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Freepost and Business Reply Envelopes

We know that the success of direct mail marketing campaigns depends on the number of responses marketers get. However, there are many questions marketers generally start by asking themselves, like:

• Is the campaign relevant to the audience?
• Are the offers exciting enough to make people respond?
• Is the response mechanism easy?

And, out of these, most marketers struggle to solve the puzzle by understanding the ins and outs of the response mechanism.

Thus, keeping this in mind, we are going to focus on the last question related to response mechanisms to help you find that missing puzzle piece.

So often, companies use QR codes, personalised URLs, coupon codes, etc., to let people respond. Though these are perfectly viable options, there is another option you perhaps don’t know much about — Business Reply Envelopes Royal Mail.

Business reply mail is a Royal Mail service that lets your recipients reply to you without paying any postage. But, how does Business Reply mail work exactly?

• Firstly, you send pre-printed and prepaid Business Reply mail envelopes along with your direct mail items.
• If your recipients wish to respond, they can use these envelopes and respond to your mail.
• Then, you need to pay the postage cost to Royal Mail while receiving these responses.

That’s the gist of the concept! But there’s way more to it. Royal Mail offers several response services for companies in the UK—

• Business Reply Standard
• Business Reply Plus
• Freepost Standard
• Freepost Plus
• Freepost Name

Keep reading to know how these services differ from one another. We will also discuss how to use Business Reply envelopes to boost response levels.

What Are Business Reply and Freepost Services?

The basic idea behind Business Reply and Freepost services is to encourage your prospects to respond. They no longer need to go through the trouble of buying envelopes and paying the postage themselves only to reply to your mail. In short, you do all the legwork and offer an easy way of responding to your mail recipients.

All your prospects and customers have to do is insert their response in your Freepost envelopes and drop it in a mailbox. That’s all! 

The plus point is that you don’t need to pay for all the distributed envelopes. Companies have to pay an annual Business Reply Mail permit fee to acquire the licence. 

Apart from that, you need to only pay for the responses you receive after a campaign. So, you don’t risk prepaying the postage and not receiving any mailing responses.

Difference Between Business Reply and Freepost Envelope UK

A common question to ask while using response services is- do you need a stamp for Business Reply mail? Fortunately, the answer is no!

A Business Reply Envelope in the UK is also known as a ‘no postage required’ envelope.

These envelopes have your licence number and barcode rather than Business Reply envelope stamps.

But, what about Freepost services, and how are they different from Business Reply mail services? 

To begin with, Business Reply looks more elegant and professional due to its envelope design. Therefore, it is more preferred by B2B companies and is the most popular choice among all the options.

You can use Business Reply for format types—letters, large letters, and packages. The licence number and barcode are both printed on the top-left corner of your envelopes. 

Below is an example of how a Business Reply envelope looks like:

Coming to Freepost, its services are precisely like those of Business Reply. The only difference is the envelope design, as the barcode is printed along with the return address.

Now, before you ask, “do business reply envelopes need return addresses,” yes they do!

Hence, Freepost envelopes are more customer-centric and are ideal for promotional campaigns.

Like Business Reply, your recipients can send letters, large letters, and parcels under Freepost services.

What does a Freepost envelope look like? Look at the image below to know:

Please note that Freepost and Business Reply both exhibits the same characteristics. They also have the same delivery window. Plus, they both have 1st or 2nd class indicia on the top-right corner. So, you don’t need to think much before making a choice.

Freepost Plus and Business Reply Plus Envelopes

While applying for a licence, you need to mention if you want a Standard or Plus licence. But, you should first learn the difference between the two.

The Plus permit is for those customers who want to get discounts on their postage rates. For example, Royal Mail charges Plus licence holders 6p less on every response. But for that, you have to follow the Royal Mail envelope dimensions.

If you use envelopes that fall under these dimensions, the postal workers can sort them through machines. Hence, Royal Mail saves on hand-sorting and passes down the savings to you.

Therefore, you can spend less on postage and increase your ROI. If you use Business Reply services regularly, it is advisable to get a Plus licence.

Again, Freepost Plus and Business Reply Plus work the same way, except for the envelope design.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does Freepost take to deliver?

The Freepost and Business Reply envelope delivery time depends on the mail class you select. For example, if you choose the 1st Class option, your delivery takes only one business day; 2nd Class can take up to three days.

Business Reply Plus, do I need a stamp?

Freepost and Business Reply envelopes are known as envelopes that don’t need a stamp. So, no, you don’t need stamps for any Standard or Plus services.

What if I shift to a new place?

In that case, apply and pay for a new permit. You need to present the following details:

• Present license number
• Company name
• Account number
• Old address
• Contact name
• New address
• Telephone/ Fax/ Email

You can either email these details to response.services@royalmail.com or send them to the below address:

Royal Mail Response Services Team
PO Box 740
Barnsley
S73 0ZJ

Freepost NAME

Freepost NAME offers a convenient and efficient way for your customers to respond to your mail items. They can reply using letters, large letters, and packages—without spending one penny.

