Direct Mailing - Research, Plan, Automate, Refine

Plan your mailing

Think about:

• Your Data
• Quantities
• Pack size (outer packaging, envelopes etc)
• Size and number of inserts
• Timings for creative, printing, mailing and delivery
• Postage methods

Automation

Design automation into your mailing. Discuss with your mailing company ways that you can make the mailing automated. This will speed up the mailing process and help you to reduce costs.

Use a return address

A return address on the outer will help you clean up your database by allowing you to remove the returns you get from your mailings. This will save you money in the long term as you will not mail them again. Many mailing houses will key in returns for you and send you the list.

Use a reliable mailing company

Mailing companies come in all shapes and sizes. Ask to see references (testimonials). Ask if they are QMP accredited. Do they do the work in-house or subcontract? Do they use home workers? These are just some of the questions you should ask.

Think about the size of your mailing pack for postage savings

This is a complex subject! Essentially keep your mailings within weight and size bands. For sorted services in the UK they are 0-100gms and 101-250gms. Your mailing company should have a postage weight calculator that can work out your pack weight based on the contents.

Call us for more information.

Pack sizes - generally the smaller the pack the cheaper it is. But why be 1 or 2mm oversize or 1 or 2 gms overweight and pay a lot more ?

Preferred sizes and weights in the UK are as follows:

Letter - 240mm x 165mm x 5mm thick – 0-100gms

Large Letter - 353mm x 250mm x 25mm thick – 0-100gms, 101-250gms, 251-750gms

But there are many permutations here, call your mailing company for more information.

We all MCM Direct hope that this short document has been of help to you. Should you need further information, please contact us on (0044)1489 796611 or follow up this information.