WHAT IS DIRECT MARKETING?

Direct marketing is a form of communicating an offer, where organizations communicate directly to a pre-selected customer and supply a method for a direct response. Among practitioners, it is also known as direct response marketing. By contrast, advertising is of a mass-message nature. 

Direct marketing is a promotional method that involves presenting information about your company, product, or service to your target customer without the use of an advertising middleman. It is a targeted form of marketing that presents information of potential interest to a consumer that has been determined to be a likely buyer.

While some marketing techniques aim to increase awareness or to educate markets about a company’s products or services, direct marketing’s sole goal is to persuade the recipient to take action. While getting a sale is the ultimate goal, some customers will not be ready to buy on-the-spot. But they might:

• Visit a website
• Call for more information
• Return a postcard requesting a quote
• Enter their name and email address
• Make a purchase

Common forms of direct marketing include:

• Brochures
• Catalogs
• Fliers
• Newsletters
• Post cards
• Coupons
• Emails
• Targeted online display ads
• Phone calls
• Text messages