The holiday season is approaching fast, and mailing services are hit hard with the influx of cards and packages that are time sensitive. Here at Specialty Mailing, we don’t want you to miss a beat, which is why we’ve gathered together all the important dates you should mark on your calendars so that your holiday mailings get to their destinations in time!

Mail-by Dates (Domestic Services)

Dec. 15 – Standard Post
Ground service for less-than-urgent deliveries and over-sized packages.

Dec. 19 – First Class Mail
Service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 ounces with delivery in 3 business days or less.

Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
Domestic service in 1, 2, or 3 business days based on where your package starts and where it’s being sent, variety of Flat Rate options.

Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express
Fastest domestic service, guaranteed overnight scheduled delivery to most locations. Some restrictions and exceptions apply. Please note, Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25.

 

Mail-by Dates (International Services)
Customers mailing internationally during the holidays are advised to review the chart below for specific deadlines based on the locations they are mailing to and the service they are using. When mailing and shipping internationally, customers must also follow necessary customs guidelines.

International Mail Addressed To	Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG)***	Priority Mail Express International™ (PMEI)	Priority Mail International® (PMI)	First-Class Package International Service™ (FCPIS)
Africa	Dec-21	Dec-8	Dec-1	Dec-1
Asia/Pacific Rim	Dec-19	Dec-15	Dec-8	Dec-8
Australia/New Zealand	Dec-19	Dec-15	Dec-8	Dec-8
Canada	Dec-22	Dec-17	Dec-11	Dec-8
Caribbean	Dec-21	Dec-15	Dec-11	Dec-8
Central & South America	Dec-21	Dec-11	Dec-1	Dec-1
Mexico	Dec-22	Dec-15	Dec-8	Dec-8
Europe	Dec-21	Dec-15	Dec-11	Dec-8
Middle East	Dec-19	Dec-15	Dec-11	Dec-8

***GXG Notes: 1) Cutoff date does not take into account time needed for customs clearance. 2) Should allocate extra transit day(s) for delivery outside major cities.

To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, the Postal Service recommends that cards and packages be sent to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below.

Military Mail Addressed   To and From	Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)1	First-Class Mail Letters and Cards	Priority Mail	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2	Space Available  Mail (SAM)3	Standard Post
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-25	Nov-7
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP   093	N/A	Dec-03	Dec-03	Dec-3	Nov-25	Nov-7
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-25	Nov-7
APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP   340	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-25	Nov-7
APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Dec-17	Dec-10	Dec-10	Dec-3	Nov-25	Nov-7

 

If you stay on track with these dates, your holiday cards and packages should arrive in time! Of course, mailing and shipping services cannot control the weather, which can delay traveling time. It is a good idea to get your packages and cards shipped as early as possible to avoid unforeseen circumstances that may delay your mailings.

As always, remember that those people who work in the mailing services have families and loved ones they want to spend their holidays with, too! They work hard, often long hours, to make sure your loved ones get their packages and cards on time this holiday season. Be courteous when interacting with them and make everyone’s holiday a little brighter!

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) plays a huge part in marketing all across the world.

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) did not invent Direct Mail. Direct Mail was born in the late 18th century and beginning developed slowly but surely during the 19^th century. In the 20^th century, direct mail evolved and escalated quickly, thanks to the DMA.

Here are some quick fun facts about the birth of Direct Mail:

1. Direct mail was born in 1774 when Benjamin Franklin created the first American mail-order catalog that sold scientific and technical books.
2. Aaron Montgomery Ward sent out the first modern order catalog in 1872 that was simply a piece of paper with a price list and merchandise for sale.
3. The coupon was invented by Philadelphia pharmacist Asa Candler in 1895 when he offered free Cokes in a local newspaper.

The DMA has helped revolutionize Direct Mail. The Direct Marketing Association was founded in 1917 to represent the direct mail community. Its mission is advancing and protecting responsible data-driven marketing. For nearly a century, the DMA has inspired marketing professionals in their quest to learn, grow and collaborate for the betterment of the marketing industry. Today, the association has nearly 3,600 members and is the leading global trade association for all direct marketing tools and techniques. This year, direct mail represented 34% of the total advertising and marketing revenue for direct marketers. Hundreds of millions of pieces of mail are delivered every day to more than 141 million homes and businesses in the United States by the USPS.

What makes the Direct Marketing Association so successful? The association offers their members every opportunity for success through advocacy, networking, education, insight, and business services. The DMA helps consumers manage their marketing preferences and messaging. The members speak out in global debates for advocacy of marketers and the association holds events and conferences. The DMA also provides online curriculum from industry experts who apply what they teach on a daily basis. Go to their site at thedma.org to further educate yourself and learn more about direct mail.

 

Which method of marketing is better?

In the modern day and age, where people (particularly Millennials) are glued to their phones, tablets and other electronic devices, one might think E-mail would be more effective than Direct Mail.  This is not the case. The truth is both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but what it boils down to is this: E-mail will not be replacing Direct Mail for a long time.

