Make Your Invoices a Marketing Tool

For a business, every interaction with customers presents an opportunity to make a lasting impression, even something as routine as mailing out monthly invoices or account statements. While preparing and sending invoices is typically viewed as simply a necessary though mundane activity, in this article, we will give you a new perspective on it. It may sound strange, but when executed wisely, this routine task can become a chance to reinforce your brand identity, foster customer loyalty, generate new leads, and even get invoices paid faster.

It’s a cost-effective marketing instrument that usually gets overlooked. Think about it: As the postage expenses are already taken care of, can you discover a more advantageous deal than that?

So, let’s jump right in!

5 Ways Your Statements and Invoices Can Become Effective Marketing Instruments

1. Optimize Your Invoice Layout

Consolidate your important company details and group all contact information (email, phone number, store address, website) either at the bottom or in the upper right corner of your invoice. Eliminate unnecessary clutter and don’t overcrowd your invoice with excessive information, trying to fit in as much as possible. It will distract the client from what is the most important. There’s a better way to promote additional services or communicate something extra coming up in one of the next tips. Keeping the invoice clear and concise leads to faster payments, so if a fast glance at the invoice doesn't convey its readiness for processing, you probably need to simplify it further. The essential elements include the invoice number, date, description of services rendered, the total amount due, due date, and payment terms. These need to be very evident.

Ensure that the messaging area is also prominently visible and easy to notice. Designate a consistent location on the invoice for messages, guiding your customers to easily find essential account information and updates such as changes in service schedules, store hours, and location changes. It’s important to keep the messages fresh and up to date, as stagnant information may lead customers to ignore any messaging area altogether in the future. Guide customers to the relevant page on your website for static details like account information, ensuring they receive the most current and accurate data.

2. Enhance Customization and Branding: Incorporate Your Logo in the Return Address

Make your company logo visible through the envelope window by positioning it in the top left corner of the document, with your return address placed directly under it. This setup enhances professional appearance and brand visibility. Don't miss out on this valuable brand promotion opportunity, and remember to keep your company-specific design and color scheme on all the documents you mail.

Additionally, you can consider incorporating a personalized thank-you message as a gesture of gratitude toward your customers. These thoughtful touches can significantly contribute to fostering lasting customer relationships.

3. Use Color to Highlight the Content You Want Them to See First

Invoices can be cost-effective without being limited to black and white. Vibrant colors used in your logo will enhance brand recognition, and a fee for highlighting your message area with color is insignificant compared to the benefits you get. This will attract your customer's attention to the content you want them to read first, and the company colors will help you represent your brand's personality, and can even reflect its values.

Maintaining a consistent company-specific style builds trust among customers, making it easier for them to associate your company with the products or services you offer.

4. Showcase Your Social Media Presence

It may also be useful to include your social media to the contacts to encourage customers to connect with you on various platforms. Social media is an excellent tool for engaging with your audience, sharing updates, and building a community around your brand. By directing customers to your social media pages, you open new avenues for communication, thus deepening their relationship with your brand. Build trust by letting customers know that you are readily available to address any concerns or queries they may have. Incorporating a QR code can add an interactive element to your invoices. By scanning the QR code, customers can be directed to a page with exclusive content about the company and its offers. This trick establishes a connection between the invoice and your online presence, providing excellent marketing opportunities.

5. Use Inserts to Provide a Higher Value for Your Investment

You will pay postage costs for mailing an envelope anyway, so isn’t it better to make maximum use of it and let your customers know about your special offers, cross-selling opportunities, promotions, or service changes?

It’s easy and it’s also cost-effective to add generic flyers to your invoices to promote anything you want, whether it's a discount on the next purchase or a limited-time offer. Special inserts can entice customers to make another purchase they were not planning on. This strategy not only boosts sales but also encourages customers to view your mail as more than just a payment reminder. Consider recommending related or complementary items that your customers might be interested in based on their previous purchases.

As you can see, mailing invoices can be transformed into far more than just sending a payment reminder. By making certain adjustments, you can show that you genuinely want to enhance the customer experience. You can make each interaction count and set your business apart from the competition. When you approach designing invoices strategically, they can be a powerful marketing instrument to engage customers and drive business growth.

Bonus: DocuSend is great for mailing physical invoices online, so try it and make your mailing a super easy task. Enjoy cost savings and get ready to have a lot of time for other important business tasks.

We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts on these strategies, so feel free to share your comments in the section below. Let’s improve and grow together.