EDDM Cost Breakdown

Are you considering using Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) to promote your business but unsure about the costs involved? In this blog, we will break down the cost of EDDM and help you determine if it is worth the investment for your business.

We will provide estimates based on different budgets and discuss factors that affect pricing, such as size, format, design, printing, and mailing. We will also compare EDDM cost with other marketing methods and show you how to reduce EDDM cost without sacrificing quality.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear idea of whether EDDM is worth the cost for your business and how to make the most out of your budget.

Understanding EDDM cost

Understanding the components of EDDM cost, such as postage, printing, and design, allows for informed decision-making. This insight empowers advertisers to optimize their budget and strategically plan direct mail campaigns.

A thorough comprehension also facilitates budget allocation. EDDM Retail® USPS Marketing Flats priced at $0.203 per piece and EDDM BMEU USPS Marketing Mail Flats priced at $0.202 per piece currently, and First-Class® postage at approximately $0.53 per piece. This insight facilitates strategic allocation of resources and budgeting for marketing efforts.

Estimates based on budget

When planning an EDDM campaign, it’s essential to consider the estimated costs based on your budget. Understanding these estimates will help you make an informed decision based on your budget constraints.

What outcomes can you we anticipate with

$500 budget

With a budget of $500, you can print and distribute roughly 500 standard-sized postcards. Each postcard would cost around $1.08 to print and distribute. This does not include design cost.

To save on design cost you can use a free builder like one in Oppizi Ads that offers templates and easy to use interface to design attractive postcards. Make sure to include eye-catching graphics, a clear call-to-action, and relevant information about your products or services.

Budget of $1,000

With a budget of $1000, you can print and distribute approximately 1500 medium or standard-sized postcards. The cost per postcard would be around $0.65, which is relatively affordable. You could also allocate some funds to hiring a freelance designer to create a professional-looking postcard that stands out from the crowd.

Depending on the designer’s experience, their fees could range from $20 to $100. Keep in mind that investing in high-quality design can make a significant difference in the success of your postcard campaign, so it may be worth spending a little extra on this aspect.

Budget of $5,000

With a budget of $5,000, you can afford the expenses for creating, producing, and delivering either 12,500 medium/standard size postcards or 10,000 large/jumbo size postcards, enabling you to reach potential customers in specific zip codes.

A budget of $5,000 has the potential to produce anywhere from 500 to 1,000 leads, although campaign outcomes may differ depending on design, messaging, and audience targeting.

Why more is less

Sending out a higher volume of Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) pieces can significantly reduce the cost per piece. This means that each mailer becomes more cost-effective as the volume increases. For instance, if you send out 500 EDDM pieces, it might cost you $1.08 per piece.

But if you increase the volume and send out 5,000 pieces, the cost per piece might drop to $0.65 or even lower. Therefore, it is advisable to plan your mailing campaigns ahead of time and strategize on how to maximize your budget by sending out a higher volume of EDDM pieces in one go.

Factors that affect EDDM pricing

When budgeting for an EDDM campaign, it’s important for advertisers to consider the factors that can influence pricing. Here are some key factors that business should keep in mind:

Quantity 

The quantity of mailers you plan to send out can significantly impact your cost per postcard. Generally, the more mailers you order, the lower the cost per unit, which means that a larger quantity can result in significant savings.

Size and formats of postcard

The size and format of mail pieces play a significant role in EDDM campaigns, as they can impact printing costs. Here’s what advertisers need to consider when choosing the size and format of their mail pieces:

• Explore postcards: Postcards are a popular choice for every door direct mail campaigns due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of distribution. Choosing the right size can help advertisers optimize their postage costs.
• Utilize online templates: Many printing services offer EDDM templates that advertisers can use as a starting point for their designs, saving time and ensuring compliance with USPS regulations.
• Indicia design: The design of the indicia, the mark indicating postage payment, can also affect the printing and postage costs of mail pieces. It’s essential to choose indicia options that align with business goals and budgets.
• By carefully considering the size, format, and indicia design of their mail pieces, advertisers can streamline printing and postage costs, ensuring maximum impact for their campaigns.

