Direct Mail

The purpose of direct mail is to persuade or inform. Voters/citizens have become more suspicious of slick or “cutsie” mail.  We often “under-design”, to ensure our mail is read and believed by the people we are trying to reach. You can expect the following services from your TRAMUTOLA team:
  • Selection of voter targets most appropriate for your message.
  • Development of a direct mail plan and budget that meets your objectives.
  • Development of the overall creative concepts for your mail campaign.
  • Translate your needs into clear language and effective presentation that resonates with your targeted voters.
  • Facilitation and oversight of all design, print production and mailing processes.

Some of our direct mail work samples are highlighted here.
(Please click on samples for more detail.)
With approval from 72% of local voters for Measure C, a $98.5 million bond measure, Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee can begin the renovation and expansion of aging hospital facilities. TRAMUTOLA worked with the independent campaign committee to devise a campaign strategy suited to the unique elements of this rural mountain community. The direct mail campaign emphasized the dramatic changes in medicine and technology since the original hospital facility was built 50 years ago. Mailings also depicted the 50+ mile distance a patient would have to travel to reach the next nearest full service hospital.

Measure S for the City of San Rafael, Marin County is a ½ cent sales tax increase passed in 2005 to maintain essential police, fire and paramedic services.

Prior to the measure being placed on the ballot, TRAMUTOLA worked with the City of San Rafael to develop a community outreach program that included a series of Town Hall meetings where San Rafael residents could find out about the City’s needs and provide input and feedback on their concerns. Direct mail from the City was sent to residents describing the need to increase funding for city services as well as an invitation to attend and participate in the town hall meetings.

Once Measure S had been placed on the ballot TRAMUTOLA worked with an Independent Citizens Campaign Committee to direct the Advocacy Campaign including designing an eye- catching logo that encapsulated the essential services the tax would fund.

Success of Measure S was in no small part due to the efforts of dozens of volunteers, including every San Rafael firefighter, who took part in a classic grassroots campaign involving talking to voters by phone and door-to door, identifying supporters and helping in the get out the vote effort on Election Day.

Measure C  for fast growing Covina Valley Unified School District in Los Angeles County, is a General Obligation bond measure that will generate $66 million to fund the next phase of rehabilitation to the district’s aging schools.

The “Reasons” mailer, one of a series of strategically targeted pieces of mail, provided an emotionally appealing visual reminder of the number of children in the district’s schools whose lives will be affected by passage of the bond. This was then linked to seven of the most important messages about Measure C that had been identified through polling and other community feedback.

Measure C passed with 68.33% of the vote and was our second successful collaboration with Covina Valley USD.

Dalidio Ranch, San Luis Obispo - Measure J

A Central Coast property owner, faced with citizen opposition to his development plans, asked our help in explaining his project to citizens. Our direct mail, media and grassroots campaign resulted in a 64.81% voter approval of the project.

A $490 million General Obligation bond, Measure C is funding facility repairs at one of Silicon Valley’s major education and training centers.

“Who Will Train Our Next Generation” highlighted the critical role Foothill DeAnza Community College plays in training local nurses, firefighters, and police officers in Silicon Valley.  The mailer tapped voter concerns about adequate staffing levels for emergency service providers in their community.

Measure C provides funding to continue the repairs and upgrades initiated with revenue from the district’s 1999 bond measure, which TRAMUTOLA was also proud to assist in passing.