Did you know that Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is one of the most cost-effective and impactful ways to reach your target audience? With EDDM, you can send your marketing message directly to every mailbox in a specific area or zip code without a mailing list, reaching thousands of potential customers with a single mailing.

At CheapPostcards.net, we understand the power of EDDM and the importance of following the USPS EDDM guidelines (PDF) to ensure the success of your direct mail campaign. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the requirements for EDDM and provide you with the knowledge and insights you need to maximize the impact of your direct mail marketing.

Whether you’re a small business targeting a local market or a national brand looking to expand your reach, understanding and meeting the EDDM requirements can make all the difference in the success of your campaign. So, let’s dive in and discover everything you need to know about leveraging EDDM to grow your business and connect with your customers!

Understanding Every Door Direct Mail

This section will comprehensively understand Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). We will explain what EDDM is, its benefits for businesses, and how it can fit into your overall marketing strategy. Whether you are considering EDDM for the first time or looking to optimize your current use of this marketing method, this section will give you the insights you need.

What is EDDM?

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a targeted mailing service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS). It allows businesses to reach specific geographical areas without needing specific mailing addresses. With EDDM, you can select postal routes based on location, demographics, or other criteria to ensure your marketing materials reach the right audience.

The Benefits of Using EDDM for Your Business

EDDM offers several benefits for businesses looking to promote their products or services:

• Cost-Effective: EDDM allows you to send mailings at a lower cost than traditional direct mail campaigns. You can save money on postage and printing expenses by targeting specific areas.
• Broad Reach: With EDDM, you can reach many potential customers within a specific geographic area. This is especially beneficial for local businesses looking to attract customers in their immediate vicinity.
• High Visibility: EDDM mailpieces are often larger than standard mail and stand out in the mailbox, increasing the chances of your message being noticed by recipients.
• Easy to Implement: EDDM eliminates the need for purchasing or maintaining mailing lists, marking a significant advantage for your marketing campaign. You can simply select the desired postal routes and deliver your marketing materials to the USPS for distribution.

How EDDM Fits Into Your Marketing Strategy

EDDM can be a powerful tool in your overall marketing strategy. It complements other advertising channels by reaching customers directly in their homes through every door direct mail campaign. By combining EDDM with digital marketing efforts, you can increase brand awareness and drive traffic to your website or physical store.

EDDM Requirements: Deep Dive into USPS Guidelines

In this section, we will take a deep dive into the EDDM requirements set by the USPS. It’s essential for businesses to understand and follow these guidelines to ensure their EDDM mailings meet USPS standards and are eligible for EDDM rates.

One of the important requirements is the size specifications for EDDM mailpieces. The USPS has set specific dimensions to ensure efficient processing and delivery. Understanding these size requirements will help businesses create mailpieces that meet USPS standards and qualify for EDDM rates. The size specifications will be discussed in detail in the upcoming sections.

Another essential aspect of EDDM requirements is the indicia (fancy word for permit), the marking on the mailpiece that signifies the payment of postage. The USPS mandates specific guidelines for indicia placement and format. By following these indicia requirements closely, businesses can ensure the legality and eligibility of their mailings for EDDM rates, making their every door direct mail campaign more effective.

By gaining a comprehensive understanding of these USPS guidelines, businesses can navigate the EDDM process seamlessly, avoid potential issues, and maximize the benefits of this cost-effective direct mail marketing strategy.

As a leader in EDDM printing and marketing services, CheapPostcards.net is well-versed in the USPS guidelines and can assist businesses in meeting all EDDM requirements. With our expertise and high-quality printing services, we ensure that your EDDM mailings, a crucial part of any marketing campaign, meet USPS standards, achieving optimal results for your direct mail campaigns.

Eligibility Criteria for EDDM

In order to use Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) as part of your marketing strategy, it’s important to understand the eligibility criteria set by the United States Postal Service (USPS). By meeting these criteria, including adhering to the proper retail indicia, you can ensure that your EDDM mailings are eligible for EDDM rates and will reach the intended recipients. Let’s take a closer look at the eligibility criteria for EDDM.

Which Businesses Can Benefit from EDDM?

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a versatile marketing tool that can benefit a wide range of businesses in their marketing campaign. Whether you’re a small local business or a national brand, EDDM allows you to target specific geographic areas and reach potential customers in a cost-effective way. EDDM is particularly beneficial for:

• Restaurants and cafes
• Retail stores
• Real estate agents
• Dentists and doctors
• Home services providers

By leveraging EDDM, these businesses can effectively promote their products, services, and special offers to the local community and increase their visibility among potential customers.

