Direct mail marketing campaigns offer a number of opportunities to generate leads and customers, especially if you're a startup business that is primarily a brick-and-mortar establishment. Direct mail can take many creative forms, and typically encompasses coupons, brochures, invitations, and even free gifts. Using a direct mail campaign on a seasonal basis gives you a chance to physically reach out to prospects and customers, and the process can also become a part of your long term branding strategy. If you're considering boosting your marketing campaign this quarter, here are just six direct mail marketing tips for your small business:

1. Think outside the box. While it's easy to send coupons and a simple letter to your mailing list, think of other ways you can capture their attention. A free gift such as movie tickets or another item you can purchase at low cost is a great way for people to notice you. You'll need to make a budget for this, but offering simple gifts within the direct mail piece is an easy approach for attracting an immediate response.

2. Aim for the rule of three. You'll need at least 3-5 direct pieces sent per month to have a significant effect on your customers. Today's customers are bombarded with advertisements and direct mail pieces, and don't want to waste time on your direct mail campaign if you're not reaching them enough.

3. Create a limited time for your special offer. Putting a limited time offer or other due date on your piece will make your customers think about your idea immediately. Instead of simply throwing your mail in the junk box, they may actually take advantage of the offer within the short period. Make sure the offer expires within at least 10-14 days for maximum benefits.

4. Pair up with another company. A dual-marketing effort can be especially helpful if you're just starting out, and you can team up with a larger company to emphasize your brand. You might offer a voucher or coupon at your partnering company's business if somebody calls yours for an appointment or service, and vice versa. Generating some creative ideas and options is the first step in taking advantage of the benefits of this strategy.

5. Encourage customers to become frequent shoppers. Offering rewards and incentives within your direct mail piece is a great way to start building a steady client list. Customers can easily become regulars if you extend special discounts, secret sales, or other ‘exclusive' information on a regular basis.

6. Set response goals for each campaign. This can be tricky when you're first starting out, but you can explore a variety of different campaigns and direct mail options with a forecast of results. This will make it easy to cost out and compare potential, and give you something to work with as you move ahead.

Increasing your response rates is the first priority in any marketing effort, and direct mail offers and incentives can make it easier to track your customer's response and gauge their behavior in different seasons. E-mail campaigns work in a similar fashion, and you can find even more accurate data and response rate information with today's tracking software. When you're considering a direct mail promotion, try any (or all) of these strategies to drive your response rates to their fullest potential.