Lumpy Mail

[andyb28]

I am a regular listener of the James Sinclair Podcast. For those that haven't listened, I highly recommend it, its really helped me over the last few years to grow in the right direction.

One of the things James says, which makes sense to me is about sending lumpy mail. So, perhaps you have been to see a potential lead and they are interested but its gone quiet. In our industry (IT), we have to wait for their existing contract to end, so this is very common.

Sending them something to remind them that you exist is better than a phone call or email. (its lumpy because its more than a letter). So for him, he has a business called Teddy tastic and obviously sends some teddy bears, easy for him.

I just wondered if any one had seen something a bit better than the boring branded gifts like pens, mugs, usb sticks etc that are relevant to IT or the service industry? I have looked on loads of merch type websites, but its all the same old tat.

[Ham_and_Jam]

andyb28 said:

I am a regular listener of the James Sinclair Podcast. For those that haven't listened, I highly recommend it, its really helped me over the last few years to grow in the right direction.

One of the things James says, which makes sense to me is about sending lumpy mail. So, perhaps you have been to see a potential lead and they are interested but its gone quiet. In our industry (IT), we have to wait for their existing contract to end, so this is very common.

Sending them something to remind them that you exist is better than a phone call or email. (its lumpy because its more than a letter). So for him, he has a business called Teddy tastic and obviously sends some teddy bears, easy for him.

I just wondered if any one had seen something a bit better than the boring branded gifts like pens, mugs, usb sticks etc that are relevant to IT or the service industry? I have looked on loads of merch type websites, but its all the same old tat.

Can’t add to your question, but I like the companies that send you pens. I have quite a collection, but have never ordered anything from those businesses.

Always thought they must be spending a lot on lead generation.

[Simpo Two]

andyb28 said:

I just wondered if any one had seen something a bit better than the boring branded gifts like pens, mugs, usb sticks etc that are relevant to IT or the service industry? I have looked on loads of merch type websites, but its all the same old tat.

I used 10cm3 blockpads with my business name, bullet points and phone number on the sides. I rarely posted them, but left them after meeting prospects as an 'aide memoir' that was actually likely to get used and also rent some space on their desk.

[DSLiverpool]

andyb28 said:

I am a regular listener of the James Sinclair Podcast. For those that haven't listened, I highly recommend it, its really helped me over the last few years to grow in the right direction.

One of the things James says, which makes sense to me is about sending lumpy mail. So, perhaps you have been to see a potential lead and they are interested but its gone quiet. In our industry (IT), we have to wait for their existing contract to end, so this is very common.

Sending them something to remind them that you exist is better than a phone call or email. (its lumpy because its more than a letter). So for him, he has a business called Teddy tastic and obviously sends some teddy bears, easy for him.

I just wondered if any one had seen something a bit better than the boring branded gifts like pens, mugs, usb sticks etc that are relevant to IT or the service industry? I have looked on loads of merch type websites, but its all the same old tat.

Yep I’ve always done exactly that with these. Handy, can be branded and very tactile

[andyb28]

DSLiverpool said:

Yep I’ve always done exactly that with these. Handy, can be branded and very tactile

Thank you DS, this is very helpful and has given me a new direction to look in.

[ecs]

This is going to be no use because it's for something totally different, but the best thing I ever received was one of these:



Not only did it tell you who the company were and how to contact them, but it also showed you all the limitations and how to get the most of their service (low volume/prototype injection moulding services). Not sure how to replicate this concept for IT, but that's why I'm not a marketer.

I love getting a pen or a notepad but all it does is tell me that you exist until I lose the pen or run out of sticky notes on your pad. A lot of companies ban their employees from using USB drives, especially random ones received in the post too!

[Simpo Two]

ecs said:

I love getting a pen or a notepad but all it does is tell me that you exist until I lose the pen or run out of sticky notes on your pad.

But the batteries in those torches will go flat and the torches will then add to the pile of Chinese-inspired landfill. Adopting the 'eco' game for a moment, paper makes more sense than plastic and lithium...

[andyb28]

Only today when looking at branded torches did I realise that you can get them that project your logo. So it slots in very nicely with a bat signal type campaign.

[shirt]

Simpo Two said:

I used 10cm3 blockpads with my business name, bullet points and phone number on the sides. I rarely posted them, but left them after meeting prospects as an 'aide memoir' that was actually likely to get used and also rent some space on their desk.

I miss dealing with Cummins, as they kept me supplied with A2 deskpads.

Those, and a genuine Lego Wartsila engine, are the only things I will keep. Torches and stuff are mainly st quality.

Edited by shirt on Thursday 20th February 14:17

[Simpo Two]

andyb28 said:

Only today when looking at branded torches did I realise that you can get them that project your logo. So it slots in very nicely with a bat signal type campaign.

But wouldn't your prospect/client rather have a useful torch than something that just projects somebody else's logo? Which is more likely to be used/kept? What's the objective?

andyb28 said:

Sending them something to remind them that you exist is better than a phone call or email.

I'm not convinced.

[Frimley111R]

Send teddy bears too?

Lumpy mail is a fun phrase but postage is expensive unless you really know that you have a very good chance of winning these clients.

[Mr Overheads]

You've got to check out Louis Sandford and The Lumpy Mail Shop.

He sends things like a Cucumber with Vaseline, a mannequins arm etc etc,.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-sandford/?origin...

[andyb28]

Mr Overheads said:

You've got to check out Louis Sandford and The Lumpy Mail Shop.

He sends things like a Cucumber with Vaseline, a mannequins arm etc etc,.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-sandford/?origin...

Hah, I cant believe there is a Lumpy Mail Shop!!! Thats quite something.
Thanks for letting me know.

[NDA]

My company sent numerous corporate gifts/reminders over the years. The most popular, by far, were our branded Swiss Army knives - the small keyring version.

[Simpo Two]

andyb28 said:

Mr Overheads said:

You've got to check out Louis Sandford and The Lumpy Mail Shop.

He sends things like a Cucumber with Vaseline, a mannequins arm etc etc,.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-sandford/?origin...

Hah, I cant believe there is a Lumpy Mail Shop!!! Thats quite something.
Thanks for letting me know.

If anyone trying to sell me something sends me a cucumber and vaseline he'll be straight on the list headed 'Never buy anything from this ahole'.



The Swiss Army Knife is good.

[RC1807]

I haven’t used the lumpy mail website to buy content from, but I have used lumpy mail as outreach, instead of cold calling or emails.
It worked a few times and I’ve sold some solutions to major FIs as a result. I work in SaaS.
I sent bars of chocolate with a (cheeky) letter in padded envelopes.