, pricing or artwork details, please visit our website, or send us an e-mail to: questions@postcardmagnet.com

Can I print postcard with magnets?

Printing and sending magnets on postcards is our speciality. We print the postcards, print the magnets and then combine them together, with spot glue or lamination, to be sent out as a direct mail piece at bulk mail rates.

What is your standard production time?

Normal production time is 8-12 days after proof approval. From receipt of artwork until the proof is ready for review usually takes 48-72 hours. Please factor in the time it takes to prepare and then receive proof approval in the total production time.
Production time may be longer on orders of 25,000 or 50,000 pieces. Please contact us to confirm before scheduling mail dates.

What happens during the production process?

After proof approval the postcards and magnets are printed, separately. After they dry, the postcard are trimmed and the magnets are die cut to size. A third machine seals or spot glues the magnet to the postcard. Finally, the postcards are addressed, sorted and trayed for mailing, or boxed and stacked for shipping.

Can you bill my shipping account?

Yes, third party billing incurs a $5 charge per order.

What are the product specs?

The standard paper stock used in 14 point and it is coated with a 2 mil poly laminate.
The paperstock for the manga-fold postcard is 80lb cover.

Can I print less than 250 pieces?

Sorry, but 250 pieces is the absolute minimum for magnet mailers. However, just the 3.5” x 4” magnets may be ordered at a minimum quantity of 100 pieces.

What are the final material specs for the postcard and magnet?

Postcard Printing: The postcards are manufactured from a printed and laminated sheet. Final postcard stock thickness: 14 point, which includes being coated with a 2 mil poly laminate.
Magnet Printing: Magnets are manufactured from a printed flexible magnetic sheet and laminated. Final magnet thickness: 25 mil.

Can produce custom sized magnets?

Yes, we have a huge selection of standard shapes available, and we can also create custom shape magnets. Provide us the details on your vision and we will be happy to help accommodate.

What magnet mailer postcard sizes are available?

Our standard product size is 8.5” x 5.25”. The smallest size we can produce is 5” x 4.25”. The largest size we can produce is 8.5” x 10.875”. The largest size magnet we can attach to a postcard is 4” x 6”.

How does the magnetic peel off (Magna-Peel) postcard work?

The magnet is attached to the postcard with multiple dots of fugitive glue. Fugitive glue is the same type of glue used on the fake credit cards that you may have received in the mail. However, because of the lamination used on our postcards the glue comes off cleanly and completely, without leaving residue on the postcard or the magnet.

Frequently Asked Questions - Mailing

Ryan Christensen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:22:00 GMT

I talk with people sometimes who are surprised that the Post Office will let you attach a magnet to a postcard and send it through the mail.

They are even more surprised to find out that the magnet can be attached to the postcard with fugitive, or spot-glue and that not only has the Post Office approved, but the customer's have too. The magnets don't come off in the mail, but can be easily removed when received by the recipient.

To help spread the good news about magnet mailers, and mailing magnets, I'm sharing today an except from our FAQ specifically about mailing. For more information, please visit our website.

Mailing:

Can you mail magnets?

Yes, you can mail magnets. We can attach magnets to postcard with fugitive glue, or under a laminate seal. All of our products are approved by the Post Office and are safe for mailing.

How is your product classified for maiilng?

Our magnet mailers are classified as a letter or flat. They mail at automation rates, but are not automation compatible.

How much does it cost to mail a magnet mailer postcard?

Current postage rates for mailing a magnet mailer are:
Standard Bulk Mail: $0.273 (200 piece minimum)
First Class bulk mail: $0.414 (500 piece minimum)
Nonprofit bulk mail: $0.19
Postage rates would be less for saturation or high-density mailings. Magnet mailers also qualify for entry level discounts.

How can I mail at the nonprofit rate?

Yes, if you are a nonprofit organization. To send your magnet mailers out at the nonprofit rate, you must have received authorization from the Post Office for your nonprofit organization.
The Post Office also requires that we provide the following paperwork:
1. A signed letter of intent on your company letterhead authorizing us to send out the mailer through your nonprofit authorization.
2. We will also need fields 1-6 filled on the form 3623, including a signature.
Please e-mail or fax copies of both of these documents to ryan@postcardmagnet.com or 866-298-7106.

