Successful Direct Marketing Methods - Essay Example

In most cases, the customers are repeatedly approached by the salesperson as direct marketing generally deals with consumer goods like food, beverages, stationery, or cosmetics. In this facet of marketing, the creation of an up-to-date customer database can save time, money incurred for traveling or communication, and the physical strain of frequent visits. Moreover, it ensures repeated business as the database regulates proximity with select customers. The process of making a customer database involves the stages like selecting customers to enroll in the list and keeping the track of customer data, studying buying capacity and needs of the customer, collecting details of contact information and buying habits of the target customer, etc (Stones & Jacobs, 10-12).

These stages simplify the progress of the business volume in direct marketing by all means. Direct mail plays a vital role in formulating a direct marketing business. It is the most effective way of advertising where large numbers of customers are addressed at a single unit of time. Business people of various trades and organizations with personal-related activities use this technique to stimulate and maximize the potential response of the target groups. Almost everything in business is possible through advertising via a direct mail system.

The preparation and maintenance of a customer database help in the operation of a very effective time-scale in the business process. In most cases, direct marketing is to be prompt and quick action for the stability of the business flow. Intact business volume levels are met by the application of an effective time scale. It promotes the pace of operation the time involved in each activity is bound to a scaled time pattern required for accomplishing a job. Scheduled activities only can create the credibility of the business unit among its customers.

This faith improves sales and the trade volume of the organization increases with a combination of values. Recognition of the product in the market is guaranteed by the value of service-oriented by the provider or the quality of the product in trade. Along with the struggle for survival, many a company plans to introduce product mix and value-added services to promote the trade volume. Sometimes, the management of stock in trade goes panicked with misappropriation of funds and accounts. These chances of flaws can be eliminated if the business works out strong database management.

Continuous performance appraisal system must be accessible to sales personals in order to stimulate the sale process much to the effect of the company. Connecting people to the sales indent is the main work of the direct marketer, who should make sales inquiries through mails, email, telephonic conversations, and personal visits. The operation of a customer database helps the marketing manager to execute the task of integrating activities of various staff levels raging from market surveyors to the order processing team.

This task keeps the momentum go with the expected growth of business volume from both existing and new customers. A computerized database of the customers performs strategic market research, studies the market conditions in relation to the competitor product, and submits the report to the manager from time to time. Thus it becomes easy for him to take prompt actions. Direct marketing involves software applications in the maintenance of information related to business. A strong application facilitates comparative studies on competitor strategies and suggests timely negotiations.

An uninterrupted sales reporting mechanism can build progressive tracks in the direct marketing trade. Therefore it is important to see that the customer database has the provisions for technical advancements pertaining to needs. Consolidated handling of technology and personnel assures the easy management of external affairs of the business. It is also required largely for the telemarketing of the product. Technical advancement in the field of direct marketing results in easy processing of business, therefore the group should have regular training sessions to develop the sales personnel’s knowledge and skills in relevant fields of marketing.