While it may seem like an outdated relic, the truth is the exact opposite; Direct Mail Marketing is even MORE relevant today than ever!

Here are 5 reasons why—along with the (impressive, in our opinion) statistics to back it up:

1. It cuts through the digital noise.

Did you know that according to USPS, the average household receives 157 emails per day, but only 2 direct mail ads? That means potential customers are getting 7,750% more emails than actual mail. With odds like that, it’s no surprise that studies have found that physical mail pieces had a much higher engagement rate than other forms of advertising (95%). Since there is so much less competition for their attention, customers interact with direct mail 118% longer than emails, leading to both a longer lasting impact and easier brand recall (29%) up to a week later. 

In addition, people tend to keep their direct mail – the average person keeps ads for a month and interacts with it at least 4 times at home; 36% even have a designated spot in their homes to keep direct mail they want to look at again later. There’s an emotional connection to the tactile experience of holding a piece of mail that just can’t be replicated online.

To sum it up: Direct mail makes people pay attention.

2. It makes customers feel valued.

70% of them, in fact. That same number also felt that direct mail left a more positive impression about a business than email. When adding personalization to the mix, 75% of Millenials say that direct mail makes them feel special. With all those warm and fuzzies, it makes sense that 82% of them will trust a business immediately if they use direct mail.

Expanding out to all age groups, a whopping 87% of potential customers view direct mail advertisements as believable, vs only 48% for emails. It makes sense, then, that 55% of consumers report that they “look forward” to what they’ll receive in the mail, and 70% prefer to be marketed to with direct mail over digital.

To sum it up: Direct mail gives a good impression.

3. It’s the future of marketing – younger generations love it.

Not only is Gen Z excited about direct mail, they’re 63% more excited now than they were last year. Of all the age groups, they were the most enthusiastic about its usefulness, with 85% viewing direct mail as at least somewhat useful, and 57% saying it’s extremely or very useful. 

In general, Gen Z is also the most likely age group to actually read their mail, with 86% going through their mail regularly, and only 14% tossing things out sight unseen (not to be completely outdone, Millenials also had a high mail reading rate, at 62%). What does this mean for companies? It means that there is almost guaranteed attention from younger customers who have the potential to be coming back to the brand for a very long time.

To sum it up: Younger clients want to receive direct mail.

4. It makes older customers take action.

Data shows that 89% of Baby Boomers actively look for deals/coupons when they check the mail, and 66% of them have a better impression of brands that send them. Gen X is right there with them – 68% have used coupons they received through direct mail. 

Taken together, customers aged 55+ agreed that direct mail and flyers were their top methods for discovering new local businesses. 

To sum it up: Older clients like getting deals in the mail!

5. It works.

Don’t take our word for it – the numbers don’t lie. When adding direct mail to the mix, marketers report an 18% better response rate to their campaigns. Not only does it grab their attention, but it also converts; 62% of customers who respond to direct mail make a purchase. 

Millenials are especially influenced for purchasing decisions – 47% of them will go to a brand’s website and 62% said they had visited a store in the past month based on a direct mail recommendation. Companies are taking notice and direct mail is becoming a bigger industry every year; even Google sends direct mail to bring in new business.

To sum it up: You should try direct mail in your next marketing campaign!

Want more direct mail stats? 

There are a lot! Check out the links below to see where we got our information for this article. 

• https://magneticmarketing.com/blog/what-is-direct-mailing-as-a-marketing-tactic
• https://neilpatel.com/blog/direct-mail-effectiveness/
• https://www.postcardmania.com/blog/gen-z-direct-mail-marketing/
• https://www.postcardmania.com/blog/direct-mail-statistics/
• https://www.postcardmania.com/blog/what-is-the-average-direct-mail-response-rate/
• https://www.postcardmania.com/blog/the-science-behind-direct-mails-effectiveness/
• https://www.postcardmania.com/blog/direct-mail-yes-or-no/
• https://www.postcardmania.com/blog/direct-mail-statistics-2024/