This blog post is your comprehensive guide to understanding EDDM, from size requirements and guidelines to creating your own mail campaign. We’ll delve into the nitty-gritty of EDDM postcard sizes, from standard to oversized, and the USPS guidelines that govern them.
We’ll also guide you through the process of designing your mail piece, choosing your carrier routes, and even selecting your drop-off date and payment options. Whether you’re a seasoned direct mail marketer or a small business owner exploring EDDM for the first time, this blog post is packed with valuable insights to help you maximize your direct mail campaign. So, let’s dive in and start drawing more responses with Every Door Direct Mail.
Introduction to Every Door Direct Mail
Every Door Direct Mail, or EDDM, is a unique approach to mail marketing that can help you reach a wider audience. Let’s explore its potential.
What is Every Door Direct Mail?
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a service offered by the US Postal Service. It allows businesses to reach every address in a specific neighborhood without needing to know the recipient’s names or addresses.
This direct mail marketing option can be massively beneficial, especially for local businesses looking to spread the word about their products or services within a dedicated zone.
Benefits of Every Door Direct Mail
- Wide Reach: Every door direct mail enables your marketing campaign to reach every household in a specific location. This broadens your brand visibility and potential customer base.
- Cost-Effective: Direct mail campaigns using this method are relatively cheap. They’re perfect for small and local businesses looking for a cost-effective way to advertise their products or services.
- Personalization: While each mail bundle is delivered to every door, they can still be tailored to suit a household’s particular needs or preferences to attract more engagement.
- Increased Response Rate: Door direct mail campaigns generally have higher response rates. This is because people appreciate the effort of receiving tangible mail rather than digital spam.
EDDM Size Requirements
Navigating the world of Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) can be complex, especially when it comes to understanding the size requirements. These guidelines are crucial to ensure your marketing materials meet the necessary standards for successful delivery.
The EDDM size requirements encompass both the size and weight of your postcard. These factors significantly influence how your direct-mail marketing materials are received and processed.
Understanding EDDM Size Requirements
In the realm of Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), understanding size requirements is absolutely crucial for successful marketing. EDDM size requirements, namely the size and weight of your postcard, play a significant role in how your direct-mail marketing materials are received.
The size requirement is set to ensure maximum acceptable dimension is adhered to, which further influences the mailer size and the expected size guideline. Undeniably, the postcard size requirement is a paramount factor that needs to be followed for effective door direct mails.
Standard EDDM Postcard Size
The standard size for EDDM postcards can often be a matter of confusion for many who are new in the business. However, understanding the size requirement is not as complex as it may seem.
The standard EDDM postcard size explicitly refers to dimensions that stand at about 6.125” x 11.5”. This size guideline has been stipulated to ensure that the mailer size falls within the acceptable dimension range. The size and weight requirements are critical in determining if a postcard will qualify for door direct mailing.
Large EDDM Postcard Size
The large EDDM postcard is another option to consider when deliberating on the right size for your campaign. Spanning a solid 6.25″ x 11″, this size is a common choice for businesses that want to include additional promotional materials like brochures.
Unique in its size, ‘large’ EDDM postcards deliver a striking visual impact and cannot be easily ignored in a stack of mail. Just keep in mind that by choosing this size, you need to adhere to USPS’s maximum acceptable dimension limitations to avail the discounted rates of EDDM.
Jumbo EDDM Postcard Size
The jumbo-sized EDDM postcard is something you can’t afford to overlook when considering mailer sizes for your campaign. This mailer comes in a generous size of 8.5″ x 11″, providing ample room for your creativity to flow.
With its more extensive canvass, it caters to those who wish to include large images, gloss coating, or a significant amount of words to detail their unique selling propositions. This postcard size also allows for delivering more coupons or listing multiple events, giving the mail piece an extended shelf life. So, remember, when it comes to making a visible impact, the larger the size, the better.
