Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
- I am located out of state. How can I mail to my city for a time sensitive event?
BlueGrass Mailing Services can drop ship the mailing to your Postal Facility. Transit times can take between 1-3 days to reach the post office, but we can time the shipping for an on-time targeted delivery.
- How does BlueGrass Mailing handle the postage costs?
The post office does not invoice for postage. BlueGrass Mailing requires postage to be paid at the time of the mailing, but will invoice for services with a pre-approved business agreement.
- What do I need to know about direct mail and postal standards?
Our sales staff is trained in knowing the Postal Service's mailing requirements, helping you select the best mailing list and working with you on getting the mail piece printed. We pride ourselves on being the best in our industry and always going the extra mile for our customers.
- How can I plan my mail to go out at a certain time?
Our team of representatives can work with you to plan you mail drop schedule. We can determine the best time for your mail to go out and ensure that it is done when you feel is best. When invoicing the mail, we can include a validated copy of the 3602. This is a USPS form that tells you when the mailing went out, how many pieces there were, and what the total postage was.
- Can my sales team contact you with questions on jobs?
Absolutely. We have 2-3 contact people per account.
- I would like to do a large mailing, but not all at once.
We can process the entire mailing at once and hold until you are ready for the next group to drop.
- In what format should I send my data?
We can accept your data is a variety of formats including:
ASCI text files (.txt, .asc)
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (.xls)
Comma delimited files (.csv)
Microsoft Access Database files (.mdb)
If your data is in another format, contact us and we will work with you.
- It seems that with email, cell phones, text messages and other high speed communication methods, sending paper through the mail would start to go away. Why should we send mail when we can simply email our information?
Although enhanced technology has indeed speed up the transfer of information, it does not provide the same effect of a personal, physical mail piece. People still prefer to receive their information via physical mail. Email and other technology should be seen as a way to supplement your direct mail campaign, not replace it. Blending the web, email and mail has proven to be the most successful.
- What response rate should I expect from a mailing?
The best answer to this question is that it depends on many factors including: your list, offer, message, type of program, value of product or service, ease of response, and relevance.
Response rates are often targeted at 1/2 percent to 2 percent.
- How important are mailing lists for direct mail?
Mailing lists are extremely important in the direct mail process. Your list is your key to success because the decisions you make regarding choosing your list can determine the response you get. Your list allows you to target specific customers in order to reach those who may truly be interested in your product or service.
- Where do I find a mailing list for rent and how much do they cost?
List can be rented through list brokers. BlueGrass Mailing can help you determine which type of list will work for you. We can get you these lists based on the selections you feel would best meet your needs. The cost of the list will depend on the source and the selections you choose.
- Are there any direct mail formats that consistently perform better than others?
The best way to answer this question is to test, test, and test. What makes sense for one campaign in one organization may not make sense for another organization. The most important thing to do is to set a goal early on and determine what format best meets your needs and then test to see if it works. Our sales staff will be happy to help you determine what may work best for your specific goal.