Art & Design

5 Political Design Musts for Direct Mail

TV might get the most attention, but there’s nothing that compares with direct mail in getting people out to the polls to vote.

It can be mailed to every address in a specific geographical area, it’s less expensive, has pass-along value, and is tangible. It’s also growing in importance as TV ads have become saturated as well as ineffective in reaching certain demographics.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, spending for political mail campaigns reached a record high of $573 million during the 2018 midterm election cycle. That’s 42 percent more than the 2014 midterm, and 11 percent higher than the 2016 presidential cycle.

But to be effective, it has to be done right.

In many ways, political mail isn’t that different from anything else going into the homes of citizens. It must get their attention, build their interest, and prompt them to act – in this case, voting for your candidate or party.

Over time, certain practices have become more successful than others at achieving those goals. Here’s how to get ready for 2020.

1. Pick a format that works, like political postcards

The postcard is the best format to reach voters.

It’s more affordable to print and mail than envelopes or brochures. But you have less space to work with.

With only two sides, you must create a hierarchy of text, images, and graphics – along with white space – that is easy for the reader to follow and act upon.

However, always test. For only a few cents more, a folded self-mailer provides additional room for information and images that support your candidate, party, and message.

2. Keep your copy simple

Use short, succinct headlines. They set the tone as well as the message for the mailpiece.

Underneath, run bullet points and sentence fragments, not long blocks of text. Keep the design simple, with only a few fonts. Surround your copy with lots of white space to guide the reader to your main points and call to action.

And, always remember: Promote benefits, not features.

Talking about a candidate’s background is okay, but only if it frames how it qualifies them for the office they’re seeking. Voters want to know “What’s in it for me?” Answer how your candidate will help solve their problems.

3. Use engaging and inspirational photos

Put the best face on your campaign (and candidate) by using sharp, high-resolution images. Official-looking headshots are fine, but informal and candid action shots help the voter connect with the candidate in a real way.

Again, simplicity rules. Unless your mailpiece is intended only to introduce the candidate – and leave a deeper look at issues for later – keep the number of pictures to just a few to better support your message.

4. Create a strong call to action

Don’t be subtle.

You should never assume that everyone knows when the next election takes place.

So, tell your voters exactly what you want them to do next.

For example:

  •  “Register by [date].”
  • “Vote on [date].”

Also, show them how. Provide clear instructions, like a website address, phone number, or physical location for them to discover much more about your campaign and how to support it, as well as how and where to register and cast their vote.

5. Include certifications for audience appeal

A union bug is a tiny stamp or label on the mailer that represents quality assurance and union-approved conditions in the workplace. Your target audience might look for that small stamp, which sends a positive message about your political candidate’s partnership with the American workforce.

Similarly, an FSC symbol indicates that the printing company is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. It ensures that products – like the paper used in the direct mail piece – come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.

Again, for some audiences, this shows that your campaign and the company it chooses to print its mail aligns with their values.

Similarly, endorsements from special-interest groups – ones that know about and approve of your candidacy – can be the final seal of approval that energizes potential voters.

We’re political direct mail experts!

If you’re searching for more ways to create effective voter outreach mail, you’ve come to the right place! Schedule a time to talk it through with one of our mailing.com direct mail experts, and get a free quote on your next campaign.

Be sure to check out more on art and design, here!

More From the Mailing.com Blog