Unlock Incredible Savings and Maximize Your Mailings!
Incentive Programs & Mail Tips
We want to help you make the most of your mailings! Discover USPS incentive programs for massive savings, and learn best practices to make your next mail campaign effective without wasting your marketing budget!
How to Maximize Opportunities
Stay Up to Date on USPS Incentives - Take advantage of USPS promotions to further reduce costs.
USPS 2024 Promotions Calendar
Here’s one to note! The deadline to sign up is June 30, 2024. Time is running out!
USPS First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail Growth Incentive
Qualifications:
Mail at least 1 million pieces in 2024.
Show an increase of at least 1 piece over the full year 2023.
Rewards:
30% postage credit for EVERY additional piece.
The client controls the process – not the provider – and can send credits to any permit they choose.
Earned Credits:
Credits are issued in July, October, and January.
Mailer decides which permit receives credits, can be their own or a mail provider of their choosing.
Example Savings:
Example: You’re planning to send 1,500,000 pieces of mail in 2024. In 2023, you mailed 1,000,000. If you mailed all 1,500,000 pieces planned you would receive a discount of 30% off postage for 500,000 pieces.
Mail 100,000 additional postcards in 2024 = $12,180.
Mail 1M additional standard letters in 2024 = $114,000.
How to Participate
Sign Up
Create/Activate an Account: Register with the USPS on the Business Customer Gateway here. Provide typical registration information such as company name, address, contact, password, etc.
Confirmation Email: After registration, you’ll receive an email from USPostalService@usps.com confirming account creation.
Registration
Sign In to Your Account: Click on “Mailing Services” in the top left corner of your screen.
Navigate to Incentive Programs: Scroll down past “Incentive Programs” to the “Mailing Promotions Portal” and click “Go To Service.”
Submit Promotion/Incentive: Select either the First-Class Mail Growth Incentive or the Marketing Mail Growth Incentive. Both can be applied for, but not simultaneously.
Complete Contact Information: This can be the same as your original registration or an alternative contact (e.g., someone at your mail provider).
Service Request Confirmation: After submitting, you’ll receive another email from USPS confirming your Service Request was created.
After Acknowledgement
Return to Mail Promotions Portal: Click on the Pink Suitcase Icon showing your Service Request #.
Verify Baseline Volume: The portal will display the USPS's reference volume of your mail from the previous year.
Agree/Disagree: If the number looks accurate, click “I Agree.” If not, click “I Disagree” for further assistance.
Submit Agreement: Once agreed, the information will be submitted to the USPS for final incentive program registration.
Managing Dashboard
Track Mailings and Credits: Use the Promotions Portal to keep track of your mailings and accrued credits.
Ensure Proper CRID Usage: Ensure all campaigns use CRIDs assigned to your account. Add any others to ensure all mail is tracked towards credits.
Applying your Credits
Release Credits: Release credits to any permit you’d like—yours, your mail provider or a third party.
Credit Application: Once released, credit application is your responsibility. Credits can be released anytime through 2024 and 2025.
Direct One can answer any questions and help you sign up - Contact us now!
Mail Tips to Maximize Return on Your Investment
Fix Your List – Easily Cut 6%
Aggressively Dedupe: Remove duplicate addresses.
Drop Zombie ZIP Codes: Eliminate inactive or low-response areas.
Cut Back on Unproductive Sources: Focus on high-performing lists.
Adjust Your Mix – Strategically
Tweak Frequency/Cadence: Adjust how often you send mail.
Call More, Mail Less: Use a mixed communication strategy.
Move 1st Class to Standard Class: If timing isn’t critical, opt for Standard Class.
TEST!: Continuously test different strategies to find what works best.
Maximize Discounts
Concentrate: Focus on larger mailings to benefit from bulk discounts.
Straight 1st Class Letters: 73¢ vs 5 digit – 54.5¢ (at least 500 pieces into one zip code).
Carry it Forward – Drop Ship can save up to 2.7¢ per piece and transit time.
Additional savings that Direct One can help with:
Full-Service IMB: Save 0.5¢ per piece.
Catalog incentive: Save $.001/piece.
Direct One can help answer any questions - contact us now!
Postal Rate Increases Effective July 14, 2024
1st Class Mail
Delivery Time: 2-5 days
Features: Automatic forwarding, undeliverable reporting, government property protection.
Standard Class Mail
Delivery Time: 5-11 business days
Features: No forwarding, discards undeliverable mail, no reporting, eligible for drop shipping.
| Mail Type | Today | 7/14/24 | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcards (All First Class) | $0.378 | $0.406 | $0.028 |
| 1st Class Letters | $0.547 | $0.593 | $0.046 |
| Standard Letters | $0.365 | $0.380 | $0.015 |
These are comparisons based on AADC level rates.
Optimizing your mailing strategy with USPS incentive programs and smart mailing practices can lead to significant savings and increased effectiveness. By staying updated on promotions, properly managing your mail list, and strategically planning your mail campaigns, you can maximize your budget and achieve your marketing goals. Don't miss out on the opportunity to participate in the USPS First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail Growth Incentive programs—sign up before the June 30, 2024 deadline! Start leveraging these tips and tools today to unlock incredible savings and make the most of your mailings.