Strategy

With Do-Not-Call lists and anti-spam legislation, direct mail has been given a new lease on life. Here’s a great way to make your message stand out in the crowd.

Assignments

Taking advantage of new postal regulations (which ShipShapes created, by the way), ShipShapes takes direct mail to a new dimension. They can create flat mailing pieces-printed on some kind of space-age plastic of any shape as large as 12 in. x 15 in. x ¾ in. Yes, almost an inch thick. How small? 3½ in. x 5 in. x 7/1000 in. The United States Postal Service has predicted that ShipShapes will dramatically increase response rates-as much as 300 percent over traditional flat mail.

Marketing Team:

It’s a good idea to get ShipShapes involved early in the design process, perhaps as early as the concept stage. They can provide any and all of the pieces of the project that your marketing team may not have. For example, ShipShapes offers concept and design services, list management, printing and die-cutting, addressing, mail handling and postal service drop-off.

Your designs are limited only by your imagination and can be produced with UV clear coats, metallics and other specialty coatings. You can create any shape, from angles to curves to wiggly lines and mail it without an envelope.

Timing-wise, like most direct mail, you’ll need some advance planning. Assume two to four weeks from production to delivery depending upon print quantity and postal delivery method (first class or standard).

You:

This is the time to think outside the envelope. Literally.

Coaching Points

• The novelty of this kind of mailing is perfect for launching new products, announcing events, and generating brand awareness to drive business.
• If you do your homework, you should be able to make your mailing piece something so memorable that your customer will use it as an office decoration.