1. White is always a safe color for envelopes, and white, # 10 sized envelopes with first classstamps on them are more attention getting than metered letters.
2. You have only three seconds to “get” someone to open an envelope.
3. Invitation sized envelopes tend to get opened before regular ones.
4. Handwritten addresses trigger a greater level of curiosity than do printed ones.
5. If you are using a teaser on the envelope, make certain that it applies to the receiver.
6. Mass mailings only work if they go to carefully selected, target audiences.
7. If you are going let people know that a “free gift” is enclosed in your mail, make certain that it would be one that is helpful to the receiver.
8. If you have a product and deal with resellers, let them know if they can mark it up and still be highly competitive.
9. You can get free publicity in newspapers and on radio if you provide free training sessions. Just send a press release that provides the details that can be provided in a “community calendar.”
10. If you have a brick and mortar store, arrange the aisles to direct the flow of traffic through the store past those items most likely to attract the eye and trigger the impulse to purchase.
11. Do a good turn and reduce staffing costs by setting up a student intern program. The students profit by gaining experience (do screen and train with care). Letting the local news agencies know about the program is a great way to trigger good publicity.
12. Build brand recognition by remembering that “snappy” press releases that equal one inch of column space are likely to get printed since most papers need fillers. Get to know the editor. Get to know the reporters that cover the business beat and feed them stories about newsworthy events -- then when you have a story about your company, it is more likely to get printed.
13. Get into the Chamber habit – if it is business focused, and get on the committees that most closely relate to your business focus.
14. Hold a contest – design a contest and have prizes such as T shirts or hats with your company’s logo on them. The winners become walking billboards for your company, and the publicity is both valuable and free.

So, what’s the real message of this article – be creative, make use of your resources, and be consistent in your efforts. Success is in your hands, and with a little imagination, you can step out ahead of your competition.