Can you just address the mailing then ship it back to me?

Yes, we can address, sort and tray you order, and prepare the necessary postal paperwork (such as the 3602) and then send everything back to you so you can take it to your local Post Office for mailing. This is the required method if you want to use your own indicia or bulk mail permit on the piece.

Do you run NCOA?

Yes, this service is provided free of charge.

Can you remove duplicates for my mailing list?

Yes, this service costs $75.00

Can I buy a mailing list from you?

Yes, we sell clean, high deliverability mailing lists. Please e-mail us with the zip codes and who you want to deliver to, for example, “businesses” or “homeowners” or “households with children” in zip 99999. Almost any criteria is available for searching.
We will provide with you with a spreadsheet of mailing data and a cost for your review and approval before purchase. Most address only lists are $0.02 per name for one-time use. Lists generated with additional search criteria are usually $0.04 per name.

Can I provide the mailing list for addressing?

Yes, the list must be in an Excel compatible format and follow the criteria below. Please send the mailing list to:bulkmail@postcardmagnet.com

What format do I need to provide the mailing list in?

The mailing list can only be processed in an excel compatible format. The data must be divided into separate columns at follows:
Name
Info
Address 1
Address 2
City
State
Zip
The list cannot be processed for mailing unless these items are in separate columns.
We are limited to only “Address 1” and “Address 2” columns.
For alumni mailings please put the class year in a separate column from the name.

Can you mail to international addresses?

Yes, to provide an accurate quote, please provide us with a complete mailing list for review. We will process the list and provide an all-inclusive estimate for international bulk mail.
Please provide a separate spreadsheet for national and international addresses. Please do not combine the addresses into one master list.

Can you attach a magnet to a postcard?

Yes, we can attach the magnet to the postcard under a seal of laminate, referred to as the Magna-Seal postcard. Or we can spot glue the magnet to the postcard, using fugitive glue, which we refer to as the Magna-Peel postcard. Both options allow you to send a magnet through the mail.

Will the magnet come off in the mail?

Our magnet mailers have been thoroughly tested and passed the United States Post Office approval process. The magnet will stay attached and be safely delivered to the recipient's home.

Can I send a magnet bulk mail?

A magnet cannot be sent through the mail by itself. To send a magnet in the mail it has to either be attached to a postcard, or sent in an envelope. Our complete postcard magnet mailers can be sent at the bulk mail rates.

Can we use your bulk mail permit?

Yes, you can use our bulk mail permit to mail your magnet postcards. We can add the permit to the artwork when we prepare the proof for review.

Frequently Asked Questions - Artwork

Ryan Christensen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:55:00 GMT

Magnet mailers have been around for more than a decade. But that doesn't mean the idea is common knowledge. There are a lot of businesses that still don't know that you can send a magnet along with your postcard which increases the response rate and provides long term advertising.

When business do find out about the product, they usually quite a few questions about how to get started.

The next few posts will contain excepts from the FAQ on our website to help spread the good news about the power available when you move beyond paper.

If you have more questions, questions check out our other posts, or visit our website: www.postcardmagnet.com

Artwork:

What file format should the artwork be provided in?

The preferred file format is a press quality PDF (300 dpi).
Please include bleeds on the postcard and the magnet of .125”.
We can also accept any native Adobe file formats, PageMaker, QuarkXpress, FreeHand or Corel Draw.
Please ensure that all fonts are ‘converted to outlines’ or ‘converted to paths’
Please be advised: Word Documents, Publisher documents and low-resolution images (GIF, JPEG, BMP, etc.) cannot be used as acceptable artwork.

Can you help me design the artwork?

Yes, each order includes 30 minutes of free design time. The best way to take advantage of this time is to provide via e-mail, or fax, all the information you want included on the postcard magnet including: Company name, contact information, product details or special offer, etc.
Please e-mail us with photos you would like used, and your logo, etc.
We will take these separate elements and combine them into a professional final product, and then send over a proof for your review and revision.
Please provide high resolution images, preferably at 300 dpi. Low resolution images will result in a pixilated imprint.

Can you print underneath the magnet?

