Question For The Direct Mail Guys

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5
Let's say you're doing a direct mail campaign for a local business, do you generally use a direct mail fulfillment company?

I'm in the middle of one right now -- it's basically a test campaign of 500 pieces. I've personally hand-addressed about 300 envelopes and hired a couple family members to do the rest, (I insist on hand addressed envelopes for this campaign) and we're also folding, stuffing every single envelope to keep costs down. Using real stamps too.

This is a much bigger hassle than I anticipated, even though it's only 500 pieces.

Got me wondering exactly who people use to do the fulfillment for direct mail campaigns. I realize that the major mailers have companies that they work with, or (maybe some do it in house?) and I was wondering if anyone here has any good suggestions for companies to work with? This aspect of direct mail isn't something I'm particularly well versed in.

Looks like FedEx Office has a direct mail service, they seem kind of expensive though...Any recommendations?
#copywriting #direct #guys #mail #question
  • I've worked with US Mailing House before - they're awesome. Good designers at fantastic rates, too, in case you're doing postcards or whatever (you need to provide copy though):

    Direct Mail Services - Direct Mail Company - US Mailing House

    -Daniel
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Daniel gave you a good one, and it is one of many in USA, use google to find more.

    But, it depends on what aspect you need and a quick point...are you going to use handwritten envelopes for the rollout? The reason I ask is, if not, you are already skewing the results.

    Tests show SOME offers are better rec'd, that is ENV is OPENED than what is perceived to be junk mail, or advertising. But, if you get a good test back, and you go to 1000 or 5000 for the next phase, you are almost forced to go with something else...and your results probably won't match your test.

    OK, that being said. There are different types of fulfillment places, some do everything like the one in D.'s link Others could be folders/insert companies, some are part of a printing operation...and here is where you would check locally to see if a small printer in your area has fulfillment.

    Many print shops will print, fold, insert and mail for you at pretty decent prices. One thing to consider is what if you hit it out of the park?

    Can the business you are working for meet the demand? Are there support and other operations set up? How does his customer order? All those things.

    Because as you write the promotion to make it EASY for the customer to order, you are thinking ahead about the piece and how it is going to be mailed.

    Since you are using envelopes which are handwritten, you might check into the printing cost of a script font which emulates handwriting, which may (or may not) work just as well.

    Some of the franchise guys, in printing, add mail services too.

    I like local, but I'm in a large Metro area and have a lot to choose from.

    Bigger marketing companies have in house services and sometimes, they hire this out too, so consider giving any local mailers too...you may catch then at a down time and they like to keep employees working.

    Depends on your deadline, when the mailing has to go out, and what tracking you are doing on the results too.

    Hope this helps, if not, shoot me an email and I'll give you a call at your convenience to discuss some of the options you have, OK?

    gjabiz

    PS. I'm currently working with several print shops here in Akron, OH, and there is a wide variety of companies to choose from.


    • [1] reply
    • I'm fully aware of that. This is something that I went back and forth on for a while, ultimately ended up doing that handwritten envelopes because I figure the ROI will justify even only doing 500 pieces a month, if this is something that we want to do monthly. This is for a fairly expensive product with a fat margin.

      Yup, checked into it, decided against emulated handwriting for now. Might be something we do in the future though. I found a couple of companies that do "actual" handwritten envelopes for you too, which is a cool service I think.

      Great stuff, thank you very much for the detailed answer!
  • Look in a b2b directory and you'll likely find a local
    mailing service which offers list rentals and lots of
    other services. They may not be expert in your
    niche or type of mailing, but being able to walk
    in and talk with them in person can compensate
    in many ways. Direct mail is a huge business
    with a large infrastructure of local service providers.
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    Question For The Direct Mail Guys

    Let's say you're doing a direct mail campaign for a local business, do you generally use a direct mail fulfillment company? I'm in the middle of one right now -- it's basically a test campaign of 500 pieces. I've personally hand-addressed about 300 envelopes and hired a couple family members to do the rest, (I insist on hand addressed envelopes for this campaign) and we're also folding, stuffing every single envelope to keep costs down. Using real stamps too.