Promotional materials for packages
Offline marketing

Package inserts Advertising: Effective marketing through enclosed advertising materials

In times of dominant digital advertising, one might think that traditional marketing methods are becoming less important. But package insert advertising remains an effective way to reach customers directly and increase brand awareness. Imagine opening a long-awaited package and finding a voucher for your next purchase next to the product - we use this surprise when advertising package inserts. In this article you will learn why this method is so effective and how you can use it successfully.

Reading time: about 9 minutes
Moritz Lambrecht
Moritz Lambrecht
July 24, 2024

Definition

What is package insert advertising?

Package inserts advertising refers to the practice of including advertising materials such as flyers, brochures, vouchers or product samples in the appropriate format (DIN) in packages of online orders. These inserts offer brands the opportunity to get their print advertising directly into the hands of potential customers.

Success factors

What makes package insert advertising so successful?

1. Logistics effort that is worth it: Direct customer contact

Package inserts through shipping reach customers in a very direct way. Unlike digital ads, which are often overlooked or ignored, these promotional materials (brochures, catalogs, media inserts, etc.) end up directly in the hands of customers. The likelihood that they will be noticed and read is therefore much higher.

2. High attention through shipments of goods

Customers open packages with a certain amount of anticipation and attention. This positive attitude is also transferred to the accompanying advertising materials, which leads to greater acceptance and positive perception. An interested person becomes a new customer.

3. Maximum target group orientation equals more sales

By choosing the right partners for package inserts, you can ensure that your advertising materials reach exactly the target group you want to address. For example, cosmetic companies can include their products in packages from beauty online shops.

4. Cost efficiency in print advertising measures

Compared to other advertising methods, the costs of package inserts are relatively low. The printing costs for flyers or vouchers are manageable, and the shipping costs can be shared through collaborations with other companies.

Implement package inserts marketing successfully

Steps for the successful implementation of package inserts marketing

1. Goal setting and strategy development to reach customers

As with any marketing campaign, you should first define clear goals. Do you want to increase brand awareness, attract new customers or increase sales of a specific product? These goals will influence your strategy and the design of promotional materials.

2. Find a suitable partner

In order to reach the right target group, choosing the right partner is crucial. Look for e-commerce companies that have a similar audience but are not direct competitors. A good partnership can benefit both sides.

3. Design of advertising materials

The design of advertising materials is the key to success. Here are some tips:

  • Clear design: The design should be attractive and professional, but not overloaded. The design should of course also fit your branding and the target group.
  • Valuable content: Offer added value, such as exclusive discounts or useful information.
  • Call-to-action: A clear call to action from the sender, such as “Get a 20% discount now!”, motivates customers to take action.
  • Personalization: If possible, personalize the inserts to build a stronger bond with the customer.

4. Production and logistics for dialogue marketing

After the advertising materials have been designed, they go into production. Make sure to choose high-quality materials that leave a good impression. In collaboration with your partner, you coordinate the logistics so that the inserts can be integrated smoothly into the packages.

5. Success measurement and analysis of the package inserts

Monitoring and analyzing your package inserts campaigns is essential to measuring success and optimizing future strategies. Here are some methods you can use:

  • A/B Testing: A/B testing is a great way to test different versions of your promotional materials. Divide your target audience into two or more groups and send them different inserts. Analyze the results to find out which version performs best. This will help you make data-based decisions for future campaigns.
  • Surveys: Conduct surveys with your customers to get direct feedback on package inserts. Ask for their opinion on the design, content and relevance of the supplements. This qualitative feedback can provide valuable insights and help you further improve promotional materials.
  • Detailed Sales Data Analytics: Track sales data and analyze how package inserts impact sales. Use special discount codes or QR codes that are only included in the inserts to be able to measure success directly. Monitor voucher redemption rates and website traffic to quantify the direct impact of inserts.
  • Return on Investment (ROI): Calculate the ROI of your campaign by comparing the costs of producing and distributing the inserts with the revenue generated. A positive ROI shows that the campaign was successful and added value to your business.

Long-term effects: Also analyze the long-term effects of package insert advertising, such as increasing brand awareness and customer loyalty. Although these aspects are more difficult to measure, they can be seen through repeat customers and increased brand loyalty.

Examples of success

Successful examples from practice for package inserts to acquire new customers

The following two case studies illustrate the effectiveness of package inserts as a marketing tool by including targeted advertising materials in a practical DIN format and thereby attracting the attention of recipients. Through the careful selection of partners and the efficient handling of the supplement campaigns, both a cosmetics company and a fitness equipment manufacturer were able to achieve significant success. The inserts that were integrated into the packages and sent contained vouchers and product samples and offered high added value for the recipients. Compensation for the barter deals between the cooperating companies made it possible to keep costs low while achieving a high reach, which further increased the effectiveness of the mailing campaign.

