6 Automotive Direct Mail Ideas That Work

A girl opening her mailbox

How can you make sure that your direct mailing campaign is successful? It starts with standing out from the crowd and engaging with customers. At Aspen Automotive, we have years of experience in crafting eye-catching direct mail. Let’s take a look at six automotive direct mail ideas that work!

1). PURLS & QR CODES

QR Code for automotive direct mailMaking your mailers interactive is one of the best ways to bridge the gap between traditional direct mail marketing and the latest technology. Two of the best methods for doing that are QR codes and personal URLs (PURLs).

Both options are easy to use, too. All your audience has to do is scan the code or follow the link, and they’ll end up on the offer, form, or landing page that you want them to go to. They’re also an excellent way to make your mailers feel more personalized. By being so user-friendly, they’re an effective tool for both leads and existing customers.


2). AUGMENTED REALITY

Augmented reality is another way you can increase customer engagement. Imagine scanning a QR code and going to a page that’s able to project a digital image onto your smartphone camera display. In just seconds, you could take a virtual tour of the showroom, take a look inside a new car, or see how a new car looks in your garage!

This cutting-edge technology allows direct mail to come to life. By marrying the latest tech with traditional direct mail, your mailers will offer a thrilling and unique user-friendly experience.


3). DIMENSIONAL MAIL

Your goal should always be to stand out. Whether your mailer includes QR codes, coupons, or killer copy, it still needs to grab the readers’ attention. A good way to do that is to literally make your mailer stand out with dimensional mail.

Packaging like boxes, tubes, or even official United States Postal Service (USPS) envelopes stand out from the usual pile of letters that people typically receive. Even if you choose to send a more traditional envelope, you can design your mailer around featuring 3-dimensional graphics or including unique features like pop ups or 3-dimensional images.  Whatever you choose, thinking outside the box can be the key to a successful direct mailing campaign.


4). LUMPY MAIL

Lumpy automotive direct mailRemember when you were a kid and you’d run downstairs on Christmas morning? What were the presents that always caught your eye first? Odds are, it wasn’t the ones in boxes. If your parents (or Santa) ever wrapped wrapping paper around a basketball, skis, or an entire bicycle, there’s a pretty good chance you noticed those gifts first.

Lumpy mail brings that same idea to direct mail.  Let’s face it: You’re more likely to open a piece of mail that appears to have something oddly shaped tucked inside. In a sense, it simplifies dimensional mail and lets you include all sorts of exciting objects, like branded keychains, notepads, or just about anything you can imagine. The possibility of free things hiding inside a padded envelope in your audience’s mailboxes is a surefire way to get them to open the package.

Lumpy mail’s impact can be felt long after they rip open the envelope, though. Sending your customers unique gifts leaves a lasting impression, and a positive one at that.


5). FOLDED MAILERS

On the flip side (see what we did there?), a 1-dimensional mailer can also be used in unique ways that’ll help your business stand out. Folded mailers give you several possibilities to have fun and engage with customers, too.

For example, you could use packaging that unfolds into the marketing materials, add some interesting pockets to your mailer, or take advantage of multi-folded mailers. They all invite the reader to engage with you by unfolding unique components until they finally arrive at your message or offer.

No matter if you opt for a C-fold, letter-folded, or gate-folded direct mailer, these visually impactful ads provide your team with more room to advertise while also creating a narrative experience for the reader.


6). VIDEO

We’ve discussed directing customers to your website or landing page, and touched on digital projections through augmented reality, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could just send people a short video that covers everything you want to say in a brief message? After all, not everyone is a reader. Some people are more visual learners.

Fortunately, you can! By sending a mailer that unfolds to reveal its own screen, speaker, and pre-programmed message, you can quickly sum up everything you want customers to know. From exclusive offers and sales to rewards programs and well wishes, in just a couple of minutes you can deliver more content than you’d find in several mailers.

WHAT DIRECT MAIL IDEAS ARE A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?

The benefit to direct mail marketing is that you have nearly endless options on how you can stand out from the crowd. Aspen Automotive has direct mail experts who will help you with your campaign from start to finish.

We’ll help you decide which ideas are effective, determine your target audience, and design everything in house. Ready to get started? Simply give us a call or send us an email today!