Definition

Noun: * Advertising sent directly to prospective customers via the mail: A method of marketing where promotional materials, such as letters, catalogs, brochures, or postcards, are sent by post to a large number of people or specific groups to advertise products or services.

Usage

"Direct mail" is an uncountable noun. It refers to the marketing medium or the collective materials themselves, not a single piece. * It is commonly used in business and marketing contexts. * It often describes a campaign or strategy: a direct mail campaign. * It can be the object of verbs like send, receive, use, or design.

Examples

• The company uses direct mail to reach new customers in the local area.
• We received a lot of direct mail this week, mostly catalogs and credit card offers.
• Their marketing budget allocates a significant portion to direct mail.
• The effectiveness of direct mail is often measured by its response rate.

Advanced Usage

• Targeted direct mail: Direct mail that is sent to a carefully selected audience based on demographics, interests, or past purchases.
  • The bookstore uses targeted direct mail to notify customers about new releases in their favorite genres.
• Direct mail piece: A term used to refer to a single item within a direct mail campaign (e.g., a specific letter or flyer).
  • This direct mail piece has a very compelling design.

Variants and Related Words

• Direct marketing (n): A broader marketing discipline that seeks to get a direct response from customers, which includes direct mail, email marketing, and telemarketing.
• Junk mail (n): A colloquial, often negative term for unsolicited direct mail that the recipient considers worthless or annoying.
• Mailer (n): A person or company that sends mail, or a piece of direct mail (e.g., a promotional folder or box).

Synonyms

• Mail advertising
• Promotional mail
• Advertising mail

Related Phrases

• Direct mail list: A database of names and addresses used for sending direct mail.
  • They purchased a direct mail list of recent homebuyers.
• Direct mail response: The reaction or action (like an order or inquiry) taken by a recipient of direct mail.
  • The campaign had a strong direct mail response.

Noun

1. advertising sent directly to prospective customers via the mail