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Welcome to HBP, Inc. E-Tips - A monthly virtual resource center of tips and ideas.

This month we focus on direct mail and marketing tips.

Rate Discount
If you would like to know which class of mail or rate discount is right for you - this link will take you to a page on the postal site that helps you do a business analysis for your next mailing project: http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/getstarted/costanalysis.htm

Variable Data Personalization
(VDP) is one strategy marketer's use for their marketing programs to create personalized online and offline marketing messages. VDP allows a marketer to personalize each message with relevant information retrieved from their database. Instead of sending generic messages to an entire database, VDP pulls information from a file such as gender, age, or history, to create a specific message for each individual. It becomes a very relevant message targeted to the right audience. Contact HBP for more information on how to get started.

P.S.
It's tried and proven that adding a P.S. message to the end of each letter can be used to draw attention to certain points, while giving you one more chance to capture the reader's interest. It's a good idea to include a short "summary" of your overall message (condensed into a sentence or two), directly followed by your contact information.

Postal Rates
Postal rates go up on Monday May 11, click here for a list of all the new rates.

ROI: Direct Marketing Driven Sales v. Non-Direct Marketing Sales
For 2008, on average every $1 spent on direct marketing advertising resulted in $11.63 in direct marketing driven sales. Conversely, every $1 spent on non-direct marketing advertising resulted in average sales of $5.24. Click here for more information.
Source: The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), The Power of Direct Marketing, 2008-2009.

Quick Tips

  • Save money by designing pieces that qualify for letter rates. Letters cannot exceed 6 1/8" high, 11 1/2" long, or 1/4" thick.
  • First Class Mail postage rates increase in 1 oz intervals. Sometimes under-trimming the final product just a bit can result in significant postage savings.
  • Be sure to leave enough clear space for addressing. We recommend a minimum of 1 1/2" high x 4" long.

PS: New rules go into effect for Flats (non-parcel self-mailers that exceed letter-size dimensions), on March 29, 2009. Click here for additional information.