Designing Direct Mail That Sells

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Summary: Practical and Useful Information
Review: "Designing Direct Mail That Sells" offers practical advice, tips for success, plenty of definitions, plus a great collection of samples and sources for inspiration. Written by a direct mail specialist with many years in the business, this book is for people actually working in the trenches.

Blum explains the "whys" and "hows" behind bursts and stickers; how to test a direct mail piece; creating an effective package, envelope, response card and brochure; and designing self-mailers and 3-D or oversized pieces. She also defines such direct mail lingo as "lift letters," "freemiums," etc.

Even more edifying are the book's sidebars, which provide advice from direct mail specialists, test and design tips, formatting advice and other valuable tricks.

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Summary: Designing Direct Mail That Sells - This Book Really Sells
Review: I've been involved in Direct Response Mail for many years. Sure wish I had this when I started. Would have saved me headaches, frustration and money.

Now that I've learned from hard knocks, I find this book just as useful, as a reminder, as a fine tuner and as a classic illustration of right and wrong, what to do and what to avoid.

Rating:
Summary: Read the Title
Review: The two reviewers who say "not cutting edge", "filled with junk mail I get everyday", "no creative ideas" obviously miss the point. Designing Direct Mail that Sells is exactly about why the junk mail you get everyday brings in billions of dollars in sales every year and how to do that kind of direct mail. It is about the mail hundreds of companies and publishers do, test in the market, and pay designers quite handsomely for. It is not about "cutting edge" design that wins design awards or the newest trends. What it is about, very simply, is understanding how to create everyday direct mail that actually gets people to respond and buy something. You can stick up your nose at it, but you can't just dismiss it.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book
Review: This has got to be the worst "graphic design" book I have ever seen. It showcases designers and their various works, and you have to wonder, did they even go to art school? I seriously thought it was a joke that the author thought their work was so "cutting edge." I guarantee no designer would want this book. In fact, I would do anything to get my money back, but I guess that's what happens when you buy books online.