Direct Mail Project Management Roundtable Handout (AMMC 2014)

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Handout for Direct Mail Project Management Roundtable Discussion. Keeping a direct mail project on course is an art in itself. How to keep the creative, lists, approvals, print and mailing timelines moving along towards a target mail date can be a challenge. Creating and managing a timeline, streamlining approvals and creating realistic expectations of internal audiences is important. Decisions that affect the timeline and production – what are the printing, paper selection, list acquisition, personalization – that can have an impact on a schedule, and how to plan accordingly. Karen Meyer and Karen Mariani of Membership Consultants will conduct this roundtable discussion.

Transcript of Direct Mail Project Management Roundtable Handout (AMMC 2014)

Page 1: Direct Mail Project Management Roundtable Handout (AMMC 2014)

Direct Mail Project Management

Facts:

Direct mail is still the best way to reach out to new audiences to get them to join your

organization. Prospective members still have to be targeted, invited and enticed to join!

Direct Mail is still the most productive means of conducting renewal, lapsed, and annual

appeal campaigns!

Lapsed members should be part of every acquisition campaign and receive a special

lapsed member appeal inviting them to renew their memberships.

Keys to Success:

Creative Strategy

o Marketing and Theme Development

o Creative Graphic Design

o Engaging Copywriting (Fund-raising AND Marketing appeal)

List Strategy

o List Broker

o List Trade Negotiation

o Data Processing, List Enhancement, Merge Purge Processing

Production Strategy

o Complete, Quality Printing Services

o Gang Printing for Cost Savings

o Mailing Services

o Cost Saving Postal and Mailing Strategies

Analysis Strategy

o Time Sensitive Reporting

o Match Back Analysis

o Complete Campaign Narrative

Key Players:

Membership Team

Consulting Team

Management

Designer

Mail house

Page 2: Direct Mail Project Management Roundtable Handout (AMMC 2014)

Membership Consultants

3868 Russell Blvd * St. Louis, Mo 63110 * 314-771-4664 ext. 105 * [email protected]

8 Weeks – Concept to Mailbox

Week 1 - Project initiation, Strategy/Theme

Development

Kick Off Conference Call

Information Gathering

o Branding

o Images

o Calendar

o Logos

o Approval Procedures

Week 2 - Creative Design, Copy, List

Recommendations

Outer Envelope Comps

Copy Drafts for Review and

Approval

List Strategy Meeting

Week 3 - Copy Approval and Layout

Revisions

Outer Envelope edits and approval

Copy Approved

Package Art Presented – based on

Envelope Selection

Week 4 - List Strategy and Final Creative

Approval

4 Color Outer Envelope – 3 Week

Production

o Print Proof Approval

Package Art Final Edits and

Approval

List Requests Submitted – 2 Week

Turn Around

Week 5 - Package Artwork to printer

Package Art – 2 Week Production

o Print Proof Approval

Week 6 – List Deadlines

External List

Internal Lists

Do Not Mail/Current Member/Kill

Files

Data Process Begins – 1 Week Turn

Around

Week 7 - Final List Selection

Merge Purge Review

Final Lists Selection

o Past Performance

Week 8 - Mailing Services

Laser Printing/Personalization

Inserting

Postage

Delivery to post office

Things to Remember:

Consider upcoming events, exhibitions and seasons – Time Drops Accordingly!

Take into consideration the schedules and timing needed for organization approvals

Deadlines Deadlines Deadlines!