Pronunciation: [mˈe͡ɪl ʃˈɒt] (IPA) 
Mail shot is a marketing technique used by companies to promote their products or services via postal mail. The spelling of mail shot follows the English pronunciation rules, where "mail" is pronounced as [meɪl] and "shot" is pronounced as [ʃɒt]. The IPA phonetic transcription for "mail shot" would be [meɪl ʃɒt]. The term is commonly used in the UK, while in the US, it is usually referred to as "direct mail" or "mail campaign".
Mail shot refers to the process of sending out a large number of identical or similar letters, brochures, or other promotional materials to a targeted audience via mail. It is a marketing technique commonly employed by businesses and organizations to promote their products, services, or events to potential customers or clients.
A mail shot typically involves preparing a mailing list of recipients who may be interested in the offering, such as existing or potential customers, subscribers, or members of a particular group or organization. The promotional materials are then designed and printed before being sent out in bulk to the identified recipients. The content of the mail shot often includes compelling advertising messages, attractive images, contact information, or even incentives such as coupons or special offers.
Mail shots can be conducted through traditional physical mail or through electronic mail, commonly known as email. The purpose of the mail shot is to raise awareness, generate interest, and encourage recipients to take action, such as making a purchase, attending an event, or subscribing to a service. Additionally, mail shots can provide an opportunity for businesses to communicate updates, news, or announcements to their audience.
While mail shots can be an effective marketing tool, their success largely depends on factors such as the target audience, the quality and relevance of the content, and the timing of the campaign. Skillful planning, segmentation of recipients, and tracking of responses are often key components in maximizing the effectiveness of a mail shot strategy.
The word "mail shot" originated in the early 20th century.
The term "mail" refers to the system of sending letters and packages through a postal service. It comes from the Middle English word "male", which derived from Old French "male" meaning "bag" or "packet". The term "shot" in this context is derived from the verb "to shoot", which means to send forth or discharge with force. In the context of "mail shot", "shot" refers to the act of sending a mass mailing or a large number of letters or promotional material to different recipients simultaneously.
Over time, the term "mail shot" has evolved specifically to refer to mass mailings or direct mail campaigns used for marketing or advertising purposes. It is commonly used in business and advertising contexts to describe the practice of sending promotional material to a targeted audience through postal services.
