Everything You Need To Know About EDDM

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a service by USPS that allows you to reach a large number of potential customers across an entire ZIP code or mailing route. It’s a cost-effective way to get your message to a large base, as it provides a cheaper postage rate than first-class or even standard bulk mailing rates, and you don’t need to build or buy a mailing list to use it.

EDDM can be a great option for small businesses looking to target specific areas. Read on to learn more about Every Door Direct Mail and whether it’s right for you and your company.

What is EDDM?

Like the name implies, Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) sends the same printed piece to every residence and/or business on a specific mail route. Because you’re mailing to every recipient within a certain route, you don’t need to provide a specific mailing list with names and addresses. Instead, you’ll select the route(s) you’d like to mail to using the USPS Mapping Tool, and your printer will address each piece to local residents using USPS approved indicia.

Is EDDM expensive? How much does it cost?

EDDM is cost-effective for two specific reasons. First, without the need for a mailing list, you save time and money in preparing your marketing campaign. U.S. Press will print your design to your specified size, address your pieces to local residents, and USPS will mail it to the desired ZIP code or postal route for your campaign. No need to purchase address lists. The cost of printing your postcards or pieces depends on the size, quantity, and paper you select, but you can get an instant price here: EDDM Postcard Pricing.

Second, EDDM was created for the sole purpose of offering a low cost option for small businesses to send direct mail, which is why USPS offers low cost postage rates for this class of mail. Postage for an EDDM campaign only costs $.20 per piece, which increases its viability as a cost-effective direct marketing option. 

EDDM Retail vs. EDDM BMEU

There are two types of EDDM mailings: EDDM Retail and EDDM BMEU (Business Mail Entry Unit).

For local businesses looking to start a small campaign of less than 5,000 pieces, EDDM Retail is a great option. With EDDM Retail, you can mail up to 5,000 pieces per day by dropping off your pieces at your local Post Office. Simply order your postcards from a printing company like U.S. Press, fill out the paperwork from USPS, and drop off your mail pieces at your Post Office. You won't need a mail permit to do EDDM Retail. This is by far the most popular option for the majority of businesses and organizations looking to send an EDDM campaign.

One note about EDDM Retail: your mail pieces mustbe taken to the Post Office designated for your route(s). So, if you’re looking to mail to routes in Atlanta, you would have to take your pieces to those designated Post Offices in Atlanta. For this reason, EDDM Retail is useful for smaller marketing campaigns directed across a nearby zip code rather than larger campaigns that might be spread across a large region.

So what do you do if you'd like to mail to a larger geographic area? The answer: EDDM BMEU.

EDDM BMEU is favored for larger EDDM marketing campaigns targeting wider geographic areas (an entire city, multiple routes, or various routes in different cities). It’s also the most useful option when looking to market in specific areas around the country that are distant from the physical location of your business.

For example, if you’re a national retailer in Los Angeles that is getting ready to open a new location in Atlanta, you can create an EDDM BMEU campaign targeted to a specific route located near your new location.

Or, if you’re a larger company looking to send mail to every person within a city, EDDM BMEU is the best way to go.

With EDDM BMEU, you’ll need to enlist the services of a print and mail house like U.S. Press. U.S. Press can print, address, and handle the complete mailing services for your campaign. Please give us a call at 800-227-7377 if you're interested in starting an EDDM BMEU campaign.

Is EDDM a Good Choice for Your Company?

Because of its location-based approach, EDDM isn’t the best method for marketing campaigns that depend on factors like targeted customer demographics or niche markets. However, it’s extremely cost-effective for local businesses wanting to reach everyone in a specific area.

Here are some businesses that make a great fit for EDDM campaigns:

  • Restaurants
  • Landscapers/Home-Improvement Companies
  • Furniture Stores
  • Supermarkets
  • Department Stores
  • Electronic Stores
  • Banks
  • Insurance Agencies
  • Real Estate Agencies
  • Healthcare Providers

One way to decide if EDDM is a good fit for your company is to ask yourself these questions: Do my products/services appeal to everyone? Could anyone, within a specific geographic area, be a potential customer? Do I need to target people within certain neighborhoods?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then EDDM could be a great option to reach prospects and grow your revenue.

EDDM Requirements

To incorporate EDDM into your marketing campaign, you must ensure your mailing pieces meet USPS requirements:

  • Each piece must be longer than 10.5” OR taller than 6.125” OR thicker than ¼”
  • Each piece must be smaller than 12” x 15”
  • Each piece must weigh less than 3.3 ounces
  • Each mailing must consist of 200 or more pieces (and no more than 5,000 per day for EDDM Retail)

Some of the commonly selected postcard sizes at U.S. Press for EDDM mailings are 6.25" x 9", 6" x 11" and 8.5” x 11". 

EDDM is a simple, cost-effective way to get your campaign out and in front of the eyes of a large number of potential customers. U.S. Press can help you from start to finish with your EDDM campaign. Give us a call at 800-227-7377 to get started or click below to order your postcards online!

 

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