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Direct Mail (Handwritten) Recommendations?

by Dan Axelrod
14 replies
Hey guys,

I'm preparing a direct mail piece and want to find a service with hand-written envelopes.

The problem is every place I've called so far is woefully unprofessional. Even a place that Dan Kennedy (the King of Accountability) recommended is not giving quotes on time, and doesn't look promising to work with.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a direct mail company that will:

1) Send out your mail campaign, include postage, etc.
2) Include handwritten addresses (handwritten return addresses not important)

Thanks!

--Dan
#direct #handwritten #mail #recommendations
  • Profile picture of the author octaneinv
    Not a service, but I have one of my employees do it. I'm not sure how many you're planning on mailing, but I have him do about 50-100 a week, with stellar results.

    I give him $.50 per envelope, on top of wage ($15/hr), so figure he does about 1/minute, he can bust out the 50 in less than an hour, and make an extra $25.

    Works for him, works for me.

    My nephew even offered to do it for me, something about an 8 year old doing it for bubble gum just didn't cut it for me :rolleyes: but you shouldn't have a hard time finding someone to do it.

    Worst case, go to craigslist, tell someone you'll give 'em $50/hr for little work, and give them $1/envelope (figuring 50 in an hour, though could be more or less).
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    Ryan Alexander
    Companies: Brainless Inc.
    Subsidiaries: cling.us | Rogue Marketing Systems
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    The fake handwriting thing is losing its effect. People are on to it. You make them feel like "you are pulling on over on them" ..which means they already have a negative opinion about anything you are offering before they even get into your sales pitch.

    Its in the same category as used car salesman gimmick.

    Lumpy letters are another gimmick...but lumpyness is "clever"....fake handwriting is "deceptive."

    If you want it to work well, then you have to hand write it for real.

    or use a postcard, which doesnt have to get opened, and costs about 1/3 to produce.
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    Tip: Hire a broke high school or college kid to do them manually.

    Write the envelopes in red ink, or crayon, or ever use highlighters.

    I saw one done in FINGERPAINT and it got monstrous response.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimCastleman
      Hire someone from Craigslist, local college, maybe one of your kids?

      I did this last time on a per piece basis and it worked out great for both of us.

      The key is to make sure their hand writing doesn't suck and you can read it.

      Also make sure they use a blue pen to make sure that people know it is real.

      While you're at it why not have them add stamps for you, personalize the mailing, etc.

      Not that hard to do and it doesn't cost much more to do.

      Tim
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    • Profile picture of the author nazee
      Originally Posted by MaxReferrals View Post

      Tip: Hire a broke high school or college kid to do them manually.

      Write the envelopes in red ink, or crayon, or ever use highlighters.

      I saw one done in FINGERPAINT and it got monstrous response.
      i think this is the best tip.
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  • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
    Local students are the best, and here is another very cool trick, stick a yellow post it on the front of the envelop with the following text: "Open it, it is word it J." from the book of tricks of Gary Halbert, works every time.
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    • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
      In the past I have had mothers do it for me.

      1. Women tend to have neater writing for whatever reason.

      2. Mothers of nursery age children tend to drop child off at 09:30 and pick them up at 12:30 so have 3 hours of dead time

      3. They are consistently reliable

      Make some flyers and hand them out at a nursery. Ask a woman to hand them out.

      Flyer should ask them to write a couple of paragraphs about their day with contact details so you can see which ones have handwriting you like.

      The great thing is that you will probably need more than one and it gives them a chance to get together and gossip whilst earning a bit of cash.

      Other great thing is that should you need ad hoc cold callers / customer services/ assistant in the future you have a ready made pool of women.

      Dan

      PS: Patadeperro; not sure how a Post It note is going to go through modern sorting machines and still be there next day. Interesting that you find students best.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
        Originally Posted by patadeperro View Post

        and here is another very cool trick, stick a yellow post it on the front of the envelop with the following text: "Open it, it is word it J." from the book of tricks of Gary Halbert, works every time.
        Originally Posted by jimbo13 View Post

        PS: Patadeperro; not sure how a Post It note is going to go through modern sorting machines and still be there next day.
        They wouldn't make it through the mail. The repositional notes MUST BE MACHINED APPLIED and not hand applied.
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  • Profile picture of the author Affili8ing
    Basiclly if you work with freelancers, it will be much cheaper and better results...
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    • Profile picture of the author hdm
      Hello guys. I am a new Warrior on board. I couldn't find an introduction thread, please point me in the right direction if there is one.

      I decided to join this forum for two reasons:

      1) This thread appeared on a google search for handwritten direct mail. It caught my eye, as we offer a "handwritten" direct mail service in the UK, using a cursive digitised font, and has sparked quite a lot of interest.

      2) I like the title of the forum, as one of my favourite quotes is an old Samurai saying
      "Warriors take chances. Like everyone else, they fear failing, but they refuse to let fear control them."
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  • Profile picture of the author xlfutur1
    There is a guy on Fiverr that will take your handwriting and make a font from it. He has great reviews as well. Can't beat that for $5.
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    Try some broke high school kids or college kids for the hand-addressing.
    Or stay at home Moms/Dads.

    (Works quite well, from experience.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Deidra Renee
    You can do it yourself for free..it takes time, but its worth it..and the time it takes you to hire someone to do it, you could have them done already
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