Sherwood Creations Adds Second Website
In an uncommon move, woodworking supplier Sherwood Creations Inc. has decided that two websites are better than one and promotes both in its Fall/Winter Catalog No. 155. The company, which has always stressed its online presence in its direct mail, offers a vast array of functional and decorative woodcraft patterns, tools, and equipment. The cover of the slim-jim book features a prominent yellow starburst that exclaims “Now with two websites to better serve you!” along with images of a number of products available, from landscape timber plans to giant carbon paper. The company’s original site, SherwoodOnline.com, sells thousands of woodcraft plans, tools and supplies. The new site, SherwoodCreationsInc.com, is described as offering bestsellers and the newest woodworking patterns; it also allows buyers to use the online payment system PayPal, which is not accepted at the main site. The new site offers further clarification in a “Why Two Websites?” section under “About Us.” As usual, both the order form and back cover of the book emphasize that the “Catalog Contains Only A Small Fraction Of What We Carry.” Inside the catalog, products are organized into sections such as “Landscape Timber,” “Halloween,” “Spring,” “Furniture,” and “Western.” Products include the 3D Raccoon Climber ($10.95), the Go Get ‘Em Tiger! Pattern ($10.95), and the Revolving Shoe Rack Pattern ($12.95). Sherwood Creations also offers crafting supplies such as Acrylic Paints ($2 each), Drill Bits ($4.36 - $16.11), and an assortment of woodworking book titles. Orders can be placed by phone, fax, online, or by mail.
Good Old Days Looking Back Mails Charter
Dynamic Resource Group’s (DRG) House of White Birches publishing division recently mailed a charter subscription offer for its new magazine Good Old Days Looking Back, a spin-off from the existing Good Old Days title. DRG is well-known for its crafting magazines and continuity clubs as well as catalogs such as Annie’s Attic and Clotilde. The colorful package asks recipients “Remember Those Stories Told Around the Dinner Table? Relax and Enjoy a Second Helping.” An illustrated image of a young bride accompanies a preview of a story entitled, “Sister Pig, Maude Jane’s wedding and the groom who saved the day,” that exemplifies the kind of reader-generated tales that fill the publication. Illustrations throughout the promotion are reminiscent of the Saturday Evening Post, capturing the charm of a by-gone era. Teasers for “An Old-Fashioned Double Guarantee” and the “Old-Fashioned Home Remedies” freemium are also featured on the front and back of the envelope. Inside, a letter from the editor, which refers to the publication as a gateway of sorts to “times when life was simple,” describes the magazine’s content as full of readers’ stories, home remedies, recipes, and other features that evoke yesteryear. It also touts the Grandma’s Favorite Comfort Foods cookbook as a premium on payment. A separate one-sided insert lists some of the recipes in the premium such as Granny’s Applesauce Meatloaf, Favorite Buttermilk Pancakes, and Oven-Fried Picnic Chicken. The 16-page, 5” x 3-3/4” freemium booklet, “Old-Fashioned Home Remedies,” includes tips and recipes for medicines such as a cough syrup consisting of one part whiskey, one part lemon juice, and one part honey. The booklet directs recipients to consult a doctor before trying its concoctions. A lift-note explains that while the new magazine contains similar stories as its sibling title, it also has unique features, including “Sunday Funnies,” “Home Cooking,” and “Home Remedies.” The “Charter Subscription Certificate” presents the hard offer of $12 for one year (six issues).
Rosetta Stone Insert Offers Discount
Language software marketer Rosetta Stone recently offered a 10% discount on any order via insert. The company, which offers programs in more than 30 languages, is named for the real stone, an Ancient Egyptian artifact that helped scholars decipher hieroglyphic writing. The three-panel insert was blown into a catalog from men’s apparel mailer Paul Fredrick, which specializes in professional attire including dress shirts, ties, and cuff links. The front of the piece has a black and white photo of a man in a white t-shirt and cap holding a bright yellow Rosetta Stone Italiano box. Copy sets the scene – “He was a hardworking farm boy. She was an Italian supermodel. He knew he would have just one chance to impress her.” Additional text touts the software as a fast and easy way to learn a language and an orange starburst invites recipients to “Save 10%.” Inside, the company asserts that its software is used by the U.S. State Department and Fortune 500 companies and presents its six-month money back guarantee. A list of languages available includes Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese, Swahili, and Russian. The 10% discount is available on any purchase by a certain date. Programs are available in three levels and pricing is listed before and after the 10% off as $209 for Level 1 ($188 with discount), $339 for Levels 1 & 2 ($305 with discount), and $499 for Levels 1, 2 & 3 ($449 with discount). Orders may be placed by phone or online at RosettaStone.com.
The direct mail promotions appearing in Mail Stream are tracked and written up by ParadyszMatera, a media brokerage services company, through its MarketRelevance(tm) Promotion Library. Click here to visit their site: ParadyszMatera.com.
