Where is the most critical area of the direct mail envelope besides the mailing address? The upper left-hand corner. Yes, where you put the return address! How you use this humble section of the envelope can be the deciding factor in whether someone decides to open your envelope or not.

Why is this space so important?

1. It’s where customers recognize you. If the mailer is to someone you already do business with, they will often open the envelope simply because of that relationship. Even if they do not have an immediate need for your product or service, they will often open it because it is you. Play up that relationship and make sure your company is clearly identified. Add your logo, use brand colors, and ensure you can be recognized, even from a distance.

2. It taps your brand reputation. Even if the recipient has not done business with you in the past, if you are a well-known brand that the recipient respects, they will often open the envelope out of curiosity. This is why brand-building is so essential. When you invest in building your brand, customers will often open an envelope simply because your brand has become familiar and they have a positive association with it.

3. It’s where their eyes go naturally. In English, we read from left to right, so the upper left is where people’s eyes will naturally go first. This makes the upper lefthand corner the perfect place to add attention-getting techniques such as images, colorful brand logos, and callouts. Some companies have even added the signatures of celebrities. One nonprofit, for example, gained permission to use the signature of actress Natalie Portman above its logo to attract attention. If you go this route, ensure you have the correct permissions and that the signatures (or images) relate to the product or service you are marketing.

Take advantage of this powerful area of envelope real estate. Use it to create an emotional connection and tell a story, even before the envelope is opened.