Direct Mail Costs - US Postal Service
I spent several thousand a month on direct mail. I do nothing "fancy" - random order first class stamp. I want to learn more techniques to reduce my mailing costs. Looking for a book on Direct Mail that deals more with the US Postal Service side of things. All the direct mail books that I have found deal with copy, design, etc.
Anybody have any articles, books, etc that they can recommend on cutting the mailing costs of Direct Mail?
brenda,
The local USPS Bulk Mail clerk can get you on the right path.
You can get tons of manuals for free, and they will detail the requirements for all mail classes.
You can get into a Bulk Mail Class, too. Here it is free, about 4 hours, and run by the managers of the bulk mail service.
I use DDU rural route rate Saturation mail for farming approximately 1518 addresses and do 3 to 4 mailings a month as a Realtor.
This nets out at $0.127 each for postage, and I can print color 5x8 postcards for about $.06 each.
In the mailbox for $0.19 each!
Saturation means you are mailing to "Postal Patron," and that everyone on the route must get a piece. So if the route is 554 patrons, I have to deliver 554 pieces. I have to be within a 10% error range.
This method works for me because I allowed the rural routes to determine my farm area. I just want maximum number of touches at cheapest cost.
It is easy, but I literally spent hours over several days learning what I needed to do to get that rate. 1st class letter bulk mail rate is $.261/each, but only if you have over 200 pieces, sorted by Zip code.
Bulk mail permit is $160/annually, covers all bulk mail classes, I think.
Et cetera, et cetera.
I heartily suggest that you contact the local bulk mail clerk, usually at the rear of the USPS station, and ask about classes. It is confusing to discuss, as several of my office mates have discovered.
A couple of links to start:
http://www.totalcirculation.com/postal/index.php
http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/200_tab.htm
[addsig]
I have never heard of discounted stamps. Please email or instant message me and tell me who exactly you have dealt with on ebay.
Thanks
Mike,
Good idea. Let us know what they say! We all want to save a few bucks- if they are ligit, this is a great deal.
Chris
USPS has their own police department, it is called postal inspectors, they will go after counterfeit stamps fast, it is their currency. And they police their own people, because as we know the consumers really place cash in the usps mail system. Ebay may get in trouble too if they sell bad stamps on ebay.
USPS has their own police department, it is called postal inspectors, they will go after counterfeit stamps fast, it is their currency. And they police their own people, because as we know the consumers really place cash in the usps mail system. Ebay may get in trouble too if they sell bad stamps on ebay.
Well Mike,
have your received your ebay stamps?
I just got them yesterday.
They look legitimate to me.
Quote:
On 2006-05-26 08:18, charlotteinvestor wrote:
Well Mike,
have your received your ebay stamps?
[addsig]
What is DDU? please explain
From the USPS link I posted earlier in this thread:
"...destination delivery unit (DDU)) under 246. DDU rates are available only for mail entered at Enhanced Carrier Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route rates. "
I.e., you drop the mail at the post office that will deliver it. Lots of guidelines as to size, content, etc.
See your local Bulk Mail Clerk for help if you are interested in bulk mail. The USPS has occasional schools to help you sort through the maze of discount opportunities and regulations.
Quote:
On 2006-05-27 21:58, tom7w wrote:
What is DDU? please explain
[addsig]
Most people who have cell phone for business still answer very informally. I just say "Hi, this is Brenda". If you called Bill Gates on his business cell phone (or his desk phone), I bet he does not answer "Micrsoft Corporation, Bill Gates speaking, how may I help you?)
Now what to put on the answer machine is a bit trickier as I would guess that Billy has a more formal message on his answer machine.
I usually just pick up the handset and say "hello".
Ok, just a small joke. Actually, I just say "Hello, this is Jeff, can I help you?" They always start talking after that, and it goes pretty smooth.
great advice so far to a simple question. anybody else care to chime in??
GIP_financialGroup
Good to meet you...
These are excerpts from a free book I wrote a while back.. Hope it helps..
SET UP A CELL PHONE LINE FOR YOUR REI BUSINESS
Your ability to speak to others, and for them to reach you, is vital. It is the foundation for which all of your other efforts will be based on. Establishing a reliable, professional communication line that is solely dedicated to your business is the first thing you need to do.
You may already have a cell phone but you need one that is strictly for your REI business. It is not for your spouse, friends, kids… just the inbound calls from your advertising efforts. A dedicated home line won’t cut it because the key here is to always answer the telephone when it rings. This is your MONEY line. And you must be willing to answer calls starting as early as 8:00 am to as late as 9:00 pm.
Make sure that the cell phone service you purchase offers voicemail for taking messages when you’re unable to answer calls.
RECORD YOUR VOICEMAIL MESSAGE
On your dedicated cell phone, a recorded message should be to-the-point and request the necessary information for being able to get back to them. Record the following:
“Thank you for calling. This is <Your Name> and I buy houses. I’m sorry that I could not take your call, but your call is very important to me so please leave a message. Leave me your name and number along with the address of the property and I will call you back shortly. Thank you again. I look forward to speaking with you about buying or selling you a house”.
This should be recorded in your professional voice; don’t make the mistake of trying to sound like “a regular guy” or even worse, funny. What not to do: “Hey! This is Bob. You know what to do,” BEEP! Don’t start out with music either - nothing but professionalism. Also, don’t say that you have a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home for x dollars for sale either.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE PHONE STARTS TO RING
As your cell phone starts ringing, and it will, there are going to be two types of people who will respond to your advertisingl:
· people who hate you and ask to be taken off the list, if you’re mailing to them
Actually, they wont ask you, they will tell you so you will need some thick skin.
· people who will want you to come buy their house
For the first group, honor their request; take them off your list and discontinue any further mailings to them.