Oversized EDDM Postcard Size
The “Oversized” variant among EDDM postcard size categories is undeniably an eye-catcher. Spanning at a staggering size of 12″ x 15″, these postcards are nearly impossible to go unnoticed within a pile of regular mail. Despite being the costliest option in terms of printing and paper, the investment might pay off with a substantial increase in user responses and engagement.
For campaigns that necessitate the inclusion of large items like maps, oversized EDDM postcards emerge as the ideal solution. The key lies in harnessing the sheer size advantage, crafting compelling content, and pairing it with visually striking designs to garner the attention your mailer deserves. Make sure to meet the oversized EDDM size and weight requirement for a smoth mailing process.
USPS EDDM Size Guidelines
Understanding the USPS EDDM size guidelines is crucial for a successful direct mail campaign. These guidelines, set by the postal service, ensure that your mail piece fits the requirements for smooth delivery on each carrier route.
Adhering to these size guidelines can significantly impact the reach of your campaign, ensuring your message gets to every targeted postal customer. So, before you head to your retail post office with your EDDM mailing, make sure you’re well-versed in these essential details.
Overview of USPS EDDM Size Guidelines
Navigating through USPS EDDM size guidelines can indeed be taxing, but it’s a critical part of planning an EDDM campaign. When you see guidelines about minimum thickness or weight limits, you’re viewing parameters set by the postal service to ensure smooth operation of their carrier routes and accurate delivery to every postal customer.
Proper adherence to size guidelines can highly impact the success of your direct mail campaign. It can make the difference between reaching or missing your targeted postal customer. So next time you approach your retail post office with an EDDM mailing, keep in mind these essential details for an effective, hassle-free mailing process.
EDDM Retail’s Size Requirements
Understanding the precise dimension requirements for Every Door Direct Mail can be somewhat bewildering for first-timers. This is especially true when it comes to EDDM Retail — the preferred option for small mail campaigns. But don’t worry, let’s break it down succinctly.
The size specifications for EDDM Retail, maintained by the postal service, stipulate that each mail piece should be a minimum of 0.007 thick, which equates to around 3 sheets of standard printer paper. They should not exceed 0.75 in thickness and must weigh no more than 3.3 ounces. Categorically, the size of your EDDM postcards should be at least 10.5 inches long OR 6.125 inches high OR 0.25 inches thick. Moreover, it should be no more than 15 inches long, 12 inches high, and 0.75 inches thick. Typically, the choice of 6.5 x 11 inches is seen as the most cost-effective as it affords ample marketing space without considerably inflating your printing costs.
Creating Your Own EDDM Mailing
Creating your own Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign can be a rewarding endeavor for your small or local business. This process involves several key steps, each contributing to the success of your direct mail marketing campaign.
From designing an engaging mailpiece to choosing the right routes and drop-off dates, each step is crucial in ensuring your message reaches the right audience. Let’s delve into the process of creating your own EDDM mailing.
Designing Your Mailpiece
Creating an engaging mailpiece for your every door direct mail (EDDM) campaign is a critical first step. With a thoughtful design, you can capture the attention of your audience and relay your brand message effectively.
Direct mail marketing relies heavily on visual appeal. Consider implementing a design strategy that makes your mail stand out while ensuring it also fits into EDDM size requirements. Bear in mind that your goal is to resonate with your local business audience through well-crafted door direct mail content.
Ordering and Bundling Prints
After you have honed your every door direct mail design, the next pivotal step in your direct mail campaign is ordering and bundling your prints. This process plays a significant role in ensuring the success of your mail marketing strategy.
You’ll want to ensure you have enough printouts ready to reach every house in your selected routes. Bundling your prints effectively is crucial here, not only to meet the mail bundle requirements but also to provide a physical manifestation of your message that commands attention. With the right quantity and a meticulous bundling process, your direct mail marketing campaign is set to make an impact.
