How Printed Postcards Helped Me Grow My Local Business

 

Running a small business comes with all sorts of challenges. As the owner of a local pet grooming service, I’ve always loved what I do. Working with animals, building trust with their owners, and seeing the joy on people’s faces after a grooming session—it’s the reason I started this business in the first place. But for a long time, I struggled to get new customers through the door.

When I started out, I relied on word of mouth and some social media posts. At first, it worked. Friends and family helped spread the word, and a few clients recommended me to others. But after the first few months, things slowed down. I knew I needed to find a better way to get my business in front of more people. I needed something that felt personal, real, and local. That’s when I found Mailings Direct.

Before finding them, I’d never thought much about using printed postcards or mail for advertising. I thought print was old-fashioned, or maybe too expensive. But I was wrong. One day, while looking for ways to advertise in my area, I came across an article about small businesses using print marketing. That’s where I read about Mailings Direct and how they help with postcard campaigns. I clicked the link and found myself on a simple, easy-to-read website that explained everything clearly. What caught my attention most was their work with direct mail marketing postcards.

The idea of sending a physical postcard straight to someone’s home seemed so simple—but also so smart. It’s not like an email that gets ignored, or a social media ad that disappears in seconds. A postcard is real. People hold it, look at it, and even put it on their fridge. I could already imagine my future customers seeing a cute photo of a freshly groomed dog and thinking, “I need to try this place!”

I decided to contact Mailings Direct and see what they could do. From the start, they were friendly, helpful, and patient. I explained that I was a solo business owner with a limited budget and no experience in marketing. They didn’t make me feel small or unimportant. Instead, they walked me through everything, step by step.

They asked questions about my goals—how many people I wanted to reach, what areas I served, and what kind of message I wanted to send. I told them I wanted to grow my client base within a five-mile radius and offer a 10% discount for first-time customers. They helped me shape that into a clear, warm message that would fit on a postcard.

Their design team was amazing. I sent over a few photos of my grooming work—happy dogs with bows and clean fur—and they created a cheerful, eye-catching postcard. It had my logo, my business name, contact info, and a short personal message from me. It looked friendly, fun, and professional. I couldn’t believe how good it turned out.

Once the design was approved, they handled all the printing and mailing. That part really impressed me. I didn’t have to worry about printing, folding, stamping, or finding addresses. They took care of everything and sent the postcards to carefully chosen households in my area.

Within the first week of the postcards going out, I started getting calls. People mentioned the card when they booked their appointments. One lady even brought it in with her when she came to drop off her golden retriever. She said she loved the picture and had been looking for a local groomer for months but hadn’t known where to start.

That first campaign brought me over 30 new customers in just a few weeks. And many of those new clients became regulars. The response was better than I ever expected. Some of my older clients even called to say they loved the postcard and were happy to see my business growing.

It was then that I realized just how powerful printed mail can be—especially when it’s done right. The postcards helped me connect with people in a way that felt personal and thoughtful. It wasn’t just an ad. It was a real invitation from a local business owner to potential clients in their own neighbourhood.

After that success, I kept working with Mailings Direct. I sent out postcards every few months to stay in touch, share special offers, and say thank you to my customers. We did a holiday-themed card in December and a summer grooming reminder in July. Each time, the team made it easy. They were organized, fast, and always ready to help with ideas.

Along the way, I also learned more about how important it is to work with experts. Before Mailings Direct, I had searched for local printing companies near me, hoping to find someone nearby who could help. But the truth is, being close doesn’t always mean being the best. What I needed wasn’t just a printer—I needed a team that understood marketing, design, delivery, and most importantly, how to help small businesses grow.

Mailings Direct had all of that. They weren’t just printing my postcards—they were helping me shape my message, target the right people, and get the most out of every pound I spent. That made a huge difference. I never felt like I was wasting money or guessing in the dark. I knew I was getting real value.

Another thing I appreciated was how flexible they were. They worked within my budget and gave me different options depending on how many cards I wanted to send. There was no pressure to go bigger than I was ready for. That kind of respect and support meant a lot to me, especially in the early stages of growing my business.

Over time, my customer list grew steadily. I was able to hire a part-time assistant and invest in better equipment. I even moved to a slightly larger space that allowed me to take more bookings. All of that growth started with that first postcard campaign.

Looking back now, it’s hard to believe I almost didn’t do it. I thought it would be too hard or too expensive. I thought print marketing was only for big companies. But I was wrong. All it took was finding the right partner—someone who could make it easy, affordable, and effective.

If you’re a small business owner like me, and you’re struggling to get noticed, I can honestly say that printed postcards are worth trying. They work. And Mailings Direct is the team to trust with that job. They’re not just a company—they’re a real part of my success story.

Every time I see one of my postcards on a client’s fridge or bulletin board, it reminds me that real, simple connections still matter. In a world full of digital noise, a physical postcard can cut through and make someone smile. And that smile? That’s the beginning of a new customer relationship.

So, to anyone who’s on the fence about trying mail marketing, I say go for it. Give it a try. Start small if you need to. But don’t miss the chance to reach people in a way that feels real and personal. I’m glad I took that chance. It changed my business for the better—and it could do the same for yours.

And if you want it done right, take my advice and reach out to Mailings Direct. They know what they’re doing, and they’ll help you every step of the way—just like they helped me.