Why Direct Mail Can Still Deliver 6x ROI Marketing Blueprint for Investors featuring Jason Lewis

In this high-impact episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Jason Lewis—real estate investor, founder of Creation Utah, and the data mind behind Investor Machine. Jason pulls back the curtain on how he went from working for free in a one-desk office to building two powerhouse companies: a high-volume real estate operation and a done-for-you direct mail service that helps investors close deals across the country.

We dig deep into why direct mail is far from dead, even in a digital-first world. Jason shares the data-backed strategies he uses to get 4–6x returns consistently—including the secret to list stacking, the creative that actually performs, and how frequency and timing play a bigger role than most investors realize. If your marketing results have dipped or you’re struggling to scale your acquisition machine, this episode is the blueprint you’ve been looking for.

 

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Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:40] - Jason’s journey: From free intern to running a 150-flip-a-year operation

[6:00] - Founding Creation Utah and discovering a scalable marketing system

[10:30] - The origin of Investor Machine and scaling it from a few friends to 50+ staff

[16:00] - Why direct mail still works (and may work even better today)

[19:00] - The list algorithm: How AI and data science fuel smarter targeting

[25:30] - Texting and cold calling fading? Where those sellers are going now

[30:10] - Top-performing lists and why they vary by region

[34:00] - Why “ugly” mailers work better—and what tested pieces to avoid

[42:00] - Motivation-based customization and how it boosts response rates

[47:00] - Most common mistakes in budget, frequency, and expectations

[51:00] - Direct mail ROI takes time: why most investors quit too early

[54:00] - Jason’s 90-day sequence and mailing frequency blueprint

[58:00] - The must-track metrics to know if your mail campaign is working

 

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5 Key Takeaways

1. Direct Mail Is Not Dead—Just Misused – With the right data, creative, and cadence, direct mail consistently delivers high ROI. Most investors just don’t stick with it long enough.

2. Custom Targeting Wins – Jason’s success lies in using AI to find who sells to investors—not just who’s motivated—and creating “lookalike” seller profiles.

3. Data Beats Design – Fancy postcards underperform. Simple, clear, even “ugly” designs consistently outperform polished branding.

4. Frequency Matters More Than You Think – Many sellers respond months after the first touch. Jason mails top lists every 30 days and keeps going until the house is sold.

5. Know Your Numbers – From cost per lead to cost per close, tracking every step of your campaign helps optimize performance and avoid wasted spend.

 

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