Yes.
If you want the imprint hidden until the magnet is removed, please make the imprint .25” smaller than the magnet size.
We are not able to match the magnet artwork seamlessly with the postcard imprint. There is a variance of .125” of an inch in any direction.

What is your permit number? I want to add it to my artwork.

We will add our permit to the artwork when we prepare the proof. Please indicate where you would like to permit placed when preparing the artwork files.

Do you have an artwork template?

Yes, an artwork template can be downloaded from any of the Product Pages on our website.
Here is a link to the standard magnet mailer, good for both the magna-peel and magna-seal postcards:
Seal/Peel, Business Card Magnet

Seal/Peel, 3.5" x 4" Magnet
Here is a link to the artwork template for the magna-fold postcard:
Magna-Fold, Business Card Magnet

Magna-Fold, 3.5" x 4" Magnet
Click below to download artwork templates just for the magnets:
Business card magnet
3.5” x 4” magnet
The files linked include artwork template for both sides of the postcard and the magnet and are zipped files (.zip extension) and will need to be unzipped before use.

Can I request a proof?

Yes, a free PDF proof is provided for each order. This proof is sued to show you color and/or color breaks, but is NOT an exact color matching system. Up to 3 free proofs will be provided.
If you need a more accurate proof, you may buy a laminated digital proof at a cost of $20.00. Our color press proofs are a close representation of the color of your product. Proofs are sent for next day delivery. The PDF proof must be approved before the paper proof is outputted.
Actual printed and laminated product proofs are $60.00. This is a press proof and is an actual working sample of the final product. Product proofs are sent for next day delivery. Product proofs are free of charge for orders of $6,250 or more.

Can I use PMS colors?

Yes, we can do a spot color match. The setup cost is $40.00 per color. Added colors after 4 colors incur an additional 10% running charge.

Do you provide copy changes?

Yes, copy changes are limited to changing a total of 6 lines of copy, a photo and a logo. In addition, the items must all have a common background or main layout that does not change. Copy changes cannot be added after an order is submitted.
1-14 copy changes: $20 each.
15 or more copy changes: $15 each.

Where should I e-mail the artwork to?

E-mail the artwork to artwork@postcardmagnet.com.
If the file is over 10MB, you can e-mail up to a 20MB file to postcardmagnet@gmail.com.
If the file is larger than 20MB we do have an FTP site. To request FTP upload instructions please send an e-mail to:ftp@postcardmagnet.com and you will receive an auto-reply with current login instructions.
Please e-mail artwork@postcardmagnet.com with the "Upload confirmation number" provided to make sure that we can match up your artwork quickly.

Magna-Peel Postcard with attached business card magnet

Ryan Christensen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:40:00 GMT

Maybe you are looking for "power beyond paper". Something more than just a traditional postcard, that you know will get thrown away soon after it's delivered. Below are details about one of the products we offer, that may be just what you are looking for to boost your direct mail campaign.

Magna-Peel Postcard & Business Card Magnet

A 3.5" x 2" business card magnet is spot-glued to a half sheet, 8.5" x 5.25" postcard. The postcard, with the attached magnet, can be sent as a direct mail piece, or used as an effective handout.

This method is the most effective and convenient way to get your magnet and your message into your customer's hands.

Product Details:

Size: 8.5" x 5.25"

Stock: 12 point stock coated with a 2 mil poly laminate

Made in the USA

Each order includes 30 minutes of free design time, free proof, free setup, free full color imprint, free addressing.

Pricing and additional details are available on our website.

Tips for marketing that are often ignored, but shouldn't be

Ryan Christensen — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:42:00 GMT

Make your contact information easy to find. Focus on the preferred method of contact. If you want them to visit your website, rather than call, reflect that in the design.
Headlines should focus on the benefit the client will receive.
Support the benefit claim with facts and figures.
Remember that "you" and "free" are two of the most powerful words you can use.
Place your most powerful words at the beginning of sentences and paragraphs.
Always make a call to action. Tell people what you want them to do... repeat it more than one in your copy.
Announcements do not make insightful attention grabbing headlines. Do not use number of years or latest technology in your headline.
When using a special offer, articulate it in a clear, compelling manner. Try testing different offers with different groups.
Do not fall into the trap of focusing your entire promotion on being the "cheapest". This only works if you really are less expensive than everyone else. If the only reason the public is using your service or product is price... it can be destructive to you in the long run and in our highly competitive economy.
Ask a though provoking question in the headline. Develop your question and provide the solution using a conversational written style.
Never assume anything. Keep all information easy to understand. Keep messages short and avoid fine lines. and disclaimers whenever possible.
Try humor. In direct mail it is a great way to catch and hold your audience's attention.

