It is important to establish regular communication with your customers to increase the frequency of your customers' purchases. One of the best times to suggest a product or service to a customer is right after they make a purchase. Including a special offer with a purchased item can oftentimes trigger another purchase.

Let's say that you are shipping an ordered item to a customer. What do we know?

• We know that this is someone who is willing to purchase from you (obviously).
• We know that this is someone who responds positively to your marketing.
• We know that this customer is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the package.
• We know that your products are capable of meeting the customer's needs.
• We know that the shipping costs are already paid for (either by you or the customer).
• And we know that the customer is going to open the package.

This sounds like a pretty good candidate for direct marketing. And including a special offer with a purchased item is a pretty savvy way to cost effectively communicate with a receptive audience.

Include your catalog in with the purchased item. Add a post card sized advertisement into your packages. If your business is done through the internet then include a special offer with the order confirmation email.

Making the special offer time sensitive is also advantageous. Try to persuade customers to purchase an additional item while the satisfaction of receiving the original item is fresh in their minds.

Special offers are not the only type of communication that can be included with purchased items. Thank you notes, questionnaires, and referral forms are reasonable additions as well. Think creatively when developing a message to include with purchased items. And make certain that the communication is of value to your customers.

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