Small Business Marketing: Even Google Still Uses Direct Mail

google direct mail small business marketing

First, the usual background: Nine Lives Media Inc. (MSPmentor’s parent) has had a Google Adwords account for about two years. We use free options like the Google Adwords Tool and the Google Adwords Traffic Estimator Sandbox Tool. I’ve certainly heard from MSPs who are using those tools and other offerings like Kutenda to help shape pay-per-click marketing campaigns.

But when I walked down my driveway and reached into my physical mailbox today, I pulled out a catchy direct mail piece from Google. It was a four-page overview that offered me more tips on using Google Adwords. I’m keeping the mailer and plan to give it a closer read tonight.

This wasn’t a one-time Google experiment. The search giant has me on a mailing list for Google Apps and CIO-related communications. In a January 2010 mailing, Google sent CIOs a paper-based calculator that showed businesses how much money they could save by switching to Google Apps.

What type of return on investment can direct mail offer? Perhaps this Direct Mail ROI Calculator can offer some food for thought.

I’m not a direct mail expert. But I do know direct mail remains a key theme for many workshops and education sessions hosted by MSP University, Robin Robins and other industry pundits. Apparently, even Google got the message.

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