Can I use Certified Mail for marketing purposes? The simple answer is yes, you sure can. You can use USPS Certified Mail to send all sorts of documents to anyone in the United States. However, a better question to ask might be, “Why would you want to send your Marketing Mail via Certified Mail?” The … Continue reading Is Certified Mail Good for Direct Mail and Marketing Purposes?

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2023/09/26/can-i-use-certified-mail-for-marketing-purposes/

So, you want to send a Certified letter but you’re not sure what the cost will be. Before we begin talking about that, let’s do a quick overview of what Certified Mail is, shall we?

What is Certified Mail?

Certified Mail is the right product when you need proof of mailing, proof of delivery and detailed tracking of the letter as it travels to its intended recipient. You can choose to have the recipient must sign for the letter. That is, as long as you choose to add a Return Receipt to your mailing. More on that later.

Certified Mail is only available for letters bound for addresses within the United States and can only be used on letters that weigh less than 13 ounces. This service is often used from important legal documents or for legal matters where you need to prove that you mailed something.

USPS Certified Mail Cost

Ok, so now that you have a brief understanding of what sending a letter by certified mail is, let’s talk more about the cost.

The cost of Certified Mail varies depending on the weight of your mail and whether you want a Return Receipt included. Again, we’re still saving that for a little later on.

Now keep in mind, if you’re sending Certified Mail the traditional way, through the United States Post Office (USPS), then you have some work to do on your end as well.

Not only do you have to provide the letter itself, through creating it and printing it, but you have to get an envelope, seal it, drive to the post office, wait in line, fill out the Certified Mail label, add postage to it, pay for it and then drive back home or to the office. Remember, time is money.

Keeping all of that in mind here is the breakdown cost of what the USPS charges to send a Certified Mail piece:

• First-Class Postage $.66 (up to 1 ounce (roughly 5 pieces of paper))
• Certified Mail: $4.35
• Optional Return Receipt – Green Card: $3.55
• Optional Electronic Return Receipt: $2.20

Here’s an example of what it would cost: If you want to send a 1-ounce letter with Certified Mail rates and a Return Receipt, the total cost would be $8.56. This includes the $4.35 certified mail fee, the $3.55 return receipt fee, and the postage for a 1-ounce letter.

Return Receipt Vs Electronic Return Receipt

Can we talk about a Return Receipt already?

Ok, ok. Now that we’ve broken down what the post office charges. Let’s do a quick overview of what a Return Receipt and Electronic Return Receipt (ERR) are and how they are different.

What is a Return Receipt? A Return Receipt is a physical copy of the green card, also known as the “PS Form 3811,” that is mailed back to the sender to show that the recipient received and signed for the letter.

What is an Electronic Return Receipt (ERR)? On the other hand, an ERR is the same as a Return Receipt except it is electronically sent back to the sender showcasing that the recipient received and signed for it.

A Different Approach to Mailing Certified Mail

Remember above where we talked about the extra time and effort that goes into sending a Certified letter by going directly through the postal service?

What if we told you there was an easier, more convenient and overall affordable way to send a Certified letter or letters?

LetterStream  makes the process so efficient you’ll be asking yourself why you haven’t done this sooner. Instead of buying and using all of your supplies and instead of making the inconvenient trip to the post office, you can simply go to LetterStream.com, create or login to your account, upload your Certified Mail into our online portal (or create one from a template we offer) and send it on its merry way.

We handle all of the printing, inserting, and mailing so you don’t have to. Plus, we offer an Electronic Return Receipt that you can track right in your customer account.

Cost Breakdown

Your cost for sending a single Certified letter online through LetterStream includes:

• Certified Mail Letter Fees
• Postage
• Printing and mailing your letters in less than two (2) business days
• USPS Tracking Number
• Electronic Return Receipt
• Trackable Online Status
• Along with never having to leave the comfort of your home or office

This comes out to only $9.49 for a single letter. If you don’t want the Electronic Return Receipt then you can get a certified letter starting at only $7.25.

Why Would I Use Certified Mail?

