Proposed New Rule About Premiums in Marketing Mail

Posted on by Tom Russo

USPS reviewing rule change to limit Marketing Mail content to only paper-based printed matter.

The United States Postal Service recently announced that it is considering amending the Domestic Mail Manual and revising content standards for Marketing Mail.  The proposed change would limit the content of all Marketing Mail to only paper-based/printed matter; no merchandise or goods will be allowed regardless of ‘value’.  The rule would affect all categories and classifications from letter to flat, profit or non-profit, and regardless of level or sortation.

The proposed standard would essentially eliminate the option for mailers to include premiums with their mail piece while using the  Marketing Mail rates.  Nonprofits often include premium items such as notepads, stickers, or medallions in their mail pieces to improve response rates.  Mailers would be forced into other mail classifications such as Priority Mail or Parcel Select in order to continue including the premium items if the rule goes into effect.

The USPS has set a deadline of October 22, 2018 for comments for and against the rule change.

Contact your Account Manager with any questions you may have.

Smart Saturation Starts Here

Posted on by Tom Russo

The NFocus Smart Saturation solution helps marketers succeed by saving money on postage while enjoying the benefits of a highly targeted list.

Saving money on postage while using roof-top level targeting seems like an impossible request.  NFocus delivers on that request with our Smart Saturation solution.

The NFocus Smart Saturation solution provides a robustly targeted list, not just simply removing addresses to meet postage levels.  NFocus works with you to identify your targeting, develop your profile and execute a finely-tuned direct mail list.

Identify

The first step in building a targeted list is identifying the best prospect.  The NFocus Audience NSight report provides a customized prospect profile based on your client list.  Overlay demographic, behavioral or property data to create a targeting profile specific to your needs.

Develop

The NFocus account management team works with you to further develop your targeting by ranking and scoring the data, helping you strengthen the profile.  The data is then loaded into the Listcounts portal to create a comprehensive customized profile.  Your priorities.  Your business rules.  Your targeting.

Execute

The NFocus data analyst team reviews your data on roof-top level, analyzing your ideal customer profile while meeting your expected postage levels and business rules.

The result is a highly targeted list, built with robust data options, custom to your marketing needs and optimized to maximize your postage savings.

Contact your representative today for more information on the NFocus Smart Saturation solution.

Postal News and Information, Week of July 30th

Posted on by Tom Russo

Postal news and information from around the web.

Anniversary of the Forever Stamp

Posted on by Tom Russo

April 12th marks the anniversary of the first United States Postal Service “Forever Stamp”.

The first Forever Stamp in the US went on sale on April 12, 2007 featuring the Liberty Bell and sold for 41 cents.  Forever Stamps can be used to mail a one-once letter regardless of when the stamps were purchased no matter how postage prices change in the future.  Forever Stamps are always sold at the same price as a regular first-class mail stamp.

The USPS applied to begin developing the Forever Stamp program in 2006, it was a concept similar to the United Kingdom’s practice of issuing non-denominated stamps.

The Liberty Bell design was the only Forever Stamp in circulation until October 2010 when the second design was released featuring pine cones and evergreen trees.  All first-class stamps became Forever Stamps in 2011, with the exception of coils of 500, 3,000 and 10,000.  In 2015 the USPS expanded the concept to incorporate several other categories including postcard, additional ounce, and two and three ounce stamps. 

 

Source: USPS

Complete Publication Services

Posted on by Tom Russo

The NFocus Data Experts are your resource to maximize distribution, reduce waste and improve your publication’s bottom line.

The postal system is complex and always changing.  On average 11% of your distribution list will move in the next 12 months*.  Advertisers want to understand who is reading your publication.

NFocus provides best-in-class solutions to improve your address quality, manage your mailing and postage, and analyze your readership.

Pre-Mailing

A dirty list is an expensive list that can cost you thousands in returns.  NFocus applies a complete bundle of address quality services to minimize expensive waste.

Mailing

You benefit from the NFocus Data Processing department’s vast postal knowledge and expertise.  NFocus works with you to manage your postage regardless of the complexity of your list.

Post-Mailing

Proprietary NControl reports map out your continued improvement by tracking quality, postage, and distribution.  Galley audit reports to verify circulation.  The NFocus developed Audience NSight reporting provides detailed demographic information about your readers, helping your advertisers reach the right audience.

NFocus is your complete publication data resource.  Contact us today for more information.

 

*US Census Bureau

2018 Postage Rate Calculators Now Available

Posted on by Tom Russo

New postage rates have gone into effect, let NFocus help you navigate the changes.

The Postal Service has raised postage rates for 2018.  The new rates are for both Market Dominant (First-Class, Marketing Mail, and Periodicals) and Competitive products (Priority Mail, international mail, and shipping).  Rates in the Competitive category have increased an average of 3.9% while the Market Dominant products saw an average increase of about 2%.

A few examples of the new rates are listed below.

Category – Marketing Mail Commercial Current Price New Price Change
Flats Saturation SCF $0.164 $0.165 0.61%
Flats Saturation NDC $0.178 $0.179 0.56%
Letters Saturation SCF $0.155 $0.158 1.94%
Letters Saturation NDC $0.162 $0.164 1.23%

NFocus provides postage calculators to help mailers get a better estimate on how the new rate structure will affect their mailings.  Download the updated calculators below.

2018 USPS Marketing Mail Calculator

2018 USPS Periodicals Rate Calculator

Still have questions? Contact your Account Manager or request more information here.  The NFocus team is your postage resource.  We can provide assistance with helping you understand how the new rates will affect your mailing program, or review postage optimization options to help you better manage your postage costs.

USPS Facts & Figures

Posted on by Tom Russo

Some interesting facts about the United States Postal Service

 

  • In 2016 the USPS delivered 153.9 billion pieces of mail, or about 47% of the world’s mail volume
  • There are 156.1 million delivery points with 1.1 million new delivery points added last year
  • The USPS processed 37 million address changes in 2016
  • If the postal service was in the private sector it would rank 39th in the 2016 Fortune 500
  • The Hinsdale, NH post office has been operating in the same building since 1816, the oldest post office location to do so
  • The longest rural delivery route is in Magnum, Ok which requires the carrier to travel 182.75 miles a day
  • The postal service ordered more than 700 million rubber bands in 2016

 
 
Source: USPS Postal Facts 2017