Hi,

Does anyone know where I can trun to learn the rules of how to set up an A/B split test for a snail mail promotion?

I'm promoting a seminar to a very targeted audience. I know for a fact the lists are perfectly targeted. I have two differrent direct mail promotions. Let's say the lists consists of 100,000 people.

Do I need to put the lists in zip code order and take every other name? Or do I put them in alphabetical order and take every other name?

Basicaly we mail to households that are within a one hour drive from the seminar hotel. In such a small geographic region does zip code really matter?

Any help is greatly appreciated?

THANKS!

James

Hey, all --

I don't know the answer to this question, but I'd very much like to know the answer...

Could anyone respond here? I know split testing is going to be a critical element of what I do as I move forward.

-Anne

There is an explanation of this in John Caples' "Tested Advertising Methods".

Basically, it says to include a key-code in the return address, for instance:

Seminar Riches (company name)
Department 44A-01-07
Address, ZIP
City, STATE.

The key here is to let them send it to a department... Explained:

44 here means the number of the campaign. For instance, 44 can be the identification for your seminar sales letter.

A means the version. So split testing 7 versions would mean a version A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Or 2 versions just simply A and B

the 01-07 can be the date. 7 January in this case. This way, you can track which letters came back when.