Dating Your Offer Is An Effective Way To Get Customers To Act

One of the most effective ways to increase order response and
speed-up cash flow is to place a time limit on your special
offer. A dated offer creates a sense of urgency, telling a
customer what he will lose if he doesn't act promptly. In other
words, the customer must order by a specified date or within "x"
number of days or he doesn't get the premium, discount or
whatever (and it should be an attractive offer). Note the
following suggestions:

1.   An offer that lists a specific deadline date is usually
more effective than one that requires the customer to
respond within "x" days.

2.   Due to the uncertainty of bulk-mail delivery time, an
offer that requires action within (the preferred) 15
days from receipt should be sent by first-class mail if
you wish to list a specific deadline date.

3.   On a bulk-mailing, you should safely revert to the
"within the next 15 days" offer. If you still wish to
list a specific deadline date on a bulk-mailed offer,
follow the lead of catalog marketers making such
offers--use a deadline date that is about 5 or 6 weeks
from the mail drop date.

4.   Some Mail Order marketers believe that the specific
deadline date should fall on a Friday (pay day). The
deadline date should fall within the same month as
prospect's receipt of offer.  

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This resource is (c) 1996 by, and compliments of                   
The Smart Business Supersite (tm)
It originally appeared in the Copley Mail Order Advisor.
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