Royal Mail allows you to replace your Business Reply mail return address with a one-line address with this service.

In literal terms, it is not even a response address. Instead, you select a highly recognisable and memorable word that represents your company.

For example, suppose your company name is Gaze Publications.

Your Freepost NAME could be Freepost Gaze.

The names are given on a first-come-first-served basis, so you may probably not get a name you want if it’s already registered. In this case, you can select other names that associate with your brand. 

But, sometimes, Royal Mail asks for proof saying you are eligible to use a particular name. 

This way, Freepost NAME helps you build brand recognition and increase awareness. 

The name could be anything related to your campaign, product, or service; you can also select a generic word. But, Royal Mail does not permit using long names or names of places. 

Find some FAQs below that can help you understand Freepost Name better

How much does this service cost?

First, you have to buy an annual Freepost NAME license for every return address you use. Then, you need to pay the 1st Class postage for it whenever you get a response, depending on its weight.  

How long does it take for the Freepost NAME to become functional?

It takes at least five working days for Royal Mail to examine and approve the name you select. 

How should I apply for it?

You can fill up the Response Services application form and submit it to your post office to get a licence.

Can I use one Freepost NAME licence for more than one return address?

No, you can use one licence for one delivery address only. Please note that the validity of your permit is only one year; you need to renew it after this period. 

Yet, it is partially possible if you have two return addresses and want to use the same Freepost NAME for them. But, there will be some variations in the name to differentiate between the two. 

Let us take the example we used earlier- Freepost Gaze. Both your addresses will have the names Freepost Gaze 1 and Freepost Gaze 2, respectively. Please remember that you need to pay a separate fee for every variant of your Freepost NAME. 

Steps to Use Royal Mail’s Response Services

Choose the Service Type

You have several options to select from, including Business Reply, Freepost, and Freepost Name. Furthermore, you also need to choose between Standard and Plus.

All you have to do is, select your official business envelopes carefully after considering all the features. After all, they represent your brand and can help you push up response levels.

Apply For a Licence

Get in touch with Royal Mail and apply for the licence you want. You will have to pay an annual licence fee along with a deposit. So, every time you get a response, the postage is deducted from this deposit account.

Design and Print Your Reply Envelopes

Royal Mail suggests using their artwork generator to produce your own response pieces. This tool helps you design envelopes with your address, licence number, barcode, and postage indicia. But, you still need to send your samples to Royal Mail for approval.

You can send them using any one of the following addresses:

• Address 1

Freepost RESPONSE SERVICES

• Address 2

Royal Mail Response Services Team
PO Box 740
Barnsley
S73 0ZJ

However, PostGrid already has Royal Mail’s Business Reply envelope templates. So, you can get through the whole process in a matter of minutes. 

More On Your Business Reply Envelope Printing and Artwork:

• Your artwork is always subject to approval from Royal Mail.
• The return address you print on your envelopes must be the same as on your licence. 
• Royal Mail does not accept punctuation marks and abbreviations, except some abbreviations that are allowed upon appeal. 
• Follow the Royal Mail address format and guidelines for your return address. 
• You can either use gummed or self-sealing envelopes, depending on your needs. 

Send Your Mail Items and Wait For the Responses

Once you design and print your reply envelopes, you are ready to conduct your marketing campaigns.

Business Reply Envelope Sizes

Here are  the four popular sizes of Business Reply and Freepost envelopes:

• DL envelopes: DL envelopes are about the size of an A4 paper folded three times. They measure 110mm x 220mm. 
• C6 envelopes: These envelopes are A4 sheets folded two times and measure 114mm x 162mm. 
• C5 envelopes: If you want to use the Plus licence, this size is as large as your envelopes can get. C5 envelopes measure 162mm x 229mm. They are the size of A4 paper sheets folded once.
• C4 envelopes: Only Business Reply Standard and Freepost Standard customers can use the C4 envelopes. They measure 324mm x 229mm and are of the size of an unfolded A4 size paper.

Conclusion

Using Freepost and Business Reply mail is an excellent way to get more responses and boost conversion rates. You can use these Royal Mail services and get the best out of your marketing campaigns.

PostGrid’s print and mail API can help you send out your mail items and response envelopes with complete convenience. Request a demo now to send Business Reply envelopes using our automated services and enjoy high conversion rates.

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Creative Direct Mail Marketing Examples

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Best Direct Mail Marketing Examples and Ideas

Direct mail marketing is not something you can master overnight. There is no way you can nail your direct mail campaign the first time, regardless of how much prep time you get. However, that does not mean that proper preparation can’t help you significantly boost your chance of success. But, what is the best way to prepare yourself to run a successful direct mail campaign?

Do you go online and read hundreds of articles on how to create a direct mail campaign? Or do you just wing it by using a trial and error method? Well, it can’t be the second option because that’d mean wasting a lot of your resources and money.

One of the best ways to create direct mail campaigns with a high success potential is to study successful direct mail examples in the past. By closely examining direct mail examples that have yielded positive results, you can identify practices you can adapt for your campaigns.

