MarketingProfs' Members Register for B2B Forum 2010 for just $695! (good until 11/30) »

Ask your question ... sign up today! It's FREE!
Advertising/PR     
 
This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
Frisbee Direct Mailer
Posted By: bwn1* on 8/2/2006 9:29 AM (CST) 250 Points
I am an insurance agent and have secured a direct mailing list of approx 500 residents in the 5 mile radius of our office. The mailing list contains the EXACT date of the recipients renewal date for their homeowners insurance (PRIME PROSPECTS).

Since 8 out of 10 of the residents are registered on the National Do-Not-Call list (making telemarketing limiting) and showing up on their front step might not be received well, I am looking at Direct Mail.

The Idea is to send a Imprinted Frisbee (no envelope) through the mail (idea is to obviously catch their attention and prompt them to call and get a quote). The question is: what is the best tag line that would create the sense of urgency that their homeowners is renewing and if they call, they would more than likely save a significant amount of money (and perhaps assure that they are properly insured/protected?). "It's time to renew . . .", etc.


Posted by: W.M.M.A. Accepted Answer
8/2/2006 9:39 AM (CST)
A Poem"
Time is flying by...
A Frisbee I thought I'd try...
To get your attention...
And, to mention...
Your insurance renewal date is nigh...

I know this is trite...
I could've used a kite...
And, I know you don't like sales calls...
I thought this would be funny...
But, I can save you a lot of money...
On your Home and Car insurance....that's all.

(INSERT YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION)

It could work...if it does, let me know...I'd be curious.

Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: adammjw Accepted Answer
8/2/2006 9:41 AM (CST)
I understand your point, but why frisbee?What makes you think it will make them wake up and call you, I wouldn't.
A sandglass keyring could be a better idea-their time is running out, let alone somewhat provocative broken pen suggesting that could happen to their home if they would not renew their insurance policy.

Adam
 
Posted by: jdeems* Accepted Answer
8/2/2006 1:38 PM (CST)
Hi BWN,

I just have to ask... How much will sending a frisbee through the mail cost? (only asking because I do direct mail every now and then).

Will the post office really let you do this? If so, I think it is a super cool idea. And Randall, LOVE the poems!

Good luck,
Jen
 
Posted by: michael Accepted Answer
8/2/2006 5:49 PM (CST)
OK...I only spent 7 years in the insurance business but that was a while ago.

Still I think the Frisbee would be a better door hanger than DM item. If you can be certain these people aren't escrowing their insurance premium I think you have a better chance.

It might be fun if you had them printed up with a place on the underside for them to write their name/phone/x-date. That'd give you a good indication of thier interest.

Next, to get them to throw you the frisbee you might have to make it a game. If they were "soft flyers" you could put up something in your parking lot. That way when people ask you can give them their own frisbee.

Maybe they could exchange it for something better like an small umbrella...think umbrella liability policy.

Just thoughts. You're obviously after more than the HO policy.

Michael
 
Posted by: darcy.moen Accepted Answer
8/2/2006 9:00 PM (CST)
On one side of the frisbee....

I'm tossing this out to you......

....your insurance is coming due.

Can I toss you a quote next?

Darcy Moen
Customer Loyalty Network
 
Posted by: merle Accepted Answer
8/2/2006 10:23 PM (CST)
HI, I have to admit I like the poem ideas on the frisbee, but it does sound like it would cost a lot, and some of these home owners might be older and not have kids, and really have no use for the frisbee. Or worse yet, use it for a dog toy!

I am a home owner with insurance, and I was thinking what would get my to switch over or even try a new person- Really someone who is there when I call and need helo or to answer questions.

Also, an agent who knows me and is ready to help and be of help when I need it, so really good customer service is key.

How about giving people a money insentive? We all love that!!

How about instead of the frisbee, print up postcards with a money insentive and note your excellent service?

Maybe save money so you can help your clients save money!

hope this helps.

merle
 
Posted by: darcy.moen Member Response
8/3/2006 1:56 AM (CST)
Well, I had found a bit of software a few years ago that enables a home owner to create a complete library, including pictures, dates, values, of everything in their home (even who they want to leave it to in the event of their untimely demise), then burn a copy of the contents to CD. Its a perfect gift to folks who want to make a record of all their home contents...for insurance purposes, anti-theft, or estate planning.

The fellow who created the software was an early pioneer in the 'Creative Commons' license. He allowed people to make copies of his software and give it away to folks. This software is, to the best of my knowledge, now gone from the Internet.

Anyhow, I had created a little autostart program so that when you placed the CD in the computer tray, the splash screen that came up was an ad for an insurance agent, a stock broker, an insurance adjustment company...or me, the dry cleaner. I printed up some customer sleeves, and gave the disk away as a spiff to customers.

