The concept of variable data printing (VDP) isn’t new, simple mail merge is a rudimentary form of it. However, using the capabilities of a short-run digital color press is the more sophisticated version of it. We’re seeing a sudden increase in our clients need for small/medium volume variable data with full color solutions.
Our Digital Color Press has been turning out job after job lately. Here in St. Louis Missouri anyway it seems there is an increase in digital demand. It seems the down-turn with the economy is leading companies to desire smaller, lower overhead, and more targeted project requirements.
Many of our clients are cutting back costs on their traditional offset printing. Their opting to shift their resources to the more highly targeted and personalized pieces that digital print technology can offer.
Posted by Daniel at 1:12 pm on March 20th, 2009.
Categories: Direct Mail, General Marketing, Printing Solutions. Tags: Digital Color Printing, Direct Mail, Personalized Printing, Saint Louis Missouri, St. Louis, Variable Data Printing.
I recently read an article by Practical eCommerce, a site dedicated to online merchants and internet marketers. The article is titled “PeC Traffic Report: The Direct Mail Solution” and focuses on increasing website traffic and overall conversion rates using Direct Mail.
It just goes to show you that time tested and proven direct mail marketing is still the most persuasive and, if done correctly, the most effective means of 1:1 marketing available.
You can read the article here:
PeC Traffic Report: The Direct Mail Solution
Posted by administrator at 11:01 am on March 5th, 2009.
Categories: Direct Mail, General Marketing. Tags: Direct Mail, internet marketing, marketing, Postcard Marketing.
Postal Service Releases Vision 2013
The Postal Service has released Vision 2013, its new five-year strategic plan that balances near-term priorities with long-term needs to adapt to changing customer need.
Read more here…
Economy-Driven Mail Volume Decline Contributes to Loss
The Postal Service finished up 2008 with a net loss of $2.8 billion as the economic slowdown lowered mail volume and as the Postal Service bore additional cost mandated by the Postal Act of 2006.
Read more here…
USPS Updates three IMB Technical Guides
The Postal Service updated three technical guides for the Intelligent Mail Barcode and added a new one. Customers are encouraged to use the guides and can find them at:
http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/fullserviceguides/
Read more here…
Posted by administrator at 11:32 am on January 8th, 2009.
Categories: Direct Mail. Tags: Direct Mail, imb, intelligent mail barcode, Mailing News, USPS, USPS Five Year Plan, USPS News.
Well, the wait is over and Nov. 23rd has past. This means we are under new guidelines regarding the Move Update Regulations of Standard Class Mail.
Move update refers to methods for making sure that the person or business you are mailing to is still at the address you have for them. We have partnered with a leader in mailing technology to offer NCOA Full Service Processing. This will enable us to provide our clients with quick and easy adherence to the new standards.
Learn more about it here:
http://www.inptech.com/ncoa_processing.php
The USPS is going to begin checking mailings for compliance using their current MERLIN program. MERLIN program, an acronym for Mail Evaluation Readability Lookup INstrument, is a tool that is used by the U.S. Postal Service to assist with the acceptance of business mail.
MERLIN will read the addresses of mail pieces and check them against USPS Change of Address Database to determine if the mailing is compliant. When a mailing is found to be Non-Compliant the USPS can (an likely will) levy fines against the mailer.
Mailers (that would be us) will require their clients to fill out a Form 6014 (Certification of Move Update Compliance) and/or submit their mail list through NCOA and fill out a PAF (Processing Acknowledgement Form). It will be required of all mailers to be able to present to the USPS proof that the mailing is Move Update Compliant.
View the 6014 as well as a presentation by USPS on the Move Update:
http://www.inptech.com/resources.php
Posted by Daniel at 5:06 pm on November 26th, 2008.
Categories: Data Management, Direct Mail. Tags: Move Update, NCOA, USPS, USPS Move Update, USPS Regulations.
Quick reminder to everyone that Nov 23rd is fast approaching and we’ll be providing more detailed information on this Blog as well as our main website InpTech soon.
More… »
Posted by Daniel at 2:53 pm on October 28th, 2008.
Categories: Data Management, Direct Mail. Tags: John Potter, Move Update Requirments, NCOA, UAA Mail, USPS.
Many organizations/companies start direct mail campaigns with unrealistic goals. Expecting a one-time mailing of a postcard or offer to return substantial profits immediately is idealistic, but impractical. The key to getting your return on investment is consistency and a time-commitment.
I’m assuming you’ve taken the time to hire a professional advertising agency to create a great strategy, offer, and design. I’m assuming too, that you have a great product/service and call-to-action.
You should expect on your first mailing a response rate of about zero.
More… »
Posted by Daniel at 10:46 am on October 27th, 2008.
Categories: Direct Mail. Tags: Direct Mail, Direct Mail Returns, Mail Advertising, Marketing Strategy, Postcard Mailing.
When times are tight everyone’s looking to get the most bang for their buck. It almost goes without saying that every business at this time is looking over their expenses (advertising too) to see where they can cut costs. Some companies are giving up direct mail marketing for the time being all together. This might be the only option for some, but will result in missed opportunities and lost revenue. Not everyone has a home phone number, or an email address, nor does everyone read magazines and newspapers. But everyone has a mailbox.
More… »
Posted by Daniel at 4:33 pm on October 7th, 2008.
Categories: Direct Mail. Tags: Direct Mail, Mail Campaign, mailing services, Postal Mail, UAA Mail, USPS.
The US Postal Service has released a five year plan to focus on and meet customer needs. At the heart of the plan, the USPS says, are 3 keys:
- Focus on what matters most to customers.
- Leverage our strengths to create customer value an profits to invest in continued improvement.
- Embrace Change in the way we respond to emerging customer needs and a rapidly evolving business environment.
More… »
Posted by Daniel at 3:53 pm on October 7th, 2008.
Categories: Direct Mail. Tags: Direct Mail, Direct Mail News, United States Postal Service, USPS, USPS Five Year Plan, USPS News, USPS Strategic Planning, USPS Vision Plan, Vision 2013.
PART 1…
The mandatory implementation of the Intelligent Mail Barcode takes effect May 2009. It was originally planned to begin January 2009, but pushed back after concerns from the Mailing Industry. The intelligent mail barcode or IM Barcode was developed by the USPS to replace all other current barcodes for direct mail.
More… »
Posted by Daniel at 1:42 pm on October 6th, 2008.
Categories: Direct Mail. Tags: 1470 S. Vandeventer Ave., Direct Mail, im barcode, imb, intelligent mail barcode, Planet Barcode, Postnet Barcode, United States Postal Service, USPS, USPS IM Barcode, USPS News.
The first and obvious reason for identifying duplicate pieces of mail going to one person or address is saving money. You’ll save money on printing, postage, and preparation costs. The added benefit is avoiding upset customers or potential customers who receive multiple copies of the same materials.
There is also the advantage of being able to identify abusers of sweepstakes and offers. It gives you a means to enforce policies such as one per household. It will also improve your Mailing Campaign overall effectiveness. You have an advantage to evaluate list sources and determine the quality of those lists.
More… »
Posted by Daniel at 11:12 am on October 6th, 2008.
Categories: Data Management, Direct Mail, Uncategorized. Tags: data hygiene, dedupe, Direct Mail, duplicate mail.