But, it is also important to understand the basics of direct mail marketing before you try using the direct mail examples provided here. You need to know what is what before you can jump in and start a direct mail campaign. So, let’s begin straight away.

What is Direct Mail?

Direct mail is nothing but marketing material that you mail directly to your customer’s home or business buyer’s office. It could be an automated postcard with a unique coupon code or a catalogue that showcases your products/services or something else altogether.

Another popular direct mail material is solicitation letters from nonprofits. You may also send free samples to your target audience through your direct mail campaign. Usually, a business organisation sends a large number of mailers to its prospects.

However, generating a response from the prospects or target audience is easier said than done. Sending direct mail to a much larger audience improves your chance of generating a sufficient response. A sufficient response would be one that can balance the cost of mailing and also leave a profit for the organisation.

Do you know what is the response rate you need for running your direct mail campaigns profitably? You only need a 1% or 2% response rate for running your campaign profitably. However, the required response rate varies depending on the price of production and the number of mailers you send.

10 Creative Direct Mail Marketing Examples

Direct mail marketing is all about standing out from the crowd and presenting something fresh to your target audience. In the past couple of years, several creative direct mail campaigns have brought fresh ideas to life. Here, we will discuss some of the most creative mailers employed in direct mail marketing.

The DNA Box From Jeep

Jeep is an automobile brand that needs no introduction. Even their global tagline ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ is well known around automobile enthusiasts. However, Jeep wanted to further cement their brand values across their diverse target audience through creative direct marketing ideas.

To accomplish this, the brand p sent out a ‘test Kit’ to their target audience. The brand was really creative about the contents they included in the ‘test kit’. Jeep’s kit consisted of several items, including a clock, a compass, and small test tubes containing elements of nature.

The compass represented going “anywhere” with a Jeep, the clock for taking your Jeep out “anytime”. Similarly, the test tube filled with elements of nature was a subtle acknowledgement to their other tagline, “Freedom, Adventure, Authenticity, and Passion.”

 Free Kit Kats From Nestle

In a recent direct mail campaign, Nestle decided to make a bold move by giving their customer a free Kit Kat Bar. Nestle created a direct mail campaign to promote their new chocolate bar, Kit Kat Chunky. However, it is not just the idea of giving out free chocolate bars that are admirable about Nestle’s campaign.

Nestle also used a brilliant design for this campaign. The mailer said “Sorry, we couldn’t deliver” on top, implying they could not make a delivery earlier. However, what’s really interesting is that the mailer also states a made-up reason for not making the delivery.

The reason for not making the delivery is marked in the mailer as “It’s too CHUNKY for your letterbox.” Nestle uses the same font as the one on the wrapper of the new chocolate bar to avoid any confusion. The wordplay used here is subtle yet easily noticeable, making it one of the best direct mail campaigns.

The Brain Balloon From The Economist

Another one of the creative direct mail campaigns you should turn to for inspiration is the brain balloon from The Economist. In this creative direct mail inspiration, The Economist included a red balloon with black and white printing on either side of it.

On one side, they printed an illustration of a human brain, and on the other side, the classic logo of The Economist. The idea here is simple; the brain expands when you inflate The Economist balloon. Here, the brand subtly implies that the customer should read/subscribe to The Economist to grow their (brain) knowledge.

Using Invisible Ink For World Water Day

One of the most innovative direct mail marketing ideas in recent times was when a corporation in Belgium used invisible ink on their mailers. Yes, you heard it right, invisible ink! For world water day, a Belgium corporation sent out direct mail printed with invisible ink that only turns visible when held underwater.

The campaign was so successful that the recipients would read the mailer repeatedly just to see the invisible ink appear. Of course, you could say that the mailer wasted more water in the process than saving it, contradicting the mailer’s purpose. But, from a marketing perspective, it was an immense success.

The Candle Box From Earth Hour

Earth Hour is yet another brand that successfully comes up with creative direct mail campaigns. The brand’s most successful direct mail examples involved sending a foldable candle box to CEOs and industry leaders.

Earth Hour didn’t just send out any old plain candle box either. When unfolded, the front of the candle box formed the facade of a building. The box was entirely black and the yellow candle acted as a screen to clearly show the paper cuttings. The cuttings included people shapes placed inside the windows. 

If you remove the yellow candle from its candle box, it looks like the light just got turned off on the building. The campaign was remarkably successful, and the support for their cause went up like never seen before.

Self-Buildable 3D Hologram Prisms From Google

It is not surprising to see the name Google in this list of innovators. But, you may not have expected to see them making efforts in direct mail marketing. However, Google once again manages to put a futuristic spin even to their direct mail campaign. 

How did they manage to do this? By using a simple holographic prism that the recipient can build themselves. All they had to do was follow the instructions provided in the mailer and fold the plastic piece accordingly. Once folded the prism resembled the shape of a pyramid with its cone on the top cut off.

After building the prism, the recipients could find a video on youtube and place the prism on top of the video, and voila, a homemade hologram!

