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3 easy steps to send out a custom mailer

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3 easy steps to send out a custom mailer

  1. Define your project
  2. Export your customer list
  3. Create a list of items to advertise

Does it sound too easy? Read on!

1)  Define your project: choose your mailing date, select a mailer type, and then contact OSM at (609) 265-1390 or email OSM  for a quote.

  • Mailing Date: For single page direct mail project, start planning 2-3 weeks before your sale or event. For a multi-pager direct mail project, start planning 6-7 weeks before your sale or event. See examples of our work.
  • Mailer Type: What type of mailer is best for you? Match your mailer to: the type of event you are having, the length of the sale, and the number of items you want to advertise.
  • Postage: Postage is the most expensive fixed cost component of any project. For mailings of 10,000 pieces or fewer, we recommend First Class postage which is generally guaranteed to be delivered in 2-3 business days. For larger mailings (and if time permits) we recommend bulk rate to save costs. Delivery time for bulk/standard rate mail typically ranges between 5-10 business days. We can give you an exact cost savings comparison.

2)  Export your customer mailing list from your POS system and email it to OSM

3)  Compile a list of items by brand, item#, and price, and email it to OSM

  • OSM makes it simple, we have been doing this since 1998 so we are creatively skilled in retail shooting sports advertising.  We have the product logos, images, and descriptions in our massive database.  Just tell us what you want to advertise and OSM will do the rest.  All we need is the brand, the item # and the pricing information.  We get everything else.
  • Do you have co-op advertising dollars available? On average most shooting sports retailers forfeit several thousand dollars in unused co-op advertising funds a year.  Let your product vendors pay for your project. Learn how OSM can manage your co-op from start to finish, at no additional cost.

Our customers love how easy it is to work with OSM. What are you waiting for? Call now to get started (609) 265-1390, or submit this form.

What is co-op and what are co-op advertising funds?

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What is co-op and what are co-op advertising funds?

Manufacturers provide incentives for your customers to buy merchandise in the form of manufacturer rebates.  But did you know that some manufacturers also provide funds which you can use to advertise this merchandise? Did someone say free advertising dollars?

What is Co-Op?

A manufacturer Co-Op Advertising Program (or co-op for short) is designed give independent dealers the opportunity to be reimbursed for approved advertising media expenditures of products.

What are co-op advertising funds?

Co-op funds are usually calculated as a percent of the net invoiced dollars for full priced

products shipped during the current calendar program year. Typically, funds not used for advertising during the current program year will not be carried over for use in the next program year.

The rules vary from manufacturer to manufacturer though – and they change their co-op advertising funds policies from time to time. The ad specs, qualifications, rules, and the co-op claim processing can be complicated and time consuming.

How can I get my hands on this “free money”?

That’s where Outdoor Sports Marketing comes in.  Let Outdoor Sports Marketing help you utilize your available co-op advertising funds on pre-approved direct mail advertising, and process your claims, all at no additional charge.

Using manufacturer co-op advertising funds can significantly reduce your final out-of-pocket costs. We process over $300K per year in co-op claims on behalf of our clients.

Our Co-Op Compliance Manager ensures that your ads are approved by the manufacturers in advance of publication, and we process your claims when the project is complete. Any retailer will agree this is a time-consuming process.

 

Direct Mail – reach your customer and get them to spend their hard earned dollars with you

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“Suddenly, a market (including 40 percent more competition) are all now fighting for sales with smaller margins — a huge problem.”*

By Lauren Alberque

Shooting sport retailers have experienced boom times when they couldn’t keep enough in stock, and times like now when manufacturers are laying people off, retail sales are slowing, and smarter decisions about inventory and pricing need to be considered.

In speaking with retailers at the recent Sports, Inc. show in Phoenix, I heard how the recent slowdown has forced some to start selling surplus inventory at rock bottom prices to make room for new, in-demand products. The problem is that they are competing with others who are doing the same thing, and they find themselves trying to keep up with these low prices and stay competitive!

Here are some of the most effective ways of reaching your customer and getting them to spend their hard earned dollars with you.