Thanks to www.printechutah.com for the helpful reminders.

Power Beyond Paper

Ryan Christensen — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:51:00 GMT

Magnet Mailers with attached 3.5" x 4" magnet

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:30:00 GMT

This video shows samples of our magnet mailers with a 3.5" x 4" magnet.

Studies have shown than a postcard with a magnet attached is read 51.9% more often than a traditional postcard.

To view more product details, please visit www.postcardmagnet.com/products.html

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Twice the size, same cost. The Magna-Fold Postcard

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:09:00 GMT

Are you ready to get even more for your money?

Postcardmagnet.com is excited to announce a brand new product, the Magna-FOLD" postcard magnet mailer.

TWICE the size, gives you TWICE as much room to promote, but at the same cost as the half-sheet magna-peel postcard.

The Magna-FOLD Specs

The Magna-FOLD postcard starts as an 8.5" x 11" postcard, printed in full-color on both sides.

A 3.5" x 4" magnet is spot-glued to the top, right-hand side of the postcard, and then the postcard is folded in half and spot-glued shut to it's final folded size of 8.5" x 5.5"

Once received in the mail, the postcard can be easily opened to reveal the magnet secured inside, and a full sheet of full color advertising!

This design offers you twice as much postcard space as compared to our other products, but for the same cost, allowing you the extra room you need to get your message across to your clients.

Download the artwork template here, or view a product image.

The Advantages

This product offers a full 8.5" x 11" canvas for your full color photos, message and company info, TWICE the space of our other magnet mailers, but for the same price!!

Our other proucts are sealed in a 2 mil polylaminate. This product is not, so it can be written on with a ball-point pen.

Addressing is still provided, free of charge, but if you wanted to address this product yourself, you could easily do that, by hand, or with a wider range of inkjetters.

Request a Free Sample Today

This is brand-new product that we'd like you to see for yourself.

Visit our sample request page, and be sure and mention the "Magna-Fold" in the comments section. You'll receive a new sample kit within a few days.

If you want to talk shop, give us a call and we can discuss all the details over the phone - 800-660-8668

Or send us an e-mail: sales@postcardmagnet.com

Advertising Refrigerator Magnets

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:42:00 GMT

Advertising refrigerator magnets are a simple and cost effective way to essential own real estate in the homes of clients and potential clients. Your magnet can be kept on their fridge, freezer, filing cabient, or even a metal door.

Magnets have a long life span - they are usually kept for years. For that entire time your company name, services and contact information will be in front of potential clients, creating numerous daily impressions and soldifying your company in their minds. When they need your service, you can be assured that your company will be the first one that comes to mind.

Learn more about how you can cost effectively send your magnets out at great direct mail rates at PostcardMagnet.com

Alumni Magnet Mailers

Ryan Christensen — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:47:00 GMT

Magnet mailers have been very popular with colleges and universities nationwide. They have been so effective that many schools use them each year to promote their class reunions and alumni events.

A magnet is the perfect way to help alumnus "save the date" for upcoming events. Anything else you send in the mail is likely to get thrown away and forgotten.

Plus, most grads would be proud to display a magnet on their fridge from their alma mater.

Here is a list of some of the schools that have chosen Postcardmagnet.com to promote their school events:

Stanford
Harvard
Berkeley
Anne Arundel Community College
Avila University
The Baldwin School
Bennington College
Breck School
Davidson College
Dexter School
Simmons College
St. Timothy's School
University of Florida College of Nursin
University of New Hampshire
Washington College

If you are interested in using magnet mailers as a save the date for your next event, take a look at the design ideas some of the other schools have used at www.alumnimagnetmailers.com

Request a free sample to see this product for yourself and you will automatically be e-mailed pricing details and everything else you need to get started.