Mis-Fortune Cookies From Hell Pizza

Most of us love fortune cookies. Even the ones who don’t like fortune cookies find them at least mildly interesting. You could even say that fortune cookies have everything you’d look for in a marketing channel. You open them up like a mailer to reveal information that predicts your fortune or offer.

Hell Pizza was the first to incorporate the idea of fortune cookies into their direct marketing. However, instead of fortune cookies, Hell Pizza used “misfortune” cookies in their campaign. The misfortune cookies had witty and mildly dark messages inside, like old expiry dates that ran out years ago.

Tomato Splat From LavOnline

The Tomato Splat direct mail campaign from LavOnline is an ideal example of smartly targeting your audience. They started by identifying managers and young professionals who do not have an active laundry service employed.

When opened, the direct mail used in the campaign would take the form of a white t-shirt. 

Sounds interesting already, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t end there. 

Because the real star of the campaign is a tomato included in the package. The company goes on to ask the recipients to splash the tomato on the white t-shirt. Again, the interactive nature of the direct mail worked well for the company and saw a marginal difference in the results.

Google Maps Printed On The Envelope

Printing the Google Maps location of your business on the direct mail envelope is one of the compelling direct mail examples. The Google Maps printed on the envelope automatically gives your mailer a unique look and helps it stand out from the rest.

Wouldn’t you be intrigued too if you received an envelope with a map printed on it? Then, the recipient would at least notice the mailer and open it. The map on the envelope can also be used to relay other information, such as a discount offer. You may even use fictional or fantasy locations if your business does not have a physical store/office.

Origami And Pop-Up Books

Origami is the art of folding paper into exciting shapes. You can use origami in your direct mail and make it more fun to interact with your mailer. This approach is especially effective if your product or service targets households with little children.

Another direct mail design that uses the same principles as origami is pop-up books. The pop-up books are perfect for telling your brand’s story and for grabbing the reader’s attention. Ikea has already successfully implemented pop-up books as part of its direct marketing efforts.

Additional Creative Direct Marketing Ideas You Can Try

We have already discussed some of the best direct mail marketing campaigns in recent times. But, there are more ways for you to ensure better results for your creative mailers. Some of these creative direct mail marketing ideas are as follows: 

• List out the benefits instead of the features of your product/service.
• Utilise bigger images for grabbing user attention.
• Use product samples, checklists, and quizzes to boost interaction with the recipients.
• Instead of using plain headlines, try using questions as they are more interactive.
• Offer limited and free products/services.
• Handwriting fonts yield better results than regular fonts.
• Use AR and VR technologies to boost interactions.
• Offer free shipping, discounts, and attractive loyalty programs.

How to Perfectly Execute Your Creative Direct Mail Campaigns

Regardless of how creative you get with your direct mail campaign, it would be best if you still keep on following specific guidelines. We have listed the major guidelines below that can help you reach your direct marketing goals.

Always Go For High-Quality Targeted Lists

If you pay attention, you will notice that some aspects are common in all successful direct mail campaigns. The most prominent among them is the use of targeted lists.  

Using high-quality targeted lists lets you cut down on mailing costs by getting rid of unqualified recipients. For example, a local grocery store owner can choose the targeted list for their business from their locality. 

Similarly, you can target your audience further based on the product attributes, customer taste, and more. You can even get help from a list broker to create a list based on numerous customer demographics such as:

• Age
• Gender
• Income level
• Distance from the store.

Never Underestimate The Importance Of An Organised Message

Now that you’ve gone through the best direct mail marketing campaigns, you might have noticed that they all have a well-organised message. So, what does it mean to have an organised message in your direct mail? The simple answer is that the direct mail message should immediately convey the benefits when the audience opens the mailer.

A common mistake made by marketers is that they cram up too much information in the mailer. It usually happens when the marketer is new to direct mail campaigns. As a result, the critical parts of their message get lost in the shuffle. Hence, it would be best if you made your message concise.

For example, you can send customers a short letter along with a brochure. Some quick pointers you can follow to ensure organised messages are as follows:

• Ensure that your phone number and website details are easy to find.
• You must provide the contact details on one side for every piece you include in the mailer.
• Avoid trying to make the sale on smaller-sized mailers such as postcards.
• Use a teaser that motivates the recipient to contact your business for more information.

An Attention-grabbing Envelope Can Boost Your Open Rate

Perhaps the most crucial point of the entire direct mail campaign is when the customer receives the mailer. Why? Because once the recipient has the mailer in their hands, they will decide whether or not to open it. 

Therefore, you must make your envelope look attractive and generate curiosity in the recipient’s mind. For example, try asking a question on the envelope that provokes the reader and pushes them to open it. You could also try highlighting or hinting at the key benefits in the mailer.

For example, “Save 50% on your purchase”. Offering a reward inside is one of the best ways to pique the reader’s interest and make them want to open the envelope.

Testing Your Direct Mail is a Must!

At the beginning of the article, we said that regardless of prep time, you still need experience mastering direct mail. You can refer to all the direct mail marketing ideas out there, but by the end of the day, you’d still need to test it.