OnlineCertifiedMail.com is a related partner site to LetterStream but is dedicated exclusively to the process of processing, mailing and tracking Certified Mail. It has an easy-to-use interface to quickly send a single letter or two.

To learn more about OnlineCertifiedMail.com click here.

Comparing Costs for USPS Certified Mail

The cost of USPS certified mail is comparable to the cost of other secure mail services, such as UPS and FedEx Ground Economy. However, USPS certified mail is often the most affordable option for sending a certified letter the traditional way.

For sending certified mail online or as e-certified mail (a new term being used for online Certified Mail), our service is actually the cheapest. When you factor in the supplies we include (paper, envelope), labor and sending of the letter (so you don’t have to use gas to drive to the post office and wait in line) and Certified Mail fees, our price is unbeatable.

Is Insurance Offered When You Send Certified Mail?

Insurance is an optional service offered by the USPS and you might be wondering what the cost is for that. However, insurance actually is not offered for Certified Mail. Instead, you can purchase insurance using Registered Mail. Registered mail is similar to certified mail as you get the tracking and proof of delivery, but with Registered Mail, you are also able send it internationally and get the proof of insurance you may be looking for.

We do offer this as an option at LetterStream. However, please keep in mind that the cost is quite high, starting at about $30 per letter. Plus, it generally takes between 7–30 days to be delivered (possibly longer depending on location), and successful delivery and signatures are not guaranteed.

All-in-all, the cost of certified mail is a fair price for the peace of mind that it provides. If you need to mail important documents, certified mail is a secure and affordable option. If you want the ease and convenience without the hassle of going to the post office to send your letter, then check out our Certified Mail page to get started!

The post What Does it Actually Cost to Send Certified Mail? first appeared on LetterStream Blog.

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2023/09/12/what-is-the-cost-of-certified-mail/

Using FedEx as a shipping service can be fast, but it’s not the best choice for your more secure documents. They have undoubtedly earned its reputation for providing fast and reliable shipping solutions. However, it’s essential to understand that when it comes to document security, there are certain limitations that set FedEx apart from services like Certified Mail.

FedEx Tracking Doesn’t Include Proof of Delivery

FedEx is known for its shipping, but they do not include certified mail in their services. Certified Mail is a sending process you can use so that you can track your documents and have the recipient confirm that they received the mail through a delivery signature.

Through FedEx or FedEx Express, you can track your package or piece of mail, but you cannot get any proof of delivery like you will get through Certified Mail.

Sending Certified Mail

Sending important documents can weigh heavy on you. When you need to make sure that it gets in the right hands, sending with Certified Mail is the best option for that to happen and take your worries away.

When handling crucial documents, the stakes are high, and the assurance of secure delivery becomes paramount. USPS Certified Mail addresses these concerns, providing a heightened level of document security and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your vital mailings are in the right hands.

Simplified Process with Certified Mail Online

LetterStream offers fast service and delivery with the securement of a tracking number and return receipt coming back to you as proof of delivery through using Certified Mail.

With our Certified Mail Online service you can upload your document and fill out the address forms and we will have your Certified Mail sent out without ever having to leave the comfort of your home or office. We pride ourselves on our fast preparation of documents and/or letters.

E-Certified aka Electronic Return Receipt

When sending Certified Mail, there is another option where you can get a signature from the person receiving the certified letter. This is considered an electronic return receipt or a new term called e-certified. With an electronic return receipt a digital signature is required from the person receiving the mail. Then an email is sent to the person who sent the letter, which gives them both proof of mailing and proof of delivery.

Effortless Tracking and Confirmation

Once we have the piece(s) of Certified mail ready to be sent, we will supply you the tracking number.

By using our online tracking tool, it allows you to see the tracking information of your letter at any time, without needing to manually enter your USPS tracking number or reference number. You also are able to view the Delivery Signature of the recipient once the letter has been delivered.

Embrace the Convenience of Our One-Stop-Shop Services

Choosing LetterStream for a seamless and secure document sending experience is a no brainer. With our comprehensive range of services, you can enjoy the best of both worlds; swift deliveries with robust security measures, all from one convenient platform.

