Think that direct mail is a thing of the past? Think again.
According to data gathered by the Data and Marketing Association, sending out direct mail to current clients and prospective customers steadily increase their rates of response to your brand.
In fact, 65% of consumers have purchased a product or booked a company's services thanks to information they received in the mail.
Even better? 98% of Americans check their snail mail every day, much more than most people check -- and especially, open -- their emails.
But how can you speed up the process of creating direct mailings and getting them into the hands of your target market faster than ever before? By using a letter folding machine.
Read on to find out more about how these machines will help your office to increase efficiency and make more sales.
How Letter Folding Machines Will Speed Up Your Next Mailing
You remember the last mailing your company did?
You worked well past 5:00, people started to get sloppy, and you're still convinced that half of your employees never actually took the letters to the mailbox out of sheer spite.
It's no secret that mailings are time-consuming.
But a letter folding machine can significantly speed up the process -- and help you and your employees to avoid some nasty paper cuts.
In addition to speeding up the mailing process, letter folding machines will also ensure that your office will be able to continue with business as usual. In the past, whenever it was time for a mailing, your team likely had to stop making calls or responding to customers to complete their folding quota before 5:00.
Or, perhaps you had to spend some of your profits to hire an outsider to come in and do the mailing.
With a letter folding machine, you'll be able to keep your office running efficiently while also completing your mailing.
A Professional Look
Of course, when examining the benefits of a letter folding machine, it's also important to think about the potential for human error.
That teenager you hired to fold your mailings last holiday season?
Well, he didn't exactly do the greatest job in the world. Uneven folds, weak creases, or even crumpled paper won't make the best impression on your customers.
Instead, rely on a letter folding machine to make sure you're always putting your mailings in the best light possible.
A High Rate Of Return
We know that what will really sell you on a letter folding machine isn't necessarily how much they speed up the mailing process, or even how good the folds will make your pages look.
Instead, it's all about how they'll both save and make you money.
Direct mail has one of the highest rates of return out of any other advertising method. Sure, you could spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on digital marketing.
But there's no guarantee that your blog posts and viral videos are actually ever going to reach your target market. Plus, it's no secret that content marketing can get expensive -- and fast.
With direct mail, you're placing your information directly in the hands of consumers. They can't "click away" or be put off by slow website loading times.
If you're looking for a cost-effective marketing solution, then direct mail is the way to go.
Finding The Best Letter Folding Machine For Your Company
Now that you know how these letter folding machines can help you to speed up your next mailing, you need to make sure that you buy the right one for your business.
Depending on the frequency with which you send out mailings, as well as the size and type of mailings you create, you may need a more specialized machine.
Now, let's go through a few of our favorite options.
The Martin Yale 1611 Paper Folder
First up on our list of the most popular letter folding machines?
It's able to fold about 9,000 sheets of paper in a single hour, with maximum dimensions of 8.5" by 14". It also comes with removable fold tables and paper guides that self-center to help you speed up the process even more.
In case of an issue, this machine also comes with auto shut-off and auto jam features.
Need to send packets of information to your clients?
No problem. The Martin Yale 1611 can fold up to 5 pieces of stapled sheets together.
Best of all, this machine can create an astounding 6 different types of folds: z-fold, letter, half, church, gate, and double parallel.
The Formax FD 300 Document Folder
If you have larger letter folding needs, and do more frequent mailings, then the Formax FD 300 Document Folder is right for you.
It can fold paper sizes of up to 8.5" by 14", and even comes with an easy-to-use push-button operation and LCD control panel.
It can fold up to 7,400 sheets every hour. Though it may be slower than the Martin Yale folder we mentioned above, it's a bit more durable and can handle more types of paper.
It's capable of folding in C, Z, Double Parallel, and Half styles.
Looking For More Mailing Advice And Products?
Thanks to this post, you're ready to speed up your next direct mailing. You also understand how letter folding machines will help to increase your rate of return and help you to build your brand recognition.
Anything else you need to know about creating better mailings or connecting with the best products for the job?
We're here to answer any additional questions you may have. Our enormous product inventory ensures that no matter the type of mailing you send out, it will arrive looking its best.
Need more information?
Be sure to check out our blog or get in touch with us to learn more about how direct mailings can take your business to the next level in the new year.