Can’t Photoshop? It’s OK, REALLY!
by Bill Alpert
Ever since Photoshop became a verb, a tacit expectation rose that (regardless of your background, training, interests, job title or schedule) you should have a working knowledge of most all current graphics software. Still using Corel Draw? Good heavens, you’re a relic! Not sure if you own Adobe Acrobat or Adobe InDesign? What, [...]
Writers of Short Sentences
by Bill Alpert
Perhaps you’re old enough to remember video of John Cameron Swayze delivering the iconic Timex slogan: Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking. Fans of the recent TV series Mad Men were recently reminded of the classic Think Small print ad campaign for Volkswagen. Both ads were conceived and penned by the legendary [...]
The NCOA: Postage Cops
You’ve mailed 2500 pieces at the discounted bulk mail rate, saving over $300 in postage compared to first class postage. Then you’re busted, because one solo address on your list is out of date! The postman has now discovered that your list hasn’t been run though the official NCOA (list cleanup) process.
It’s like running a [...]
Newsletter Confusion
You know how to build a campaign. It’s Marketing 101, just the basics. A good list, creative design, a great offer. Bingo.
We’re told it’s all about the numbers: reach and repetition. Write a great headline, use the right tools, hire a Flash whiz, get an account at Constant Contact. Hang in there. This strategy works. [...]
A Basic Direct Mail Marketing Plan
by Bill Alpert
Forget the elevator speeches and the boring chamber mixers. Follow this plan and you’ll be more successful in business and in life!
1. Concentrate on pinpointed target market(s).
2. Have at least two good reasons to add a name to your list.
3. Call to check names and titles on your list
4. Write great copy, for [...]
Organic Marketing, Part 2: What’s Your Story?
It must have been the 1960s. Still, I can still remember the agony of my junior high history class. It was a mind numbing succession of dates, names and places. The teacher, who may have been old enough to have been present at the signing of the Mayflower Compact, spoke in a monotone drawl that [...]
Marketing by Yelling Louder
How can you find new customers in a down economy?
For more than the last 100 years its been about yelling the loudest to the largest number of people. Making them notice you. Pushing a business card in their face. Building a restaurant on a street that they pass frequently. Bombarding them with “me-too” direct mail. [...]
United States Postal Service new NCOA rules
Starting November 23, the USPS will require that all presorted mailing lists be cleaned using the National Change of Address (NCOA) directory. It’s a 95 day rule. Your list needs to get cleaned at least every 3 months. If you’re busted for sending “dirty” mail, your postal discounts will be forfeited, and you’re liable to [...]
Out of control?
According to Fortune Magazine, the top five (revenue) private firms accounted or something like $343 billion in sales. This group includes Koch Industries, Cargill, Chrysler, Kaiser Permanente and the US Postal Service, which is technically not part of the US Government.
It’s interesting to note that of these firms, the Postal Service accounted for 21% of [...]
Hot Summer Markets
Even in a tough economy, not all sectors will be suffering. According to graphic arts industry expert Vince Mallardi, there are still some blossoming branches in the economic tree, with fruit ripe for the picking. While this research focused on print purchases, the outlook for these categories is likely to be positive across a wide [...]
William Alpert is a seasoned entrepreneur and 35 year business veteran. His California based companies design and create printed and electronic marketing materials for Fortune 500s, entrepreneurs as well as advertising and graphic design professionals. He is the author of InkBlot, a weekly journal on business marketing in the internet era. 