Understanding the Indicia Requirements

When using EDDM, it’s important to understand the indicia requirements set by the USPS. The indicia is a marking or imprint that indicates prepayment for the mailing. To ensure that your EDDM mailings meet the indicia requirements, you must include the following information:

1. Your company or business name
2. Your return address
3. The words “Every Door Direct Mail” or “EDDM”

By including this information in the indicia, you can ensure that your EDDM mailings comply with USPS regulations and are eligible for EDDM rates.

Overall, understanding the eligibility criteria for EDDM is crucial for planning and executing a successful direct mail campaign. By meeting the requirements and targeting the right audience, businesses can effectively reach potential customers and drive results with their every door direct mail campaign. If you’re looking for a reliable provider for your EDDM needs, CheapPostcards.net offers top-notch EDDM printing and marketing services.

The Anatomy of an EDDM Mailpiece

In this section, we will explore the anatomy of an EDDM mailpiece. Understanding the size specifications and design guidelines for EDDM mailings is crucial in creating impactful and successful direct mail campaigns that resonate with your target audience.

EDDM Size Specifications

When it comes to EDDM mailings, USPS has specific size requirements that need to be followed. The EDDM mailpiece must meet the following specifications:

• The maximum size for postcards is 6.5″ x 11.5″.
• For folded mailpieces, the maximum size is 12″ x 15″.
• The minimum size for EDDM mailpieces is 3.5″ x 5″.
• The aspect ratio (length divided by height) must be between 1.3 and 2.5.
• Most Popular sizes for EDDM cards are 6.25″ X 9″ and 6″ X 11″

By adhering to these size requirements, you can ensure that your EDDM mailpieces are eligible for EDDM rates and effectively reach your intended audience.

EDDM Postcard Specifications and Design Guidelines

In addition to the size specifications, there are certain design guidelines that should be considered when creating EDDM postcards:

• Use high-resolution images and graphics for optimal print quality.
• Include clear and concise messaging that grabs attention.
• Utilize eye-catching colors and fonts in your EDDM mailer to enhance visual appeal.
• Ensure that important information, such as your business name and contact details, is prominently displayed.
• Leave sufficient white space for readability and to draw focus to key elements.
• Consider incorporating a call to action that encourages recipients to take a desired action.

Remember, the design and layout of your EDDM postcards play a significant role in capturing the interest of your audience and driving response rates.

Check out the image below to see an example of a well-designed EDDM postcard that meets the size specifications and design guidelines:

By following the EDDM size requirements and design guidelines, businesses can create compelling and effective EDDM mailpieces that make a lasting impression on their target audience.

How to Target Your Audience with EDDM

One of the key advantages of EDDM is its ability to reach a wide range of potential customers without the need for specific addresses. However, to ensure that your EDDM campaign resonates with your target audience, it is crucial to employ audience targeting and segmentation techniques. By doing so, you can create personalized and impactful mailpieces that speak directly to the needs and interests of your intended recipients.

To effectively target your audience with EDDM, consider the following strategies:

1. Demographic Segmentation: Analyze data on the demographics of your target market, such as age, gender, income level, and occupation. This information can help you tailor your EDDM mailings to appeal to specific segments of your audience.
2. Geographic Targeting: Utilize the geographic targeting capabilities of EDDM to reach customers within specific neighborhoods, cities, or regions. This is particularly useful for businesses that have a defined service area or want to focus their marketing efforts on specific geographic locations.
3. Personalization: Customize your EDDM mailpieces by including personalized elements, such as the recipient’s name or specific offers tailored to their interests. Personalization can significantly increase engagement and response rates.
4. Segment-Specific Offers: Develop unique offers or promotions that are tailored to specific segments of your audience. By understanding the different preferences and needs of your target segments, you can create compelling incentives that resonate with each group.
5. Data Analysis: Regularly analyze the performance of your EDDM campaigns and use the insights gained to refine your targeting strategies. By tracking response rates, conversion rates, and other key metrics, you can continuously optimize your audience targeting efforts.

Targeting your audience effectively with EDDM is essential for maximizing the success of your direct mail campaigns. By understanding the demographics and preferences of your audience, leveraging geographic targeting, personalization, and segment-specific offers, you can create impactful EDDM mailpieces that engage and convert your target customers.

To see an example of how EDDM audience targeting can benefit your business, take a look at the illustration below:

By segmenting your audience and tailoring your EDDM mailings accordingly, you can effectively reach and engage different groups of potential customers. This targeted approach can significantly improve the performance and ROI of your EDDM campaigns.