Magnet Mailers lead medical clinic to six locations

Ryan Christensen — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:49:00 GMT

After Hours Medical started in 2001 with just one urgent care clinic. As of their latest grand opening this month, they now have six. How have they been able to grow so consistently over the last 7 years?

They have a phone book ad, sure. They have have tried bill boards too. But since the beginning their annual marketing budget has gone overwhelming towards just one thing - Postcard Magnet Mailers.

When each new clinics hosts it's grand opening, the magnet mailers are sent out to every home, business, apartment and PO box in the surround area, and it gets the clinic off to a great start.

The sixth clinic, shown in the photo above, had 13 patients their first day. What brought them through the door? The magnet they now had stuck to their fridge at home.

Unlike old-school direct mail, which would have been taken out the garbage the very next day, each recipient of the magnet mailer still has a magnet on their fridge. The next time they have a medical need, where will they turn for a phone number, or an address? They'll remember that magnet on their fridge, which they have seen day in and day out since they received. No other direct mail product can get such long-term exposure.

Beyond a big mail blast at each grand opening, magnet mailers are sent out at the end of each year for all existing clinics.

After Hours Medical orders a Magna-Peel postcard with a 3.5" x 4" magnet. The magnet includes the clinics contact info and a 12 month calendar, super-imposed over a beautiful full color photo from the local area.

If you are the least bit interested in the power of magnet mailers, request a free sample kit at our website: www.postcardmagnet.com

Now, more than ever is an important time to keep your name and number in front of your clients to make sure that your business stays strong through these tight times. You can't afford to waste your precious advertising budget on marketing that will end up in the garbage can.

Spend your money on something that will be kept and used, rather than thrown away and forgotten.

Client Testimonial about Postcardmagnet.com

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:19:00 GMT

We had a recent client who was so excited about the quality of the magnet mailers and our custom service he couldn't help but write up a testimonial. Here is his letter:

Accent Floor Care
6572 Glenwood Ave.. #422
Raleigh NC 27612
919-369-5560

May 8, 2008

To whom it may concern:

I have had a running battle with my local telephone company about porting my business telephone number away from AT&T. I decided to quit trying to work with them and just inform my customer base that I was changing my phone number.

I have used refrigerator magnets for years to keep my name in front of my customers with great effectiveness. So, I wanted to send my customers a new magnet with my new phone number on it. Question was how to do it in a cost effective manner.

So I decided to go on line and look for a company that could provide a postcard mailing to my customer base. I wanted a postcard with a refrigerator magnet attached which could be easily removed by my customer and the cost had to be reasonable.

I found numerous other companies offering the product I was looking for. I had no previous experience with any of them and didn’t have time to wait for samples before making a decision on which company to go with. I selected a company and contacted them about supplying their product. When I didn’t get a response for 2 days, I looked for another company and decided to go with postcardmagnet.com. The other company finally responded after I had sent my order to postcardmagnet.com.

The process was very easy. I supplied the language and photos I wanted on the card and they set it up and sent me a proof. Once I approved the proof, the postcards were in the mail within two weeks!!!! I thought the price was great as it came in under $1 for the postcard including magnet bulk mailed to my customer list.

They sent me the overage vis UPS and when I opened the package, I could not believe the quality of the piece. It was outstanding.

If you have a need for their products, I highly recommend you contact postcardmagnet.com. They provide a great product at a great price and their customer service is superb.

Sincerely,

Doug Blackley
Owner

What are people saying about postcard magnet mailers?

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:07:00 GMT

I was scouring the web (you know, looking beyond the first page in google search results) to find out what people have been saying about the power of magnet mailers. Here are few comments I found a small business marketing forum

Here is the first post, starting the discussion:

I have worked with Realtors on marketing projects and magnets are very popular. Although they are more expensive than postcards or flyers, they seem to get noticed more often and 'stick around' for a longer period of time. (Sorry for the pun.)

It works for real estate agents but what about other business owners? Has anyone had any luck using magnets in personal marketing?

Here are the replies:

"I haven't tried using them to promote my business but I just went and looked at the side of our refrigerator and there were magnets for:

- a dentist
- a veterinarian
- a maid service
- a pizza place

They are great for holding up pictures so I get a reminder of the businesses as I look at pictures while standing in the kitchen.

