You’re getting ready to send a large direct mail campaign out to potential customers. You’ve slaved over the copy and images, selected the perfect list(s), and agreed upon a persuasive call to action. The creative work is done and you’re ready to cross this project off your to-do list. However, if it is important that the mailing be sent as cost-efficiently as possible, some important decisions remain to be made.
If this is a large mailing, you’ll probably want to take advantage of the tremendous cost savings that accrue from sending the mailing standard class (what used to be referred to as “bulk mail”). Standard class postage will be 40% to 55% less than first class if your company is a for-profit entity, and 55% to 80% less if your company is nonprofit.
In order to get the maximum savings possible, you need to deliver the mail to the mail facility closest to the ultimate destination for each piece of mail while complying with a host of stringent USPS regulations:
- Data File Preparation: Your data file must be run through CASS Certification software within 180 days of the date of the mailing to standardize address data, confirm the carrier route, and check five- and nine-digit zip codes. All addresses also need to be checked against the National Change of Address (NCOA) database within 95 days of the date of the mailing.
- Envelope Barcoding: Mailings must be 100% Intelligent Mail barcoded, and be automation compatible.
- Sorting, Sleeving and Tagging: Your mail needs to be sorted into trays of at least 150 mail pieces going to the same 3-digit or 5-digit zip code, and each of these trays needs to have a sleeve put around them and a single band of strapping material run lengthwise around the tray. Each tray also needs to be labeled with a barcoded tag following strict USPS guidelines.
- USPS Paperwork: Each set of trays being delivered to a mail entry unit needs to have the appropriate USPS paperwork with it, detailing exactly how many pieces of mail are in the shipment and the postage rate they qualify for.
- Delivery to the Closest Mail Facility: If you have a large mailing, you can work with one or more freight companies to drop ship your trays of mail to the mail facility closest to the ultimate destination for each piece of mail.
If you are not set up to handle all of these operations efficiently or if your mailing is not large enough to cost-effectively drop ship it to the myriad of locations required to get the lowest postal rates, you should consider commingling your mail instead. MailSmart Logistics takes the hassle out of direct mail by managing your data file, picking up your unsorted mailing, combining it with mail from other sources to maximize savings, sorting, sleeving, and tagging the trays, and delivering the mail and appropriate paperwork to the mail facilities close to where it is going.
Once MailSmart Logistics’ truck leaves your shop with the mailing, you can be confident that you’ve saved a lot of money and that the mailing will go out as planned with no further effort on your part.
MailSmart Logistics provides worry-free shipping at remarkably-low postal rates –
You’re going to love working with MailSmart Logistics!
