I’m gonna share an idea I had the other day that I think can make some of you alot of money if you are in the direct mail business.
I’m sure someone has already had the idea, or has already used it in some fashion, but here’s the technique…
Every day more and more businesses are “Going Green” or trying to be more “Earth Friendly”. Not only does it make moral sense to be compassionate to the earth, it’s also becoming very profitable.
One only has to look at the rapid growth of the organic sections in grocery stores, and who can miss the Al Gore flick? The trend of “Going Green” is around us in numerous examples.
What does this have to do with copywriting or marketing Jason?
Glad you asked!
The other day I was talking to a guy who owned a print shop in Oregon. He was telling me about how he was getting more business because he used recycled paper and his business was “Green Friendly”.
I’m not sure exactly what that means, but it’s all hippy and stuff.
Anyways, many direct mailers use a tool called a grabber on their sales letters. Probably the most known about is the dollar bill grabber. Attaching a crisp bill to a letter is a sure way to get that thing noticed.
While talking to that green friendly printer, I had a great idea!
How do you think prospective clients would feel if they opened up a letter and it read…
Dear Jonathon,
You might be wondering why I have stapled a green leaf to the top of this letter. The truth is, I wanted to let you know how serious ABC Printing is about being a truly green company. It is our 100% mission to ensure our impact on mother earth is as minimal as humanly possible.
Here’s why I think the leaf is such a great grabber.
1. Leafs are basically free, minus the time it takes to collect
some.
2. It’s just odd!
3. It really gets to the point.
4. It can be used with just about any business that is commited
to somehow “Going Green”.
5. People respect those that are concerned about the environment.
So, if you are ever doing work for a business that is somehow greenish, or is willing to “Go Green”, I
think the “Leaf Grabber” would be superb idea that would get a lot of attention!
Of course, this is totally speculative. However, I’m convinced it would work. Somebody go test it for me and tell me if it works!
What chu think?
I like it mate…. If you also printed it on ‘obviously’ recycled paper it could also increase response/effectiveness.
Do Not Mail Opt-Out Law would be fair to everyone.
The proposed recent “Do not mail” is an Opt-Out law. Only those not desiring advertising mail need opt-out. Anyone desiring advertising mail can do nothing – and continue to receive it. Why deny those wishing to avoid advertising mail the power to do so?
I do not consider handling unwanted advertising placed against my will on my personal property to be a civic obligation!
The US Supreme Court said in the Rowan case in 1970, ““In today’s [1970] complex society we are inescapably captive audiences for many purposes, but a sufficient measure of individual autonomy must survive to permit every householder to exercise control over unwanted mail. To make the householder the exclusive and final judge of what will cross his threshold undoubtedly has the effect of impeding the flow of ideas, information, and arguments that, ideally, he should receive and consider. Today’s merchandising methods, the plethora of mass mailings subsidized by low postal rates, and the growth of the sale of large mailing lists as an industry in itself have changed the mailman from a carrier of primarily private communications, as he was in a more leisurely day, and have made him an adjunct of the mass mailer who sends unsolicited and often unwanted mail into every home. It places no strain on the doctrine of judicial notice to observe that whether measured by pieces or pounds, Everyman’s mail today is made up overwhelmingly of material he did not seek from persons he does not know. And all too often it is matter he finds offensive.â€
Furthermore, the Supreme Court said, “the mailer’s right to communicate is circumscribed only by an affirmative act of the addressee giving notice that he wishes no further mailings from that mailer.
To hold less would tend to license a form of trespass and would make hardly more sense than to say that a radio or television viewer may not twist the dial to cut off an offensive or boring communication and thus bar its entering his home. Nothing in the Constitution compels us to listen to or view any unwanted communication, whatever its merit; we see no basis for according the printed word or pictures a different or more preferred status because they are sent by mail.â€
We need a nationwide “Do Not Mail†law to create a one-stop, convenient place for homeowners to give senders the aforementioned affirmative notice that we do not want certain kinds of mail sent to our homes.
Free iPod Downloads
Signed,
Ramsey A Fahel
Good one Ramsey.
You just comment spammed J-Mo’s blog on behalf an anti-spam campaign.
When you have a PR 6 on your blog, everyone wants to spam ya.
J-MOFO
Okay, so, how many trees are we talking about defoliating to prove how “Green” we are?!!!
Seriously, there’s another possibility that won’t wither or wilt — paper leaves or flowers made with recycled paper. Also consider dried, aromatic leaves like eucalyptus.
Finally, there’s always the 100% cotton paper by Crane’s — you know, the engraved variety with pictures of dead presidents.
Why don’t just use dry brown leaf and use a white paint pen to write on it instead.