2332 - What Swimming Teaches About Direct Mail Success with Zairmail's Wilson Zehr

The Enduring Power of Direct Mail: Expert Insights from Zairmail’s Wilson Zehr

In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge welcomes Wilson Zehr, Founder and CEO of Zairmail, for a deep exploration into why direct mail is still one of the most effective marketing channels in today’s digital-first world. Wilson draws from decades of experience—plus a surprising connection to competitive swimming—to illustrate how businesses can blend digital convenience with physical mail for unmatched engagement and ROI. This episode offers a practical, insightful guide for any leader looking to leverage direct mail to scale their business.

Direct Mail as a Competitive Advantage in a Digital Era

Wilson opens the conversation by comparing the discipline of competitive swimming to the discipline required to launch successful marketing campaigns. New swimmers must warm up, refine their technique, and focus on continuous improvement—principles that apply seamlessly to businesses exploring direct mail for the first time. He emphasizes the importance of starting with small, targeted campaigns and refining strategy over time.

The discussion then highlights how Zairmail’s platform blends the ease of digital workflows with the impact of physical mail. Businesses can upload documents, preview their mail in real time, and send campaigns with a single click. With next-day processing and a nationwide production network, Zairmail ensures speed, scalability, and reliability across every campaign.

Wilson also breaks down why direct mail continues to outperform expectations in 2024. From owning the “mail moment” to delivering strong ROI and enabling precise demographic targeting, physical mail creates a level of attention and trust that digital ads struggle to achieve. Whether using postcards, letters, snap packs, or self-mailers, choosing the right format can dramatically improve response rates and engagement.

About Wilson Zehr

Wilson Zehr is the Founder and CEO of Zairmail and a seasoned marketing expert with 26+ years of experience helping organizations execute high-impact direct mail campaigns. Wilson’s background in both technology and traditional media uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between digital tools and physical marketing performance.

Connect with Wilson on LinkedIn.

About Zairmail

Zairmail is a leading direct mail platform that makes sending physical mail as simple as sending an email. With next-day processing, nationwide facilities, real-time previews, and data-driven targeting tools, Zairmail empowers businesses of all sizes to launch fast, reliable, and high-ROI direct mail campaigns.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Zairmail Website
• Wilson Zehr LinkedIn Profile

Key Episode Highlights:

• How swimming principles translate into better marketing execution
• Why direct mail continues to deliver high ROI in 2024
• The four main direct mail formats and when to use each
• How Zairmail blends digital workflows with physical mail for unmatched efficiency
• Expert tips on targeting, creative, testing, and integrating digital channels

Conclusion

Wilson Zehr reinforces that direct mail isn’t outdated—it’s a powerful, underutilized differentiator. By integrating digital...