Choosing Your Routes
In an Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign, choosing your routes is one of the most crucial steps. This selection directly impacts who receives your mail and can significantly affect your campaign’s success. Utilizing the EDDM Online Tool, you can pinpoint the neighborhoods that best match your target audience’s demographics, such as age, household size, and income.
Through careful analysis and selection of postal routes, you can ensure your direct mail marketing efforts reach the right doorstep, maximizing your campaign’s effectiveness and yield. Remember, your chosen routes should have a direct reflection on the ideal audience for your mailing while fitting comfortably within your budget. So choose wisely!
Choosing Your Drop-off Date and Payment Options
When planning your Every Door Direct Mail campaign, the choice of drop-off date and payment method is vital. Your mail drop-off date can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance, taking into account your objectives and customer behavior. For instance, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays might be great days since customers generally review their mail midweek. Fridays and Mondays may not yield the same results due to pre-weekend distractions or post-weekend blues.
In terms of payment options, two main alternatives exist. You can either pay online, which saves you time during drop-off, or make your payment in person at the post office. Both methods cater to convenience and preference, enhancing the flexibility of your door direct mail campaign.
Printing Your Paperwork
Upon finalizing the specifics of your Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign, it’s pivotal to tighten loose ends with the essential paperwork. Predominantly, you need to prepare three crucial documents: the Retail Post Office Listing Form, the Mailing Statement, and Facing Slips. These forms will accompany your mailing bundles, facilitating a smooth mailing process.
The Retail Post Office Listing Form encapsulates succinct information about the Post Offices affiliated with your EDDM campaign. It includes operational hours, contact information, and other necessary details. As the coordinator of the direct mail campaign, you are required to sign this document and hand it over to the USPS employee at the drop-off point. The Mailing Statement, acting as a tabulated aide-mémoire, lists out each route’s specifics by ZIP Code, carrier route number, and the total number of mailpieces per route. These details assist while sorting mail bundles. Lastly, you need Facing Slips, one for each route, indicating carrier route, quantity, and bundle numbers, ensuring an easier sorting process. For each route, there should be a facing slip, and you may need to make extra copies if needed.
Completing and printing these forms is an integral part of your Every Door Direct Mail venture. It ensures a seamless transition of your marketing campaign from pile to post, guaranteeing a well-organized and efficient delivery mechanism.
Assembling Your Mailing
Assembling your Every Door Direct Mail campaign requires a keen attention to detail. Start by grouping the printed mailpieces into bundles of 50 or 100 pieces – these sizes are most efficient and manageable. Each route will get its own specific collection of bundles. For example, if a route has 647 delivery points, it will necessitate 6 bundles of 100 and a final bundle of 47.
In the next phase, every bundle gets a facing slip bearing specific details – the route number, the number of mailpieces in each bundle, and the bundle’s position in the total stack for that whole route. This careful organization is crucial in ensuring the success of a direct mail marketing campaign, allowing for precision in the distribution of every door direct mail.
EDDM Compliant Postcard Templates
Navigating the world of Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) can be complex, especially when it comes to meeting the specific size and weight requirements. EDDM compliant postcard templates are designed to simplify this process, providing a hassle-free solution for your direct postcard needs.
These templates are not just about meeting the EDDM size requirements. They also offer a streamlined approach to creating visually appealing and effective door direct postcards, ensuring your campaign stands out in the crowd.
Understanding EDDM Compliant Postcard Templates
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) offers its own compliant postcard templates, and understanding these is crucial for optimizing your direct postcard campaigns. These templates are special designs, formatted with size and weight specifications that adhere to the EDDM size requirements.
A key advantage? These postcard templates simplify the process of creating door direct postcards, ensuring that you aren’t spending unnecessary time grappling with postcard size and weight requirement. More importantly, they help you achieve postal compliance with confidence.
How to Use EDDM Compliant Postcard Templates
Using EDDM compliant postcard templates is quite straightforward. The objective is to ensure your postcards meet the postcard size and weight requirements stipulated by the EDDM.