And, I know I've used them as a quick and easy source for the phone numbers of those businesses."

Another comment said:

"I received magnets after my initial customer experience and it is a reference for future services. I wouldn't have been prompted to use for initial services based on this, but [the magnet] does reinforce my use as a continual customer and I do reference them periodically when needed."

Another commentator added:

"I've received a lot of different magnets from Realtors over the years. In addition to that industry, I've received magnet from Pizza shops, Car Dealerships, Chircopractors, Dentists and from my local City (recycling schedule).

It stands to reason that if magnets work for Realtors that they should work for any business striving to achieve "top of mind" awareness."

Alternative Advertising

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:57:00 GMT

Thank you for the guys over at Review-feed.com for posting this commentary on our product.

Alternative Advertising
Death and taxes are listed as the two certainties of life. I submit that we should add a new one, people will advertise to you and you will mostly ignore them.

Online vs Offline Advertising
Traditional advertising usually goes into billboards and mailers which are (in reality) not all too effective. Sure, for those people who haven’t heard of the “interwebs” it might still carry some weight but for the most part just sending people junk mail isn’t terribly useful.

Magnet Mailers
That’s where magnet mailers come in. The guys over at postcardmagnet.com are putting a new spin on traditional advertising. Instead of just sending a simple postcard ad they send a magnet. Plenty of people need magnets so even if your service isn’t interesting at the time people are more likely to hang onto your magnet.

In my mind it advertising is usually a one-way street, advertisers take a consumer’s time and space. Consumers on the other hand get an opportunity to spend more money than they would have originally. Gee, thanks advertisers.

But Magnet mailers can be different, they essentially pay for a consumer’s time and the real estate on a refrigerator by providing a magnet!

Think about it this way, if you’re a plumber and you send out a mailer you are likely to get calls from people who need a plumber right then. But if they keep a magnet on their fridge with your contact you’ll get calls from people who need a plumber at the moment and in the future. It’s like having a billboard in someone’s house.

Samples of Postcard Magnet Mailers

Ryan Christensen — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:04:00 GMT

The video below was compiled from artwork of previous orders.

Postcardmagnet.com offers four standard products.

The postcard standard postcard size is 8.5" x 5.25".

There are two standard magnet sizes, a 3.5" x 2" business card magnet and a larger 3.5" x 4" jumbo magnet.

There are two methods of attaching the magnet to the postcard. The first method is laminating the magnet to the postcard underneath a coat of poly laminate. The product has a very classy and professional appearance. Scissors or a sharp object are needed to break the seal and remove the magnet.

The second method is by spot gluing the magnet to the postcard. The glue is referred to as 'fugitive clue" or "booger clue". A total of 6 glue dots are used on each magnet. This method is more popular because the magnet is easier to remove. (It's also less expensive.) However, the magnet is guaranteed not to come off in the mail.

See for yourself! Request samples today and they will be delivered in just 2-3 days. No cost, no obligation.

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Making Mailing Ads More Valuable

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:47:00 GMT

What Happens to the Ads You Send?

Even if there aren't many bills and letters stuffed in my mailbox, I can usually count on a barrage of "junk mail" arriving almost every day. Sometimes I'm bored enough to glance through the daily stack of papers, but I usually don't have much time or interest to sort through them. That's why all the grocery ads, coupons, flyers and advertisements often end up lining the litter box, the fire place or the garbage can.

This is probably not what you envisioned when you paid to have your advertisements printed and mailed. So, if you are a small business owner trying to reach potential customers through direct mail marketing and you don't want your advertisement joining the others in the trash, let me give you a tip.

How can you stop wasting your money?

Send your target clients something that they can actually use. If you paid attention in the first paragraph, you might have noticed that some papers, the ones that were put to alternate uses like kindling and pet care, didn't end up in the garbage can. Even though you are probably still aiming for better reception than this, the kindling and the litter box liners illustrate an important point. People will hang onto something if it is useful.

Advantages of using Postcard Magnets

This is why I would recommend advertising via postcard magnets. Because the magnet is heavier and harder than the other paper ads in the stack, it will immediately stand out and capture customer attention.

