2013 Postage Increase

Oct 25, 2012

Earlier this month, the United States Postal Service, announced their proposal for postage increases to take effect on January 27, 2013 and which has since passed the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) review.  

First Class letter stamps will rise a penny to 46 cents for the first ounce and 66 cents for 2 ounce mail, and 33 cents for a postcard rate.  There will be increases across the board for all classes of mail and shipping services.

For presorted mail the increase will depend on the class and category of mail as well as the presort concentration.  In regards to the majority of the mail we do for our clients, the increase range is as follows:

First Class Presort Letters – increase of approximately 1.5 – 2.8%
First Class Presort Flats – increase of approximately 1.3-3.5%
Standard (Bulk) Letters – increase of approximately 2-3%
Standard (Bulk) Flats – increase of approximately 1-4%
Non-Profit Letters – increase of approximately 2-3.5%
Non-Profit Flats – increase of approximately 0.5-5%

Despite the increase in postage, direct mail is still a preferred method of communication by recipients and one that continues to show high results.  The reality of the situation is that direct mail must be used as part of a more comprehensive strategy that also uses other digital marketing channels.  With today’s technology you can easily segment and personalize your mailings for better results.  You can furthermore add easy tracking to your mail piece with the use of the new Intelligent Mail Barcode and send out triggered email blasts.  All of this points to part of a bigger, multi-touch strategy that will allow your results with direct mail to be increased.

Call us today to discuss how you might increase your direct mail results using an integrated approach.

More Insights To Enjoy:

+ E-Media vs. Mail (Hint: Consumers Love Getting Mail!)

+ USPS Picture Permit Indicia

+ Psychographics Can Help Your Direct Mail

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