next time . Gaining new customers requires a different method of marketing , such as radio ads , products or certificates at events and coupons in other publications .
Direct mail can also help you communicate with customers who have not shopped in your store recently . Alyssa Fabik of Bible Supplies in North Platte , NE , says , “ We have learned that direct mailing helps with distance customers and also puts us higher on their list of shopping .” Catalogs with new products are a good reminder for customers who may have forgotten about your store and need an incentive to come back . After catalog mailings , Alyssa says , “ We do see and hear from customers who have moved or just forgot about us .”
Direct mailing helps with distance customers and also puts us higher on their list of shopping
How often do you use direct mail marketing ? Alyssa says she does direct mailings about four times a year around major shopping holidays : Easter , graduation , back to school and Christmas . Seasonal mailings have brought in those prodigal customers .
Lorraine says she uses direct mail 11 times a year to send catalogs to her top customers , all 900 of them . For major holidays like Easter and Christmas , she goes deeper on her list .
Recently , Michelle Brown of Word of God Bible and Gift Store in Rineyville , KY , decided to mail catalogs every month . Since then , she has noticed that more customers are coming in looking for products that were in the catalog , which has helped her become more aware of her customers ’ needs .
Regular mailings have also helped her grow her mailing list . As customers check out , she now remembers to ask for their information . Another easy way to get new names is from customers signing up for a store ’ s loyalty rewards program . But most importantly , Michelle knows that mailing catalogs is necessary to get her store ’ s name into homes every month so that customers come to recognize Word of God Bible and Gift Store and remember to shop there .
In a world saturated with options , direct mail marketing allows your store to stand out and capture the attention of those seeking inspiration , spiritual growth and thoughtful gifts . It ’ s not solely about promoting products ; it ’ s a way to spread a message of hope . CRA
40 CRA today / www . christianretailassociation . org