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Direct Mail and mail-box stuffing

by Local Jake
15 replies
Hey guys! New to the forum but I've been managing local clients since I was 15. 21 now. :p So I have a little bit of experience in the offline-to-online platform, but honest I have no experience with Direct Mail.

A client of mine's son is starting a new lawn care business so I decided to help out and create some flyers. You can see it below.

Here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwJ...mNZblppYjVfalk

My question is that instead of purchasing EDDM from USPS the kid wants to know if it's possible/legal to a) tape the flyer to mailbox b) attach something like pen and throw into yard or front porch or put in mailbox c) stick it right in the mailbox.

I've heard a couple of different things regarding legality of mailbox stuffing but I can't find any concrete information about it.

Anyone out there that actually has experience with Direct Mail and Direct Mail delivery that can help me out?

Thanks
Local Jake
#direct #localjake #mail #mailbox #stuffing
  • Profile picture of the author Local Jake
    Here's a link...

    .pdf format

    https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwJ...mNZblppYjVfalk
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  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    For some reason I can't see the image when I click on it, I can just see the little thumbnail. I can see that the offer is 10% off, which ain't gonna cut it. You might pick up some business simply from someone who is looking for lawn services but it won't be because of that offer to be honest with you.

    Stay totally away from anything to do with a mailbox unless you're using the postal service to deliver it. You can stuff things in the newspaper boxes though. Doorhangers can be another option if you don't want to spend the money on postage.
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  • Profile picture of the author Local Jake
    Sorry about that. I think it's because it's in CMYK format. Here's a link to the .pdf...

    https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwJ...mNZblppYjVfalk

    So what's a good percentage OFF to go for, 25-35-45, etc?

    Newspaper boxes might be a viable option. It's right there.

    I wonder how the consumer responds to ads placed in mailbox vs. ads placed in newspaper box?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
      Originally Posted by Local Jake View Post

      So what's a good percentage OFF to go for, 25-35-45, etc?


      10% off won't "cut" it.
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      • Profile picture of the author TheShark
        Mobile Tactics,

        GREAT flyer, I love it.

        TheShark
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  • Profile picture of the author marketerpro
    I'd second the idea of using doorhangers. They can be printed cheaply and in many areas there are services that will hand deliver them. USPS is very touchy about anything even near the mailbox, and sends out warning letters if they feel the laws are being infringed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Local Jake
      Originally Posted by marketerpro View Post

      I'd second the idea of using doorhangers. They can be printed cheaply and in many areas there are services that will hand deliver them. USPS is very touchy about anything even near the mailbox, and sends out warning letters if they feel the laws are being infringed.
      Do you think they would press charges or call the police?

      Thanks,
      Jake
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      • Profile picture of the author goldog
        In my neighborhood, Yes, they would. Stay away from the mailbox. Also, I always resent people trashing my yard.

        What is the cost of door hanger delivery? Being on a Big Postcard would probably be cheaper.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    I have put them in the door jam, hung door hangers, taped notes to a mailbox.
    I never put them in the mailbox, that's illegal.... What I did do is take some duct tape and attach it to the top of the flyer, then taped it to the side of the mailbox.
    Not sure if that is legal either, but I lived in a smaller friendly community, and never had any problems.

    If he deals with commercial lawn care as well, I would talk to Ken Micheals, and pick up his Sniper Bot Pro. Just look for Sniper Bot Pro in the WSO section, the person that started it is Ken. I would talk to him, and he can tell you what another landscaper did..... Again, that's if your friend's son, is going to do commercial.
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Yeah...now go find some other businesses to put their ads on that card too..charge them for it so you get your mailer paid for....send it out over and over agani...become a household name...reep the rewards
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  • Profile picture of the author Mobile Tactics
    A real rough draft, but you get the idea. It takes time to go out there and give them an estimate, so why not just go out there and cut their grass and give them an estimate at the same time? The images are just used for educational purposes, you can hire someone to draw stuff on fiverr. You want to hit the pain points of them sweating in 100 degree sun and wasting half of their Saturday doing a job they could pay someone else a few bucks to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author AussieT
    You best all move down under

    We don't have any laws against letterbox deliveries. Although we are expected to honour eany signs that say "no Junk mail: or "addressed mail only"

    AussieT
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    • Profile picture of the author TheShark
      Door hangers!

      Throw it in my yard and I get pissed of having to get out and pick it up (I have a longgggggg driveway). Tape it to by box and likely to get the cops called by my neighbors (identify theft concerns).

      Here is an idea - wait until trash day - AFTER the garbage is picked up, put it on the cans in a way it's seen as they are being taken back off the street (no joke).

      Good luck.

      TheShark
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  • Profile picture of the author ahlexis
    "Throw it in the yard" = really bad idea. And depending on what it is and where it lands after being thrown, it might not be seen by someone who is mowing their own yard until it's too late, and now the "thing" will have possibly damaged a good lawnmower! Don't want to make an enemy of a potential customer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adwizard
    I have been doing direct mail and coupons for almost 20 years... Convert the percentages into a dollar amount. If the average purchase for example is $50.00 say $5.00 OFF any purchase. Some purchases may be under $50. and some will be over but to the consumer that coupon just became a crisp $5.00 bill in their pocket. Unfortunately percentages do not work well... no perceived value!
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