Our 8 week direct mail eCourse has been given a much-needed update. In a nutshell, the eCourse emails you one new direct mail tip every week for 8 weeks. It’s free.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Week 1:Copywriting – how to convert better leads with direct mail Week 2:Creative – 5 unique ways to give your creative a boost Week 3:Production – how to significantly cut your postage costs Week 4:1 to 1 Marketing– an effective application for PURLs Week 5:Copywriting – how to create response-boosting headlines Week 6:Creative – 2 proven ways to enhance your creative Week 7:Production – how to prevent offsetting on your direct mail Week 8:1 to 1 Marketing– effective direct mail formats for PURLs
We launched the eCourse in January of 2007 and over 1,500 people have taken it so far. Over time we’ve received some really good feedback…and this feedback was incorporated into this recent update.
For example, each tip is now print-friendly, and once the eCourse is done, you get access to a PDF with all the tips combined.
We think the information is good…and it’s free…so you should sign up:
Hi everyone, we’re done recording our 3rd video for this blog. It’s 2 minutes long and it talks about a new varnish that is available that gives your direct mail piece a nice, velvety finish.
It’s a great way to take your existing control and add another dimension to it to see if it boosts response.
If you want samples of the varnish, please email Ryan:
ryan (at) ballantine.com.
Click Here to view our June case study that features this self mailer.
What is commingling and why should you be using it?
Commingling has been around for many years and until now was mainly used as a way for smaller mailers to presort their mail. The reason for its increased popularity is due to the recent rate changes for BMC and SCF discounts. As a result, it’s now more financially attractive for most mailers to commingle their mail.
So to define commingling: it’s the act of taking your direct mail and sorting it with other company’s mail to qualify for postage discounts.
In theory, this can apply to nationwide mailings of all sizes, but usually really large mailings (1 million plus pieces) already have a significant portion of their mailing going to the BMC or SCF level. The portion that isn’t, however, would benefit from commingling.
The way it works is this:
You take your mail file and sort it into zip code sequence. Then the mail house will image only the bar code and address information on to the addressing panel. There is no Optional Endorsement Line imaged.
Your vendor will then pick up the mail and put it on sorting equipment that takes each individual piece of mail and sorts it to either the BMC or SCF level based on what they’ve received from other mailers. As a result, this gives you deeper postal penetration and discounts.
Furthermore, here’s a PDF that gives you some visual examples of how commingling affects delivery.
If you aren’t currently commingling your mail, it’s definitely worth speaking with your print and mail vendor because the postage savings can be substantial.
If you’d like to speak to us about what your postage rate would be using commingling, please contact Matt Cote: 973-305-1500 x207 or matt (at) ballantine.com.
