DIRECT MAIL

Skip the $450 expense! You can utilize Commonwealth Mailing’s Presorted Standard or Presorted First Class permits for your mailings. We just require that we handle the preparation, processing, and postal submission for your mail in order to use our permits.

Mailing quantity tip: While the post office minimums are 200 pieces for Presorted Standard and 500 for Presorted First Class, we recommend sending 2,500 to 5,000 pieces for prospecting campaigns.

Why more pieces?

• Increased response: Sending a larger volume enhances your chances of reaching new customers and generating a response.
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• Effective analysis: A larger sample size allows for more accurate analysis of your mail piece’s effectiveness.
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Remember, this is just a recommendation. Consider your budget and campaign goals when determining the optimal quantity for your mailing.

Obtaining a non-profit mailing permit directly through the post office is not possible. Instead, you’ll need to complete the application process with the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

1. Gather Documentation:

   • Proof of your non-profit status, such as an IRS letter of exemption from federal income tax.
   • Additional documents may be required depending on your organization type.

2. Complete PS Form 3624: This form details your organization’s information and mailing needs.

3. Submit the Application: You can submit the form and documentation to your local post office or through the Business Mail Entry Unit.

4. USPS Review: The USPS will review your application to determine your eligibility for non-profit mailing privileges.

5. Approval and Permit: If approved, you’ll be authorized to mail at non-profit rates and can purchase a Non-Profit Mailing Permit.

Remember, maintaining your authorization requires mailing at least once every two years.

Get Postage Discounts, Not Misconceptions:

Forget the myth about volume discounts! Postage savings come from presorting and pre-barcoding your mail before the post office. Here’s how we help you achieve that:

1. Data Scrubbing: We thoroughly clean your mailing list using Zip+4, standardization, CASS certification, and Move Update. This ensures accuracy and reduces undeliverable mail.
2. Automation Compatibility: We prepare your mail to seamlessly integrate with USPS sorting equipment, saving them time and resources.
3. Postal Inspection: Upon entry, your prepped mail undergoes a postal inspection for discount eligibility.
4. Reduced Rates: Presorted and pre-barcoded mail qualifies for lower postage rates, which we pass on to you!

In essence, you benefit from our efforts in maximizing efficiency and accuracy for the post office, resulting in cost savings for you.

Presorted Standard vs. Presorted First Class Mail: Understanding the Trade-off

While both mail types offer savings through presorting, they differ in cost, speed, and service:

Presorted Standard Mail:

• Lower postage cost: Ideal for budget-conscious campaigns.
• Slower delivery: Travels primarily by truck, leading to longer transit times.
• Limited service: No forwarding or return service for undeliverable mail.

Presorted First Class Mail:

• Higher postage cost: Offers faster delivery and additional services.
• Faster delivery: Often travels by airplane, leading to quicker arrival times.
• Enhanced service: Includes forwarding and return service for undeliverable mail.

Essentially, you choose between cost-effectiveness (Standard) or speed with added services (First Class). For time-sensitive or critical mailings, First Class might be preferable. Otherwise, Standard Mail can offer significant savings for large-scale campaigns.

Remember: Both require presorting and pre-barcoding for discounts.

No, unfortunately, you cannot send correspondence mail containing personal information at Standard or Non-Profit mail postage rates. This includes details like Social Security numbers, billing amounts, or account information. This restriction exists to:

• Protect privacy: Prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently exposed during mail processing.
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• Ensure accurate delivery: Mitigate the risk of misdelivery by requiring additional security measures for personal information.
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For correspondence containing such details, you should always utilize First Class Mail. This option offers additional security and guarantees delivery to the intended recipient.

If you’re unsure if your mail content meets the criteria for Standard or Non-Profit rates, it’s always best to consult with your local post office or a reputable mailing service provider for guidance.

Absolutely, having an updated, scrubbed, de-duped, and verified mailing list is essential for successful and cost-effective mass mailings. Here’s why:

Benefits of a Clean Mailing List:

• Increased Deliverability: Avoid undeliverable mail (UAA) and wasted postage by removing invalid addresses.
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• Improved ROI: Pay only for mail reaching real potential customers, maximizing your return on investment (ROI).
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• Enhanced Customer Experience: Prevent frustration and strengthen your brand by ensuring your mail reaches the right people.
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• Reduced Costs: Clean mailing lists often qualify for USPS postage discounts, lowering campaign expenses.
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• Better Targeting & Response Rates: Accurate data allows for better targetingof the right audience, leading to higher engagement and response rates.
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Cleaning Your Mailing List:

• Scrubbing: Remove invalid and outdated addresses, including typos, spelling errors, and those who have moved.
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• De-duplication: Eliminate duplicate entries to avoid multiple mailings to the same person and save costs.
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• Verification: Confirm the validity and deliverability of addresses, ensuring your mail reaches intended recipients.

Investing in a clean mailing list goes beyond cost savings; it signifies professionalism, efficiency, and respect for your target audience. By prioritizing list hygiene, you ensure your message reaches the right people and maximizes the impact of your mass mailing campaigns.

