Postage rates are on the rise again. As of July 13, 2025, a First-Class Mail Forever stamp is expected to move from 73 to 78 cents, leaving many questioning whether direct mail is still worth using. It is — and more than ever. Printing companies that stay visible with regular marketing will stay top of mind. Those who remain silent risk being forgotten. If you want your print buyers to remember you — and to view you as the example of smart marketing — consistent direct mail is a proven way to make that happen. Why Direct Mail Still Works Direct mail delivers results that few channels can match (especially for printers). It places your message, your quality, and your marketing example directly into your customer’s hands, without the clutter of an overloaded inbox or a skipped social media ad. Even with changing technologies and increasing postage rates, customers still trust print more than digital ads. They interact with it longer. And when done correctly, direct mail consistently drives higher response rates. Your print buyers are searching for ways to cut through the noise. If you offer effective direct mail strategies, you meet that need — and position yourself as


Today’s customers are looking for more than just a product to be printed. They want a solution to their problem, whether it’s marketing materials that will attract new customers or packaging that will protect their products during shipping. This shift in customer mindset has led to a transformation in the print business model. Harness the Power of Consultative Selling for Your Business Consultative selling is an approach in sales that prioritizes meeting customers’ needs with solutions rather than focusing on products or services. It requires shifting from a transactional mindset to a collaborative one. By actively listening to the customer, asking the right questions, and offering tailored solutions, businesses can build stronger, more trust-based relationships. There are many benefits to adopting a solution-based sales approach in the print industry. Personalized solutions foster enhanced customer loyalty, as clients feel genuinely valued. The strategic shift towards solution-focused offerings provides a competitive edge by comprehensively addressing specific customer needs. Integrating services and products into comprehensive packages improves profitability and enhances perceived value. Actively engaging with customers as collaborative partners in their success stories establishes a strong rapport. This paves the way for enduring relationships built on mutual trust, shared objectives, and a commitment to


“A beautiful lady dressed in shining blue appeared. She raised her wand and said: ‘Wake, Pinocchio! Good Geppetto needs a son!’  ‘I can move!’ cried Pinocchio. ‘I’m a real boy!’  “‘No,’ the Blue Fairy said sadly. ‘You have life, but to become a real boy, you must prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish.’” There’s just nothing like that infamous magic wand. The magic wand sparkles as an eleventh-hour blessing from Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, as Glinda’s glimmer of grace in Oz, and as destiny personified when the wand “chooses” Harry Potter to be the unexpected hero. Magic wands echo through literature as the muted cry of every road-weary soul. “If only . . .” we sigh, “there was an easier way.” With a Wave of the Wand If you had a magic wand – even just for a day – would you use it? Wouldn’t EVERYONE? Well, of course! Just poke the words “Life Hack” into a YouTube or Google search, and you’ll be pummeled by thousands of results. Why? Because life hacks are all about eliminating humanity’s manifold frustrations in simple and deliciously clever ways. Fast and easy? Um . . . yes, please! If you’re like the average American


Are you a printer who believes your website should solely focus on selling your printing services? Did you know, however, that neglecting content could limit your print buyers’ potential to engage with your brand and miss out on numerous opportunities to connect with a broader audience? Read on to discover why your print website is about more than just selling printing and how you can maximize its potential. Content is King While selling your printing services is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of your print website, relying solely on this function restricts your reach to potential print buyers who are actively seeking printing solutions at that exact moment. However, by incorporating meaningful content throughout your website, you can create multiple touchpoints for them to interact with your brand. Consider adding engaging articles that cover the latest industry trends and techniques, informative blog posts that provide helpful tips and tricks for their print projects, and captivating visuals that showcase the versatility and quality of your printing services. By doing so, you showcase your expertise and provide valuable insights and solutions that resonate with your target audience. Additionally, you can explore other forms of content, such as video tutorials, case studies, and client