Case Study 1: Cosmetics company and beauty box provider

A well-known cosmetics company decided to include product samples and vouchers in the beauty boxes of a popular online shop. The target group of this mail order company consists of beauty enthusiasts who like to try out new products. The print supplement consisted of high-quality product samples and an attractively designed flyer in DIN format that contained a voucher for your next purchase. These package inserts were carefully integrated into the packages and sent, significantly increasing the added value for the recipients. The campaign was a great success: the cosmetics company's website recorded a significant increase in visitor numbers and the vouchers were redeemed in large numbers. Through the targeted selection of partners who addressed the same target group, wastage could be minimized. The package insert campaign enabled both companies to benefit from the cooperation without having to incur high costs.

Case Study 2: Fitness equipment manufacturer and sporting goods retailer

A fitness equipment manufacturer partnered with an online sporting goods retailer to conduct a targeted marketing campaign through package inserts. The insert in the sporting goods retailer's packages included detailed training plans and discount codes for fitness equipment. These package inserts were designed in DIN format and included in the packages sent by the sporting goods retailer. The sporting goods retailer's target group, which already showed a strong interest in fitness and sport, reacted extremely positively to these supplements. The added value of the enclosed materials convinced the recipients, which led to a significant increase in sales. Here too, the careful selection of the partner and the efficient execution of the campaign ensured that both companies benefited from the cooperation. The use of trackable downloads and discount codes enabled precise measurement of campaign effectiveness and demonstrated the promotional effect of the inserts.

Success factors

Additional tips and tricks for successful package insert advertising

To maximize the success of your package insert advertising, there are some additional tips and tricks you should keep in mind:

  1. Test and optimize the design of the advertising materials: Before you produce the final advertising materials, you should test different designs and content. A/B testing can help you figure out which design works best with your target audience. Test different layouts, colors, fonts, and messaging to determine the most effective option. Feedback from a small test group can also provide valuable insight.
  2. Build effective collaborations with partners: Choosing the right partners is crucial to the success of your campaign. Look for e-commerce companies whose target group matches your brand but is not a direct competitor. Agree clear terms and expectations with your partners to ensure smooth collaboration. Good communication and a win-win situation for both sides are the key to successful cooperation.
  3. Personalization and segmentation: If possible, personalize inserts to build a stronger connection with recipients. This can be done through the use of names, specific offers or relevant content. Segment your target group and adapt the advertising materials to the different needs and interests of the segments.

Creative and Innovative Content: Surprise customers with creative and unexpected content to grab their attention. This could be done through interactive elements, unusual formats or exclusive offers. The more unique and appealing the supplements are, the more likely they are to be perceived and used positively.

Conclusion

Use package inserts for successful marketing

Package inserts are an extremely effective and cost-effective method of Offline Performance Marketing to target marketing campaigns directly to the target group by including promotional materials such as flyers, vouchers and product samples in packages. This form of advertising offers a high added value because the advertising materials reach the recipients directly and thus enjoy greater attention and acceptance. Through the targeted selection of online shops as senders, wastage can be minimized and the processing of insert advertising can be made efficient. A well-designed flyer in DIN format or an attractive voucher can significantly promote new customer acquisition. Brands can enter into partnerships through barter deals, for example, in which both sides benefit from the mutual application. The accompanying promotional materials sent in the packages should be high quality and attractive to convince recipients and promote positive brand perception. In addition, the use of CTAs (call-to-actions) or voucher codes, QR codes and other measures enable precise measurement and optimization of the campaign. Through careful planning and execution, the package insert can be used as a promotional tool to increase brand awareness and increase sales.

Does that sound exciting? Do you also want to use package inserts for your advertising purposes? We are the right partner and will help you implement your print campaigns! Our goal is for your brand to continually grow and be taken to the next level. Get started now with package inserts!

Frequently asked questions and answers about advertising package inserts

Moritz Lambrecht

About the author

Moritz is an expert in data-driven influencer marketing as well as co-founder and CEO of the influencer marketing agency Ad Specialist. Together with his team, he has already implemented over 10,000 influencer campaigns and managed more than €50 million in advertising budgets for customers such as HelloFresh, Emma, ​​Clark, mymuesli and many other well-known e-commerce companies. His focus is on helping e-commerce companies grow profitably through creative and measurable influencer marketing strategies on channels such as YouTube, Instagram and Twitch.

Through his performance-oriented and effective approach, he has built a reputation as a leading expert and speaker in German e-commerce. In this blog - as well as on LinkedIn and his YouTube channel - he regularly shares valuable insights about data-driven influencer marketing.

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