There are lots of reasons to consider postcard printing if you're planning an advertising campaign. Here are 10 of the best...

1. The message is in your prospect's face, quite literally. Your message is right there as soon as the prospect picks up the card; it's not hidden away in an envelope.

2. Low cost. Postcard printing, whether you have one side printed, or two, is inexpensive. For less than $20, you can get started with color postcards from a quality printing company.

3. Flexibility. You can put your message on just the front, just the back, or both. As long as you leave half of the back side for a mailing, address, the rest is yours to do as you please.

4. Lower mailing costs. You'll pay less postage for a postcard than for an envelope, regardless of the size of the envelope.

5. Less work. In a standard direct mailing, you not only have to print the insert and envelope, but you have to stuff the inserts into the envelopes, then seal the envelopes. I've stuffed thousands, and would be happy to have done my last.

6. Split-testable. If you're doing a large run (say a thousand or more), you can do a split-test, just as you would with an envelope and insert. Print two different versions, then watch to see which version brings in the most business. Rinse and repeat, and you'll continually increase your effectiveness.

7. Colorful. Go for four colors on the front side of your card, increasing the impact it has on your prospect.

8. Forced brevity. Space is limited, which forces us to be brief, concise, or to-the-point.

9. Quick turnaround. Because a postcard printing is a relatively simple process, and because there's little more to do with them before heading to the post office, you can launch your campaign sooner than you would with an envelope mailer.

10. They work. Keep an eye on your mail box, both at the office and at home, and you'll begin to notice how many postcards do arrive. That volume is a testament to the working power of the humble postcard.