Additionally, a magnet can meet your marketing needs by providing customers with your name, contact information and business hours while simultaneously being useful to your customers for tacking school projects, family pictures and grocery lists on the fridge. By sending something useful, you have overcome challenge number one: staying out of the trash can.

The magnet quality of the ad also helps you overcome challenge number two: getting good exposure. No one is going to look under the cat poop or sort through a pile of ashes to find old advertisements. But when your add is posted on the fridge, everyone in the house probably sees it at least three times a day and it will be the easiest place to reference when they need your services. After all, glancing at a magnet is faster and easier than pulling out a phone book or looking up a business on the internet.

Mailing is a good way to market to people because they aren't as hostile about getting mail as they are about getting telemarketing calls, but you do have to have a strategy for making your ads valuable and seen. This is exactly what postcard magnets help you accomplish.

Make Great Postcard Magnets for Your Company

If you want to get started on your own postcard magnet ads, check out the services at PostcardMagnet.com. They can help you with everything from compiling mailing lists to using attractive graphic designs.

The author of this article, Art Gib, is a freelance writer.

Postcard Magnet Mailers

Ryan Christensen — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:51:00 GMT

Postcard mailers work great because they are affordable and can be sent directly to potential clients, right to their mailbox and hopefully right into their hands.

The main challenge with direct mail is staying out of the trash can. A large percentage of direct mail goes right from the mailbox into the garbage.

Magnets are a great way to ensure that you get mileage from your marketing dollars. People use magnets. They will take it from the mailbox and put it on their fridge. The kitchen is one of the highest traffic areas in the home. Having your magnet on your client's fridge will keep your marketing message and contact information in constant view.

Repeat exposure to your business and service results in an increased chance of clients calling to make a purchase or requesting your service. You can't achieve that kind of beneficial, long term exposure with a postcard that just ends up in the garbage.

Are postcard magnet mailers really more effective?

The Direct Marketing Association reports that a postcard with a magnet attached is read at least 51.9% more often than a traditional postcard.

The Power of Magnetic Advertising

Ryan Christensen — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:26:00 GMT

Paper advertisements are undoubtedly going to get thrown away. However, a magnet finds its use on household refrigerators and in company board rooms for months if not years. Your message will carry a lot longer on a magnet.

Magnetic Messages: The Use of Magnets in Advertising

The ubiquitous magnet, it's a simple science of a group of elements creating a field to allow itself to stick to ferrous-based material -- like your fridge door. It's used in so many products, from magnet tags on the back of a children's ABC letter set, to the powerful magnet block in your subwoofer, they are useful in many aspects of daily life.

The one sector that has really capitalized on their use is in advertisement. You are probably aware of them in your mail from time to time. They make their way via post card magnet or mailer. And if you are like many consumers, you'll find that even if you don't care about the message you'll find a handy use for them pinning up your kid's finger painting or grocery list.

One industry that seems to have good success with this technique of using advertising magnets is the pizza business. Pizza is a prime example of how well the magnets work because they are providing a use and a constant phone reminder for take out with one of America's favorite foods.

Types of Magnet Advertisement

Magnet advertising is usually done through direct mail, a type of direct marketing. It's sort of the dispersal shotgun type of advertisement that seeks new customers or leads randomly through the mail. One common type of mailer with magnets is the post card magnet mailer.

The post card will come usually with a magnet mailer spot-glued or under a seal stuck to the outside face of the post card. The use of this magnet in advertising has increased considerably, and for some companies has shown response rate increase as much as 50 percent.

The advertising magnet is also used for targeted mail as well. Targeted mail involves a more refined approach. With modern computer software analytics, marketers are able to find more of their niche consumer. So mail can be addressed to specific recipients rather than just thrown into the post system and delivered to geographic regions. For instance, someone who likes golf may receive offers specific to golf products or local golf courses. This is also known as database marketing.

Another type of advertising with magnets is within the political sphere. Those politicians who are running for office are often sending out a political magnet with their mailers or door hangers. Not only are the boosters supporting their candidate with this medium, but political messages are more ubiquitous than the bumper sticker because they can be reapplied to other various locations.

