Data

The Worst Advice We’ve Ever Heard About Data

We all know that data quality contributes heavily to the success of direct marketing campaigns. At least forty percent of your campaign’s success rate is attributable to your data.  Because we…

North Texas Post Office Permanently Suspended

May 13, 2021    Southern Area – Texas 3 District Office Permanently Suspended – North Austin Post Office    EFFECTIVE: SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021   The following Post Office will be permanently suspended…

Factors That Impact Address Quality

Last September, we published an article with an in-depth look at Undeliverable-as-Addressed (UAA) mail, where it comes from, and how to fix it. After the article had been published, we received an interesting follow-up question: What factors impact address quality? There are two answers to this question: factors in the collection of address data at the front end, and factors that affect the addresses at the time of your mailing (at the back end). We’ll take a brief look at both.…

Are You Scared of Your Data?

Mail service providers and data houses deal with thousands of customers and their databases each year. They find that many businesses are a little scared of their own data – and we understand why. When working with an account, they often begin by asking questions that cover spooky topics such as data collection methods, the sources of their data, and how data quality is (or is not) managed. Data management can be scary. Whether you have employees input your data or it’s collected on your website, dirty data can easily run rampant in your systems and create chaos.…

Is Your Addressing Game on Point?

The recent announcement by the USPS regarding Move Update assessments has become one of the latest hot topics in addressing for mailers. Considering the fact that Undeliverable-as-Addressed (UAA) mail has increased to 4.6% of total mail volume in the last fiscal year, these assessments could have a major impact on future volumes of UAA mail.…

Where Is Your Returned Mail Hidden?

If your business or institution sends out large volumes of mail, it’s there. No matter how good your customer relationship management (CRM) system is, everyone has it. In many cases, it’s hidden from “the bosses,” stashed in a closet, or tucked under desks, cabinets, and tables. Sometimes, it may even be filed in the blue dumpster behind the building or recycled. To what am I referring? Trays and tubs of returned mail, of course.…

Finding Gold in Your Data: Why a Data Hygiene Program Is Paramount

Your data contains nuggets of gold buried inside; the important part is knowing how to look for it, find it, and use it. Your data may be able to reveal critical business insights, such as how to cut costs and reduce expenses, find new customers, increase revenue, increase customer retention, or determine the lifetime value of each customer. These insights are highly valuable when planning the marketing of products and services.…

Developing a Direct Mail Campaign in 2021, Part 1

“Let's face it — direct mail is simply print, a mailing list, and postage, all of which are commodities accessible to almost anyone. At the end of the day, all you care about are results (sales, votes, donations)! You don’t care how the postcard was printed.” While somewhat true – there is a lot more that goes into a direct mail campaign given new technology and the changing environment, both for marketers and consumers. With a major shift in the workforce from the office to work-from-home, marketers know that it is easier now to target their audience at home – making direct mail more effective than ever.…