Get Help
Direct Marketing (DM) has been the staple of small and medium sized businesses for decades. In spite of the big budget brand awareness campaigns that we all love to see, direct marketing has evolved over the years to maintain its importance in business-to-consumer and business-to-business communications. In fact, in today’s unpredictable economy, forms of direct marketing are arguably more important than ever before.
Although the traditional forms of DM such as door drops, promotional letters, catalogue distribution, e-mail campaigns may not be as glamorous as brand awareness they are solid work horses that bring in results.
As technology advances DM has added some strings to her bow in the form of social marketing, using facebook, twitter etc. These new media, which are being heavily invested in by the marketing industry, still rely on the principles of direct marketing.
It’s more than just advertising, those companies who have merely blasted their brand or misused social media have come a cropper. There have been some real disasters, remember BP’s response to the Gulf Oil spill? Price Chopper, a grocery store chain, was voted the biggest social media flop 0f 2010 after they complained to a customer’s boss after the customer criticised the chain on Twitter. Then there was Denny’s accidentally pointing customers to a Taiwanese boy’s abandoned Twitter account on the back of its menus. But enough of me enjoying others pain.
As the definition and role of direct marketing continues to evolve, companies seeking reliable and effective forms of advertising ought to consider partnering with direct marketing specialists. Use a creative team for producing high-quality logos, catalogues and mail pieces in addition to a business intelligence group that has access to targeted databases containing information your business needs.
Businesses that handle direct marketing in-house often fail for two reasons: time and resources are taken away from the company’s core business; and laws, such as data protection, are violated on occasions, which can result in substantial regulatory fines or worse. Specialist direct marketing firms understand how to sell a product or service in full compliance with the law while you manage your business.
In a troubled economy, companies cannot rely on brand awareness and mass marketing to survive, one-on-one direct marketing is essential for targeting specific consumer needs, providing tailor-made incentives and formulating the most cost-effective solutions for small and medium sized businesses.
DM specialists operate at the cutting-edge of technology, which means that integrated marketing solutions can be employed to achieve the desired results. Partnering with a direct marketing firm usually proves far less costly and measurably more successful than in-house alternatives.
Send article
Related Articles:
Make Them Happy
7 Sins of Marketing
Sins of Marketing part 2
Get Help
Promote Your Company Well
Get Into E-tail
Are You Loyal to Your Customers?
Author:
Moyra Burke-Smith
Melanie Serone WHK Australia |Welcome
Melanie Serone, Principal with WHK is a Chartered Accountant, Registered Tax Agent and accredited Estate Planning Specialist. Working closely with local businesses is Melanie’s primary focus. She forms part of WHK’s large and experienced team located across Northern NSW.
Here are Melanie Serone's Expert articles:
Leo Senese RBS morgans
Leo Senese, RBS Morgans, with 17 years of experience in the financial markets with Westpac, Goldman Sachs JB and RBS Morgans he is a specialist in income investments. His primary focus is to generate tax effective enhanced income solutions.
Here are Leo Senese's Expert articles:
Duncan Purkiss Suncorp
Suncorp, with over 35 years of banking experience and 5 years running his own successful retail business he covers business banking and planning.
Here are Duncan Purkiss's Expert articles:
Clayton Oates QA Business
Clayton Oates, QA Business, our Channel 7 business efficiency guru cuts through the red tape and helps you streamline your business to make things happen.
Here are Clayton Oates's Expert articles:
Claire McGarry NORBEC
Claire McGarry NORBEC, ran her own international booking company for 5 years, alongside a business consultancy firm tailored to the Creative Industries. She has worked as an industry development contractor in Northern Rivers and has a degree in Journalism.
Here are Claire McGarry's Expert articles:
Michelle Dowding NORTEC Employment & Training
Michelle Dowding is the Marketing Coordinator for NORTEC Employment & Training. She has worked in publishing, copywriting and media advertising and has nearly six years experience marketing for the community services sector in the Northern Rivers region.
Here are Michelle Dowding's Expert articles:
Moyra Burke-Smith AM Marketing
Moyra Burke-Smith, AM Marketing – with over 20 years of marketing experience for both small and large companies in Europe and Australia she is our expert at making your marketing work for your business. In her spare time she makes a mean mojito.
Here are Moyra Burke-Smith's Expert articles:
Simon Thomas Sunsparks Electrics
Simon Thomas has been a licensed electrician for over 20 years. His interest in solar technologies was sparked after moving to a beautiful bushland property far from the electricity grid. He began working with solar power in 1995 and established Sunsparks Electrics in 2000. Sunsparks specialises in design, supply and installation of grid connect and stand alone solar power systems. Simon lives with his family on a peaceful rural community in the lush Border Ranges, northern NSW.
Here are Simon Thomas's Expert articles:
Emma Hunter Rous Water
Emma Hunter is the Demand Management Coordinator for Rous Water, the regional water supply authority. She is an Environmental Scientist with 15 years experience in integrated water management, catchment management and stormwater quality planning.
Here are Emma Hunter's Expert articles:
NRBM
T: 02 6685 4516
F: 02 6685 4518
W: Northern Rivers Business magazine
E: email Northern Rivers Business Magazine
P: PO Box 130 Suffolk Park NSW 2481
Northern Rivers Web Design
The Small Print:
Notice: While every effort has been made to ensure
the accuracy of the information in this publication
the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability
for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences,
including any loss or damage arising from the
reliance on information in this publication. The views
expressed in Northern Rivers Business Magazine are
not necessarily endorsed by the editor or publisher.
No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form, or by any means electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, internet or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the publisher.