Direct marketing is a form of marketing that delivers the message directly to consumers using customized media channels. This activity represents a way of communication, being a genuine sales channel. But what are the most effective direct marketing tools? According to statistics, the most commonly used tools are the direct mail, the call center and the Internet. Direct email is the cheapest and fastest way of communication and even the most efficient. The call center has the role to inform, while receiving feedback and providing additional information. It is regarded as the most expensive component of direct marketing. It seems, however, that the most popular channel is the Internet. The disadvantage of direct marketing campaigns based on the Internet is that the target audience is more volatile.

Direct marketing represents a planned and organized system that uses various media supports in the attempt to build a two-way information exchange – from and to customers or potential customers. This form of marketing involves direct contact between producers and consumers, and of course, like any other marketing activity, its ultimate goal consists in promoting sales, based on a number of specific means (media, television, radio, coupons, direct sales, door to door leaflet marketing, voicemail, and direct mail, advertising campaigns).

Direct marketing is not just about brochures, emails and coupons. It requires creativity. Regardless of the communication channel, the key is to ask for a response by any means. One of the major difficulties in trying to define the specificity of direct marketing consists in choosing the most complete definition. Here’s one of the definitions proposed by Direct Marketing Association (DMA): “Direct marketing is an interactive system of marketing that uses one or more means of communication to obtain a measurable response that can lead in some cases, to acquisition.” The most popular tools used in direct marketing are: door to door leaflet marketing, radio, television, direct mail, the Internet, call centers, coupons, voicemail, direct sales, etc.