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2023/07/24/fedex-tracking-cant-do-it-all-but-we-can-with-certified-mail/

Should you utilize LetterStream for sending out promotional mail with the aim of expanding your potential client base and, ideally, boosting your income, we are delighted to accompany you on this journey.

We believe you’ll see some positive results in your bottom line when promoting your goods and services through postal mail.

Increase the Chance of Someone Opening Your Letters

To make a mailing campaign work, there are two things to focus on. The first is what’s on the outside that gets your letter opened. The second is what’s on the inside that delivers your specific message and call-to-action. Think about this in your marketing strategy.

We like to consider the first step as judging a book by its cover. We realize you’ve probably been taught not to judge a book by its cover, but let’s face it, that’s how we all work, especially when it comes to making purchases.

What Should the Outside of My Mail Piece Look Like?

For this article, we are focusing on the external components and the important things to consider in order to get your envelope opened.

Whether you’re sending an invoice, a newsletter, or a direct mail marketing campaign, these principles hold true. The exterior of your mail item is what compels the receiver to open and scrutinize the letter or its contents.

It’s Not About Pretty Envelopes

Yes, you read that correctly and this may throw a twist into things a bit. We may even get a lot of push back from the graphic designers and envelope engineers out there. However, it’s not about pretty and it’s not about eye-catching. It’s about something far simpler.

Getting someone to open an envelope from the postal service is all about the term “recognizable”. Think about this the next time you sort and open your mail. Chances are, unless you design envelopes or are in marketing, you won’t sort your mail by pretty or eye-catching. Instead, you will sort and even prioritize by the concept of “recognizable.”

Make your Envelopes Recognizable

You’ve likely already realized this while going through your own mail: your envelope should hold something identifiable or familiar to resonate with the recipient.

Consider the reasons behind your specific method of sorting your incoming mail, and let’s try to define the different priorities based on the principle of recognition.

The Mail Sorting Routine

Let’s capture the mail sorting process. Keep in mind the exact steps won’t be the same for everyone. I ought to know, for some weird reason I like to sort my mail by envelope size, from smallest to largest.

General Sorting Efforts Beyond Envelope Size

A person generally will end up with a couple piles of mail after sifting through the stack. There will be the friendly mail like wedding invitations, birthday cards, holiday letters and thank you notes.

Next there will be the pile of bills that need to be sorted out for payment and processing, maybe not now, but not to be forgotten.

Then there’s the rest of the mail. Granted, you may make a pile for grocery store coupons and various other items, but the bulk of everything else is just noise. You might just dump it in the shred bin, or you may let it accumulate for another day when you have more time. Which face it, never really happens.

Which Pile Would You Like Your Message In?

That’s easy; you want it in the friendly mail pile. If you can’t obtain that, you’ll want it in the bill pile. If you can’t secure that, you’ll want it to be the most stand-out piece in the pre-shred pile.

Our recommendations are deigned to keep your mail out of stack three completely. We want action taken by the receiver before they toss it through the shredder.

Hey, I know This Sender

We believe there are two key components of recognition and familiarity.

The first component is, do you know the name in the return address of the envelope? We believe fairly early in the process you will look at the sender’s name to decide which pile the mail goes into. If you see a family member’s name or an old high school buddy on the envelope, it’s going to get opened first.

These personal connections are the most powerful for getting a piece of mail opened. (Side note: This also is why its important to send a personal note to a potential business contact within days of meeting them. So that your name and sales pitch are still in the forefront of their mind.) So, be sure to put your name and/or company name on the outside of the envelope.

If you choose to not place your name or company name on the outside of the envelope, you might feel like you are being clever. However, it’s quite similar to a cell phone call which pops up on your phone as “restricted”. Most people won’t answer the call. The same is true for mail. People won’t open your letter.

The second way to make the return address recognizable is to send it from a town local to your recipients. This isn’t often possible, but when you can, try to make it happen.

Is This a Bill?