Optimizing Your Mailing List for Maximum Efficiency

When you send us your mailing list, we meticulously process it to ensure accuracy and deliverability:

1. De-duplication: We eliminate duplicate addresses, preventing unnecessary postage costs.
2. Move Update: We verify addresses against the National Change of Address (NCOA) database, updating records for those who have moved.
3. Zip+4 / CASS Certification: We append the precise 9-digit Zip code and standardize addresses to the official USPS format, maximizing deliverability.
4. PAVE Certification: We presort and barcode your mail per USPS regulations, allowing for automated processing and potential postage discounts.

These steps streamline the mailing process, saving you money and ensuring your messages reach the right individuals.

Move Update: Ensuring Your Mail Reaches the Right People

• What is it? Move Update is the process of cross-checking your mailing list with the USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) database. This database tracks individuals who have officially filed a change-of-address form with the post office.
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• Why is it important? The USPS requires Move Update on all presorted mailings receiving postage discounts. This helps reduce undeliverable mail (UAA), saving you money and ensuring your messages reach their intended recipients.
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• Our role: We conveniently handle the Move Update process for you during mailing list preparation.
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Let us make sure your mail stays up-to-date and reaches your target audience effectively!

The Easiest and Most Cost-Effective Way to Comply with USPS “Move Update”

The most streamlined and cost-effective way to comply with the USPS “Move Update” requirement is to utilize electronic Move Update before you mail. Here’s why:

• Convenience: This approach allows you to update your mailing list electronically, eliminating manual processes.
• Accuracy: Electronic comparison ensures precise and efficient updates based on the official USPS NCOA database.
• Cost-Effectiveness: It minimizes the risk of undeliverable mail (UAA), saving you postage costs and preventing wasted resources.
• Discount Compliance: By complying with Move Update, you maintain eligibility for valuable presorted mail discounts.
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Here’s how it works:

1. Change of Address: Individuals submit a change of address form or use the USPS online portal.
2. NCOA Update: Their new address is added to the NCOA database.
3. Electronic Comparison: We electronically compare your mailing list against the NCOA database.
4. List Update: Addresses of individuals who moved are updated with the new information.

By partnering with LamPro Mailing, you gain:

• Efficient electronic Move Update before each mailing.
• Compliance with USPS regulations for discounted mailings.
• Maximized postage discounts offered by the USPS.
• Peace of mind knowing your message reaches its intended recipients.
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Choose the easiest and most cost-effective option: opt for electronic Move Update and let us handle the process for you.

Understanding “Undeliverable as Addressed” (UAA) Mail

Mail gets classified as “Undeliverable as Addressed” (UAA) when it can’t be delivered to the intended recipient. The most common reason for this is that the person no longer lives at the address on the mailpiece. Other potential causes include:

• Incorrect or incomplete address: Includes typos, missing apartment numbers, or outdated information.
• Illegible address: Handwriting is too difficult to read or the ink has smudged.
• No forwarding address available: The recipient has moved without providing a new address to the USPS.
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UAA mail is a problem because it wastes resources and prevents your message from reaching its intended audience.

Unleash Powerful Mail Tracking with LamPro’s DeliveryIQ

Gain unparalleled insights into your mailings with LamPro’s advanced tracking solution, DeliveryIQ. This innovative service seamlessly integrates with your existing workflows, offering exceptional features:

Effortless Setup: Easily use DeliveryIQ with presorted First-Class, Standard Mail, or Periodical mailings. A few simple steps on our user-friendly platform activate the service.

Unique Tracking for Every Piece: Each mail piece receives a unique ID, embedded within the Intelligent Mail barcode printed on the address label.

Step-by-Step Tracking: DeliveryIQ captures real-time delivery details from postal facilities throughout your mail’s journey.

Secure Web Interface: Access and manage your tracking data conveniently through our secure online portal.

Comprehensive Reports: Generate and download detailed reports for up to a year after mailing. Reports include:

• Delivery information with 3-digit ZIP specificity
• Business-day calculations
• Advanced mapping functionality
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Benefits of LamPro’s DeliveryIQ:

• Improved Delivery Effectiveness: Monitor your mailings to gain valuable insights into delivery performance.
• Informed Future Campaigns: Use tracking data to predict and optimize future campaigns.
• Effortless Monitoring: Track your mailings with ease, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
• Affordable Tracking: Enjoy the benefits of comprehensive tracking at a cost-effective price.
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Take control of your mailings and gain valuable insights with LamPro’s reliable and user-friendly tracking solution. Contact us today to learn more!

Streamline Your Mailing with Commingling

Commingling offers a cost-effective and efficient way to send your mailings. Here’s how:

Combine for Savings: This process groups mailings from different companies, allowing everyone to benefit from discounted postage rates typically reserved for larger volumes.

Faster Delivery Potential: By bypassing certain sorting steps, commingling can potentially accelerate delivery times compared to individual mailing.

Reduced Workload, More Savings: By handling tasks like sorting, tagging, and bundling, we minimize your workload and contribute to postage discounts you can enjoy.

In essence, commingling offers a win-win situation: businesses save money and potentially experience faster delivery, while the post office benefits from efficient handling of large volumes.