These days, it’s never been easier to land your marketing message in front of a customer. The challenge is getting them to take notice and take what you’re saying to heart. How can you make your messages more meaningful?

This was the question under discussion at an Economist Conferences webinar on December 8, sponsored by Royal Mail.

You can now watch the webinar on demand, read edited highlights from the transcript, or read the transcript in full  to find out their answers to these questions:

• How do you drive deeper engagement to your brand and convert that into sales?
• What’s one Facebook “like” worth to a brand – and how can a brand convert this to a sale?
• How can marketers optimise their mix of direct marketing, social media and other marketing channels to improve ROI?

In a rush? Then watch edited highlights on: Remixing your marketing mix , Data is the new oil and How to turn Facebook ‘likes’ into sales. 

Interested in finding out more?

This page aims to explore the issue of integrating direct mail and social media marketing in more depth.

Learn from the experts and other companies like yours how to make direct mail support your digital, and in particular, social marketing activities.

Just click on the links below for research, advice, opinion pieces from industry experts and case studies from leading brands.

Why direct mail and social media are a marriage made in heaven

For some, direct mail is seen as expensive, difficult to track and archaic. Social on the other hand is seen as cheap, infinitely trackable and a means to engage (prospective) customers in dialogue. Darren James, Partner, Digital Strategy at engagement marketing agency TDA, passes on his thoughts and advice to maximise the opportunities posed by combining direct mail and social media channels in campaigns.

The value of social media in B2B marketing

Beyond ‘doing’ social media, how can businesses best convert conversations into sales? For VP of Product Development at Dukky, Dominique Ellis, social media is a networking tool which can leads to sales, especially in the B2B market. She passes on her expert advice on what to say, how to say it and to whom. Read in full.

r-cubed ‘Fred Ginger Ransom’ direct mail and social media campaign

r-cubed sent potential customers a ransom note declaring that a fictional character, Fred Ginger the gingerbread man, had been kidnapped. They were directed online to The R3 Team - a specialist data unit who promised to save Fred, along with the recipient's marketing budgets. Read in full.

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  Fast Facts: Direct mail and social media
  

  Research proves that direct mail significantly enhances the effectiveness of social media campaigns.

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  Join the conversation now
  

  This new video from Royal Mail explains the value in integrating direct mail with social media to maximise the impact of campaigns.

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  Why the consumer purchase journey is now social
  

  Richard Anson, CEO of Reevoo, explains why social information is so highly rated by consumers - including recommendations by friends and via Facebook. He also provides six handy hints.

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  Reasons to integrate direct mail with digital routes
  

  Find out more about how successful the integration of mail, mobile and digital routes can be in targeting prospects, aiding customer engagement and evaluating campaigns.

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  Who is using social media and how to engage them
  

  Guy Phillipson from the Internet Advertising Bureau talks about why social media is not confined to today's 'youth' but spans all age groups.

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  Why one plus one still equals three in integrated campaigns
  

  Consultant Martin Thomas provides the reasons why integrating direct mail with social media is so important to help maximise marketing results.

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  Google's direct mailer is forward-thinking
  

  AccurateLeads explains why direct mail is still one of the master forerunners in marketing and how it can work so well alongside social media as part of an integrated campaign.

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  CoppaFeel! 'Boob Hijack' direct mail and online campaign
  

  Archibald Ingall Stretton worked with breast cancer charity CoppaFeel! to develop a campaign using live TV, a mailer, the internet and thousands of stickers to raise awareness of breast cancer.

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  Ikea 'Everyone is a designer' direct mail and online campaign
  

  Ikea and MEC Active Engagement proved that trendy glasses were an easy way to 'up' Ikea's fashion appeal with a direct mail, online campaign and prize draw.

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  Chevrolet 'The ad you would keep' direct mail and social media campaign
  

  WMcCann Brazil raced away with a personalised mailing. Each recipient got their own URL and access to a personalised video - over 90% watched their video and many shared them.