Here’s where a transactional mailing company like ours has a totally different perspective than flashy marketing companies.

We know that bills get opened, and we also know they get sorted to the second tier of mail. If something looks like a bill, it will avoid the first round of shredding. Why? Because of importance.

For clarification, we are still talking about the outside of the envelope. Bills come in plain white envelopes, have a security tint on the envelope and typically have one or two windows for addresses to show through.

We don’t recommend making your message look like a bill, as that could make people grouchy. However, we recommend making it look important.

Do You Really Know Me?

Who are your true friends? Are they the ones that call you by your casual name or your nickname? We may not know entirely but we do know, they don’t call you by your last name followed by your first name (Jones, Mike).

If you receive a piece of mail with your last name, a coma and your first name, are you intrigued? Is the sender familiar? No; no one would call you that.

There’s a reason we call it the First Name and Last Name. Also, spell your recipients names correctly. If you don’t know how to spell their name, don’t bother sending the mail.

Should You Make Your Stamp Stand Out?

To be honest, we don’t get it either. Stamps probably don’t make any difference. If you see grandma’s name in the return address area of a piece of mail, you’re going to open the letter. Doesn’t matter if it has a squished bug where a stamp should be.

There are so many other mail sorting methods that take priority over the stamp, that you probably shouldn’t care about it. Let’s rephrase. Put real stamps on your wedding invitations and other luxurious mailings in order to honor your friends but don’t use it on marketing mail.

If It Doesn’t Arrive, It Won’t Be Opened

Seems simple, but that’s not always the case. We can’t forget making sure you have right addresses.

Double check your mailing list. Make sure you didn’t accidently sort only of your addresses and scramble up your entire mailing list. Yes, this one makes us a little sick and we’ve seen it far too many times. Databases and Excel spreadsheets can assist in shuffling your data, but ensure all elements are correctly aligned prior to uploading your address list.

You can also clean up your mailing lists using CASS software or better yet is the NCOA (National Change Of Address) database.

A quick note: we offer “Address Cleanup”/CASS and “Deluxe Address Cleanup”/NCOA on our website to help you get the most out of your mailing list. Also, if your data has gotten scrambled, our Deluxe Address Cleanup will let you know.

Another way to verify a few addresses is by using the USPS zip code lookup tool. Only use if you don’t mind entering them one at a time. It does more than look up a zip code; it will actually tell you if the address is complete and if it is valid.

Happy Mailing

Hopefully these little tidbits will help you reflect on your next mailing and how you can increase its effectiveness. And just maybe, your next mail piece will be recognized by your clients in their stack of mail!

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2023/07/20/mailing-for-success-how-to-get-your-mail-opened/

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the January 2023 price increase for a number of products and services that the USPS offers, and the new rates will go into effect on Sunday, January 22, 2023. 

The price of a first-class stamp will be raised by three cents.  Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the products LetterStream has to offer: 

• First Class postage is going up 3 cents; from .60 to .63
  
• Certified mail is going up 15 cents; from 4.00 to 4.15
• Certified ERR (Electronic Return Receipt) is going up 10 cents; from 2.00 to 2.15
• First Class flats are going up 6 cents; from 1.24 to 1.26
  
• Postcards are going up 4 cents; from .44 to .48
• Extra Ounces (Letters) are going up 4 cents; from .20 to .24 
• International postage is going up 5 cents; from 1.40 to 1.45
  
• Registered mail is going up .80; from 18.25 to 19.05 
• Standard/Marketing mail is going up 4 cents; from .26 to .30
  

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email – directly through your LetterStream account.  This can be done in place of, or in addition to, your real mail.  Click here for more information. 

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of January 2023 USPS rate changes. 

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2023/01/23/usps-pricing-updates-january-2023/

For the second year in a row, the US Postal Service is raising their prices twice within a single year.

The USPS traditionally issues a price update annually (at the beginning of each year). However, moving forward they will implement price updates on a semi-annual basis (in January and July), starting in 2022.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the 2022 mid-year price increase for a number of products and services that the USPS offers, and the new rates will go into effect at Midnight on Sunday, July 10, 2022. 

