Does Direct Mail Still Work?

in by Bryan 4 comments

Direct mail is like an <>email campaign, except that people have to open an actual paper note. In my email inbox I have only the subject line and sender to convince me to open the note, but direct mail has the added benefit of using size and texture to get me to tear into the letter. I took Capital One's bait to see what they had sent to me.

Based on my light research, it appears that direct mail campaigns still get 2% follow-through. Over the last ten years I've seen the direct mail tactics used by credit card companies continue to evolve. I can't decide if they're having a harder time reaching people with all the junk mail, or if they're improving they're tactics for better conversion. I suspect both.

The conversion math must confirm that these mailing tactics are still working- my latest credit card "package" included 7 separate pieces in the envelope. The package even included a piece of bubble wrap for my popping pleasure (though bubble wrap even has a digital equivalent-try manic mode)!

Have you come across any wacky mail?

4 comments

Jessica says

Aiden loves the fake credit cards they send. As if they want to say, "Look, you TOO could have your very own blah blah credit card". He keeps them in a wallet. If it's spam and I don't feel a "free toy" for my 4 year old in it, it either gets ripped in half or fed to the shredder (who is always hungry!), then recycled.


Bryan says

For some reason my first impulse is to shred the cards!


Jessica says

What about those magnet American Express ones? When they send the fake cards they always spell my last name wrong anyway. If you're going to spam me, at least spell my name right.