Only after testing your mailer can you know for sure that all your preparations and strategies affected the campaign. However, you don’t have to test your mailer directly on a live campaign. Instead, you could try testing the mailer on a small percentage of your actual target audience.

For example, you can send direct mail to 3% of people in your target list with a unique offer. Then, you could send the same mailer to another 3% of people in your target list but this time, with a different offer. 

You can analyse the response rate for both mailers and determine which offer resonates better with your target audience. Similarly, you can test various aspects of your direct mail, including the design, colour combinations, messaging, and much more.

How To Get The Best Result For Your Direct Mail Campaign Using PostGrid

You can refer to the best direct mail marketing campaigns and still come up short in achieving the desired results. No matter how good or creative your direct mail marketing ideas are, you can’t get the desired results unless you implement them effectively.

PostGrid is a robust direct mail automation tool that lets you streamline your entire mailing process. It enables you to automate every aspect of the direct mail marketing campaign. So, you can personalise, print, and mail your creative direct marketing ideas without any manual errors.

PostGrid also gives you access to advanced tracking and insights into your direct mail campaigns. We already know testing is also a vital part of streamlining a direct mail campaign. Furthermore, PostGrid also provides an address verification API that lets you ensure the deliverability of your direct mail.

Conclusion

Direct mail examples are the best place for marketers to gain inspiration regardless of whether they are newbies or industry experts. Every business needs to try to use/implement innovative and creative direct marketing ideas to boost its response rate. 

However, good ideas alone can not make a successful direct mail campaign. You need an advanced tool like PostGrid that can execute your creative direct marketing ideas without any errors. PostGrid’s automated system minimises any chance of error so your campaigns can run smoothly.

With all manual processes out of the way, PostGrid lets your direct mail campaigns gain a life of their own. Also, the address verification API from PostGrid allows you to make sure your addresses are deliverable. So, by the end of the day, you can flawlessly execute your innovative direct mail marketing ideas with ease using PostGrid.

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Folded Postcard Mailer: Meaning, Uses, and Advantages

Want to print and mail something exciting to your target audience? Perhaps, you are looking for an eye-catching mail type that can wow your prospects. If yes, you should try out folded postcard mailers. They possess the qualities of both postcards and letters; folded mailers offer the visual appearance of a postcard and provide enough space for your message like a letter. 

Sounds interesting, right?  

Well, folded postcards are among the most effective and eye-catching direct mail items. You can use them for several purposes, like promoting your brand and announcing season sales. 

So, what is a folded postcard mailer?

First, let us discuss “what is a self-mailer?” The answer is simple—a self-mailer is any piece of paper or card that is folded and mailed without an envelope. You can use a wafer seal or glue strips to keep the edges together. 

We don’t hear about it very often, but postcards are the most common type of self-mailer. However, they don’t have any folds, unlike bi-fold and tri-fold self-mailers.

But, you can now create foldable postcards in the same way as you would create any self-mailer, like flyers. Such foldable postcards are also known as folded postcard mailers.

There’s plenty of room in folded postcards for marketers to get creative. For example, you can add images, infographics, customer testimonials, etc. These things improve your mailer’s visual impact while also grabbing the attention of your customers and prospects.

In this blog, we will discuss more on folded self-mailers. We have also covered its advantages and the tips to use them.

Prime Benefits of Folded Postcard Mailers

Effective and Affordable

Folded postcard mailers are less expensive than a marketing letter. It is because you don’t need to print multiple pieces and spend a lot on handling them.

The press itself can do all folding tasks. Also, you don’t require additional labour to insert your mailers in envelopes. These things can help you save a significant amount of time and money.

Furthermore, if your mailer needs reply cards or other add-ons, integrate them into the mailer itself through perforations. Again, this step can help you save money.

But, remember that though affordable than letters, self-mailers are more expensive than postcards. The added number of pages, ink and the extra tasks of folding and glueing can increase your costs.

However, self-mailers can generate a great return on investment, which can cover your costs easily.

Impressive and Attention-Grabbing

One-piece mailers offer you an excellent opportunity to communicate with people. For example, you can create an appealing artwork and print it on the exteriors, so prospects can see it the moment they pick it up.

There is no envelope to hide your message, making it easy for people to see your offer instantly. But, of course, you can take advantage of this fact and use attention-grabbing headlines on top of your open edges.

Suppose you are a jewellery-making company. Then, you can add some attractive images of your jewellery with a headline, like “End of the Holiday Sale.”

Your artwork imagery plays a significant part in your campaign success. According to research, the human brain processes pictures 60,000 times faster than words.

Hence, it makes sense to use big, full-colour images on your folded mailers.

More Real Estate For Your Message

There’s way more space in card mailers than postcards. So, you have ample space to work.

Typically, a mailer measuring 8 x 15 inches has three panels, and the folded size comes down to 8 x 5 inches. You can try other dimensions, but be sure to consult your folded postcard printing vendor.

Unlike postcards, you can explain your products and services in detail through self-mailers. They have enough space to accommodate three to four paragraphs along with your CTA.