The price of a first-class stamp will be raised by two cents.  Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the products LetterStream has to offer: 

• First Class postage is going up 2 cents; from .58 to .60 
• Certified mail is going up 15 cents; from 3.75 to 4.00
• Certified ERR (Electronic Return Receipt) is going up 15 cents; from 1.85 to 2.00
• First Class flats are going up 4 cents; from 1.20 to 1.24 
• Postcards are going up 4 cents; from .40 to .44 
• Extra Ounces (Letters) are staying the same at 20 cents 
• Extra Ounces (Flats) are going up 4 cents; from .20 to .24 
• International postage is going up 10 cents; from 1.30 to 1.40 
• Registered mail is going up 1.10; from 17.15 to 18.25 
• Standard/Marketing mail is going up 2 cents; from .24 to .26 

For those who rely on LetterStream as their valued print and mail partner, the new rates will go into effect at 4pm the last business day before the USPS implements their new prices (July 8th, 2022).  This is because orders that are received after 4pm Pacific Time will not be mailed until the new rates are in effect on Monday. 

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email – directly through your LetterStream account.  This can be done in place of, or in addition to, your real mail.  Click here for more information. 

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of August 2022 USPS rate changes. 

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper. 

Pro tip:  if you want to get the old pricing but don’t want your mailing to go out before July 10th, you can always use our schedule job option to schedule your job to be mailed on a future date!

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2022/07/01/usps-raises-postage-rates-twice-in-2022/

A lot of organizations these days are trying to find ways to do less in the office. In a post-pandemic world, many companies have switched over to remote working styles, allowing their employees to work from home full-time. Without a collective office space, getting regular business mail out to your clients has become a challenge.

Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the amount of people coming into the office to perform outbound mailing operations at your company and let print and mailing companies do all the work instead. LetterStream has developed virtual mailroom services that allow you to outsource your printing and mailing all online.

You’ll be surprised to learn that our process is actually less complicated than sending an email and a lot easier than trying to communicate your needs to a traditional mailing company. LetterStream is here to make sure your corporate mailings are prepared correctly and that all your mail will be sent out to your clients on time.

What Is Outsourcing?

Companies may outsource services for a lot of different reasons. Instead of obtaining a product or service from an internal source, businesses hire someone outside of the company to do it instead. These third-party sources typically help perform operational tasks or other essential services or products that companies need help with.

Many companies choose to outsource certain tasks to lower their business costs and improve production efficiency. Third parties may also be independent contractors or experts in the field that can provide valuable advice and methods for performing operational tasks properly or more efficiently.

5 Reasons to Outsource Your Corporate Mail

Here are some reasons why you should consider outsourcing your corporate mail to LetterStream.

1. Reduce Business Expenses

Automated solutions for critical mail can help to lower business costs and expenses by offering competitive pricing that saves you money in the long run. Operating a mailroom internally can become very costly, especially considering the high price associated with equipment costs, paper, ink, toner, supplies, and maintenance. You should also consider the downtime and money associated with equipment problems that need to be fixed.

Performing mail operations can also take up a lot of your team’s time internally, as well as use up office space—or home space, if you’re working remotely. Outsourcing your corporate mail to a virtual mailroom can help maximize internal efficiency and ensure that necessary mail is sent in a timely manner.

Third-party online mail services are also trained and have specialized expertise in mail management. Any mail-related business functions can be handled by someone else, so your employees don’t have to worry about it on their to-do list. Your business will save money in the long run by allowing a high-tech mailing service to use an automated and cost-efficient system.

Instead of allowing mailing operations to detract from your overall business objectives, you can reinvest the money you save in the long run back into your business. Fortunately, LetterStream has no upfront costs, and we guarantee that you will save money right away, even by sending just one letter.

2. Improve Customer Service

There’s no doubt that your customers are important to you. Your business is more likely to be remembered when it can provide excellent customer service, making your customers more likely to come back.

