Albemarle Spotlight

a service of Business Growth Builders

About Us

Every Door Direct Mail


About Albemarle Spotlight

Albemarle Spotlight is a service of Business Growth Builders. Started by local business owner Carl Ralph we exist to help local businesses grow smarter, faster, and stronger. Our mission is simple: give small and mid-sized businesses the same marketing firepower as big brands—without the overwhelming costs or complexity.

We combine proven local marketing strategies like shared 9x12 postcards with cutting-edge digital tools—AI-powered campaigns, variable QR codes, automated lead funnels, and reputation management. This hybrid approach connects offline visibility with online engagement, turning every impression into a measurable opportunity.

What makes us different is that we don’t just deliver ads—we build systems. From first impressions to follow-up, our tools are designed to capture attention, track responses, and convert leads into loyal customers. Whether it’s putting your business in front of 10,000 local households or more each month with our "billboard" sized postcards, creating a branded CRM that works while you sleep, or setting up automated reviews and referral systems, we focus on results you can see and measure.

We believe growth shouldn’t be guesswork. That’s why we provide ready-to-use frameworks, AI integrations, and marketing blueprints tailored to your business and industry. Every campaign is designed to maximize ROI, simplify your workload, and free you up to focus on what you do best—running your business.

At Business Growth Builders, we don’t just advertise. We build sustainable growth.
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Hi there!

I’m not just a marketer — I’m a small business owner who has personally used these same strategies to attract real customers and dominate a local market. I grew my own swimming lesson program into the #1 provider in the region, outperforming a nationally recognized organization and a long-standing local competitor that has been serving Elizabeth City for nearly 50 years.

By applying these proven tools and campaigns, my program taught more students this past summer than either competitor — not because we had a bigger name, but because we had smarter marketing. Now I’m taking the same system that worked for my own business and using it to help other local businesses win in their communities as well.

Alongside running my swimming pool business, I also serve as the Director of Marketing for the American Swimming Pool and Spa Association (ASPSA). Through marketing strategies I have helped position ASPSA as one of the top pool operator education providers in North Carolina and across the country — generating millions in sales and expanding their reach nationwide.

Everything I teach and build for clients is based on what I’ve already done myself — not theory, but results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
 


What is the Cards Clicks Connections Campaign?

The Cards Clicks Connections Campaign is a powerful local marketing program that combines direct mail and digital engagement to connect neighborhood residents with trusted local businesses. Each campaign features a large, full-color 9×12 postcard showcasing around 16 non-competing local businesses—each with its own offer, logo, and QR code that drives online engagement.

These high-impact postcards are mailed monthly to either 2,500* or 10,000* local mailboxes, depending on the campaign level chosen by the business. Every card is designed to grab attention, encourage interaction, and drive measurable results—through cards in the mailbox, clicks online, and connections in to local businesses.
 

How much does it cost?

Advertising in the Cards Clicks Connections Campaign is affordable and scalable, depending on your ad size and mailing reach. Each 9×12 postcard showcases around 16 trusted, non-competing local businesses and is mailed directly to either 2,500* or 10,000* local mailboxes.

You choose the campaign and from three different ad sizes:

For our 10,000* home mailing (Market Dominator Postcard):
  • Spotlight (Mini Ad): $297
    First-time advertisers with a paid Business Growth Builders subscription pay only $100.
  • Center Stage (Regular Ad): $497
    First-time advertisers with a paid Business Growth Builders subscription pay only $300.
  • Showstopper (Premium Ad): $897
    First-time advertisers with a paid Business Growth Builders subscription pay only $700.

For our 2,500* home mailing (Local Spotlight Postcard):
  • Spotlight (Mini Ad): $97
    Pay for this ad and one month of Business Growth Builders software for $197 and we will give you an extra month free use of the software.
  • Center Stage (Regular Ad): $197
    First-time advertisers get this placement FREE with a paid Business Growth Builders subscription.
  • Showstopper (Premium Ad): $377
    First-time advertisers with a Business Growth Builders subscription pay only $180.

 
Where are they mailed?

