| Postage for your direct mail- there are more marketing | | | | company supports. There is an additional fee for the |
| options and excitement than you might think. Studies | | | | customization in addition to the postage amount, but |
| have shown that direct mail pieces- envelopes, | | | | custom stamps are a creative and effective way to |
| postcards, anything that you send in the mail- that has | | | | get the attention of the readers of your direct mail |
| a postage stamp on it or actual postage that doesn't | | | | pieces. They are more apt to open the envelope with |
| look like bulk mail gets opened and read at a much | | | | custom stamps. |
| higher rate. So what are your options when it comes | | | | Customized Indicia |
| to postage so you can increase your direct mail | | | | Another type of customization is for the actual postal |
| success rate? Read on for creative postage ideas. | | | | indicia used in a postage meter. There are different |
| Coordinating Stamps | | | | ways of creating them. Some companies will actually |
| You can use regular stamps from the post office. If | | | | make their indicia look like it's in the shape of an actual |
| you're looking for something cost-effective and can't | | | | stamp. Others will put a message on theirs. A lot of |
| afford customized postage, this is the best option for | | | | non-profits use a customized indicia relating to donating. |
| you. There are a lot of stamps in the market. If you go | | | | Companies use them to tout their mission or use a |
| online to the United States Postal Service website, you | | | | catchy phrase to get the attention of the recipient. |
| can order stamps online and have them delivered | | | | Another thing beautiful thing about an indicia and |
| directly to you. Do this in advance of a direct mail | | | | postage meter is that it saves you money because |
| campaign so that you'll have them in time for your next | | | | you're mailing in bulk and using bulk postage rates. Don't |
| direct mail piece. There are a lot of different designs. It | | | | pay the full price for first class postage if you don't |
| didn't used to be this way. There used to be only a | | | | have to. Save the money for your marketing! |
| couple of different options for standardized postage. | | | | 'Dummy' Stamps |
| But now, there are several options. For example, if you | | | | An additional thing companies do is print 'dummy' |
| are a wedding coordinator and need postage for | | | | stamps. You can have one or more of these created. |
| invitations you're handling for a client, there are stamps | | | | These are stickers the size and shape of a stamp (so |
| that say 'love' or wedding designs. Pick stamps that | | | | that they look like actual postage). They will be |
| match your brand at the same time you're using the | | | | positioned next to your indicia. Companies design them |
| most cost-effective postage for your business. | | | | with different messages or promotions. The 'dummy' |
| Technology companies can get stamps with | | | | stamps might have different images of your latest |
| innovators. Creative businesses can get stamps that | | | | campaign and some wording. Be very careful not to |
| are more artsy or abstract. | | | | use a lot of wording. Doing this still gives the look and |
| Customized Stamp | | | | the feel of having customized postage while keeping |
| Businesses can also have customized stamps | | | | the postage savings of your indicia. Best of all, it still |
| created. There are several services in the | | | | increases the response rate. |
| marketplace that allow you to make customized | | | | Of course you always need to make sure that you're |
| stamps. Find several by typing in 'custom stamps' in | | | | following postal regulations for these postage ideas. |
| your search engine online. Companies upload logos, | | | | Any of these ideas will make your mail stand out. Your |
| taglines, and photos of mascots or team members to | | | | direct mail piece is an important, invaluable tool in your |
| these popular sites. Others choose to simply print a | | | | marketing communications plan. Get creative with your |
| message on their stamps. The message could relate | | | | postage to increase the open rate for even better |
| to company values or a specific cause that the | | | | direct mail results. |