Trunk or Treat Every Door Direct Mail Postcard Announcements
by Chelsea Camper | Last Updated December 30, 2015Churches, schools, and other community organizations host a “Trunk or Treat” where members of the church, school, etc. get together in a parking lot and let the kids Trick or Treat with the cars in the parking lot. It can be safer than traditional Trick or Treating since most of the people there are members of the same community and know each other.
In order to get your word about your Trunk or Treat to your community you can us
e Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). Even though you most likely have a mailing list for your organization, Every Door Direct Mail can be a lot more affordable and you’ll have the ability to send a postcard to th
ose who aren’t already in your organization without buying a mailing list; the more the merrier!
How Does EDDM Work?
- First you choose the routes using the EDDM Web Tool on the USPS’s website (you will need an USPS account to complete the Web Tool)
- Once you’ve choses all of your routes, you’ll get a total number of mailers you’ll need. Print your mailers based on the numbers given.
- You’ll need to bundle the mailers in groups of 50s. We suggest printing 50 mailers at a time so that you don’t have to count them.
- Drop them off at the post office(s) that the EDDM Web Tool gives you. If you are going across several zip codes you might have multiple post offices to drop your mailers off with.
What Size to Every Door Direct Mailers Come in?
Many sizes! Your mailer needs to be:
Maximum: 15″ long OR 12″ high OR .75″ thick
Minimum: 11.5″ long OR 6.125 high OR .25″ thick
You can have a smaller 6×11″ Every Door Direct Mailer or a much larger 11×17″ Bi-Fold Every Door Direct Mailer that will have to be folded and sealed with a tab. The great thing about EDDM is that whether you’re sending a 6×11″ mail piece or an 11×17″ one, they cost the exact same to mail!
For a Trunk or Treat announcement, the 11×17″ might be a little too big, but a 6×11″ mailer would be nice. You can even get one with a detachable stub for people to return to you to enter into a raffle, to fill out their information before letting them use their car for your Trunk or Treat, ect.
How Do I Get Started?
- Decide what size and color you want your Every Door Direct Mailer to be.
- Download the template of the mailer you want and request samples of the mailer.
- Test print your mailers on regular copy paper.
- Print your mailers 50 at a time to make it easier to bundle for EDDM (check out these other great EDDM Tips)
- Drop off your mailers at your post office
Done! That’s not so bad, right? Leaves you plenty of time to get your parking lot ready for Trunk or Treat!
Learn more about EDDM!
Image: Existence Church
