Postcards can be a very cost-effective way to generate website traffic and sales leads. And as they don't need to be covered by an envelope, your marketing message is seen by everyone who handles the mail.

Here are five proven tips that will help you create a powerful postcard marketing program that gets results.

1. Make a Big First Impression

People like getting postcards from friends and relatives. They don't like getting advertising mail. Make your postcard look at first glance like a message from a friend instead of like an advertising announcement. It creates a warm friendly reception for your postcard.

For example, use the same typestyle and layout you would use to send a postcard to a friend, and include a real "from" name at the bottom, even if it's not handwritten.

2. Get Right to the Point

Postcards get delivered in a format that's ready to read. Take advantage of this by making the biggest benefit you offer the first thing the reader sees. This will make them want to read the rest of your postcard.

For example, state your biggest benefit as a headline at the top of your postcard, or make it the first item on a bulleted list of benefits.

3. Sell the Right Thing

Marketing postcards are most effective when they are used to generate website traffic or sales leads. Design your message to sell the reader on seeking more information instead of trying to close sales.

For example, don't include much (if any) actual information about the product or service you are selling on your postcard. Instead, promote the major benefit (or benefits) they provide. Then persuade the reader to visit your website or to take some other action to get more information from a source where you can close sales.

4. Be Clear and Direct

You have only a few seconds to get the reader's attention and to persuade them to take the action you want. So keep your message brief and make sure the reader can clearly understand it with just a quick glance.

For example, limit your postcard to just a few short sentences with blank lines between them. Reduce several sentences to a short bulleted list to save space and reading time.

Always end your postcard by telling the reader exactly what to do to get more details, and include a reason to do it immediately.

5. Stimulate Fast Action

Just telling your reader how to get more information is not enough. You have to give them a reason to respond NOW or many will put your postcard aside to do later, then get involved with other things and forget it.

For example, offer them a discounted price, a special bonus or some other benefit if they reply to your postcard by a deadline.

Postcards are not new or high-tech. But that's not a reason to ignore them. They can generate a lot of website traffic and sales leads for a very low-cost.

Follow these five proven tips and you will discover how to create powerful marketing postcards guaranteed to produce a big response.

Author: Bob Leduc

Quality postcard printing with options to suit your budget.