All About Debts

We are all so inundated with advertising these days that we barely take note any more. Statistics show that it takes an ever-climbing number of impressions before our customers take note of us, too. The quest for new, attention-getting mediums is one that every marketer pursues. The Holy Grail is the one that brings about immediate and consistent responses. Would you believe that a ghost from the past is now the bright and shining star of the marketing future?

Debt Help Paul Kearns of www.telemessage.co.uk, recently spoke with me about an amazing marketing tool his clients have used to get consistent response rates of 50% and higher. What is it? Telemessages.

Problem debt is growing at a faster rate than overall unsecured debt, according to the latest statistics

Counseling Debt KARON: Hi Paul... I'm excited about speaking with you! I can't honestly say that I would have considered the use of telemessages prior to our emails.

Credit card and even more so Store card interest are set at exorbitant rates for one reason alone, companies make their money from the consumer’s inability to settle their card balances. Credit card debt is unsecured, whereas other debt like your mortgage is secured (your home acts as security against your debt). With credit card debt, there is no backing security, which means that credit card debt is high risk for banks and hence the high interest rates

Consolidation Consumer Debt PAUL: Glad to be of help, Karon.

How to stop three quarters of your money going down the drain. South Africans now spend 75% of their monthly income on debt repayments! That's three quarters of every Rand earned! And considering that your cheapest debt is costing you probably at least 11% interest a year, your average debt about 23%, your most expensive debt possibly 40% and old debt 50% per annum, what this all adds up to is that most of your money is going down the drain (or to make the banks richer, if you prefer!).

Debt Settlement KARON: Let's start with the basics. What are telemessages? Are they just revamped "telegrams?"

//EzineArticles. expert=Alan_Lim debt Debt Consolidation Is It The Answer To Your Worries People contemplate loans consolidation debt when they have enabled their debt to get out of hand. Loan consolidation is an excellent way to get some control over your finances. As you are able to get lower interest rates for a fixed period and the ease that comes from having only one payment to make each month, your loan consolidation debt is usually much easier to manage than other forms of debt.

Debt Free PAUL: Well, yes and no. The traditional delivery method has changed ... we no longer employ small armies of boys and their bicycles to deliver the message. In the UK, we achieve 99.9% next day delivery via the Royal Mail. Despite the historical decline during the 1980's and early 90's the service is once again coming into its own. Last year alone over 2 million UK telegrams were sent.

A debt consolidation mortgage loan is often advisable when someone is paying off credit card debt. Credit cards can carry a much larger interest rate than even an unsecured loan from a bank. Homeowners will usually get a lower rate through a secured loan using their property as collateral. Another possible advantage is that interest you pay on your debt consolidation loan may be tax deductible. Your tax consultant can advise you on the matter,

Consolidation Debt Service KARON: So where did the name "Telemessage" come from?

Company Consolidation Debt PAUL: "Telemessage" is the brand name of the UK telegram. International telegrams are still sent for important announcements, memorable events, and congratulatory messages. The UK acts as a conduit for telegram administrations all over the world. There are a number of 'bespoke' telegram products too, like WeddingGram, BabyGram, and SantaGram. In fact, one of the exciting parts of my job is to contribute to the development of new telegram products and applications.

Consolidation Debt Online KARON: How very inventive! So, what made you decide to use them in the marketing arena?

Consolidation Debt Free PAUL: It was a natural progression really. Some of our customers began using Telemessages for crisis management and product recall. Then, because of the cost effectiveness and outstanding response rates, we received more and more requests from companies and agencies wanting to use our service for direct mailings.

Debt Problem KARON: But if you send them to anybody and everybody, won't they quickly lose their effectiveness?

Credit Debt PAUL: Well, a cynic might suggest that we'd sell them to anyone who's interested... but nothing could be further from the truth. You're right, Karon... part of the strength and power of the telegram is the important or urgent message it carries.

Advice Debt KARON: So this is more of a specialized mailing, then? Or is this something to take the place of weekly or monthly direct mail pieces?

Card Credit Debt Eliminate PAUL: Well, so far, studies show that repeated usage does not significantly affect response rates!

Debt Recovery KARON: How's that?

Counseling Credit Debt PAUL: Because of the anonymity of the bright yellow envelope, the recipient can never be sure what lies inside. It might be a legal notice, it might be a message from a friend (like the BabyGram), it could be even be a message from the Queen!

Consolidation Debt Uk KARON: So, let me make an assumption here... the "response rate" is much greater for telemessages than for standard direct mail, right?

Debt Reduce PAUL: Significantly! Response rates of over 50% are regularly achieved. Telemessages have huge doorstep impact.

Get Out Of Debt KARON: Yeah... I rather thought so. But, Paul, there are all sorts of specialized envelopes out there. What makes the difference?

Debt Destroy PAUL: Well, it's a perception that comes with a "telegram." People perceive telegrams as important legal documents and respond accordingly. Many companies also use the telegram as a stage in their debt recovery process. They regularly record response rates in excess of 60%. Lloyds Bank recently told us they got 78% response from one mailing!

Debt Negotiation KARON: Wow! That is huge! You also had a great response with a fundraising company you recently worked with (who has chosen to remain nameless). They didn't get 50% but did do quite well for someone soliciting donations.

Debt Elimination PAUL: Oh, yes! The charity was responding to a crisis. They needed resources and action fast. They chose Telemessage because of our quick turnaround times. (I like to think that our friendly and flexible approach also helped!)

Consolidation Debt Mortgage KARON: Oh, I'm sure it did ! How many messages did they send?

Collection Debt PAUL: Over 50,000 requests for donations.

Card Consolidate Credit Debt KARON: And what response rate did they get?

Consolidation Debt Help PAUL: 20% - MUCH greater than direct mail.

Consolidation Credit Debt KARON: So what did this type of campaign cost them?

Bill Consolidation Debt PAUL: £0.59p (US 83 cents) per item including Value Added Tax (17.5%) which they, as a charity will be able to reclaim. Ordinarily, unit costs range between 46p (64 cents) and 86p ($1.21) depending on volumes.

Consolidator Debt KARON: And that includes the stationery, setup and postage, right?

Card Credit Debt Management PAUL: Yes.

Debt Loan KARON: That is very cost effective! So then, let me ask you this... what are the contributing factors for a great campaign?

Bad Debt PAUL: It really depends on the message. We can be sure that the envelope gets opened, and even provide advice as to the style of verbiage (simple, clear messages, headlines, bullet points, post-scripts, and anonymous messages ending with a call to action), etc. Bread, butter and jam for copywriters, ehhh Karon? But ultimately the strength of response will depend on the USP. Telemessage is ideal for urgent and important messages. To quote just one of our customers, ITV Digital, who used the telegram to confirm appointments for new connections ... 'This has proven to be a very useful method in contacting our customers.' They achieved over 50% response, which they judged to be excellent.

Consolidation Debt Quote KARON: Great info, Paul! I really appreciate your insights into this powerful "revived" medium.

Card Credit Debt Elimination PAUL: It's a pleasure Karon, pop by for a cup of tea next time you're in England!

Consolidation Debt Lead KARON: Will do!

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Debt Loan Student Most buying decisions are emotional. Your ad copy should be, too! Karon is President & CEO of Marketing Words, Inc. who offers targeted copywriting, search engine copywriting, and ezine article writing. Subscribe to Karon's free ezine at http://www.marketingwords.com/ezine.html or visit her site at http://www.marketingwords.com. You can also learn to write you own powerful copy at http://www.copywritingcourse.com .

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