Design and templates

The design of mail pieces plays a crucial role in capturing recipients’ attention and conveying business messages effectively. Here are some key points to consider for designing mailers:

• Postcard design: Postcards are commonly used for EDDM, making postcard design vital. Consider incorporating striking visuals, concise messaging, and compelling calls-to-action.
• Leverage online design tools: Online design tools provided by printing services can assist advertisers, even those without design experience, in creating professional-looking mailers. Take advantage of templates, layouts, and customization options for effective design.
• Focus on branding: Ensure that the design aligns with business branding, utilizing consistent colors, fonts, and imagery to enhance brand recognition.
• By prioritizing postcard design and utilizing online design tools, advertisers can create visually appealing mail pieces that effectively convey their marketing message, driving customer engagement and response.

Printing

Printing costs can significantly impact the overall budget of an EDDM campaign. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to printing mail pieces:

• Choose a printing service wisely: Working with a reputable printing service can ensure high-quality prints and reliable service.
• Consider turnaround time: Depending on the urgency of the campaign, advertisers need to consider the printing service’s turnaround time to meet their mailing deadlines.
• Explore postage payment options: Choosing postage payment methods, such as meter stamps, can streamline the printing and mailing process, reducing eddm cost and administrative efforts.
• By carefully selecting a printing service, managing turnaround times, and optimizing postage payment methods, advertisers can minimize printing costs while maintaining high-quality mailers for their campaigns.

Select a printer as close as possible to the destination of the mail pieces

To ensure rapid printing and delivery of EDDM cards, it is crucial to select a printer as close as possible to the destination of the mail pieces. Choosing a printer that is located nearby reduces transit time, allowing for faster delivery of materials to potential customers. Oppizi, with its wide network of printers across the United States, ensures that materials are printed and delivered efficiently, reducing shipping time and ensuring prompt delivery. 

By selecting a local printer, advertisers can also benefit from lower shipping costs, as materials have a shorter distance to travel. Working with a local printer provides the opportunity to have printouts of available paper stocks on hand, allowing advertisers to assess the quality and appearance of paper options before making a decision, ensuring that their EDDM cards make a lasting impression on recipients.

EDDM USPS cost analysis

Understanding the various components of EDDM cost is vital for effective budgeting and cost analysis. Advertisers must consider factors such as mail piece size, postage rates, and design expenses to determine the most cost-effective marketing strategies.

An in-depth EDDM cost analysis enables efficient resource allocation and informed decision-making about direct mail marketing. Notably, advertisers can save up to 7 cents over standard letter mail or 3.5 cents over 4×6 postcard first-class postage rates, making EDDM a financially compelling marketing option.

Reducing EDDM cost without sacrificing quality

Reducing EDDM cost is a goal for many advertisers, but it’s essential to do so without sacrificing the quality and effectiveness of the marketing campaign. Here are some strategies advertisers can employ to reduce EDDM cost:

• Optimize printing choices: Choosing cost-effective, yet high-quality printing options, such as paper type, can contribute to significant savings without compromising on visual appeal.
• Streamline design processes: Utilize online design tools, templates, and professional assistance to create visually appealing mailers efficiently, reducing design costs.
• Minimize mailing expenses: Explore different postage payment options, bundle mail pieces strategically, and leverage postal service resources to minimize postage costs.
• By implementing these strategies, advertisers can navigate the challenge of reducing every door direct mail costs while maintaining the quality and impact of their marketing campaigns, enabling maximum return on investment.

Select a printer as close as possible to the destination of the mail pieces

To ensure rapid printing and delivery of EDDM cards, it is crucial to select a printer as close as possible to the destination of the mail pieces. Choosing a printer that is located nearby reduces transit time, allowing for faster delivery of materials to potential customers. Oppizi, with its wide network of printers across the United States, ensures that materials are printed and delivered efficiently, reducing shipping time and ensuring prompt delivery. By selecting a local printer, advertisers can also benefit from lower shipping costs, as materials have a shorter distance to travel. Additionally, working with a local printer provides the opportunity to have printouts of available paper stocks on hand, allowing advertisers to assess the quality and appearance of paper options before making a decision, ensuring that their EDDM cards make a lasting impression on recipients.

