How Nonprofits Can Save Money On Postage

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How To Use The 2021 Postal Promotions To Salve On Postage

Credit: Pexels past Anthony Acosta

With the large postage stamp rate increase scheduled for August 29, 2021, finding ways to save on postage for the rest of the year is fifty-fifty more important. Do you take a planned strategy to not only save money on postage but really stand out and increment your response rate?

USPS Postage Saving Promotions:

Mobile Shopping Promotion – This program runs August ane, 2021 – December 31, 2021. It uses directly mail to highlight the connection betwixt the mail slice and the digital shopping feel. It is designed to enable customers to conveniently go from the mail piece, direct to a mobile-optimized online shopping experience. You tin use QR codes, imbedded digital watermarks, augmented reality or voice banana prompts. By calculation mobile technology to your mail that allows your customers or prospects to make a purchase or other online shopping experiences, yous can qualify to relieve 2% on your postage.
Informed Delivery Promotion – This program runs September 1, 2021 – November 30, 2021. Utilize this program of Informed Delivery, which volition send an email to people with a color picture of your mail piece to allow them know what is coming in their postal service box that day. You tin can even provide a clickable link and then that people can starting time purchasing correct so. You can save ii% on your postage.

Yous can participate in both promotions, but but one per mailing. Each promotion requires registration to participate and reporting later the mailing is consummate, only they are worth the savings. Become more info hither.

Now let's expect at some other means we tin salvage on postage to get the well-nigh blindside for your buck. Postage is like airline tickets. Some people pay more than than others. The USPS offers significant postage stamp discounts to mail pieces that are designed and addressed properly for processing on automated equipment.

Mail to the right people: By targeting your lists to accomplish only those people almost likely to be interested in your product or service.
Clean In-Firm lists: Reduce undeliverable postal service by updating your lists at least every three months. There are many data hygiene resources available to go along your list up-to-date.
Size matters: For lower postage stamp rates, keep your mail piece at letter size. Which is minimum 3 ½″ high by v″ long and a maximum 6″ loftier by x½″ long. Mail service pieces larger than that autumn into the flats category and have a significantly higher postage stamp rate. The maximum immune is 12″ high by 15″ long. Flats can cost more than than twice every bit much per piece as letters.
Sentinel your Aspect Ratio: Letter size automation mail must be rectangular. The aspect ratio (length divided by acme) has to be from 1.3 to 2.5. Mail pieces that autumn outside those ratios could cost twice as much.
Location, location, location: Make sure the address and barcode block on letter size mail fits into the USPS OCR read expanse. If it doesn't fit, you lot pay for information technology with boosted postage. Nosotros tin provide y'all with a template to guide y'all.
Stay centered: Tri-folded self-mailers must be addressed on the heart panel to qualify for discounted automation postage stamp.
Fold it right: On all folded self-mailers the concluding fold must be either beneath or to the right of the mailing accost. Any other fold configuration will upshot in additional stamp.
Spotter your weight: Whenever possible keep the weight of a folded cocky-mailer under one ounce. You tin can use minimum 70# text newspaper and ane inch tab closures. When your mailer is over 1 ounce you must employ minimum lxxx# text newspaper and larger tabs. Mailers over 3.5 ounces must go in an envelope.
Thin is not in: Mail service pieces that are too thin volition cost more than postage. Keep your slice at to the lowest degree 0.009″ thick and you tin save 25 cents or more per piece. Maximum thickness for letter size mail is ¼″ and for flat size is ¾″.
Stay horizontal: The commitment address on letter size post must exist parallel to the longer dimension of the post piece or, you guessed information technology, more postage.
Extra room: Let a large enough open expanse for the address and barcode. We recommend a 4×ii″ articulate surface area.
Image is everything: Avoid dark paper stock or printed images in the address area. Make sure they are low-cal plenty to meet USPS reflectance standards. Postal accost reader machines must be able to discern the barcode against the background or you pay more postage.
Smooth out the bumps: Automation compatible mail must be regular in shape and thickness. Avoid protrusions or enclosures such equally pens, pencils, or loose keys or coins that cause the thickness of the mail piece to be uneven. Clasps, strings, staples, buttons, or similar closing devices are too prohibited.
Go on it consequent: All mail pieces within a single mailing must exist uniform in size and weight. Use the same paper stock for all pieces in a mailing to avert postal weight verification bug. The Mail Office weighs a sample batch from each mailing to verify the number of pieces in the mailing. If their sample batch weighs more, they will charge you for more than pieces. That means additional postage.

An ounce of prevention can save you lot a pound of headaches. Information technology is important to thoroughly check your mail pieces for postal regulations before you impress. Your mail service provider can assist you with this. Don't waste money on stamp. Are you ready to start saving?