About PostCardMagnet.com

Art Gib is a writer for PostCardMagnet.com (http://www.postcardmagnet.com) who custom manufactures magnet mailers for businesses. They are owned by American Printing & Promotions who offer a larger swath of advertising and business solutions.

Increase Traffic at Trade-shows with magnet mailers

Ryan Christensen — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:24:00 GMT

With the increase of postal rates over the past several years and dwindling advertising and promotional budgets, many companies are tempted to reduce or eliminate investments into pre-show mailings with promotional products in tradeshow settings. Is this a wise choice? The results of a 2004 study by Georgia Southern University indicates the answer is NO.

The Experiment:

This study was an experiment conducted using the pre-registration list of attendees for a trade show with 379 booths in the pharmaceutical and medical products supply business in Baltimore, Maryland. Exhibitors at the show were all ingredient suppliers of functional, healthy and botanical ingredients. A sample of 797 pre-registered attendees was drawn from a total registration of approximately 2000. The sampling was divided into three groups. Each group was given a different treatment as described below:

• Group A received a postcard inviting the recipient to stop by the respective exhibitor’s booth at a trade show.

• Group Breceived an inexpensive promotional magnet custom imprinted with the respective exhibitor’s company logo and an invitation to visit their booth at the same trade show.

• Group C received a postcard offering a t-shirt for redeeming the postcard at the exhibitor’s booth at the trade show.

The control group for the experiment included the on-site registrants. After the show, each exhibitor provided a list of attendees who stopped by its booth. Each list was used to determine which incentive type generated more trafﬁc to a given exhibit and a potentially greater number of sales leads for the
companies.

Findings:

• 47.9 % of the attendees who stopped by the three booths had received a pre-show mailing.

• Of the recipients who stopped by the booths, the largest number (41%) received an offer for a free t-shirt. The next largest number (36%) received a postcard with the magnet imprinted with the exhibitor’s
name.

The group with the lowest response (23%) was the one that only received an invitation to stop by the booth. In short, 78.2% more people responded with the t-shirt offer than the postcard alone, and 56.5% more people responded to the magnet than the postcard alone.

In a Nutshell:

• Including a promotional product with a pre-show mailing or an offer for a promotional product increases the likelihoodof the attendee stopping by the booth to see the exhibitor’s product offerings.
• As a general rule, promotional products of greater value generate more sales leads than products of lower value.

Using promotional products in conjunction with pre-show mailings make effective tools to inform, remind and persuade attendees to at least stop by a booth, which increases trafﬁ c to these booths. Greater trafﬁc to a booth generates greater potential for more sales leads.

Click here to download a PDF copy of this report, made available by "PPAI Research".

To learn more about magnet mailers and to request a free sample, please visit: www.postcardmagnet.com class="blogger-post-footer">Request free samples at: www.postcardmagnet.com

Different is Good

Ryan Christensen — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:32:00 GMT

The say that only half of your marketing is successful. The joke is that you don't know which half.

How can you tip the scales in your favor and increase your direct mail response rate? Send something different than what everyone else is sending.

Us humans are usually creatures of habit. We try to have a schedule and do the same things at the same time everyday. One of those daily tasks is to get the mail. Sorting the mail is easy, we recognize the bills, and the credit card offers and the other junk mail easily, because it always looks the same. There are a few things that stand out instantly, like a wedding invitation (you don't get those everyday), or anything that is hand written, and actually has a postage stamp.

What can a business do to stand out? How about send a magnet mailer? When was the last time that you received a magnet in the mail? It's not very common, right? That's exactly why it would catch you attention if you were looking through the mail.

Now you might be able to achieve the same effect with a catchy design on a postcard. But what are they going to do with the postcard? Unless the need your service that very moment they aren't going to pick up the phone the call. Maybe they will file the postcard away for later? Probably, but the problem there is the old "out of sight, out of mind". What if you could have your offer and your contact information 'stored' in a place where it would get seen, everyday?

That's why magnet mailers are just plain effective. How much would it cost to send out a postcard every single day? without doing the math, you know that would be insanely expensive. But realize that a magnet has that same power. On the fridge, at eye level, your magnet will get seen each and every day, for years! That's different; that's very, very good.

Request a free sample for see just how striking and powerful magnet mailers are: http://postcardmagnet.com