MORE THAN STAMPS AND ENVELOPES.

• List Procurement
• List Processing
• CASS Certification
• NCOA updates
• International Address Correction
• Address Correction
• List clean-up repair
• Duplicate Elimination
• Inkjet Addressing
• Tabbing
• Barcoding for postage discounts
• Variable data and personalization
• Inserting
• Shipping (via our truck or other shipping services)

Targeting is one of the most important aspects of Direct Mail. In fact, it has been said that 40% of a Direct Mail Program’s success is related to the list used. How narrowly or broadly you target is up to you and the goals you want to accomplish. If you know your ideal customer demographic or psychographic profile, it’s amazing just how precisely you can target your audience. The 3 most common types of mailing lists are:

1. Resident/Occupant Lists

Selected by zip code, county, city, by radius from a location, etc. These are very saturated lists, which get the best postage rates. Since only a portion of these records comes with names, a “static” first line of your choice can be inserted into the address block (example “To the Family at”).

2. Business Lists

Selected according to number of employees, sales volume, geographic location, years in business, etc. They can also be based on industry descriptions. Usually business lists come with the name of the owner, CEO, or manager, and you can often request more than one contact name or a specific position.

3. Consumer Lists

Selected by age group, income level, gender, marital status, ethnicity/religion, housing type, hobbies & interests, households with children, etc. Consumer lists are usually more expensive than res/occ and business lists, because they are based on more specific criteria. Postage rates are higher than those of saturated lists, but the message can be more customized.

1. Generate Leads / New Customers
Direct mail is an effective way to reach new prospects, helping to generate qualified leads and convert them into loyal customers by offering compelling offers and solutions.

2. Increase Customer Loyalty
By staying in front of existing customers with personalized, relevant mailings, direct mail helps strengthen relationships, foster brand loyalty, and keep your business top of mind.

3. Improve Sales Reach and Efficiency
With direct mail, businesses can target specific geographic areas or customer segments, increasing sales reach while ensuring efficient use of marketing resources by focusing on high-potential prospects.

4. Announce Store Hours / Sales / New Locations
Direct mail is a powerful tool for spreading important updates—whether it’s new store hours, upcoming sales, or the opening of a new location—reaching customers directly and ensuring they are informed.

5. Generate Store Traffic & Increase Average Purchase / Generate Higher Sales
By sending out special promotions, coupons, or limited-time offers through direct mail, businesses can drive foot traffic to physical locations, boosting sales and encouraging larger transactions.

6. Augment Media Advertising to Top Prospects and Select Customers
Direct mail complements other media advertising by targeting top prospects or select customer groups with tailored offers, ensuring more impactful engagement beyond digital or mass media campaigns.

7. Better Response for the Money than Other Types of Marketing
Direct mail often yields higher response rates compared to other marketing methods, offering a better return on investment by reaching customers in a more tangible and personal way.

8. Allows Selectivity of Audience
Direct mail allows for precise audience targeting, enabling businesses to select specific demographics, interests, or behaviors, ensuring the right message reaches the right people at the right time.

9. Allows for Personalization
Personalized direct mail, such as using customer names or tailored offers, creates a more engaging experience, helping to build stronger emotional connections and increasing the likelihood of a positive response.

10. Allows for Measurability & Flexibility
With tracking tools like unique promo codes or specific landing pages, direct mail campaigns can be easily measured for effectiveness, allowing for adjustments and optimization to improve future campaigns.

1. Purpose / Goals / Intended Results
Establishing clear objectives ensures the direct mail program is focused and aligned with the business's overall marketing strategy, guiding the messaging and response expectations.

2. Clear and Focused Message or a Problem and Solution
A direct mail piece should communicate a compelling message that addresses a specific problem and presents a solution, making it easy for recipients to understand its value.

3. Target Your Audience
Effective direct mail programs identify and segment the right audience, ensuring that the message resonates with individuals who are most likely to engage and respond.

4. Creative Offer / Attention-Grabbing Copy
Your offer should stand out with creative, compelling copy that grabs attention immediately, highlighting the benefits in a way that motivates action.

5. Call to Action / Create Urgency of Response
A strong call to action urges the recipient to take immediate steps, whether it's making a purchase, signing up, or contacting your business, with a sense of urgency to drive quicker responses.

6. Measurability Aspect
Incorporating tracking mechanisms, like unique codes or dedicated URLs, allows you to measure the effectiveness of your direct mail campaign and analyze its ROI.

7. Repetition / Timing
Strategically timed and repeated mailings reinforce your message, building familiarity and increasing the chances of conversion over time.

8. Testing Different Creative Offers, Formats, Audiences, Etc.
Regularly testing various elements, from creative offers to audience segments, helps you identify the most effective combinations and continuously improve the campaign’s performance.

TVL Mailing Template & Guide

USPS Postal Rates

USPS Direct Mail Manual