MAKING A FREE OFFER!

2. MAKING A FREE OFFER!

I'm sure that you've probably got some information that you could ask people to call in for? I mean, even a butcher can say " drop in on the week beginning 1st October and you'll get a special booklet called "Making Sizzling Dishes Using Succulent Sausages!"

3. SOMETHING EXTRA IF YOU SEND YOUR ORDER WITH PAYMENT

This is what we're all ultimately looking for. "Send your cash with this order and your goods'll be rushed over to you in a jiffy. PLUS, you'll get a super little gift that you'll never want to share with anyone. Your own super little indulgence!"

4. FILLING IN A QUESTIONNAIRE

From the latest information by DMIS (Direct Mail Information Service, there seems to be more people responding to questionnaires then any other response mechanism). So, why not include one in your next communication to your audience? You don't have to make it elaborate or make it have an award winning design. Keep it simple, to the point and of interest to the responder.

5. VISIT WEBSITE

If you're short on space, on cash, on telling your full story in a print ad, direct mail letter, flyer, brochure or other promotional literature, then driving people to your website, where they can GET THE FULL STORY, is an ideal way to get a great response.

But of course, you'd better have something interesting and compelling to say that favours the reader!

6. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Any business can schedule an appointment for customers. Be it by phone, call in to place of business, by email, MSN messenger, fax, or any other way YOU want people to contact you to make an appointment. The most successful hairdressers, marketing consultants, party planners, estate agents, you name it, all work on a scheduled appointment basis. Can you use it in YOUR business?

7. MAKE A DONATION

No matter what business you have, or intend to have, you can easily hook up with a charity and have people respond to your messages where you inform them that a certain element of the sales, gets forwarded to the charity. And, if they wanted to make a contribution over a special nominated amount, you'll be rewarding them in some way.

8. CUT OUT COUPON

Have you ever snipped out a coupon from a newspaper or magazine? Whether it be a discount for health vitamins at Boots, ￡5.00 off shopping at your local Sainsburys or Tescos, or even a BY ONE GET ONE FREE at your local Pizza Hut. You too can, and should use COUPONS as a response strategy.

9. GAMES, QUIZZES AND SPOT THE DIFFERENCES!

You know, it's not that often people get to experience the lighter side of life. The more you can help lift the burden and weight off their shoulders for a little while, the more they'll cherish you. If in your communications you set little quizzes, games, puzzles... where the winner will get a prize when they send in their answers, the mere interaction will soon have your readers TRAINED to respond to you in regular intervals.

Why not try it?

10. SOMETHING CONTREVERSIAL

Have you thought what the response would be if you sent in something CONTREVERSIAL to your readers, prospects or customers?

I know this may not be something popular, but, it certainly creates a flurry of interest. I remember an ad where the Headline said something like...

"Another Family in John Jones Neighbourhood Will Soon Be the Victim of a Violent Mugging!"

Now, the 'John Jones' was real name of a person. There was a direct mail letter sent to certain names on a database selling a set of self-defence fighting videos. The videos sold okay, but, there was a number of irate people who received the letter, upset about the headline and the thought of muggings.

Here's what happened next:

Another letter was sent APOLOGISING PROFUSELY about any distress the letter had caused. It then went on to say that if they wanted, they could have the video set at half price as a way of compensating for the grief caused.

RESULT? They sold MORE videos at the half price than the full price one!