Sometimes EDDM is not the best choice

I recently had a customer that was considering enlarging their envelope to qualify for EDDM.  The quantity was approx 50,000 pieces covering 6-7 different zip codes going to eastern US states. Click here for EDDM quick reference.

Why I believe this was not the best idea.

1.  Additional cost for larger custom envelope

2.  Additional printing to add City, State and Zip to each group on each magazine

3.  Shipping 50,000 pieces to each local post office.

Leaving the mailing in a #10 envelope but mailing it as a regular saturation mailing was more cost-effective.

Sometimes EDDM is a good idea and sometimes it is not.  Ask your local USPS bulk mail representative or a reputable mailing service.

Have a Flan-tastic day,

Donna Flanagin

www.mybulkmail.com

Random me: Creating three new Flanagin Fairy costumes for the 2013 Popcorn Parade.

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Bulk Mail Service Tip #5 – Print Enough

Bad Kissingen Germany

Remember to provide your bulk mail service with enough mail pieces to cover your mailing.

If your list is 512 do not give them 500 pieces. 

Print a little over so your bulk mail service has one for their file, one or two for setup and a couple for spoils.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

Bulk Mail Service Tip # 4 – Using Abbreviations

Be careful when using abbreviations in addresses.

Example:

St Rd 2 vs State Rd 2

The abbreviation “St” means “street” to the post office.

So if you type in St Rd 2 you are telling the post office you want to mail to “Street Road 2”.

Spell out the word State. 

Don’t forget your bulk mail is being processed by computers that read what they see.

Click here for a complete list of USPS abbreviations

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

Random me:  Still have my “Presidential Fitness” patch from grade school.

Presidential Fitness Patch

Hidden History #9 The Disney Institute

What is that little symbol in the corner?

The Disney Institute was instrumental in changing how we view our business, our employees and our customers.

It was only fitting that they be a part of our company’s hidden history.

It may not be recognized by many, but the symbol on the lower right hand corner of the chalkboard represents the Disney Institute.

Our daily subtle reminder.

Click here for Hidden History #10

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

Random me:  I’m grateful for summer morning sunrises.

RECENT LETTER TO MY BANK….on how they can save money.

 

Look familiar?

The following is a letter I recently sent to my bank.  Let’s see if they are interested in saving money?

Dear Dan:

     I am not soliciting business, I am just passing useful information. Because mailing is what I do for a living, I thought I would pass on this suggestion.

      There is a way for the bank to save money on their monthly statement mailings.  If you fold your statements into a 6 x 9 envelope instead of the 9 x 12 you can mail 2 ounces now for 42.4 cents. The second ounce is FREE.   You are now paying 93.2 cents.  That is a 50.8 cent savings on every statement that is 2 ounces or under.  By my mailing experience, I would guess that is the majority of your mailing.  Yes, you do have to fold the statements but I think that might be worth far less than 50 cents to you.

       This is something new that just started on January 22 of this year.  The post office included the 2^nd oz for FREE on standard size mail if you’re using first class presort and you are!

      Also the cost of a 6 x 9 envelope will be cheaper than the cost of the 9 x 12 so you will save again.  This reduced postage is not available on a 9 x 12 size.

         If you have any questions, just call. 

 Warm Regards,

 Donna Flanagin (click here to go to my website) (click here to go to EDDM blog)

Through the eyes of your customer

355 S Washington St is the Police Station

There will be a $25 charge for all returned checks

24 hour notice of cancellation required to avoid $25 fee

Do not leave children unattended

Unauthorized vehicles will be towed

No Parking

No returns after 30 days of purchase

In-store credit only

You break it, you bought it

All shoplifters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law

Through the eyes of your customer.

Is there a better way?

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  today is the 43rd anniversary of the first date with my hubby.

Bulk Mail Service Tip #1 – Another Way to Save Postage

 

Don’t pay too much

Here’s another easy way to save on postage. Co-mingle your metered mail.

What is co-mingled mail?  Your mail is put with other mail and presorted before it goes to the post office, because of that process it costs less to mail.  Simple and easy.  Fill out two easy forms one time, meter at a lower rate and deliver to us, save postage.

True story:

Yesterday I received a newsletter mailed by a local non-profit.  They metered 64 cents postage.  

If they would allow us to co-mingle this mail they could have saved 22.6 cents per piece. 

Doing it yourself is not always the best decision.

If you meter your mail, if you have over 100 pieces and if you want to save postage, please contact us first.  (click here)

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:   Learned to type on a manual typewriter.  What’s a manual typewriter you say?

Listen Up Non-Profits

Keeping it simple……

I had a non-profit customer today make the decision not to apply for non-profit status at the post office because she said they don’t mail often enough.

My suggestion to her was to apply anyway, it’s FREE.  IF YOU DIRECT MAIL, YOU SHOULD APPLY.

There is only a cost if you want your own permit, if you use a mail service you do not need your own permit.

Authorization number and permit number are two different things.

There is a lot of money to be saved in postage if you can qualify with the USPS as a non-profit organization.

I’m making it easy, link to application (Click Here)

Your authorization number can be used anywhere in the U.S. regardless of where you apply.

You must mail 200 pieces or 50 pounds of bulk mail per mailing.

No, you do not have to mail to only one zip code, you can mix it up any way you want.

You must mail at least once every 2 years to keep your authorization active.

You may not lend your authorization to another organization.

More questions? Contact me.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I have a horrible singing voice and that makes me sad.  I would love to be able to sing (beautifully).

Bulk Mail Service Tip #2 – Aqueous Coating

Bulk Mail Tip:

Aqueous coating and inkjet addressing are like oil and water, they just don’t mix.  As demonstrated in these  pictures, the ink on a coated mail piece can be virtually wiped clean.

Aqueous or UV coating,  is a varnish like finish applied by a printer at the end of the printing process. There are a couple of products on the market that claim to print on coated paper,  but I have not found one that combines good quality and tolerable drying time.

When placing your print order, request no coating on the address side or a “knock-out” where the address goes.

As a last resort, we can address your mail with self-adhesive labels, but it does not have the professional look that your mail piece deserves.

Here2Help,

Donna Flanagin

Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

Random Me:  I’m not a fan of scary movies

When you have a mail question, who do YOU call?

 

As a business owner, I am always striving for T.O.M.A.  All good business owners should.  When people in my town think of bulk mail, I want them to think of me….T.O.M.A. Top Of Mind Awareness.

Some obvious ways to achieve T.O.M.A. are through aggressive marketing, networking, and  social media.  One not so obvious way, is through customer service.

The following is an actual email I received yesterday that demonstrates T.O.M.A. acquired through customer service.  But be careful, T.O.M.A. can also be achieved through poor customer service.

Donna,

Question about an address. I’m going through verification forms from members, updating their information. Seems each year we get something from IMAX with their address. We have them listed as 6550 US Hwy 6. They now want 6550 American Way.

I believe in the past when we had it as “American Way,” we would get all the mail returned saying there was no such address.

Can you tell me what address we should use? Or, is this a Post Office question? (just afraid I’d never get an answer from the PO)

Thanks so much.

This is exactly what I strive for as a business owner, a customer that is more comfortable calling me than calling the post office.  I am a little sad that the post office doesn’t have the same reputation, after all, we are partners.

When you have a mail question, who do you call?

Oh ya, by the way, the correct address is US Hwy 6.  American Way is a vanity address, the customer wants it to be their address, but it is not recognized by the post office.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna

Random me:  the most outrageous movie I have ever seen..The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. (beyond words)