Does direct mail still work?
Short answer
Yes, for hyperlocal, repeat-mail to the same streets, with a real offer. Once-and-done postcards are a waste.
What works
Every Door Direct Mail (USPS) to the streets you already work on, four to six mailings a year. The repetition matters more than the design. Your name has to feel familiar before they call.
The offer
A clear, simple, no-asterisks offer. 'Free tune-up with any install booked by X.' Not 'Call for details.' If they have to call to find out the deal, they don't call.
Ask your version of this question
This is one business owner-tested take. Your shop size, trade, and team change the answer. Ask the exact version inside Ask a Shop Owner and get a response grounded in how owners like you actually handled it.