Recipients are more receptive to direct mail than email and will most likely spend more time reading a post card or letter than an email.  An eye-catching piece of material that a person takes out of his/her mailbox is more memorable and noticeable than another email in your inbox. It is easier to reach your intended audience with Direct Mail- you know where you’re sending the mail and who’s going to receive it. With the time and thought taken to build a good mailing list, your sales will undoubtedly increase as your materials land in the correct hands. You’re less likely to make mistakes with Direct Mail, by spending more time on the pieces, proofreading and editing copy several versions before sending it out. E-mails, while being quick and less expensive initially can be a pro, can be a con by being put out less thought out pieces with a higher margin of error in their copy. It can be harder to target an audience with E-mail, although you can track it and it has the potential to reach more eyes. Your target audience is your most likely candidate, despite how many people see it. And, as much of a shock as it may be to the Millennials, there are a number of people without email.

The most effective method of all is to use BOTH Direct Mail and E-mail.  The combination of Direct Mail and E-mail creates one of the most powerful tools to use in a marketing plan and leaves less of a chance of leaving anyone out.

Who said Direct Mail has to be boring?

Not only will many people out there try to convince you that Direct Mail is archaic, but most people think of mail as “boring.” We’re not disputing that there are probably some boring pieces of mail circulating around out there; plain white postcards and letters with black Times Roman Numeral font that address something you won’t remember and maybe have a couple photos.  However, Direct Mail has evolved right along with technology. This doesn’t just concern the better graphics our high quality printers can create, but the tangible aspects of mail.

The classics aren’t going anywhere, but they constantly evolve to adapt to the times! The classic formats of Direct Mail –postcards, brochures, booklets and coupons can be jazzed up. These most commonly came in a rectangular shape. Nowadays, they can come in pretty much any shape you wish thanks to a technique called “die cutting.” This can be used simply to round the edges of a document, cut shapes out or completely transform a rectangle into the shape of a flower or butterfly, etc. Postcards don’t have to be flat, you can get a postcard that folds and they range in sizes from 3.5×5 to 6×11!. Booklets with perforated coupons are more likely to be used because they can easily be torn out and saved –no scissors needed. There are “crazy” brochures that have pop out pages like in in the image “Crazy Brochure.”

Direct Mail can even be taken to the next level… The three dimensional level. Have you considered nixing envelopes and paper goods, and instead going with boxes, bags, tubes or even balloons? Not only are these memorable but potentially usable. Consumers love free things they can use and are likely to reuse those boxes and bags which will keep you on their mind and attract other potential consumers. Forms of mail such as a balloon are useful for audiences like families- a happy kid usually equals a happy parent.

Customers enjoy receiving mail, so give them something to be excited about! Dare to be different. Whoever said Direct Mail has to be boring was wrong.

Many people out there will try to convince you that Direct Mail has gone the way of the dinosaur. It may seem that way with the abundance of digital advertising and ever changing new technologies to keep up with, but Direct Mail is still a solid method for getting your name out to the people you want to receive your message. It works especially well for local businesses who can target neighborhoods with their products or services. Spencer Powell of TMR Direct has some great insights on reasons why you shouldn’t give up on your Direct Mail Campaign.

6 Reasons Why Direct Mail is Still Making a Killing

by Spencer Powell
According to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), direct mail still gets a response rate of 3.4% from existing customers, which is almost 30 times the rate for email marketing. Mailing campaigns that include catalogs bring in $2 for each customer they reach, and $10 for each returning client. That’s because direct mail still works, for a few (very good) reasons:

#1: Consumers Still Enjoy Receiving Mail

Possibly because of email and online ad saturation, consumers still open physical mail with some anticipation. The DMA’s 2014 statistical fact book shows that up to 80% still open most of their mail, even including items that are visibly marketing-related. And a U.S. Postal Service survey shows that almost 50% of household heads read direct mail immediately on its arrival. You can’t argue with those stats!

#2: People Reply

A large percentage of recipients take notice of the direct mail calls to action (CTAs) – so much so that retailer JC Penney is bringing back its print catalog mailing, 5 years after stopping it. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, data showed that much of the company’s online sales were a result of receiving the print catalog. The DMA reported that replies emanating from mail campaigns averaged more than 13%.

#3: Digital CTAs Work Well

The opportunity to meld the medium with mobile CTAs gives customers more options for responding, and takes the discussion online for those who prefer the convenience of digital media. SMS or QR code CTAintegrate mailers with mobile devices, while personalized URLs and unique email identifiers make it easy to respond.

#4: Personalization is Possible

The advent of enhanced data collection methods means companies these days have far more information about their prospective clients than in the past. By using personalization options such as tailor-made product offerings based on past buying history, you can target your ideal customer more specifically than before.

#5: Options are Endless

Gone are the days when direct mail campaigns comprised business-like letters in envelopes. Now, you have such a range of options that it’s entirely possible to customize your content even down to the format you use. This is good for companies targeting multiple customer segments, because the media used to reach the Millenials might be different from the ideal format for a senior. From postcards, through brochures and novelty, die-cut products, the sky is the limit when it comes to direct mail design options.

#6: Targeting Nets Measurable Results

Segmenting your target market by criteria such as demographics, behaviors, income and interests enables you to know exactly who you’re reaching. And provided you track your campaigns effectively, you’ll be able to measure how well it’s working. Unlike email, which can be forwarded and shared, direct mail campaigns typically reach only the person they are intended for. That makes it a much more controllable method of marketing than digital options.