CDM Direct Mail FAQs
If you have a question, please contact Cody via email: Cody@ConsolidatedDirectMail.com or call him at (801) 975-9334. We are anxious to answer any questions you may have.
Q. What is Direct Mail?
A. Direct mail is the most targetable, cost-effective and measurable direct marketing method used by today’s businesses, non-profit companies, political campaigns and others.
Choose a targeted database, design a mailing piece that presents meaningful solutions to that target market, and offer a “Call to Action” that motivates action.
Direct Mail’s effectiveness is limited only by your imagination understanding of your target market. The USPS provides a variety of options for economically reaching your current and potential customers in their home and offices.
Recent large-scale studies have proven that 71% of American consumers still prefer to hold something in their hand. Response rates for USPS mail are generally 350%-825% higher than electronic mail or email.
Learn more:
Our FREE 30-minute Direct Mail Consulting session will provide you with ideas, budgets and everything you need to know to determine if Direct Mail is right for you.
Already use Direct Mail? Please take advantage of our FREE 30-minute Direct Mail Program Review. This objective detailed analysis will provide you with insights and a game plan for how your organization can improve your current Direct Mail results and increase your bottom-line R.O.I.
Call or write today to learn more about Direct Mail options and how we can; 1) Make you money, 2) Save you money and 3) Solve your marketing challenges.
Call (801) 975-9334 and ask for Cody. He’s ready to help.
Q. What are your turnaround times for mailing my Direct Mail projects?
A. While this is dependent on a number of issues, assuming we have your mailing list, the printed pieces and postage fees, in hand, most jobs (between 5000 and 100,000 pieces) are: In by 11am, out the next business day. With over 1.2 billion pieces of mail processed, we know that timing can be critical to the success of any Direct Mail project. We work with you to ensure that your piece is in the hands of those who need to see it when they need to see it.
Once submitted to the Post Office, delivery is very dependable but can vary based on USPS workloads, staffing, etc. That said, we are standing by to discuss your needs and objectives, and do everything we can to help ensure your piece is delivered when expected.
We have the good fortune to work with an outstanding team of dedicated USPS Direct Mail professionals, here in Salt Lake City, and nationwide. Over time, we have earned USPS trust and support because we ensure that your mail projects are carefully processed and fully compliant with ever-changing and occasionally complex postal rules and regulations. All of this benefits you with consistent and timely entry into the mail stream… Every time!
Call (801) 975-9334 to discuss your project and timing needs.
Q. I have my own list. What mailing list formats do you accept?
A. Our Database Management Team is the finest in the industry and can manage most anything you can throw our way. That said, for efficiency and consistency, we recommend conventional database formats like Excel, Dbase, Access and/or comma/tab delimited text files.
Call us at (801) 975-9334 to talk through what will work best for you.
[special]
Q. Do you provide Mailing Lists?
A. We do. All it takes is a two-minute chat to clearly understand your objectives and hone in on the Geographic, Demographic, Sociographic, Psychographic and/or other profile data you are targeting. Our database Specialists will pull and compile your list and provide you a report on the number of addresses within these profiles. We will work with you to refine your list until you are fully satisfied that the targeted recipients, number of addresses and the budget are exactly what you desire. All of this is done before you pay a penny. Your list is one of the three most critical elements in your Direct Mail success. We know this and take list development seriously. We understand what it takes and we’ve got your back.
Call today to determine list options available and their associated costs. We are standing by to discuss your list or lists, what can be done to improve them and to help in creating a budget for your next Direct Mail project. (801) 975-9334
Q. Do you provide Every Door Direct Mail services?
A. Absolutely. If you are looking to target addresses within a geographical boundary, we also offer a highly cost-effective Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) product that requires no list purchase. This program targets a radius or specific carrier routes around your business.
Call today to learn more about the benefits of EDDM and how it might fit in your Direct Mail objectives. (801) 975-9334
Q. Why do I have to pay for database services?
Let us rephrase that question to read… What is the value of database services?
A. The USPS requires proof that every list used for mailings that qualify for a discount (Standard or First Class -Presort), must be validated and updated by comparing it to the USPS master list of addresses (including National Change of Address registry or NCOA). Other valuable benefits include removal of duplicate addresses, and making sure all addresses are formatted properly to ensure compliance with USPS rules and regulations. Our state-of-the-art technology provides these services without any delay and ensures greater efficiency, optimal deliverability rates and a higher net R.O.I. (Side note: In order to receive postage rate discounts, the USPS requires lists to re-apply for a certificate of validation every 90 days.)
Q. How much will I pay for postage?
A. Many factors influence postage rates. Class of service (First Class, Standard, Nonprofit, etc.), Number of pieces, Design and Specs for your Direct Mail piece (Size, Dimensions, Thickness, Weight, Bindery, tabs, etc.) are all critical factors in determining postage costs. Please call or write with your specs and we’ll be able to give you formal postage costs in seconds.
Don’t forget, we offer a Pre-design, Project Concept Review on all Direct Mail projects, at no cost to our customers. Often, the feedback from this one-minute, pre-design, concept discussion reveals minor “tweaks” that can potentially save hundreds, even tens of thousands, of dollars in postage and special handling fees alone.
If you have in-house or outsourced Graphic Designers, please have them call us for an empowering FREE 30-minute training session on “The Secrets of Efficient and Effective Direct Mail Design.” You’re invited too! Just call Cody at (801) 975-9334
Q. How and when do I pay for postage and other costs?
A. Funding of postage, list and processing costs must be paid a minimum of 24 hours in advance of anticipated mailing date. This is necessary to ensure there are no delays.
We accept valid business checks, Cashier’s checks and money orders. Electronic wires are accepted but please be aware that an additional charge of $20 will be added to your final invoice to offset bank charges we endure for each wire. We accept Credit Cards (Visa, Master Card and American Express) but keep in mind, federal regulations do not allow for “mark-ups” or profit to be made on postage costs. Postage payments made with a credit card will be subject to a 3.5% convenience fee to offset bank and Credit Card charges.
[cta]