2nd Quarter Was Good to Catalog Marketers

Catalog circulation rose 2.5% in the second quarter of 2011, generating a 1.6% upturn in demand for merchandise when compared with the same quarter last year, according to a Tully & Holland report focusing on consumer print catalog performance. Growth was strongest for sellers of high-priced items, indicating upscale consumers were still in the market despite the weak economy. But catalog marketers may not want to celebrate yet: Third quarter sales are already looking less robust. For more details, go to http://chiefmarketer.com/Channels/directmail/catalog-merchandise-demand-quarter-0825rhl3/index.html

E-mail Wins With Early Birds and Second Chances

Here are two recent e-mail marketing tips that can boost results. First, woo the early birds: E-mail messages with early morning delivery have relatively better performance, according to a new study from MailerMailer, an e-mail marketing service provider. If they still don't bite, send them a second e-mail, but make it enticing by using a "You Didn't Buy This" subject line. It will generate a 50% or higher open rate, reports Wordata!