Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved
Step 1. Develop a Strategic Plan for Mailing Strength: Already have the essentials of the basic process in place. Weakness: Lack of Knowledge - USPS Opportunity: Ability to provide turn-key service to "Concept to Doorstep" for your print customers Threat: Financial Exposure
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved Step 2. Increase Your Knowledge of the USPS
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved
Every postal program, every piece of equipment; every postal requirement is designed to facilitate the efficient and accurate movement of mail from the acceptance dock to the mailbox.
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved
Step 3. Develop a Mailpiece Design Process
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved
Step 4. Purchase Mailing Software
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved Capital investment will be required for a few pieces of equipment if you want to put the pieces you print into the mailstream. Addressing; inserting; bundling; strapping, metering....the list of new purchases can get lengthy or you may be able to simply retro-fit equipment you already have on your production floor. Step 6. Educate Your Internal Staff Particularly that one salesman who can never say no to a customer! Your salespeople and your CSR's need to become aware of the risks associated with the responsibility of moving the pieces you print for a client into the USPS mailstream.
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved There are charges specific to each mailing process and the range can be dramatic; well worth the research time and effort. Clearly identify what mail related services you can provide to your customer and your cost Can you afford to offer the service; perform the presort? Will the costs be passed straight through to the customer or will you treat them as a value added service and absorb the costs? Make Postage a separate line-item on your invoices Carefully research the postage discounts that can be claimed from a customer's mailing list for the Class and Category that they intend to mail at BEFORE writing a proposal. Postage presort discounts are based on quantity and density of addresses going to geographic areas by ZIP codes. Ex: Mailing list is 10,000 addresses distributed across the nation. Presort discounts will be small (if any) compared to a list of 10,000 addresses going to a few ZIP codes. Step 7. Modify Procedures For Billing & Proposals
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved Step 8. Get Informed Get Involved Mailers of today need to get involved, get informed and make their voices heard. This investment of your time and effort is critical to the successful growth and development of the mailing industry. MFSA - MAILING & FULFILLMENT SERVICE ASSOCIATION 1421 Prince Street Alexandria, VA Phone: (703) (800) Web: NACUMS - NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY MAIL SERVICES PO Box Fort Collins, CO Phone: (877) NACUMS1 Web: Postal Customer Council PCC WEBSITE:
Copyright 2007 The Bennett Group, Inc All Rights Reserved Mary Ann Bennett President and CEO The Bennett Group, Inc. 71 Goodway Dr S Rochester NY PH FX THANK YOU