Direct Mail Tips

Please browse these direct mail tips we have collected over the 30 years of being the direct mail specialists. We've included links to online help throughout these direct mail tips to help you with direct mail technical jargon. Just click the links to get more information on the related direct mail and postal topics.

First of all, Take It Easy.

A direct mail advertising campaign can sometimes become very complicated. There are printers, designers, mail houses, list brokers, copy writers, etc. But there is an easier way.

Contemporary Communications has been a leader in the direct mail industry for 30 years. We help our clients with every aspect of their marketing needs. 

Our knowledgeable staff can design a successful mailing for you. 

We handle the printing and proofing for you. 

We order the best mailing list for you. 

We get the best postage rates for you. 

And, of course, we mail it for you.

There's no need for you to struggle with deadlines, art work, demographics, etc... All we need to know is your requirements and expectations and we handle all the rest for you.

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Get More Tips.

Some things in life are FREE. For instance, the CCI Newsletter is a free publication that will keep you up-to-date on CCI events and the ever-changing Direct Mail Industry.  Read some of our past issues, or subscribe now.

And if you're thinking of direct mail in the near future, there is no better time to take advantage of CCI's Special Offer to new clients. Right now, you can get a FREE, Online, instant Estimate of a mailing with CCI. And, if you choose to use CCI, bring us the estimate and we will give you 5% off your first mailing. When you use the Online Estimate, you'll see the discount calculated at the bottom.

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Get More Personal.

If not handled correctly, direct mail can seem impersonal. However, it doesn't have to be that way. You can take advantage of the lower postage rates of a bulk mailing without sacrificing that all-important first impression.

Did you know that bulk mail doesn't have to have a meter imprint or indicia? You can apply a stamp to your mail for a more personal impression. And did you know that your mail could be targeted? That's right. Every letter you send can have a customized salutation. Your form letters will no longer look like form letters, they will have salutations, dynamic content and even real signatures. 

First impressions and variable data printing are especially important in direct mail fund raising. This personalized direct mail example will give you a better idea of what dynamic content and customized bulk mail can do.

There's more to 1 to 1 marketing than just salutations. VDP means you can change whole paragraphs, letterheads, graphics, fonts and even the entire letter based on anything you know about the recipient. 

Want to track responses?  Customization makes it possible to attach a unique tracking number to every piece.  The tracking number can even be disguised as a barcode, character code, graphic or glyph. 

See our online illustration of variable data printing.

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Take Advantage of Discount Postage Rates.

The USPS has special postage rates in place for mail that meets certain criteria. Things such as barcodes, presorting, standardized addresses, and CASS certification allow the letters you now mail at 34 cents to be mailed for only 17.4 cents for a 50% savings.

CCI employs the top Address Correction Software available. Our Data Processing Department will standardize and correct your addresses with this software. The result is a CASS certified list ready to presort complete with barcodes, carrier routes and 9 digit zips. Then your list will be presorted to take advantage of the lowest possible postage rates.

If you are a nonprofit organization, you qualify for even lower postage rates of up to 85% savings over first class rates.

If you allow CCI Marketing to design your postcard size mail piece or direct mail envelope we can assure you the lowest possible postage.

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Get Greater Response Rates.

A clean, up-to-date mailing list is prerequisite for a good response.  Bring your mailing list to CCI and let us 'clean it up' for you. Through the MCAP Plan, we correct and standardize the addresses to match the USPS's own records eliminating those addresses that are not likely to be delivered and we purge out duplicates.

CCI can even help you design a 1 to 1, customized direct mailing that is sure to bring you the highest response you've ever received. See an example of what variable data printing bulk mail can do. Visit the Data Processing page for more information on our Computer Services.

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FAQ: What about mailing lists?

CCI can use your mailing list or obtain a list for you. We can enter your names or convert your file from most any format. Whichever method you prefer, your list will be processed with state-of-the-art software that will standardize and enhance your addresses to meet the latest Post Office regulations.  Click here for more information on computer services.

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FAQ: How much money can I really save?

With a mailing list prepared by CCI, you could receive postage rates as low as 5.8 cents.

For example, if your organization mailed a postcard at 1st Class rates you would pay $.20 per card. That same card would cost only $.141 at standard rates for a savings of 30%.

A letter mailed 1st Class will cost you $.34. However, with Post Office discounts for presorting, a non-profit organization could mail the same letter for only $.058 - an 83% savings. Please read our Direct Mail Tips for more ways to save.

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Don't Pay for Anything You Don't Have To.

Don't pay the postage and printing costs for mail that goes to the same house twice. Don't pay for the ones that don't get delivered at all. Don't pay for the mail that comes back undeliverable. Put CCI's Data Processing to work to save you money.

We'll save you printing costs. We'll save you postage costs and we'll increase your response rate. We standardize your addresses to the USPS's own records so you are assured of the lowest postage costs. We can purge your list of duplicates that inevitably creep into a database. We can eliminate addresses that according to the Post Office are not deliverable before you mail them.

We can even get Change of Address information before you mail. We can add phone numbers so that you can follow up with a call. CCI can also order special targeted lists by region, income, purchasing habits and other demographic factors. And CCI will presort your list for the Post Office which will lower your postage by as much as 50%.

This is the direct mail secret to great advertising.  Take advantage of the MCAP Plan and let CCI give you a quality service at a lower price. Learn more about our Computer Services on the Data Processing page.

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About the Online Estimate and Discount.

*IMPORTANT* The Online Estimate form and the resulting estimate is in no way to be considered a contract with Contemporary Communications, Inc. (CCI); it is for informational purposes only. Actual cost can only be calculated by a member of the CCI Sales Staff. The five (5) percent discount is available only to new clients who use this service. No discounts will be applied to postage costs. Prices and availability subject to change without notice.

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FAQ: What if I don't live near Wichita?

That's okay. Although we would love to have you visit, we at CCI are very comfortable doing business by phone, fax and e-mail.  You'll receive the same quality service and personal attention we give to all our clients.  See our location on the Map page or contact us right now via email.

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FAQ: How can I get more information?

Go to the Sales Staff page or the Contact Us page. You may also contact us by phone, 316-265-0879 in Kansas or 800-279-2505 toll free.

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