Direct Mail Advertising to your own customer base

“Despite email being at the forefront of marketing, direct USPS mail is actually still a far more effective marketing tool because now most of us receive little mail and we tend to actually look at it now.”**

As you know, your highest ROI comes from your own database of customers. See our blog, Top 3 reasons that your existing customers are your best source of sales. But a number of the retailers that I spoke to have issues with their in-house mailing lists. Some have “antiquated” systems that do not make it easy to have all of your customers and prospects in one manageable place.

Direct Mail to Prospective Customers

Mailing lists and databases can go farther than just tracking customers who have purchased merchandise in your store. Have you ever thought about the prospective looker who walked around and didn’t make a purchase at the time? I’m sure most of didn’t get a chance to chase them down or somehow track your “window shoppers” or “tire kickers.”

Store owners can put programs in place to obtain prospective customer’s information when they are in your store, regardless of whether they make a purchase. Some ideas are: holding a raffle in the store, maintaining a guest book, asking if people would like to sign up for a newsletter, or for your “insider” sales notifications.  Your website is another “store front” that you can use to collect the names, e-mail address, physical address, and phone numbers of prospects and customers.

If you are doing FFL transfers, it is another way to get additional names on your mailing list.  And while the customer is in the store, you have the opportunity to cross-sell accessories and other items related to their purchase.

We have premium, targeted mailing lists available to augment your own list and attract new business.

Federal Premium July rebates are here

Posted by on in direct mail advertising, vendor rebates

vista-logo

Federal Premium July rebates are here

Starting July 1, Vista Outdoor is offering four new Federal Premium rebates. See other manufacturer rebates here

  1. Original Black Cloud® – Purchase 5 or more boxes (max 20) of original Black Cloud ammunition and get back $7.50/box
  2. Federal Premium ® Free Knife Promo – Purchase 2 boxes of Trophy Bonded® Tip or any other Federal Premium centerfire big game ammunition and receive a free SOG ® Revolver Hunter Knife.
  3. Federal® Ammunition Power-Shok® Mail-in Rebate- Purchase 1 box of Federal Power-Shok rifle ammunition and receive a $2.50 mail-in rebate. Redemption limited to 10 boxes
  4. Sluggin’ Bucks Mail-in Rebate – Receive up to $10.00 cash back when you purchase qualifying Federal Premium® Vital•Shok® slug ammunition.

Get customers in the door by promoting Federal Premium rebates using Direct Mail

Direct Mail Advertising: 79% of consumers say they will act of direct mail immediately. 51% of people prefer direct mail from local shops.Want to increase foot traffic and boost sales now? Advertise Federal Premium ammunition rebates with a Jumbo Postcard and get a jump on the competition!

Direct mail advertising is the most highly targeted and easily measurable type of advertising and is a great way to get rebates and more in front of your customers.

Let Vista Outdoor pick up a portion of the cost with co-op advertising funds

Using Vista Outdoor co-op advertising funds can significantly reduce your final out-of-pocket costs. Our Co-Op Compliance Manager will work with you to ensure that the products you are advertising fit within the co-op advertising program and that your direct mail advertising is approved in advance of publication.

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Colt adds new summer rebate and extends existing customer incentives

Posted by on in direct mail advertising, vendor rebates

Colt adds new summer rebate and extends existing customer incentives

m4_summer

NEW Colt Promotion: M4 Summer Rebate – Buy any new LE6920 Model and get a free Drago Gear Gun Case and a Magpul PMAG from Colt.

EXTENDED TO 8/31
* Buy any new Competition Series, GOLD CUP®, OR DELTA ELITE® and get a FREE Colt range kit worth over $130
* Buy any new Expanse M4 and get a FREE Colt Expanse kit worth over $100

Get customers in the door by promoting Colt rebates

Direct Mail Advertising: 79% of consumers say they will act of direct mail immediately. 51% of people prefer direct mail from local shops.Want to increase foot traffic and boost sales now? Advertise Colt rebates, with a Jumbo Postcard and get a jump on the competition!

Direct mail advertising is the most highly targeted and easily measurable type of advertising and is a great way to get rebates and more in front of your customers.

 

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