As the printing industry continues to evolve and become increasingly competitive, your printing company has to stay ahead of the curve to succeed. With a few simple steps and a little planning, you can start now to ensure you’re ready for success in 2023. Here are ten things you should consider doing today to help your printing business sell more this year. 1. Develop a comprehensive marketing plan With the right comprehensive marketing strategy, you can reach your target print buyers and stand out from the competition. Researching trends and understanding customer needs allows for creating targeted campaigns to increase the effectiveness of your marketing initiatives. All in all, get your marketing off of the back burner and invest in putting your brand front and center. 2. Invest in modern printing technology and software to increase efficiency To stay competitive in the printing industry now is the time to invest in modern printing technology and software. If you haven’t looked at Odyssey 2.0 for your Print Management Information System (Print MIS) needs lately, what are you waiting for? Odyssey 2.0 is a powerful and intuitive software solution designed to help your print businesses increase its efficiency and profitability. With an


If we were like every other business, we’d be offering you a year-end review right about now. But, you know what? Here at Marketing Ideas For Printers, we like to do things a little differently to allow for a greater vision. It looks like this. We follow a quarterly rhythm for working on the bigger projects that bring content and online ordering solutions together by asking ourselves, “What are the most important things we need to accomplish in the next 90 days?” We then create that list and get to work on those most important projects. Often, one of the first things I do when starting a project like that is to write a press release announcing the completed project. That press release is used for vision casting and for internal use only; its purpose is to help everyone involved understand what the project’s end result is supposed to look like. That, in turn, helps everyone get pointed in the right direction immediately. In the spirit of those “predictive press releases,” I thought you’d enjoy my perspective on the coming year here at Marketing Ideas For Printers and what’s coming your way to help you sell more printing. 2023: A



Direct mail marketing is truly one of the greatest marketing tools to grow any business. But, how do you get your print buyers to recognize that and buy more? Here are five tips to help you sell the importance and impact of direct mail to your print buyers. 1. Lead by Example. Just as clothing store associates wear the brand’s clothes in which they sell, the credibility of a business is exemplified when a company uses its own product. It’s not uncommon for printing firms to refute the argument that print is dead and rattle off the reasons why every business owner should be marketing their company with direct mail. But, ask yourself: As a spokesperson for print marketing, does your brand’s message align with its actions? The best way to champion the benefits and results of direct mail marketing is to lead by example by using direct mail marketing for your print business.  DIRECT MAIL IS… A leader in response rates Highly personalized Opened and read Creative Tangible (physical) Versatile Familiar Simple to do Trust-building Cost-effective Personal Highly trackable Highly targeted A complement to digital marketing Enjoyable to receive Data-driven 2. Go Omni-Channel. Did you know that integrating direct


Pop quiz! Which of these two statements is true? Your print buyers prefer to do business with: A company they already trust and have a relationship with. A company they’ve never done business with. It seems like an easy enough question, right? But, then why is it that when businesses look to increase their sales, they focus on selling to new prospects instead of their existing customers? Keep in mind that the probability of selling to a new prospect is only 5-20%, while focusing your efforts on existing customers brings that probability up to 60-70%! Cross-selling and upselling is a great way to maximize your sales efforts and increase your revenue. And, these tactics don’t just benefit your sales numbers. Cross-selling and upselling helps breed customer happiness and deepen relationships because you’re ultimately delivering more value. What is Cross-Selling? Cross-selling can be summed up by asking yourself one question: What additions can you provide to what your print buyers have already purchased? The “Golden Arches” (a.k.a. McDonald’s) are known for one of the most famous examples of cross-selling of all time with their familiar question, “Do you want fries with that?” That innocuous question was a subtle yet ingenious marketing


If you are learning something new, you are moving forward, and it’s that forward momentum that will help you thrive. The latest content packages from Marketing Ideas For Printers are ready for you to drive new customers and get them thinking of you as a trusted provider. These little gems help you grab new sales without the drudgery of “selling.” Check out the latest issues. National Direct Mail Get personal with the latest issue of National Direct Mail, focusing on personalized service and your personal promise to deliver. National Direct Mail offers a great reminder for your print buyers that you are a full-service printer that can customize any order to their exact needs. Boost your design services with this month’s coupon theme and build your emailing list. The best part of National Direct Mail is how easy it is to send to any and every zip code in the country. No restrictions! This package is ready to go right now! Printer’s Press A great label tells you everything you need to know about a product, and the September issue of Printer’s Press encourages customers to think about their printed labels in a way that works hard for them. Printer’s


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