An ROI-Driven Email Marketing Solution

While the next-gen startups know little about direct mail and focus entirely on email marketing, the legacy companies understand just how relevant and effective this traditional marketing technique still stands.
Neither is wrong.
The answer to “direct mail vs. email marketing” isn’t binary. There’s no definite answer.
Of course, you can pull data and lean towards any of the two. For instance…
However, these numbers do not necessarily display a clear picture.
There are many factors influencing their conversion that such surveys and studies do not undertake. So, it’s essential to consider an array of details before making any decision.
Moreover, individual businesses have their own unique needs and requirements. So, what may work for Business A might turn up to be futile for Business B.
If you’re confused between direct mail and email marketing – and your marketing budget doesn’t allow both – you must weigh in their pros and cons, as well as your business type and goals, when making a call.
Let’s make this slightly easier for you.
Here are the pros and cons of direct mail and email marketing:
Direct Mail
PROS:
Handing out a postcard to someone still feels raw and personal. If personalized well, it triggers the right emotions. It has its own USP that makes the recipients feel special, leaving them a lasting impression.
People are more receptive to physical letters vs. emails. Take your own example. When was the last time you got very excited upon receiving an email? And how did you feel when you got a letter delivered to home? Exactly!
Unsurprisingly, since more excited seeing a physical correspondence, people spend more time reading and thoroughly engaging with direct mails.
CONS:
It’s quite evident that direct mail marketing is comparatively expensive. You’re sending physical letters to people, you have to pay for the post – there are many other small expenses that make this form of marketing costly, which isn’t something that the startups, in specific, can spare.
It’s more than just hitting a button on the screen. Sending direct mails take a lot of time – from printing to delivery. So, it’s not very ideal for seasonal promotional campaigns.
Of course, you can include a link/QR code in the letter and have people land on specific pages. However, even such measures are quite ineffective in calculating ROI; they have their own challenges.
Email Marketing
PROS:
Email marketing, today, in particular, is more affordable than ever. With new email marketing solution providers emerging on the scene, you can send bulk emails – and leverage advanced features like segmentation and automation – at a very low price.
In just a matter of a few seconds, on a click, you can reach thousands and millions of people. Of course, creating a proper email marketing campaign takes time. But that’s a whole different thing altogether, which happens in planning any campaign.
If you’re using a good email marketing solution, you will get rich analytics. You can go through the numbers, measure your ROI easily, and improve your strategy.
CONS:
Email marketing is now facing conversion challenges. The open rate and engagement continue to see a decline. So, if you aren’t good at creating a campaign, writing good email copies, and understanding the metrics, you’re going to face some hard time.
Recommended Read: How To Maximize Your Email Conversion Rate?
Unlike the direct mail marketing where people would likely keep the letter/postcard, the emails have very short life-span. With exceptions, once read, people will never visit back and engage with that email.
While sending bulk emails is extremely quick, building an email list isn’t. It takes some time and proper strategy.
Recommended Read:
A Methodical Guide To Build Email List Using LinkedIn
5 Fundamental Tips To Convert Website Visitors Into Email Subscribers
Who Wins?
There are many other pros and cons to direct mail and email marketing. But even if you throw them in a mix along with those mentioned above, making any conclusion about which one is better is difficult and uncalled for.
Yes, it sounds vague but: In respective ways and for distinct needs, they both are good.
With a thoughtful and data-driven strategy on the back, you can drive high ROI in both direct mail and email marketing.
So, in the end, it’s usually recommended to try both for optimum returns.
However, if you’re limited in budget wherein you have to pick any one, you must consider several key factors like your business type and industry, what your competitors are up to, your marketing goals, the expected ROI, and your own expertise among various others elements.
Meaning, you have to find out yourself who wins, for your individual need, between direct mail and email marketing.
A Partial Take
Now, as one of the fastest emerging email marketing solution providers, we do have some reservations.
Keeping aside everything, owing to its low cost and high ROI, we believe, email marketing is ideal for every kind of business, goals, and budget. So, if your company doesn’t already invest resources in email marketing, you must.
Sign up to EmailWorkz. We are a name hundreds of small and large business owners trust. Our platform packs advanced features and intuitive interface that makes running email campaigns easier and more rewarding.
So, if you do end up opting for email marketing over direct mail, which we recommend, take the hands of EmailWorkz. For more information about our product, features and pricing, feel free to connect with us.
But hey, this is just our partial take! 😉
META:
Email marketing is cheap and delivers 4400% ROI. Direct mail marketing, on the other hand, has its own pros. Find out which one is right for you between direct mail and email marketing.