Excellent for B2C Companies

Folded mail pieces are an excellent option for B2C advertising. It is because they are informal and appealing to the general public.

They are primarily helpful for advertising to your loyal customers. You can introduce a loyalty program or give additional cashback to them. Either way, these customers are more likely to respond to your offers and can help you get repeat business.

But, in the case of B2B companies, you need a more elegant-looking mail item, like enveloped letters. Then, they can catch the attention of decision-makers and convince them to read your message.

So, self-mailers are best for only B2C companies unless you are ready to spend more on making them look professional for B2B marketing.

More Privacy

Some companies are under the impression that folded postcards do not offer privacy. But, that is not the case.

The edges of all self-mailers are sealed together to protect their contents and ensure privacy.

Plus, you can also add personalised details as they cannot be seen from the outside. However, do not use self-mailers for crucial documents, like bank statements, invoices, etc.

On the other hand, you can also choose to send out non-personalized self-mailers. It will aid the readers in sharing the mailers with other people, hence increasing your brand visibility.

Easily Measurable

Folded postcards help marketers track every response and measure their campaign results. Since there is a lot of space in self-mailers, you can add more than one way to track them.

The most commonly used tracking mechanism for self-mailers is reply cards. They are integrated into the mailer to convince people to take action.

The number of reply cards you receive back is the number of responses generated from your campaign.

Similarly, you can send self-mailers with return envelopes. Again, it makes it simple for your audience to respond to your offers.

Other tracking systems include the use of QR codes and pURLs. They both take up very little space and can help you record responses efficiently.

Also, some companies use perforated coupons as a means to record campaign results. For example, if you own a restaurant, you can send self-mailers with such coupons to all the people in your neighbourhood. Add sentences like “walk into our restaurant with this coupon to get a flat 40% discount.”

Plenty of Creative Options

Marketers can get as creative as possible with folded postcards. There are no restrictions on self-mailer designs.

You can choose to design a different artwork for every panel or spread out the same artwork throughout the mailer. Either way, it all depends on your imagination. But, make sure that the design fits well with your messaging.

Though self-mailers are known more for their design, you should always give the centre stage to your words. Let your design communicate your message instead of replacing it.

Also, use high-quality paper stock to make your prospects feel special when they hold your self-mailers.

You can refer to a folded self-mailer template to get ideas. Or you can use PostGrid’s pre-built design templates and create your postcard mailers.

Other than flexibility in designing, you can also be flexible regarding when to use self-mailers. Find below some possible use cases:

• Promoting your brand’s products and services.
• Announcing newly launched offerings.
• Inviting prospects and customers for events, like trade fairs and press meets.
• Getting in touch with old customers.
• Engaging with existing customers to get more sales.
• Converting cold leads into hot ones.
• Advertising a new franchise or store.

Folding Options for Self-Mailers

After you finish printing your self-mailers, it’s now time to fold them. But, take care to finalise your folding options before you design or print anything.

There are several ways to fold self-mailers, and some of them are:

1. Barrel fold

It is also known as roll fold and is a popular method of mailing self-mailers. In this method, you must fold the mailer parallelly into three or four equal parts. So, when a person opens the front panel, the mailer rolls out.

2. Gatefold

As the name suggests, gate-fold self-mailers appear like a gate. Usually, the mailer is folded down to two panels that look like two gates, which the readers can open from either the left or right side.

3. Double fold

This method needs you to fold the mailer into two halves and repeat the process until you get multiple panels. All the panels should be about the same size. But, double-fold self-mailers have a disadvantage; the inside panel gets buried deeper with every fold. Hence, it reduces the chances of the reader reading that panel.

Seal your folded postcards properly with no open flaps to qualify for presorting and automation postage discounts.

Guidelines for Sending Folded Postcards

Your self-mailer sizes depend on your budget and message. But, consider the postal service guidelines regarding self-mailers before you decide anything.  

Firstly, you should know that the folded postcard postage rate depends on its weight. Usually, self-mailers are about the same size and weight as letters, and Royal Mail charges them at letter rates.

If your self-mailers cross the prescribed letter dimensions, you would need to pay extra.

However, you still have the freedom to decide the number of panels or folds that your self-mailer can have. The post office is only concerned about the end mail item (the folded self-mailer) and not the number of folds it has.

It is advisable to visit your nearest post office and cross-check the dimensions to avoid any further troubles.

Tips to Conduct Successful Folded Postcard Marketing Campaigns

Before printing anything and sending it out to your mailing list, you should consider some things. Find below some practical tips to help you conduct successful mailing campaigns:

Let Your Message Flow

The complete theme of your self-mailer must be consistent. Make sure that all your panels have a similar layout.

Starting with the front panel, make it intriguing and eye-catching. It should not be too overwhelming for your audience but should create enough curiosity to make the prospects read further.

Every panel must have a different function, but they should be well-connected with one another. For example, you can start by introducing your brand, then move ahead to your product benefits. You can finally bring up your offer in the next panel and ask the audience to complete the CTA.

