Over the last year, business owners have sent out more than 114 billion pieces of direct mail. So how do you make sure that coupon you’re sending out to the neighborhood gets noticed? Direct mail company Money Mailer offers the following tips to ensure that your coupons are both appealing and efficient:

> Keep the layout of the coupon simple. You want the coupon direct and to the point. Too much clutter causes the customer to skim over the important savings.

> Highlight or bold key messages. The company name, the offer, and phrases such as “buy one get one free” should stand out from the rest of the information.

> Add color to your coupon. Using color will help your coupon stand out from the pile of black and white ones the consumer receives.

> Use pictures when possible. If your coupon offers 10% off a manicure or product, use clip art of a woman’s hand to add a picture to your coupon. This will help the consumer find easily what she is looking for in the coupon pack.

> Don’t use too many graphics. An overload of pictures or colors makes the coupon appear tacky.

> Try not to have too many restrictions on the coupon, but describe any restrictions the coupon may have clearly. The expiration date or minimum money amounts should be clearly displayed to avoid confusion by customers. For more information on Money Mailer, go to moneymailer.com.

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