The Best Postcard Maker for Direct Mail Marketing
In this day and age, you might think that social media, email, and other digital channels are the only ways to market your business. Mailing out a postcard almost seems archaic. But believe it or not, direct mail marketing is currently one of the most effective ways to build up your brand: 85% of marketers agree that direct mail delivers the best conversion rate out of all their marketing channels, and 84% agree that it provides the highest ROI.
Postcards are a particularly powerful form of direct mail marketing because there’s no need to open an envelope, making them easily scannable. It’s also a kind of mail that people actually enjoy receiving – 78% of consumers prefer receiving postcards over other types of mail. In short, postcards are a great way to get the word out and build brand trustworthiness. But how do you make a postcard interesting and noteworthy, especially if you can’t afford a professional designer?
Enter BeFunky’s Postcard Maker. With editable postcard templates, an intuitive interface, and tons of professional design tools, this free postcard maker is perfect for getting your direct mail marketing off the ground – no design experience required.
How to Design a Postcard for Your Business
Customizing a template in the Postcard Maker can be done in just a few easy steps. Open up BeFunky’s collection of postcard templates to get started.
Step 1: Choose a Postcard Template
Each postcard design includes two templates – one for the front and one for the back. Browse through the available templates and pick one that best suits your marketing needs, whether that’s building awareness, garnering leads, or promoting a sale. We’re going to start by editing a front template, which usually includes a central image, some fun design elements, and a bold headline.
Step 2: Replace Imagery
As with any form of marketing, visuals are essential to a business postcard. Use the Image Manager to upload your own photos or choose from over a million free stock photos. Then, drag and drop photos from the Image Manager onto the canvas to replace the placeholder images.
Once the imagery is updated, photos that need some extra flair can be edited using the in-platform Photo Editor. Just click on any photo and then select Edit Image.
The Photo Editor offers hundreds of adjustment tools, effects, and filters. Here we’re using the Exposure tool and Color Mixer to increase contrast and bring out the flowers’ orange tones.
Once edits are complete, just click Done Editing Image in the top left to return to the Graphic Designer.
Step 3: Customize the Canvas
Background color and canvas size can be adjusted in the Customize tab. All of BeFunky’s postcard templates are 4x6”, which is the standard postcard size, but if you want to use a non-standard size, the Smart Resize tool makes it easy.
Step 4: Add Graphics and Text
It’s time to personalize the remaining design elements so that the postcard aligns with your campaign and overall brand. Replace copy and change fonts with the Text tab. Customize any text box with a background, outline, drop shadow, and more.
Use the Graphics tool to add vector graphics to the card design. Click Search Graphics to find something specific to your brand or aesthetic. Consider adding your small business logo by uploading it right from your computer.
Step 5: Save Marketing Postcard and Repeat
After finalizing the design, click Save at the top of the canvas and save the file as a print-quality PDF. This will provide the best printing results. In addition, you may want to Save as Project so that there’s an editable file to return to later.
Now it’s time to repeat these steps with the matching back template, which can be found in Open > Template or by returning to this link. Change colors, fonts, and graphics to match the front template, save the file, and you’re ready to go!
In just a few easy steps, this marketing postcard is ready for printing and sending. Even small changes to the template went a long way:
Not only will this eye-catching marketing postcard help get word out about the promotion, it will raise brand awareness for the small business overall. Print postcards directly from the Postcard Maker with Zazzle or bring both design files to a local print shop.
When to Use Postcards for Direct Mail Marketing
Whether you’re a real estate agent, own a local shop or restaurant, or even run a non-profit organization, there’s a high chance that sending out marketing postcards will boost your business. Here’s how postcards can be used for a variety of direct mail campaigns:
Advertising Events
Direct mail is a great option for informing the community about any events that your business is hosting. Use postcards to inform locals of a grand opening, invite neighbors to an art show, or let people know about an upcoming craft market. Since a postcard is so visual and to-the-point, it’s the perfect tangible reminder of your event – recipients can easily stick it to the refrigerator. Consider pairing postcards with a matching event flyer that you can hang around town.
Since Postcards are so visual and to-the-point, they’re the perfect tangible reminder of your event. Totally easy for the recipient to stick to the refrigerator and add the date to their calendar.
Growing a Real Estate Business
Because real estate businesses are local, physical marketing including postcards, flyers, and brochures are a must – but note that these channels still work best when combined with effective social media marketing. If you’re needing an extra push in certain neighborhoods, postcards are a great way to get on people’s radar and grow your client list.
Appointment Reminders
When people are inundated with hundreds of digital notifications each week, sending out physical appointment reminders is particularly helpful. For dental offices, salons, and other healthcare or service industries, postcard templates make creating annual or semi-annual reminders a breeze. Pair these with informative marketing brochures to create brand trust.
Specials & Discounts
Sending out special offers to people who are in close physical proximity to your business increases the likelihood that they will utilize your discounts. It’s much easier to target a neighborhood or specific area of the city with direct mail than it is with digital marketing, making postcards a particularly great option. Use them on their own or include them in your next marketing campaign!
Whether you offer a free birthday gift or a discount on your goods and services, your generosity as a business owner will be remembered. It’s a great way to increase brand recognition and keep people coming back to your business!
Thank You Notes
Saying thank you to existing customers goes a long way, especially when your message is personalized. Slowing down long enough to write a note of appreciation puts your business in the best light and increases brand trustworthiness.
Boost Your Small Business With the Postcard Maker
Direct mail marketing is making a comeback, especially with younger generations. An eye-catching postcard is a simple, super-effective way to get the word out about your business, and with BeFunky, it’s never been easier to design a postcard that grabs attention. It’s time to transform the way you advertise and grow business the old-fashioned way – by reaching out to the community and building a relationship that will last. Try it out and create your first marketing postcard today in the Postcard Maker!