For the second group, become very excited because you have begun to find prospects that are very interested in you and your services.
When you receive the call, follow the following script.
1. May I ask your name? _____________________________________SPELL it back to them
2. Property address __________________________City ___________________Zip ________
3. Telephone Number ______________________Cell ______________________
4. How did you happen to hear about us?
 Newspaper Display  Classified  Radio _________  Infomercial  TV ________
 Bill Board  Post Card  Mary Letter  Sign  Trailer  Referral ______Other_______
5. I buy houses… just like yours… all of the time, and I have found that if the seller is willing… we can come up with a solution that works best for both of us, is that okay with you? (Yes) outstanding
6. Sometimes the only way we can buy the houses we look at is to take over the debt and pay you your equity, That means the loan will stay in your name until its sold, assumed or paid off. Sometimes even buy the house under a lease option… Is that a problem?  Yes  No
7. So if we can pay you your equity, guarantee and make your payments and be responsible for all repairs you will sell the home to us, right?  Yes  No
8. What time today would be better for me to come out and buy your house ___________ or ______________? (___) Terrific
9. Before I come out… there are just a few more questions… I need to ask about your house, is that okay? (It is) outstanding
10. Is the home  Vacant or  Occupied? Occupant Name? _______________________________
11. _____ Bedrooms ______ Baths
12. How many Square Feet? ________________
13. Size of the Garage? ____________________
14. How did you happen to own the home? _____________________________________________
15. What Kind of repairs does it need?
 Carpet  Paint  Roof  Cabinets  Electrical  Plumbing  Plaster  Sheet Rock  Cooler  Heater
 Air Conditioner Window  Landscaping  Clean-up  ______
16. What do you think the repair cost will be?____________
17. What are you asking for the house? __________________
18. Is that  Fixed–Up or  ‘As Is’
19. How did you come up with that Price? ______________________________________________
20. How soon would you like to be sold? ____Days _________Date
21. Is there a Mortgage on the house?  Yes  No
22. What is/are the balance? 1st ________ 2nd ________3rd________
23. Are you in Foreclosure?  Yes  No  Notice of Default or Trustee Sale...Sale Date ______ Arrearage Amount _____
One last question, When I come out… it is important…that all of the decision makers be there…. so I can come to an agreement to buy your house… Will all of the decision makers be there for the appointment? (If all of them are not there don’t go)
Well, ____________ I look forward in meeting you at __________…
Make an appointment to meet them and see their property. When making appointments you must understand the urgency of your opportunity. If you don’t respond fast enough, someone else will and you’ll miss out on the deal. It is essential that you make your REI career a priority if you want to succeed. These prospects are calling for dollars, and they will stop calling when they have what they feel is a fish on their hook. So if you’re quick to respond with an appointment, and you make that appointment within the next 24 hours, preferably within 12, you will increase the odds of locking in the deal for yourself.
[ Edited by IBuyHousesInc on Date 05/21/2006 ]
thanks guys....... very helpful so far.
Hi DougON,
Who are you marketing to?
Bruce
Anyone who is actively trying to sell their property.
Hey,
After I wrote the above post, I saw that you are calling FSBO in another post.
Good luck!
Bruce
...[ Edited by fadi on Date 06/13/2006 ]
Thanks for the response and encouragement.
My biggest mistake in my marketing has been duration. Even if all you can afford is a tiny 3 line classified: I buy pre-forclosure. Call Bob now. xxx-xxx-xxxx! Run it for a year
Also agree with the above posts that maybe you are a bit too low and need to call them back. If you were nice and respectful then just call them back to see how things are doing. No harm, build a little rapport.
thx..ron
Sometimes things are slow and sometimes they are fast. It also has to deal with supply, demand and your competition. Its funny how it works but sometimes i might not get a deal for 3 or 4 months and then WAM i have 5 rehabbs going on at once and cant possibly take on anymore deals. Personally i would rather be more patient in knowing that im not just jumping on anything that comes my way and that i know what price im comfortable paying for a house. People can see if your too eager and will try to take advantage of you, play it cool almost to the point as if your not interested in the house and they will be more eager to deal.
Dont kill yourself trying to find deals or by spending too much money on marketing. Sometimes the easy methods work the best. Sending N.O.D. letters and putting up signs are some of the easiest and most effective methods. But if your competition is stiff then your going to have to make adjustments.
Good Luck.
Thanks again everyone for all your ideas and support.
You should also focus on where you are getting your leads from. When i first started marketing to preforeclosures, i was getting my leads from the local legal newspaper.
Then i started going downtown to get fresher leads. That alone i think resulted in a good response. Getting to prospect faster than your competition will be a difference in getting scraps which leads to desperation.
The only way to beat out the competition is to out work them. Maybe they are getting the freshest leads, that why you are getting the tire kickers.
You want to be in the starting 5 line up to even become a contender for getting the best and most deals.
I also agree that you need to master one niche first.
Ever heard of the saying jack of all trades and the master of none. That is a true statement. Successful people build up one market, master it before they move on to the next one.
I will not move from a market at least until i get a deal or two. Its a good thing you are still motivated. Alot of people would have bailed out by now.
We understand that the fire of desire can tend to control you. you have to learn how to contain that fire and use it for steam to get the engine moving.
If there are other ads in the paper that says that buy homes. Make sure you message comes up first. Because the first best salesman that reaches the homeowners will get the deal. Try something like Avoid Foreclosure. We buy houses. That alone should put you in the starting 5 line-up.
yury maybe you are using stale leads?
What do you mean by "Stale" ?
Quote:
On 2006-05-07 15:17, charlotteinvestor wrote:
yury maybe you are using stale leads?
[ Edited by Yury_MD on Date 05/07/2006 ]