How Much Does Direct Mail Cost? 

When it comes to marketing your business, it’s natural to wonder: how much does direct mail cost? The types of direct mail you choose depend on the number of mailings you send, the type of content you want to include, and your company’s goals. In this article, you’ll learn about the most cost-effective forms of direct mail, as well as the types of postage you can expect to pay. From Postcards to Oversized envelopes, we’ll explain what you can expect in terms of cost.

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Postcards are the most cost-effective type of direct mail 

Since postcards are one-piece pieces, they are the simplest form of direct mail to send. A postcard should be eye-catching and personalized and contain an emphatic call to action. The call to action should direct the customer to take some type of action, such as signing up for a newsletter, visiting a website, or calling for a free quote. As a result, postcards are an extremely cost-effective direct marketing method. 

Since postcards have limited space and message content, companies have very little room for error. Because postcards are so small, the company has only a few seconds to catch the reader’s attention. Consequently, word choice is extremely important. The message should be compelling and lead the reader to want to learn more. Even if a customer does not respond to a postcard, it still makes an impression. 

Oversized envelopes are the most expensive 

The size of the envelope you use to send your direct mail is a huge factor in the overall cost of the campaign. A letter-size envelope folded in half or a medium-sized booklet fits nicely into a C5 envelope. They are commonly used for direct marketing and are perfectly acceptable for both B2B and B2C markets. They also accommodate printed materials like brochures and small booklets, such as sales flyers. 

Letter size is the most economical way to send direct mail. Letters are in the range of three by five inches to six by ten inches. Letters that are larger than this become “flats” and will increase the overall cost of direct mail per piece. Mailers that are 8.5 inches by 11 inches will cost more than a six-by-nine postcard. Mailers that fold are more expensive than self-mailers, as they must be addressed on both sides. 

Postage rates vary depending on the size of your campaign 

When creating a direct mail campaign, one of the biggest costs you’ll face is postage. First-class and standard-class mailings have vastly different postage rates. When planning your campaign, consider the differences between the two classes, and the timing and delivery of the mailing. The more targeted your list is, the higher your postage rates will be. For this reason, it’s important to have a sufficient sample size. 

For a postcard campaign, the average price will range from $0.05 to $1 per piece. Postage rates for the 4″ x 6″ size are about half of that of a letter. However, if you’re sending a large-scale campaign, you can choose a larger-sized postcard. Typically, the 4″ x 6″ postcard costs less to print and is eligible for letter-rate postage. In addition, it’s cheaper to mail a small number of smaller postcards than larger-size ones.