Start by selecting the right template that adheres to the size and weight requirements. This process involves selecting befitting images, placing logo strategically, writing catchy titles, and incorporating the necessary details efficiently. After that, it’s all about following the printing guidelines and choosing your desired areas for the door to door direct postcard delivery.
All these steps are essential in creating a successful EDDM campaign.
Address Block and Postage Indicia
The Address Block and Postage Indicia are two critical components of Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). They play a significant role in ensuring your mail piece reaches the right people and stands out in the mailbox.
Understanding how to use these elements effectively can significantly enhance your campaign’s response rate. Let’s delve into the specifics of these components and how they can be leveraged for successful EDDM campaigns.
Understanding Address Block and Postage Indicia
When it comes to Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), understanding the concepts of address block and postage indicia is crucial. The address block is an essential part of your mail piece. It guides the mail to reach the right people in the mailing list, which can significantly draw more response to your campaign.
On the other hand, postage indicia represent a cost-effective method where the postage costs are indicated on the mail bundle. It is a tool that allows low postage and high impact, making sure each mail piece is delivering great value.
How to Use Address Block and Postage Indicia
Sure, let’s dive into this.
When it comes to using the address block and postage indicia properly in Every Door Direct Mail, the steps are simple. The address block is essentially a space in your mail piece that is dedicated to the recipient’s information.
Usually, the address block is located on the top right corner of your mail piece. It’s crucial that your postage stamp or indicia, a symbol showing that postage has been paid, is in this area.+There’s no mailing list or individual address involved, you simply need to use the retail indicia and “LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER” in the address block. This ensures your mail reaches the right people, maximizing the chance to draw more response.
Cost of Every Door Direct Mail
Understanding the cost of Every Door Direct Mail is crucial for any business planning a direct mail campaign. It’s not just about the postage; it’s about factoring in all the expenses to ensure a successful marketing strategy.
In the next sections, we’ll delve into the specifics of these costs and how to budget for them effectively.
Understanding the Cost of Every Door Direct Mail
The cost of an Every Door Direct Mail campaign can vary greatly depending on the quantity and size of your mail bundle. If you’re a small or local business looking to reach a specific postal route, these costs can greatly influence your direct mail marketing strategy. For instance, prices can range from as low as 39¢ per postcard, which is a cost-effective option for reaching a broad audience within specific demographic parameters^1^.
However, it’s important to remember that these costs don’t include the design or printing of your marketing materials. Additional expenses such as these need to be factored into your overall budget when planning a direct mail campaign. By understanding the potential expenses involved, you can more effectively budget for your Every Door Direct Mail campaign and ensure success.
How to Budget for Every Door Direct Mail
Designing a budget for your Every Door Direct Mail campaign isn’t a complex task. It mainly involves understanding the costs involved, including the cost of the mail bundle, postage, and execution of the campaign.
These costs can easily be ascertained when you log into USPS.com to start your direct mail marketing campaign. Remember, planning a budget realistically ensures the campaign’s success and boosts your marketing efforts—especially if you’re a small or local business aiming to engage with a broader audience.
Wrapping Up: Making the Most of Every Door Direct Mail
In conclusion, Every Door Direct Mail is a powerful tool that can help you reach the right people with your marketing campaign. It’s a cost-effective way to send out direct mail, and with the right understanding of size requirements, guidelines, and templates, you can maximize this service. Remember, the success of your direct mail campaign lies in the details—from the size and weight of your postcards to the address block and postage indicia.
Take the time to understand these elements and plan your campaign accordingly. While Every Door Direct Mail may seem complex at first, with a little practice and patience, you’ll soon be a pro at creating effective direct mail campaigns. So, don’t hesitate to dive in and start reaching your local customers in a more personal and impactful way.
Ready to get started? Let Cactus Mailing help you craft your Every Door Direct Mail campaign today!
