Preparing an EDDM Mailing

The EDDM service, featured by the post office, enables you to cover your local area at the lowest postage cost without the need to purchase a bulk mail permit or mailing list. We can help you meet the specifications for preparing an EDDM mailing. The requirements for mailing pieces are as follows:

Each mail piece should be longer than 10.5 inches and larger than six inches in height.
The minimum thickness of the mail pieces must be over .007 inches.

Standard Sizes of EDDM Postcards

Common sizes for EDDM mailings for postcards are as follows:

• 6” x 9”
• 6” x 11’

These measurements also pertain to folded self-mailers or envelopes. Once you decide on the specs, Orthodontic Print Source can help you with the design and printing of your postcard.

Why EDDM Mailings Help Orthodontists Gain Notice

An orthodontic practice is the ideal business for EDDM marketing, as it is often frequented by residents in the surrounding area. When you involve us in your EDDM mailing, we can help you map out a targeted locale.

Daily Mailings

When an EDDM mailing is performed, it takes up to two weeks or less to perform the process.  Each mail piece will require a postage indicia, or printed postage. You can mail from 200 to 5,000 pieces per day.

A Review of EDDM Service Benefits

You will realize the following benefits by using EDDM services:

• You do not need a permit to mail your postcards.
• You do not have to rely on a mailing list.
• You can use a larger sized postcard, which is helpful in increasing the response rate for your practice. When you can mail a larger piece, you have more room to send your message. You might also think about sending out a mail flat that measures 6.25” x 11” – over three times bigger than a 4” x 6” postcard, delivered at about the same cost.

The Advantages of Using EDDM for a Direct Marketing Campaign

This approach makes branding easier and can be employed as a useful and powerful marketing tool. When you use EDDM for a direct marketing campaign, it offers the following advantages:

• It enables you to reach leads without a mailing list.
• It helps you find new customers in targeted areas.
• It lowers mail preparation costs.

Add a Call to Action (CTA)

To design a postcard for an EDDM mailing, you may begin with an offer or discount. Add a clear and distinct call to action (CTA). A successful CTA should produce a sense of urgency. Include words such as “Be sure to call before [month] to take advantage of this service to ensure you receive a discount.”

Planning an EDDM Mailing

When planning the EDDM mailing, you need to consider the following:

• What zip code should I target?
• What neighborhoods should I include in the zip code I choose?

Visiting the EDDM Website

On the EDDM website, routes can be chosen with just a click, as well as target age ranges.  The EDDM tool displays the addresses for delivery and the cost. Therefore, you may want to review the site first before you coordinate your printing services with Orthodontic Print Source and get acquainted with the delivery program.

Tracking Your Mailings

It helps to track you mailing efforts by knowing your target market. For example, do you know which neighborhoods best represent your target customers?

Split Test Mailings

In order to check your mailing response, you may want to facilitate a split test mailing or A/B testing. This assessment, first developed in the scientific community, has been adapted to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. When sending out orthodontic postcards, use A/B testing to assess each element of your campaign’s design.  For example, you might feature a certain dollar amount off an orthodontic service for your “A” test mailing, while providing a certain percentage off a service in a “B” test mailing.

Split Test Various Elements on Your Postcards

The idea of A/B testing is to see what elements work best when sending out postcards for your direct mail campaigns. You can split test just about anything with respect to your postcard’s design. Use A/B testing for the following:

• Images
• Colors
• Fonts

You can even test words that have been intentionally misspelled for response checking purposes.

Add a Coupon Code to Check Response Rates

Make sure to feature a coupon code that the customer is required to use to test responses. Without this code, you cannot assess response rates.

Invest in Your Ad Campaigns and Save More Money

EDDM marketing for orthodontists can go a long way to promote your practice to residents in your community. Not only does this type of direct mail approach build your brand, it allows you to track and test responses so you can invest your ad dollars more wisely.