So, I can still make this little product. I can;t charge for the guys software, but I could be enticed to create your own custom splash page on disk start up. Might not be as fun as a frisbee, but perhaps it might be a useful gift to potential clients.

Darcy Moen
Customer Loyalty Network
 
Posted by: greg Accepted Answer
8/3/2006 6:35 AM (CST)
Though I like the idea of sending an unusual item, I don't think the Frisbee will get past the postal service. Being in direct mail and ad specialties, I have mailed quite a variety of things, but this has several problems. First, it's not a mail piece, it's a parcel. If it did arrive at the recipient, where does the carrier put it? Mail box? Won't fit. Mail slot? Who knows where it goes once it hits the floor. The unusual shape will make it difficult to handle, which will prompt the postal service to say no. You will probably need to put it in a box to mail.

I favor Darcy's idea of something really useful. My clients always get a much better response when they send something truly useful that people will use and/or hold on to for a long time.

Or, get some nice color postcards printed. Stack them up neatly and hit the edges with a small blow torch to char them well. That will get their attention.
 
Posted by: bob Accepted Answer
8/5/2006 6:09 AM (CST)
One one side put the words "To It" - on the other explain:

"most people have a long list of things they are going to do when they "get around to it". To help you have created this special gift you are sending a round to it to the local community. Include your name and number and a message reminding them that their insurance renewal in a round the corner and you would be happy to quote - I am sure this will will bring you responses.
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Member Response
8/5/2006 9:03 AM (CST)
jdeems, thank you. I use them a lot in marketing.

I think the frisbee idea is xlnt. Anything 'new' that comes in the door, that has people pausing for a moment, saying something like - "that's cute" "what a cute idea"...etc...is great.

If you're worried about the cost...then, pay more attention to the return possibilities. If ONE close pays for all the postage plus the frisbees, GREAT.

I worry about costs...but I do not have analysis-paralysis. If it is a good idea, and your idea is a GOOD idea....move forward with it. Your gut feelings are usually right.

There is risk yes. We went into business carrying a bucket-load of risk. We who own our own firms take risk every morning when we open the doors, and turn on the lights.

I'm on your side...I say...throw-out a few, follow up and see what's up.

All the Best.
If you need our help, WMMA is standing by.

Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: dennish Accepted Answer
8/12/2006 9:25 PM (CST)
I'd do a promotion with the direct mailing. I'd put on the frisbee or on a mailer your website address with a landing page where if they register they have a chance to win a prize.

Interactive prize mailings get huge more responses than your usual direct mailer. You could either let them signup onece for a chance at a IPod, Plasma TV, PC Monitor, etc. or have an online game (throw an online frisbee and hit a target) that they could play unlimited times or imprint a code on the frisbee mailer that they enter online. Of course, everyone must pass an online form where you capture whatever info you need.

Good luck!

Dennis
 
Posted by: carrie77 Moderator Response
8/16/2006 6:12 AM (CST)
Hello Everyone,

I am closing this question since it's more than 2 weeks old. We do this to reward the contributions of participants in a timely manner + to give increased visibility to the newer questions.

Thanks for participating!
Carrie (Production Editor)
 


Get more answers ... ReTweet this!

Would you like to post a response?
Welcome to Know-How Exchange!
This is a collaborative community. We welcome everyone's participation.
All you need to do is login. Enter your account info in the box above (top right).
Not a member? Not a problem. Register here (it's FREE and EASY).




Know-How Exchange powered by MarketingProfs


Sponsored Links

Buy a Link Now

Just Released ... Download Today!
Just Released ... Download Today!
Look inside
Included with Premium Membership
User Name:
Password:
Remember Me
Forgot your password?

Top 25 KHE Experts
(Advertising/PR)
Jay Hamilton-Roth (43473)
W.M.M.A. (31505)
mgoodman (25971)
CarolBlaha (19996)
michael (17966)
thinkmor (11658)
PhilGrisolia=Results (11575)
darcy.moen (10787)
stevea (10362)
NuCoPro (9474)
Peter (henna gaijin) (9467)
telemoxie (8723)
mbarber (8199)
Mushfique Manzoor (7932)
Puru Gupta (6790)
SteveByrneBranding (6482)
Gary Bloomer (6295)
SRyan ;] (5966)
shghosh (5797)
Deremiah *CPE (5479)
Pepper Blue (5368)
ASVP/ChrisB (5176)
Tracey (5120)
Mikee (4878)
amandavega (4775)
Recently Posted Marketing Jobs
Director of Marketing and Communications
Demand Generation Manager
Marketing/Advertising Faculty
Director of Marketing
Market Analyst
Sr. Field Marketing Manager - Business Intell.
Associate Vice President of Marketing and Corporat
Marketing Manager
[more jobs]

Join over 355,000 members ... SIGN UP!

My email address is and I'd like my password to be .

Already a member? Sign In!

My email address is , and my password is .


HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.