How To Track A Direct Mail Campaign
How To Track A Direct Mail Campaign
Tracking a direct mail campaign can be done using several methods. Here are some steps you can follow to track the effectiveness of your direct mail campaign:
1. Define your campaign goals:
Clearly establish the objectives you want to achieve with your direct mail campaign. For example, you may aim to increase sales, generate leads, drive website traffic, or boost brand awareness.
2. Use unique identifiers:
Assign a unique identifier to each direct mail piece or campaign variant. This could be a specific coupon code, a personalized URL (PURL), or a dedicated phone number. Unique identifiers help you attribute responses and actions directly to your direct mail campaign.
3. Implement response tracking mechanisms:
a. Coupons or discount codes: Include unique codes on the direct mail pieces that recipients can use when making a purchase. Track the usage of these codes to determine the response rate.
b. PURLs: Create personalized URLs that recipients can visit to access special offers or information. Monitor website traffic to these URLs to gauge the campaign's impact.
c. Dedicated phone numbers: Set up dedicated phone numbers that recipients can call for inquiries or to avail themselves of the offer. Record and analyze call volumes to measure the campaign's effectiveness.
d. Response cards: Encourage recipients to fill out response cards with their information and mail them back to you. Keep track of the number of returned cards and subsequent conversions.
4. Track conversions:
Implement mechanisms to track the actions taken by recipients after they receive the direct mail piece. For example, if you're driving traffic to your website, use web analytics tools like Google Analytics to monitor the increase in website visitors, conversions, and sales attributed to the campaign.
5. Monitor response rates:
Keep track of the overall response rate by comparing the number of responses or actions taken to the total number of direct mail pieces sent. This will help you assess the campaign's effectiveness and make adjustments if needed.
6. Analyze data and adjust:
Regularly analyze the data collected from the tracking mechanisms. Identify trends, evaluate the success of different campaign elements, and make data-driven decisions to optimize future direct mail campaigns.
How To Track Direct Mail Campaign
Remember to consider the timing of your direct mail campaign and allow sufficient time for recipients to respond before evaluating the results. It's also crucial to maintain accurate records and diligently track the data throughout the campaign to ensure the reliability of your analysis.