USPS announces possible 2014 promotions
In a concerted effort by the United States Postal Service to continue to push direct mail as the most prominent medium for advertisers and large-volume postal users, the agency recently published its proposed promotions for 2014.
Below are a select number of promotions. The rest can be seen at the USPS website.
Color print in first-class mail transactions promotion
The USPS devised this particular promotion to celebrate mailers who use innovative direct mail techniques, such as dynamic color print.
What mail qualifies - First-Class Mail presort and automation letters sent in Intelligent Mailing barcode - or IMb - full-service mailings.
Who is eligible - Mailers sending materials for marketing or information purposes. All participants must register on the Business Customer Gateway through the Incentive Program Service.
What's the discount - Each piece of qualifying mail will receive a 2 percent discount.
How can mailers take advantage - Eligible mailers must register on the Business Customer Gateway – or BCG – through the Incentive Program Service no less than 2 hours before qualifying the mail piece. Mailers can also enroll on Mail.dat.
When can mailers register - June 15 - December 31, 2014
When is the promotion period - August 1 - December 31, 2014
Premium advertising promotion
This promotion is structured to appeal to high-volume mailers who regularly use First-Class Mail for marketing purposes.
What mail qualifies - First-Class Mail presort and automation letters in IMb full-service mailings.
Who is eligible - High-volume mailers who spent at least $6 million in Standard Mail letter postage between October 2012 and September 2013.
What's the discount - Each piece of qualifying mail will receive a 15 percent discount.
How can mailers take advantage - Eligible mailers must register on the Business Customer Gateway - or BCG - through the Incentive Program Service no less than 2 hours before qualifying the mail piece.
When can mailers register - February 15 - June 30, 2014
When is the promotion period - April 1 - June 30, 2014
Throughout the next year, the USPS will offer a diverse array of promotions targeting a variety of mailers, from those integrating more technology into their direct mail to the more traditional high-volume customers. While not every business can take full advantage of each discount, most can benefit from integrating mailing software into existing postal operations.
To remain proficient and cost effective, businesses must employ the best practices available. By investing in mailing software, companies can automate several appendages of the mailing process. From presorting mail to generating required postal reports, mailing software can significantly increase efficiencies in any office.