Direct mail post cards are one of the most popular ways to market a computer consulting business. Networking is one of the most effective ways to market. Let's look at how the two marketing techniques compare to one another. You can use this information to decide whether direct mail post cards are right for you.

For the most part, the leads that you get through direct mail post cards are not as high quality as the ones you get through networking. You have no opportunity to create a personal connection by simply sending a direct mail post card.

On the other hand, it can take several calls and points of contact to build trust and credibility with networking. Direct mail postcards are less time intensive.

Direct mail post cards allow you to make an offer that is time lined and focused. With networking you just have to put it our there and see what bait, if any, your contacts take.

Direct mail post cards can run on autopilot after a while. Networking requires continual effort.

Networking is very time intensive. You spend about 35-40 hours a year going to functions for each organization you belong to. You have to continuously focus on maintaining relationships you have built. With direct mail postcards, once you have designed your copy and done your printing and posting that is it.

Your response rate with direct mail post cards depends on how targeted your mailing list is. Of 10,000 cards you might, if you are really lucky, get a 1% response rate - it is more likely to be one quarter to one half of a percent. Your success rate with networking is much higher.

The cost per lead acquisition with direct mail post cards can be as much as $2000 to $5000. Networking might cost $1000 per organization per year.

The Bottom Line on Direct Mail Post Cards

When you compare direct mail post cards to networking you will find trade-offs for both. There are pros and cons on each side. The only way you will know which method works best for you is try both direct mail post cards and networking and then track your results over a period of time. Once you have some baseline data you can make an informed decision about whether to use direct mail post cards or not.

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