When you utilize a virtual mailroom, you can maintain a critical business flow while still providing professionalism and top-notch service to your clients. By outsourcing your corporate mail, you have the freedom to focus on what’s most important—your customers. You can enhance the customer experience and ensure your employees are giving them first-rate customer service.

3. Reduce Mishandled Mail

A virtual mailroom can help maintain mail security and reduce any error that could potentially occur in traditional mailing operations. Many third-party mailing services typically have access to high-level security systems that your business wouldn’t be able to afford if your mailing system was done internally.

When sending mail to your clients, security and safety are huge concerns. You must uphold and protect any confidential information in order to keep your customers and stay out of legal trouble. If you outsource your corporate mail, it will be delivered to an off-site, secure facility that can more thoroughly protect against mail threats or information breaches.

Fewer hands on your corporate mail also means avoiding any of it getting lost or stolen. Outsourcing your mailing services creates a risk-free environment for your business, saving you time and money.

4. Software As a Service

Outsourcing your mail gives you full insight into the mailing process, including incoming and outgoing mail. You can improve and accelerate the mailing process, resulting in happier customers and more money for your business.

LetterStream offers both first-class mailing and bulk or standard mailing. With our multi-level user portal, you can track your letter and see where it’s at in the process until it reaches its designated mail carrier.

At the USPS, all important documents must be sent as first-class mail. Unfortunately, the Post Office does not track first-class mail, but you can see in your LetterStream portal if your letter has reached the Post Office yet or not.

5. Scalable for Your Business Needs

LetterStream works with the USPS and FedEx to help reduce postage fees. No matter how large or small your business is, we can easily mail any items to fit your needs.

Third-party mailing services can also provide reporting on all mailed items and mailing processes to help reduce areas of unnecessary waste in materials or time. With more effective and streamlined processes, you will save more money in the long run.

Using LetterStream to Outsource Your Corporate Mail

LetterStream has developed a very modern portal that allows you to upload your mailings in just a few minutes; after that, we take care of the rest! We can operate based on your specifications in a timely and helpful manner.

Most of our corporate clients can upload their documents exactly as they were exported from their accounting or corporate software. Exporting to a PDF will allow you to load your files directly into our system without talking to our Sales or Customer Service teams—although, they’re here to help if you need them!

LetterStream can extract addresses right out of your PDF, creating an online address book that’s personalized just for you. Along with PDF files, we also accept mailing and address lists via Excel spreadsheet.

We want our mailing process to be easy and work well with you and your business, so we are flexible and will try to help in any way possible. We have countless administrative and power-user features that allow you to set up different user roles, define departments, run reports, and automatically notify others when a mailing has gone out.

Instead of going to the post office, send a letter by outsourcing your corporate mailing processes. LetterStream can help eliminate the frustrations of mailing internally in your company. Our Customer Service team is also stellar in assisting users who need a little extra guidance along the way.

If you’re looking for a company to outsource your corporate mailing through, or you want to learn more information about our mailing processes, LetterStream is here for you. Contact us today at 1-888-501-5288.

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2021/11/30/why-outsource-corporate-mail/

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2021/08/04/usps-raises-postage-rates-twice-in-2021/

source https://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2021/01/25/usps-postage-rates-2021/

It has been a while since our last COVID-19 update, but that’s because nothing much has changed in our protocols or a capability to process mail.  Our systems remain strong despite large increases in web traffic and our team remains healthy because of the many safety measures that we’ve been operating under.

We do have some concerns however about how the United States Postal Service will keep up with the increase in mail volume this December.  There are large increases in package deliveries this year as shoppers avoid stores and shop online due to the Cornavirus.  These packages will take up truck and delivery vehicle space and may limit the amount of mail or the speed at which mail can be delivered.  We are already seeing our inbound freight shipments being delayed.  That said, we encourage all our customers to send mail early this year for timely delivery.

While not promoted heavily on our website, we do offer electronic delivery of documents in the event you have email addresses for your recipients.  If interested, please contact our support staff or your sales representative.

source http://blog.letterstream.com/mailing-company/2020/12/03/covid-19-holiday-mail-delivery/