News
 Your
Call-to-Action: 9 Techniques To Increase Sales
You sent out the best direct mail piece you've ever
seen. Your catalog belongs in the Smithsonian. Your
brochure is so great you framed it and put it next
to the pictures of your kids. So what’s missing?
Apryl Duncan reveals nine techniques guaranteed to
increase your sales.
Take a look at your call to action. With any
advertising materials, it's crucial that you get
potential customers to act. Now!
Use the following techniques to create a call to
action that will have your phones
ringing off the hook, and your profits reinventing
your sales graphs:
1. Give a deadline for ordering
We've all received some sort of promotional material
that has a deadline for ordering. The offer could
end on that date.
Or you could use the deadline in conjunction with an
upgrade or free gift. For example, “order by the
15th and receive....”
Also, try to make the cut off date the same month as
your materials being received. That way, your
potential customers know they only have a limited
time to respond and they won't fall victim to the
"I'll do it later" syndrome.
2. Advise of a price increase
People want to get in on a good deal. If your price
is going up on a specific date, let your customers
know. They'll want to buy before your product's
price increases.
3. Establish a trial/introductory period
Trial periods are a great way to get new customers.
Offer a special deal, extra service, or a lower
price during your trial/introductory period.
4. Free gift
Nothing attracts new customers like free gifts. As
an added incentive for ordering, offer your free
gift to the first 100 or 1000 people that respond.
5. "No risk” trial
People want to know there's no risk involved if
they're not satisfied with the product/service. Let
new customers know they can cancel for any reason
before the trial period expires.
6. "Not available in stores"
Is your product exclusive to mail order? If your
product's not available in stores, be sure to tell
your customers. They'll know they can only order
your product from you instead of visiting the local
stores.
7. Offer an upgrade
One simple line can boost your sales. "Order within
10 days and we'll upgrade you to the deluxe model."
8. Free supplies/accessories
You've seen this technique used with computer sales.
Buy a computer and receive a free printer. This
works with a whole range of products. But be sure to
include a date on your offer. This politely urges
people to take advantage of your offer before time
runs out.
No matter how you approach your own call to action,
be sure to include action phrases:
Call Now. Toll Free. 24 Hours a Day. Mail this
coupon today in the postage-paid envelope. Fax your
response card.
9. Be sure to avoid passive phrases like:
“You know how to reach us.” “Call when you're ready
to order.”
Give your customers the perks of responding
immediately. They'll grab their wallets and you'll
see an increase in profits.
---Source: The
Ballantine Corporation (www.ballantine.com).
|
|
|
Melissa Data
|
 |
| Enhance your
website, software or database with
easy-to-integrate data quality programming tools
and web services. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Save money on postage using leading
mail preparation software and other
direct marketing products. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Update & standardize addresses and
find out more about contacts in your
database.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Find new customers perfect for your
business with our online and
specialty mailing lists.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Locate the business information you
need such as ZIP Codes, address
verification, maps.
|
|
|
|
|
Facebook
Twitter