Share Customer Reviews

Adding customer reviews and real-life stories on the last panel of your self-mailers can help boost credibility. In addition, you can design a dedicated section for these reviews so that it is visible to everyone.

Make an Instant Visual Impact

As mentioned above, the design should not replace the cop. But, it does not mean that your design should not make an impression.

Use a folded postcard template that creates an immediate visual impact. So, the postcard should get people hooked to your message the minute they see it.

However, take care not to mess up your design and message. There should be enough white space, and your words should be readable. Avoid using fancy font styles and dark colours that make your text difficult to read.

Over to You

A folded postcard is simply a sheet of paper stock designed, folded, and mailed to a target audience. Companies use these self-mailers as a direct mail marketing strategy to increase response levels and conversions.

PostGrid’s direct mail API can help you create, print, and mail such folded postcards. You can automate the entire process and sit back as we lift the workload off your shoulders.

We offer many direct mail services like double-sided postcard printing, letter printing, etc.

The post Folded Postcard Mailer: Meaning, Uses, and Advantages appeared first on PostGrid UK.

Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/folded-self-mailers/

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Postage Cost from UK to USA

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International Postage Cost from UK to USA

The United States is the world’s largest economy today. Hence, it makes sense for the United Kingdom to conduct business with this country and boost world trade.

The UK postal organisation Royal Mail has already been offering international mailing to the US. You can take advantage of its mailing options and send mail at reasonable rates.

In this blog, we will discuss how much does postage costs from UK to USA. We will also talk about all the different Royal Mail services you can choose from. 

For example, you can use the International Signed & Tracked or International Tracked options for time-sensitive deliveries. Otherwise, you can opt for cheaper options like Standard and Economy.

Mailing Options and Postage Cost from UK to USA

It doesn’t matter if you need to send something to a large city like Los Angeles or a small town in Arkansas. Royal Mail allows you to send letters and parcels to all parts of the US at reasonable rates.

Most of these Royal Mail postage costs from UK to USA vary depending on the type of mail, size, and weight. You can calculate your exact postage here.

Find below the Royal Mail international postage rates UK to USA:

International Tracked & Signed

If you want to send something valuable to the US, this is your best option. Though it is also the most expensive option for international mailing, it offers an extra layer of protection to your mail items.

The delivery time frame for sending mail via Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed is 5 to 7 working days.

This option is fully tracked, offers peace of mind, and is one of the best options to send mail up to 2kg to the US.

You also get online delivery confirmation along with a signature on delivery. These features provide you with additional security and guarantee delivery that can add to your peace of mind.

International Tracked & Signed comes with insurance coverage of about £50. You can always buy extra coverage up to £250. Send a parcel to America with enough insurance coverage to compensate for your parcel value.

There are four types of mail items that you can send via this option: letters, large letters, parcels, tubes, and rolls.

Letters can include personal letters, postcards, greeting cards, etc. They should not exceed the dimensions 24cm x 16.5cm x 0.5cm. The cost of letter postage to the USA from the UK starts from £6.85. If the letter weighs between 20 to 100g, the rate increases to £7.85.

Letters weighing more than 100g and up to 750g are referred to as large letters. Their maximum dimensions are 35.3cm x 25cm x 2.5cm. The postage for sending large letters starts at £9.75 and ranges up to £14.60. If you pay the postage online, you get a discount of £0.20.

Our next category is parcels and printed papers. The weight range for sending parcels is between 100g and 2kg.

The UK to USA parcel cost ranges between £13.85 to £33.20. You can bag a lot of discounts if you opt for sending your mail online.

International Tracked

In the International Tracked option, there is no signature taken from the recipient on delivery.

Though it may seem a little less secure, this option still has the other perks. It is fully tracked up to the delivery points, offers online delivery confirmation, and coverage of up to £50. There are also other services including free returns on all undelivered items and additional coverage of up to £250.

The online postage costs to the USA under the International Tracked option are 10% lower than before. Find below the rates:

• Letters weighing up to 10g cost £6.75. If the weight ranges between 20g to 100g, the postage is £7.75. Please note that letters cannot exceed the dimensions 24cm x 16.5cm x 0.5cm and can only weigh up to 100g.
• Large letters weighing up to 100g cost £9.65. If the weight range is between 100 to 250g, then the rate may increase up to £10.55.
• The postage further increases to £14.50 for letters weighing up to 750g. Anything beyond this weight limit is considered a parcel.
• The maximum dimensions for all large letters are 35.3cm x 25cm x 2.5cm. Usually, magazines, DVDs, CDs, etc., are processed as large letters.
• The Royal Mail postage to America for parcels via this option starts at £11.85 and goes up to £31.95.

Online rates are much cheaper than post office rates. Therefore, companies should consider paying their postage online and availing such discounts.

International Standard

This option is very affordable and still offers some benefits like free returns for undelivered mail and a £20 coverage.

Unlike the above two options whose transit time is 5 to 7 working days, International Standard can take somewhere between 6 to 7 working days. However, this 1-day difference is negligible as the rates are very low.