Our Cards Clicks Connections Campaign postcards are mailed directly to local households across northeastern North Carolina, targeting high-engagement neighborhoods where residents are most likely to support local businesses.
Each 9×12 postcard is delivered through USPS Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) to homes in and around:
 
  • Pasquotank County 
  • Camden County
  • Currituck County
  • Hertford County
  • Chowan County

Whether you want to dominate your home county or reach multiple neighboring communities, you can select the card (or cards) that best align with your audience and growth goals.
 

Can I appear on more than one card during the month?

Absolutely! Many businesses choose to appear on multiple postcards to increase their exposure and reach customers in several counties. Since each card covers a distinct local area—like Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck, Hertford, or Edenton—advertising on more than one card allows your brand to build recognition across the entire region.
 

How often do the cards go out?

Most Cards Clicks Connections Campaign mailings are scheduled on a monthly basis, ensuring your business stays consistently visible in local households throughout the year.

In some markets, postcards may run every other month or on a rolling schedule—meaning they’re mailed as soon as all 16 advertising spots are filled. Even in those cases, we guarantee that each market mails at least once per quarter.

Either way, your ad will always get delivered—no missed mailings, no wasted opportunities. Your business will stay in front of your local audience on a dependable, recurring schedule.
 
How many businesses are on each card?

Each Cards Clicks Connections Campaign postcard is designed around 16 standard ad spaces, each measuring approximately 2.8 × 3.7 inches—our popular medium-sized “Center Stage” ads that balance visibility with affordability.

However, the exact number of businesses featured can vary slightly from card to card. Some advertisers purchase the smaller “Spotlight” or the larger “Showstopper” space, or reserve multiple ad spots to expand their brand presence—so the total number of featured businesses may be a little fewer or more than 16.

No matter the layout, every advertiser is guaranteed exclusive placement within their category. That means no competing businesses on the same card—you fully own your space and your audience’s attention.
Is there a contract or long term commitment?

Nope — there’s no long-term contract required. Advertising spots in the Cards Clicks Connections Campaign are sold month-to-month. You simply reserve your spot, pay for your placement, and your ad runs in the next scheduled mailing.

Many of our advertisers choose to stay on month after month—but that’s because the campaign drives real results, not because they’re locked into a contract.

Businesses that use the Business Growth Builders Software also enjoy special discounted postcard rates and exclusive digital bonuses. The software operates on a simple subscription model that can be cancelled anytime—no obligation, no penalty.

In short, you stay because it works—not because you have to.
Who creates the ad design?

Our Cards Clicks Connections design team, powered by Business Growth Builders, will handle your ad design from start to finish—with your ideas and goals front and center.

Already have artwork or a design you love? We’ll use it exactly as provided. Need us to create something from scratch? No problem. Our team knows how to make your business stand out in print and online.

We’ll ensure your ad looks professional, eye-catching, and perfectly aligned with your brand—so you can focus on running your business while we handle the creative details.
How do I reserve my spot?

It’s simple! Just contact us through this website, give us a call, or send us an email to get started.

Once you’ve locked in your business category and completed your payment, your space on the next Cards Clicks Connections Campaign postcard is guaranteed.

Spots are limited and popular categories fill up quickly, so don’t wait—secure your placement early to make sure your business gets featured in the upcoming mailing.
Why choose the Cards Clicks Connections Campaign over other advertising?

These cards actually get noticed. They’re bigger than standard mail, professionally designed, locally exclusive, and delivered directly into your customers’ hands—not buried in an inbox or lost in an algorithm. No digital clutter. Just results.

But the real power of the Cards Clicks Connections Campaign comes after the postcard hits the mailbox. Each ad can feature a custom QR code that drives customers online, where the Business Growth Builders Software can take over by automatically capturing leads, sending follow-up messages, and turning new visitors into loyal customers.

This powerful combination of print and smart automation means you’re not just getting exposure—you’re getting engagement, measurable results, and long-term growth. It’s local marketing that works smarter for your business every month.
* For the 2,500 mailbox campaign actual mailboxes reached are typically 2,300 to 2,500. For the 10,000 mailbox campaign actual mailboxes reached are typically 9,600 to 10,000. 

Ready to Grow Your Business with our Cards, Clicks, and Connections Campaign?

Let Albemarle Spotlight connect your message with  homes and businesses in
northeastern North Carolina. Start your campaign today!
Get Started