Read How We Saved At Least 15% on Postage: Part 1

Read How We Saved At Least 15% on Postage: Part 2

Choosing a Mailing Service
We chose First Class. See pages 27-28 of “An Introduction to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations” and rate charts for all options.

Choosing a Postage Payment Method
We have used PC postage technology (prints postage directly on mail piece) and permit imprint (prints permit information directly on piece). See pages 14-15 of “An Introduction to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations” for all options. The permit application fee was $175 and the annual fee was $175. Permit imprint postage is paid for at the time of mailing, which is taken to the Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) at your local post office. Dazzle Express states that permit box printing is not available for label or postcard printing. However, you can create a text box with the permit information using Dazzle Designer (included in Dazzle Express). Specifications on the permit information that must be included is here: http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm#wp1113553.

Read How We Saved At Least 15% on Postage: Part 1

What are you mailing?

It is important to consider which papers will work properly in your printer. We mailed Burris Four-of-a-Kind Premium Heavy Matte Postcards. You can see page 3 of “An Introduction to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations” for all mailpiece options. We printed our message using Microsoft Publisher (printing 4 at a time, on one sheet). The template we used to create our postcard can be downloaded for free Microsoft Publisher. The postage/content side was printed using Dazzle Designer (printing 4 at a time, on one sheet). Be sure to do a test print of which way to load paper, before printing your entire mailing.

Shapes, dimensions, address placement, and bar code placement matter. For help, consult the Mailpiece Design Analyst in your area https://ribbs.usps.gov/mda/mda.cfm and pages 16-17 of “An Introduction to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations“.

Here’s a great article on using postcards in marketing a financial service company that will save you money:

http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Postcard-Marketing-Tips-That-Can-Improve-Your-Mortgage-Business&id=645108

Businesses and Non-Profit organizations can save a significant amount of money on postage by utilizing the United States Postal Service’s Business Mail or Bulk Mail program. This program offers discounts on postage when mailers do some of the work for the USPS (such as sorting or transportation) and mail in large quantities (usually 150 pieces or more). We would like to share our experience as first-time business mailers, from start to finish. Our goal was to send out a mailing using about 6,000 of our Four-of-a-Kind Post Cards, hoping to maximize the postage dollars in our marketing budget. Honestly, learning this process was a challenge to get started, but became much easier as we progressed.

Supplies needed:
*4 up postcard stock of your choice (pcforms.com)
*Microsoft Publisher software (microsoft.com)
*Dazzle Express software (envmgr.com)
*Endicia account (endicia.com)
*supplies from the USPS (itemized later)
*bulk mail permit (locate and contact Business Mail Entry unit at your local post office)
*here’s a whole example board of different mortgage cards as an example

(BEST ADVICE: ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU DO IT!)

In our last post, we told you about ways to find out more information about your printer. For more help, use the “Find Your Paper” tool at https://pcforms.com/printer_specs.php.

Printer manufacturers generally offer both User’s guides and specification sheets. The User’s Guide will explain how to use the printer in a detailed manner. The specification sheet will list features such as memory capacity, print speed, paper tray capacity, paper types supported, tray use, print quality, and other printing characteristics. If you cannot find the User’s Guide that was supplied with your printer, use your favorite search engine to find your printer manufacturer’s website. Then, look for a product support link. Type in your printer’s model number and you will likely find a User’s Guide in .pdf format. If this is unsuccessful, type the printer’s make and model into the search engine to search for a guide posted elsewhere. You may also find information about successes and problems that other users have had with a particular printer.

There are also many websites, discussion boards, and blogs which feature printer reviews, feedback, and tips. A few great resources include www.pcmag.com, www.cnet.com, and www.pcworld.com . Once you are equipped with knowledge about your printer and its particulars, you can begin to use your printer to its fullest capabilities. If you have any problems, consult the troubleshooting section in the User’s Guide or on the manufacturer’s website. Happy printing!

Here are a few articles that will give you an excellent start in designing, editing, and sending your next direct mail piece.

• Step-By-Step Guide to Direct Mail for Businesses (USPS)
• Four ways to raise direct mail response rates
• 10 Direct Mail Marketing Tips

Here’s a great article on ways that will save you money when designing a direct mail campaign.

http://directmailingcenter.com/save-money-direct-mail-marketing-campaign/

Better stock up on those 2 cent stamps.

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA–May 9, 2007– Burris Computer Forms announces Create-n-Hang Door Hangers (TM), a new line of blank, printable door hangers that can be printed in-house on users’ own PCs, using laser or inkjet printers, or copiers. Free door hanger templates for Microsoft (R) Word and Publisher are available through Microsoft (R) Office Marketplace and at https://www.pcforms.com/ (“Downloads”).

The door hangers are available on printable 8 1/2 x 11 sheets perforated two-per-page and three-per-page. The three-per-page is landscape orientation and each door hanger measures 3 2/3″ X 8 1/2″. The two-per-page is portrait orientation and each door hanger measures 4 1/4″ X 11″. The door hangers are made from cardstock paper for extra thickness and are micro-perforated for easy separation. The unique Burris ‘X’ doorknob hanger design helps hold the door hanger securely to the doorknob, even in windy conditions.

The advantages of printing door hangers in-house include fast turnaround, low cost, control of the project and ability to print a few, or thousands, quickly and cost-effectively.

Companies and individuals use Burris blank door hangers as an easy, convenient, cost-effective way to deliver a message. Lawn care, auto repair, roofing & construction, real estate, auction, and marketing companies use them to advertise their services.

Churches and other non-profit organizations use them to announce services, meetings, and events. Auction, property management, utility companies, and municipalities use them for notices of important pending events.

The two-per-page door hangers are available in white. The three-per-page door hangers are available in white, seven colored door hangers (Baby Blue, Key Lime, Rose Wine, Wild Canary, Classy Cream, Cool Gray, and Sockeye Salmon) and five Bright colored door hangers (Popping Pink, Sun Shine, Sonic Green, Tangerine, and Goldenrod).

To learn more about the line of door hangers, request samples, or download templates, log on to https://www.pcforms.com/.

For more information contact us at (800) 982-FORM (3676) or burris@pcform.com.