Selecting the Right Zip Code and Routes for Your EDDM Campaign

When planning your Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign, one of the key considerations is selecting the right zip codes and routes to target. This crucial step ensures that your direct mail reaches the desired audience and maximizes the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

At CheapPostcards.net, we understand the importance of reaching the right customers with your EDDM mailings. That’s why we offer valuable guidance on zip code and route selection to help you achieve the best results for your EDDM campaign. As Houston based printer we offer personal experience with the city and surrounding areas. However working with your specific area with the EDDM route tool we can pinpoint the best routes for your marketing needs.

Using the EDDM Online Tool

The United States Postal Service (USPS) provides an online tool specifically designed to assist businesses in selecting the most suitable zip codes and routes for their EDDM campaigns. This user-friendly tool allows you to search for specific areas, view demographic information, and analyze the delivery routes available within your target locations.

By utilizing the EDDM online tool, you can gain valuable insights into the demographics and characteristics of different zip codes and routes. This information helps you make data-driven decisions and ensures that your EDDM mailings are effectively targeted to reach your desired audience.

Maximizing Postal Service Options for Wider Reach

In addition to selecting the right zip codes and routes, it’s essential to explore postal service options that can expand the reach of your EDDM campaigns. The USPS offers various services that can enhance the distribution of your EDDM mailings, allowing you to target a broader audience.

Some of the postal service options for EDDM include:

• EDDM Retail: This option allows you to personally drop off your EDDM mailings at the local Post Office, providing convenience and control over the delivery process.
• EDDM BMEU for an efficient print and mail process: The Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) is an efficient solution for businesses with larger EDDM campaigns. It streamlines the acceptance and processing of your EDDM mailings, ensuring timely delivery for each mail piece.
• EDDM Marketing Mail: With EDDM Marketing Mail, you can customize your EDDM mailings further by adding additional marketing materials to your main mailpiece. This allows you to provide more comprehensive information about your products or services.

By utilizing these postal service options, you can extend the reach of your EDDM campaigns and target a wider audience, helping you achieve greater marketing success.

Preparing Your EDDM Mailing

In order to ensure a successful Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign, it is essential to properly prepare your EDDM mailing. This involves sorting and bundling your mailpieces and adhering to the necessary mailing restrictions and guidelines set by the USPS.

Sorting and Bundling Your Mailpieces

Sorting and bundling your mailpieces is an important step to ensure efficient delivery and compliance with USPS guidelines. This is also the most taxing process that most people choose to have a direct mail provider like CheapPostcards.net handle. By organizing your mailpieces effectively, you can streamline the mailing process and improve the chances of reaching your target audience effectively.

Here are some steps to help you sort and bundle your mailpieces:

• Group your mailpieces by size and type, such as postcards or flyers.
• Separate mailpieces by the selected carrier routes or ZIP codes.
• Bundle your mailpieces in stacks of 50 or 100 pieces, secured with bands or straps.
• Label each bundle with the corresponding carrier route or ZIP code.
• Ensure the correct facing orientation for the address side of the mailpieces.

By following these sorting and bundling guidelines, you can streamline the mailing process and increase the efficiency of your EDDM campaign.

Mailing Restrictions and Guidelines

When preparing your EDDM mailing, it is crucial to be aware of the mailing restrictions and guidelines enforced by the USPS. These guidelines ensure that your mailings comply with USPS standards and are eligible for EDDM rates.

Here are some important mailing restrictions and guidelines to consider:

• EDDM mailings must be sent to residential addresses or PO boxes, excluding businesses.
• Mailpieces must meet the specified size requirements to qualify for EDDM rates.
• Ensure that your mailpieces do not contain prohibited content, such as hazardous materials or illegal substances.
• Follow the USPS design guidelines for EDDM mailpieces, including the placement of required information and indicia.

By adhering to these mailing restrictions and guidelines, you can ensure that your EDDM mailings meet USPS standards and maximize the effectiveness of your direct mail marketing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding and adhering to the requirements for Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is crucial for a successful direct mail campaign. By following the guidelines set by the United States Postal Service (USPS), businesses can ensure that their EDDM mailings meet USPS standards and are eligible for EDDM rates.

Maximizing the impact of your EDDM campaign is essential for achieving marketing success. By targeting the right audience, using effective EDDM design and size specifications, and selecting the most suitable zip codes and routes, businesses can create impactful and resonant EDDM mailpieces.

When it comes to EDDM printing and marketing services, CheapPostcards.net is a reliable and cost effective provider to consider. With its expertise in EDDM and commitment to quality, CheapPostcards.net can help businesses achieve successful EDDM campaigns that drive results. Its dedication to providing top-notch services makes it the ideal partner for all your EDDM needs.