FaceOFF

This is something I've never said before: "There is a really cool envelope product now available called Face-Off Envelopes. These are re-usable envelopes, and they really are easy to use.

Previous samples of re-usable envelopes that I've seen are complicated and seem as though they would decrease response rate by frustrating recipients. Not so with this FaceOFF product.

Cost is said to be 18% lower than printing seperate sending and response envelopes, and open rates are higher because the envelopes look so cool. Here is a link to the site. I can get samples for you if you e-mail me your address:
http://www.remailmedia.com/home

National Geographic gets Personal

The next issue of National Geographic called "My Shot" is the first ever issue completly devoted to photography submissions. The issue features over 100 editor chosen photos from over 150,000 submissions.

In addition National Geographic has parnered with Consolidated Graphics to offer a custom cover for anyone to put on the book. The magazine with the custom cover can be purchased for $10.99 at this link.

A complete story is here:
http://www.foliomag.com/2009/national-geographic-taps-digital-press-demand-your-shot-covers

Get yours here:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/custom-cover-home

Hand Addressing

Whenever I get a piece of mail I inspect the address line, return address, and postage method. Yes, I admit this scrutiny is a bit unusual. There is one thing that everyone inspects though, that is the address line. If something is handwritten, it is deemed more personal, and has usually has a higher open percentage.

This is the logic behind a company called, "Think Ink Marketing". Think Ink employs people that hand address direct mail pieces in blue ball-point ink. I consider it a basic form of Variable Data, and one that could be very effective. The company's web-site is http://www.thinkinkmarketing.com/.