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Can anyone use our Mailing Services?
Yes! You do not have to have items printed from Blue Ocean Press in order to use our mailing facility. Please contact our Mailing Coordinator for more information on mailing services from Blue Ocean Press.
Yes! You do not have to have items printed from Blue Ocean Press in order to use our mailing facility. Please contact our Mailing Coordinator for more information on mailing services from Blue Ocean Press.
Why should I use your Mailing Services?
Our Mailing Services are designed to save you time, money and hassle. It's never been easier to complete your mailings. The primary benefits include:
Our Mailing Services are designed to save you time, money and hassle. It's never been easier to complete your mailings. The primary benefits include:
- The convenience of a One-Source solution for printing, mailing and lists
- We do it all - Just send in your order and list (or buy one from us)
- Mail sorting for lowest possible postage rate
- Accuracy, quality and customer service...
- In house list processing for faster service
What is included in the Mailing Services base price?
For one low price, we've included all the services needed to mail your cards. For every job we include:
Lists:
Addressing:
For one low price, we've included all the services needed to mail your cards. For every job we include:
Lists:
- Processing one mailing list (charges may apply for additional lists)
- CASS certification - standardizes addresses and adds Zip+4
- Presorting and USPS documentation
Addressing:
- Ink Jet setup and addressing
- On-site USPS verification and delivery to the Post Office.
What is your turnaround time for mailing my cards?
Standard turnaround time is two to three business days.
Standard turnaround time is two to three business days.
How do I determine the Mailing Services cost for my job?
Each job is different and varies with levels of complexity. For this reason, we are unable to quote a mailing process without having adequate information. Please contact our Mailing Services Coordinator for more information. You may obtain a free estimate before placing an order.
Each job is different and varies with levels of complexity. For this reason, we are unable to quote a mailing process without having adequate information. Please contact our Mailing Services Coordinator for more information. You may obtain a free estimate before placing an order.
How do I pay for Mailing Services?
Once we have your final list count, we will send you a Mailing Services Invoice for your approval. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card. We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express. Payment must be received in full before your job can be addressed. If postage is paid by credit card, fees will be added. Please be sure to call or e-mail if you have any questions.
Once we have your final list count, we will send you a Mailing Services Invoice for your approval. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card. We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express. Payment must be received in full before your job can be addressed. If postage is paid by credit card, fees will be added. Please be sure to call or e-mail if you have any questions.
I will be mailing less than 200 cards. How does this affect my cost?
First Class mailings of less than 200 cards do not qualify for any presort discounts. These mailings are priced at the actual full First Class Postage Plus(SM) an additional Mailing Services fee.
First Class mailings of less than 200 cards do not qualify for any presort discounts. These mailings are priced at the actual full First Class Postage Plus(SM) an additional Mailing Services fee.
What happens to the rest of my mail pieces if I'm not mailing all the pieces I've printed?
Once we have completed your mailing, any remaining pieces will be shipped to you. The cost for shipping these cards will appear on your Mailing Services Invoice.
Once we have completed your mailing, any remaining pieces will be shipped to you. The cost for shipping these cards will appear on your Mailing Services Invoice.
How many times should I send direct mail?
The general rule is that you should mail as often as it's profitable for you to do so. Depending on the type of business you're in, you can probably mail as often as every month or two, as long as you are giving the recipients something of interest. The main thing is to determine what you can afford to spend to make a sale and keep mailing as long as it is profitable.
The general rule is that you should mail as often as it's profitable for you to do so. Depending on the type of business you're in, you can probably mail as often as every month or two, as long as you are giving the recipients something of interest. The main thing is to determine what you can afford to spend to make a sale and keep mailing as long as it is profitable.
How much information is too much information on a postcard?
Many people feel that as long as they are paying for the space they should use every bit of it. There are a number of reasons why this is usually not a good idea.
Many people feel that as long as they are paying for the space they should use every bit of it. There are a number of reasons why this is usually not a good idea.
- A cluttered postcard is difficult to read and the reader may not take the time to do so.
- White space (or 'blank' areas) makes the copy stand out better and gives you a better chance of making your point.
- Don't make too many points on a single postcard... you want to state the main benefit and perhaps another one or two, depending on what you are selling.
What response rate should I expect from a mass mailing of postcards?
Although this is a common question, there's no standard answer to it. There are many, many variables that affect the results of a mailing. Among them are your offer, your timing, the list you use, your copy and your layout. Look at it this way: What are you trying to accomplish and what can you afford to spend to accomplish it?
Don't get hung up on rates of response because it is possible to get lots of responses but not make any money if the numbers aren't right. It is important to determine the kind of response you will need so that your mailing makes sense for your particular business. You're likely to learn that you can do very well with response rates that are lower than you first thought necessary.
Although this is a common question, there's no standard answer to it. There are many, many variables that affect the results of a mailing. Among them are your offer, your timing, the list you use, your copy and your layout. Look at it this way: What are you trying to accomplish and what can you afford to spend to accomplish it?
Don't get hung up on rates of response because it is possible to get lots of responses but not make any money if the numbers aren't right. It is important to determine the kind of response you will need so that your mailing makes sense for your particular business. You're likely to learn that you can do very well with response rates that are lower than you first thought necessary.
Do I have to mail in four-color or will black and white work?
We live in a world of color. Look at the mail you receive each day. Color attracts attention. Full color may not always be needed and the addition of a single extra color besides black will often lift your response significantly. Like most things in direct mail advertising, this is easily tested.
We live in a world of color. Look at the mail you receive each day. Color attracts attention. Full color may not always be needed and the addition of a single extra color besides black will often lift your response significantly. Like most things in direct mail advertising, this is easily tested.
Should I pay the return postage when I mail a double postcard containing a Business Reply Card?
Absolutely! It will increase your response. Each time we ask a recipient of our mailing to do something, we need to make it as easy as possible. Remember that you are paying the return postage only on the cards that are actually sent back to you. To do this you need to have a business reply permit which is obtained through your local Post Office.
Absolutely! It will increase your response. Each time we ask a recipient of our mailing to do something, we need to make it as easy as possible. Remember that you are paying the return postage only on the cards that are actually sent back to you. To do this you need to have a business reply permit which is obtained through your local Post Office.
