Wary of Lightbox Ads?
Lightboxes may be one of the least favorite user experiences on the web. What are they? Why are they a growing trend? And why am I touting their use? READ MORE
From the mailbox to the inbox — musings on direct mail and email creative
Lightboxes may be one of the least favorite user experiences on the web. What are they? Why are they a growing trend? And why am I touting their use? READ MORE
How Cubism Is Like Direct Mail
Cubism and Direct Mail both utilize a multiple perspective approach for their creative. READ MORE
Direct Response in Action
We all know that direct response isn’t child’s play. It’s hard work. Nevertheless, if you keep just a few things in mind, even a novice can make a difference — and the story of my teenage nephew, Ian, and what he was able to accomplish is a good example. READ MORE
Lift Your Open Rates: 2 Tips from the Trenches
Spam Filters & Preheaders
I learn a lot from my email work with clients. In Part 2 of my series on mistakes to avoid, I want to alert you to Mistake 3 and Mistake 4, which — when it comes to lifting open rates — you should never, ever ignore! READ MORE
Lift Your Click-Through Rates: 2 Tips from the Trenches
We all know that emails are the “workhorse channel.” But are you working everything available to you to optimize your open and click-through rates? In this Part 1 of a special 2-part series of newsletters I address frequent mistakes and ways to avoid them. READ MORE
How to Stand Out with More Visual Promotions
Top 3 Reasons for Charts
Charts (pie, bar, and others) are proven attention-winners. Of course, they’re perfect for presentation of data. But, with a little creative flair, you can also employ them to make your most important sales messages pop, online and off. READ MORE
Raise Response with Email + Direct Mail
When email and direct mail join forces, their combined strengths can really put some POW in your response rates and give your business or nonprofit greater ROI. READ MORE
A Timely Message
Why Use Countdown Clocks?
And When?
8 Ways to Make a Great Thank You Deliver
Direct marketers know that FREE, FINAL CHANCE, and ACT NOW are some of the most effective words to get someone to respond to your solicitation. Today, I’d like you to consider the power of a simple THANK YOU. READ MORE
Responsive Emails: Make Them Work for You
One Minute Critique
By making just six simple tweaks we were able to transform the above card into a more effective and powerful sales tool. READ MORE
Don’t Litter Between 11AM-12:30PM?
The above street sign is a perfect example of why the 3C’s — Context, Conciseness, and Clarity — need to be considered in every creative. READ MORE
Unopened Email: How It Can Bring In Sales
People look quickly at their inboxes, and scan subject lines. Let’s look at a couple of subjects and see if unopened emails can still bring in sales. READ MORE
How to Lift Email Response: 4 Call-to-Action Design Ideas
Testing is a great way to figure out how to get a better response rate. Here’s a very simple test that you can do, that can be very effective. READ MORE
Ugly and Unorganized Worked!
How looking at a sweepstakes package changed my mind about what can work in graphic design. READ MORE
Are You Turning Off Customers?
These gray “image off” boxes, if not done correctly, can negatively impact your email. READ MORE
An Easy Trick to check U.S. Letter Mail Aspect Ratio
Curiosity Opens the Envelope
A credit card company recently mailed me this envelope, which looks like a package, due to the label and kraft color. Upon touching it, I felt some padding inside. It certainly piqued my curiosity. Is there something special inside for me? I opened the envelope to find … READ MORE