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Working with a Vendor
Conducting a mailing campaign on your own is a very time-consuming process. Even if you have the messaging and design in mind, you still must allot time to properly prepare the mail and send it out. You also need to know how to get the best postal discounts.
Direct mail companies can do a lot of the labor-intensive work for you automate and speed up the mail preparation process. They have access to high-tech mailing equipment such as letter folding machines that neatly fold and stuff letters into envelopes and addressing equipment which automatically affixes the recipients’ information onto the mail. It saves you both time and money since you wouldn’t need to allocate these responsibilities to your staff.
Most importantly, direct mail vendors have special permits to get the deepest postage and shipping discounts. They do the presorting and packaging work as well as bring the ready-to-go mail direct to the post office. By saving the USPS from performing these tasks, they qualify for the best discounts and pass the savings onto you.
If you don’t already have a list of prospective customers to send your mailing to, a direct mail company can provide you with mailing lists for businesses and consumers that are interested in products and services similar to yours. The vendors work diligently to keep their lists fresh and up to date. In order to target the right audience for your mailing, you can select various filters to reach a specific audience. Read more about the various benefits to renting mailing lists.
Many businesses choose to write the copy and create the design of their mailings because they know what message they are trying to get across. If you want professionals to do the work for you, a vendor can offer these services to you for an hourly fee. Also, unless you have working relationships with a print shop, the vendor can print your mailings in-house or outsource the responsibility to another company.
How to select a direct mail firm
Follow these helpful tips to choose the right direct mail services company to work with:
Do you want select services or a full service offering? Some vendors provide a few of the services you need to conduct a mailing while others will do everything in house from start to finish.
While a full-service vendor is the most convenient solution, you can save money by doing some of the work in-house. If you are doing a small mailing, your staff may be able to do the processing work quickly so you don’t have to worry about that expense.
It’s essential to find a vendor who offers good customer service. You want to work with a company that can help you develop a productive campaign and will answer your questions along the way and beyond.
Stick with mail service firms with a lot of experience, particularly in your industry. If they have been in business for a while, it’s usually indicative of the type of service they provide their customers. A vendor who is familiar with your industry will be able to provide suggestions based on what has worked for their previous clients.
Always meet with several vendors before you work with a single one. Look at their service offerings, level of experience, and what they offer businesses and then choose the firm that’s the best fit. Marketing Comparison can match you with up to six different suppliers to help you find the appropriate service for your business. Submit a secure, free request for quotes to get started.
Finally, avoid the temptation to shop for the lowest price. Yes, everyone wants that attractive discount, but if the mailing isn’t effective, you could waste even more money.