How to determine if EDDM is worth the investment for your business

Assessing the potential return on investment for EDDM campaigns aids in decision-making for advertisers. Conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis helps evaluate the value of EDDM marketing and its impact on customer acquisition. Calculating the lifetime value of customers acquired through EDDM assists in investment assessment, alongside evaluating past direct mail performance.

EDDM costs compared with other marketing methods

When considering direct mail marketing options, advertisers often compare EDDM costs with other methods. Let’s examine how EDDM costs compare to some other popular marketing methods:

• Compared to traditional direct mail: EDDM eliminates the need for mailing lists, reducing the associated costs of purchasing mailing addresses and addressing individual mail pieces, making it a more cost-effective solution.
• Compared to business cards and flyers: EDDM allows advertisers to reach a larger audience at a lower cost per piece, making it a more cost-effective option for local marketing efforts.

Is EDDM worth the cost?

One common question advertisers ask is whether EDDM is worth the cost. The answer depends on several factors, including business size, marketing goals, and target audience. For small businesses aiming to reach a local customer base, EDDM can be a cost-effective marketing strategy.

By targeting specific carrier routes or zip codes, advertisers can effectively reach potential customers at a lower cost compared to more traditional direct mail methods. EDDM allows advertisers to build brand awareness, generate leads, and drive customer engagement, making it a worthwhile investment for small businesses focused on local marketing efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current EDDM postage rate?

The current EDDM postage rate for standard mail is 19.6 cents per piece. This rate applies to oversized postcards, flats, and letters up to 3.3 ounces. It’s important to note that postage rates may vary based on the size and weight of your mailpiece.

To determine the exact postage rate for your EDDM campaign, you can utilize the online postage calculator provided by the USPS. By entering the specific details of your mailers, such as size, weight, and volume, you can calculate the precise postage cost, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Are there any hidden costs associated with using EDDM for marketing?

No, there are no hidden costs associated with using EDDM for marketing. The cost of EDDM includes printing, postage, and delivery to every household in the targeted area. However, it’s important to note that additional fees may apply if you choose to target specific demographics or add special features to your mailers, such as business cards or flyers.

It’s crucial to research and understand the pricing structures of different EDDM providers before committing to a campaign, ensuring there are no unexpected costs beyond the standard printing, postage, and distribution fees.

Is EDDM cost effective?

Indeed, EDDM can be a cost-effective marketing option, especially for advertisers looking to reach a specific geographic area. The cost of EDDM will depend on factors such as the size of the mailer, quantity being sent, and the postage rate.

Compared to traditional direct mail, which requires purchasing mailing lists and addressing each piece individually, EDDM eliminates these expenses, resulting in significant cost savings. By executing targeted marketing efforts at a lower cost, advertisers can maximize their return on investment and effectively reach local customers, making EDDM a cost-effective marketing solution.

Can you do EDDM yourself?

Yes, advertisers have the option to do EDDM themselves. However, it requires some planning, design, and printing skills. To do EDDM yourself, you would need to create a mailing list, design your mailers, and print and prepare the materials for mailing.

Alternatively, advertisers can also consider hiring a professional EDDM service provider who can handle various aspects of the campaign, including printing, mailing, and other services. Working with a local post office can also provide advertisers with printing, shipping, and mailing services, simplifying the process of executing an EDDM campaign.

Is there a non-profit discount for EDDM?

Yes, there is a discount for non-profit organizations using EDDM. They can save up to 50% on their postage costs. To qualify, the organization must be registered as a non-profit with the USPS and meet eligibility criteria. Contact your local post office or mailing service provider for more information on non-profit EDDM discounts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of EDDM can vary depending on your budget and desired results. It’s important to carefully consider your budget and the potential return on investment when planning your EDDM campaign.

By analyzing different cost scenarios and comparing them with competitors, you can make informed decisions about the size, design, printing, and mailing options that best fit your budget and marketing goals. Additionally, finding ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality can help maximize the effectiveness of your EDDM campaign.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to evaluate if EDDM is worth the cost for your specific business and marketing objectives. Consider the potential reach, targeting capabilities, and cost-effectiveness compared to other marketing methods to make an informed decision.

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