The maximum weight limit for International Standard is again 2kg. And there is no online delivery confirmation, signature on delivery, or tracking options.

All the dimensions for sending letters, large letters, and parcels are the same as the above options.

Find below the International Standard postage costs to USA from UK:

• Letters weighing up to 20g only cost you £1.70. For letters that weigh between 20g to 100g, the postage rises to £2.55.
• Large letters may cost from £4.20 to £11.10 depending on the weight range. Online prices offer you a discount of at least £0.20 on every rate.
• Coming to parcels, the postage cost to America is between £9.35 to £30.45. The maximum weight limit is 2kg. The online rates for sending parcels offer a £0.30 discount.

Before sending anything, make sure to read the Royal Mail prohibitions and restrictions along with your destination country’s rules.

International Economy

International Economy offers the cheapest shipping from UK to USA. However, the delivery time is up to 42 days or 6 weeks. So, use this option only when you have a lot of time to get your mail items delivered.

Even after being the cheapest international mailing option, International Economy offers a free £20 coverage. It also provides free returns for undelivered mail. Make sure to write a return address on your mail items so that Royal Mail can return them back to you.

How much to ship to America using the International Economy option?

The postage for sending letters up to 20g is £1.45. Letters weighing between 20 to 100g cost £1.55.

Large letters weighing up to 100g cost £3.00 and those weighing between 100 to 250g cost £4.00. The rates increase to £4.90 and £5.90 for every additional 250g.

Sending parcels via the International Economy can cost you between £4.85 to £12.95. Remember to take care of the weight and dimensions mentioned by Royal Mail.

Sending International Parcels Weighing More Than 2Kg

Royal Mail does not restrict you to parcels that weigh up to 2kg. You can also send international parcels weighing between 2 to 30kg.

In 1990, Royal Mail launched a separate parcel function for sending parcels abroad. It was named Parcelforce Worldwide and has been in operation for the last 31 years.

Global Express

The first option falls under this service, which is known as Global Express. The transit time starts from the next working day for Europe, Canada, and the US. It is fully tracked and offers named delivery confirmation.

You can either request for a parcel pick up or drop off your parcel at your nearest post office.

It is one of your best choices to post to US from UK. The rates depend on the destination and weight of your parcels. There is also a compensation cover of £200.

Take care that your parcel does not exceed the dimensions of 3m length and girth combined and 1.5m length.

The postage costs to the USA from UK Royal Mail start from £54.65 and range up to £273.65.

Global Priority

Global Priority offers international parcel mailing with a compensation cover of £100 with tracking options.

Unlike Global Express, this option completes delivery at least after 3 working days. You can opt for parcel pickups, or book online and drop off your parcels to save £10.

The Royal Mail send to USA costs for the Global Priority option ranges between £44.80 to £224.95 depending on weight.

Global Value

If you want to save costs and are not in a hurry, choose the Global Value option to send your parcels. There is a compensation cover of £100 and delivery starts from 4 business days.

The lowest postage from UK to USA cost under this option is £27.70. It can increase up to £205.55, depending on your mail weight.

You can drop off your parcels at the local Parcelforce Worldwide depot or post office.

Global Economy

This is the most affordable Royal Mail service for sending heavy parcels internationally. There are no added benefits but you can save a lot on postage.

Deliveries are completed between 28 to 46 working days. The postal rates to USA from UK are as low as £24.70 and range up to £202.55 for the heaviest parcels.

Which Items Can I Send to the US?

There are various prohibited items that Royal Mail does not deliver to the US, such as toiletries, e-cigarettes, foods, and drinks.

Sending medicines and valuable items are allowed but you need to follow the instructions.

Other restricted items include live animals, meat, dairy products, edible fruits and vegetables, coffee, cereals, etc. Make sure to cross-check with your local post office before mailing anything.

Chemical products, fertilizers, wood articles, etc are also restricted.

Clearing Customs to Send Mail Abroad

You need to follow the customs and border protection rules to send something abroad. Fill out a customs declaration form and apply it to your package.

If you pay postage online, the customs data is sent to you in advance.

For sending items worth up to £270, use a customs form CN22. Also, if you are sending something worth more than £270, you need a customs form CN23 and a clear plastic wallet SP 126.

Such customs clearance is very important while sending international mail. You can get the above-mentioned forms from your local post office too.

Wrapping Up

Now that you know the postage rates UK to USA, it is easier for you to plan and send something abroad. However, make sure to consider your mail weight and the delivery frame before selecting any options.

PostGrid’s print and mail API can help you send domestic and international mail easily. So, you need not stress about paying customs duty or checking Royal Mail international prices.

Create, print, and mail your marketing and transactional mail with us. There are no minimum volume requirements or commitments needed. You can send your mail on-demand or in bulk as per your needs.

The post Postage Cost from UK to USA appeared first on PostGrid UK.

Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/postage-cost-from-uk-to-usa/

source https://postgridunitedkingdom.weebly.com/blog/postage-cost-from-uk-to-usa