4 Effective Hooks for New Mover Direct Mail

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, about 40 million Americans move every year. New movers are people who represent one of the most potentially valuable segments in life event marketing. They’re ideal customers, blank slates if you will, who are in the market for a dizzying variety of goods and services that can help them feel comfortable in their new house and neighborhood.

So, as a direct mailer, once you have up-to-date and multi-sourced mailing lists ready to go, how do you target this audience? How do you establish a relationship and begin building customer loyalty?

What prompted these questions is that quite a few of my relatives and friends have been on the move lately. I’ve been following how marketers have reached out to them as they settle in to their new homes. Based on some of those samples they shared, and some from Who’s Mailing What!, here are a few ideas on how to engage the attention of these prospects when they’re most ready to buy.

1. Offer A Discount
Many marketers entice movers with savings offers, from Bed Bath & Beyond, DIRECTV and IKEA, to Burlington Coat Factory, Budget Blinds and Crate & Barrel.

Pottery Barn is another one that’s great at this. This three-panel 5-3/4″x10-3/4″ self-mailer promoted the retailer’s free design services, for lighting, bedding, rugs, etc.

Three 15 percent off coupons were spot-glued to an inside fold, one for each of the company’s three brands (Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PB Teen). They can be redeemed at their brick-and-mortar retail locations, online and over the phone.

Along with sister brand West Elm, Pottery Barn also mails out the most recent version of its catalog to movers in a big envelope. Along with a personalized welcome letter, a discount coupon is included.

2. Tap Into EmotionThe big seven emotional copy drivers in marketing — guilt, flattery, anger, greed, exclusivity, fear, salvation — make people act. Greed’s an easy one to pick up on, as in this example from GEICO.

“[M]oving  even a few blocks could affect your car insurance rate”, the letter warns. And what new mover, who has already spent a lot of money, can resist an opportunity to save $500?

Envy is not one of the big seven motivators. Nevertheless, it’s a good one in this context.

Think about it. An attractive lawn and yard are often considered an important part of one’s status and comfort in a new home. People want to keep up with the Joneses.

TruGreen mailed a variation on one of its typical mailings promoting its lawn treatment services. The front panel of the self-mailer shows a woman peering over a brick wall with the caption “I wish my new lawn could look like my new neighbor’s lawn. I better call TruGreen.”

Get more recipes on http://www.targetmarketingmag.com/

Kirkwood Direct is largest service provider that offers comprehensive and effective end-to-end direct marketing communications solutions to their clients. It offers various services like Data Management/ Data Acquisition, Commercial Printing, Mailing Services, E-marketing and many more. Call (978) 642-0300 or visit site.