Part 3 of 4 – College Savings Series
Postcards are one of the most effective, tangible tools for promoting college savings—especially after 5/29 Day.
They’re simple, memorable, and built to stick in a way digital can’t.
If you showed up for college savings conversations last week—great.
It’s your moment to stay top-of-mind—offline, and in a way that actually sticks.
New to the series? Catch up first:
In Part 1, we broke down exactly what a 529 plan is (and why most clients have never heard of it). Then in Part 2, we showed how advisors can use 5/29 Day to start real, human conversations around college savings.
Learn more about 529 college savings plans on Savingforcollege.com.
Now in Part 3, we’re shifting focus to what happens after the inbox cools down—how to stay visible and valuable using direct mail postcards that actually work.
The Hashtag Fades. Postcards for College Savings Stick.
Direct mail postcards are one of the most effective ways for advisors and small businesses to stay top-of-mind after 5/29 Day—without getting lost in a crowded inbox.
And in case your calendar forgot to ping you—the big day just passed.
If you were one of the smart advisors or small businesses who took action (or just enjoyed our last blog), you might be wondering:
“How do I keep this college savings momentum going after the hashtag stops trending?”
Whether you’re a financial advisor with decades of referrals or a boutique firm focused on client education—this is your chance to turn awareness into action.
Here’s how: Direct mail postcards.
We’re not talking about your grandma’s junk mail—we mean high-trust, high-impact, beautifully branded pieces customized to land in the homes (and hearts) of the right people at the right time.
Why Postcards Work Better Than Digital Follow-Ups
Listen—we love email. But inboxes are crowded, algorithms are weird, and most clients don’t know the difference between your newsletter and the 43 others they forgot they subscribed to.
But when you send a well-designed, emotionally relevant postcard about college savings?
You’re not just following up.
You’re showing up.
And that’s the magic of good direct mail marketing ideas—they create moments that digital can’t touch.
Use These Headlines on Your Next 529 Postcard
- “College Is Expensive. Planning for It Doesn’t Have to Be.”
Goodbye, financial jargon. Hello, action. - “Imagine Sending Your Kid to College Debt-Free.”
Connect with them. Then offer the solution.
Top Audiences for College Savings Postcards
Here are the top 3 audiences for 529-themed postcards for direct mail:
- Young Families: Their inboxes are chaos, but their mailboxes are still checked. They’re planning for everything—except college, usually.
- Small Business Owners with Employees: They’re looking for low-cost benefits that make them look like heroes. Show them how a 529 education benefit fits in.
- Grandparents with Financial Wiggle Room: They’re already thinking about legacy. You’re just giving them the how.
What to Include in Your College Savings Postcard Strategy
- 1 Strong Message — Don’t try to explain the tax code. Make them care.
- 1 Clear CTA — “Scan this QR code,” “Book a 15-min call,” “Text me for a 529 breakdown.”
- 1 Emotional Hook — Graduation without debt. Boom.
Don’t forget to include your contact info, calendar link, or a scannable QR code—make it easy to reach you.
Try This Postcard Copy:
Pro Tips for Making Your Postcards Stand Out
Because a lot of postcards get designed, printed… and then end up in someone’s trunk. Here’s how to make sure yours gets read, remembered, and responded to:
Use Variable Data
Change the name, the kid’s age, even the image. “Hi Sarah—ready to start planning for Emma’s college future?” will always outperform “Dear valued client.”
Match the Message to the List
Mailing to business owners? Focus on offering a 529 as a team benefit. Mailing to grandparents? Lean into legacy. Generic postcards get generic results.
Make the Design Look Like You
Brand colors. Clear layout. Zero clipart. You want your audience to think “Wow, they’re on it”—not “Is this a dentist ad?”
Plan for Follow-Up
Postcards aren’t one-and-done. Use them to open a conversation—and then keep it going via email, social, or a friendly check-in call.
Optional Add-on:
Want us to review your current postcard strategy—or build a custom campaign from scratch?
DM us or hit reply. Let’s make something your future clients can’t ignore. See more of our direct mail services here.
TL;DR (Totally Legit Direct Mail Recap)
Direct mail postcards give your 529 pitch a real-world presence
Target smart: young families, SMBs, and legacy-minded grandparents
Use clean, emotional design—not spreadsheets in disguise
Need more postcard marketing ideas for advisors? We’ve got templates, swipe copy, and strategy ready to roll.
Want to go deeper? This post is part of our College Savings Week series, helping advisors make the most of 529 plans and client conversations around education funding.
Explore the rest of the series:
