Insurance Agent Forum

[padthaiforlunch]

As I posted in another thread, I am mailing postcards for .35/piece.

Here is how I do it:

Printrunner.com -- 5,000 4.25x6 postcards 4/4 UV coating one side -- $204 with shipping. .0409 each

CAS -- 5,000 names with selects of age and home owner (sent to me in csv format -- $255. .0509 each

Mailing services -- $302 .0604 each

Postage -- $915 -- $0.183 each.

Total per piece : $0.3352 per piece

Naturally, if you send less, the price will increase.

Caveats:
The minimum list size from CAS is 5,000.

Finding a mail house: I called a local political consultant (hat tip to czook) to find out who does the political mailings -- they know what they're doing and they keep deadlines.

Print their indicia onto the card.

Postage: 4.25x6 is the largest postcard you can send and still qualify for automated rates.

Artwork (not included in price): get a graphics art student at your local school. Cost $200 max.

[myinsurebiz]

Rushflyers.com is only $90 for 5k and the total piece is UV.

Tom

[padthaiforlunch]

The problem with uv coating on both sides is your mail house will likely have problems inkjetting the address.

[Markingriffin]

Originally Posted by padthaiforlunch

As I posted in another thread, I am mailing postcards for .35/piece.

Here is how I do it:

Printrunner.com -- 5,000 4.25x6 postcards 4/4 UV coating one side -- $204 with shipping. .0409 each

CAS -- 5,000 names with selects of age and home owner (sent to me in csv format -- $255. .0509 each

Mailing services -- $302 .0604 each

Postage -- $915 -- $0.183 each.

Total per piece : $0.3352 per piece

Naturally, if you send less, the price will increase.

Caveats:
The minimum list size from CAS is 5,000.

Finding a mail house: I called a local political consultant (hat tip to czook) to find out who does the political mailings -- they know what they're doing and they keep deadlines.

Print their indicia onto the card.

Postage: 4.25x6 is the largest postcard you can send and still qualify for automated rates.

Artwork (not included in price): get a graphics art student at your local school. Cost $200 max.

Thanks for sharing this.

[emptyeternity]

I was doing some number crunching, and it seems like padthaiforlunch is just about paying the same as any mailhouse that is charging around 340-350 per 1000 of mailers, but with all that work. Is there any other benefits to doing it yourself if the price is even?

[padthaiforlunch]

Maybe not. But which mail house will do this with your branded piece?

Originally Posted by emptyeternity

I was doing some number crunching, and it seems like padthaiforlunch is just about paying the same as any mailhouse that is charging around 340-350 per 1000 of mailers, but with all that work. Is there any other benefits to doing it yourself if the price is even?

[emptyeternity]

Your particular piece? im not sure, didnt research it, i have just seen the generic yellow and pink slips floating around the board and companies. Would you care to tell us what you write on yours? I am looking at vistaprint, alston posted something up about theirs, im trying to see what it comes down to per piece mailed, i will report back.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ok vistaprint has for blk and white, doing the mailing for you, you provide the list, it comes out to this
1,000=.38
5,000=.34
10,000=.33
20,000=.31
They have color options, data lists available, and over size post cards.

I am curious if anyone has used anything bigger than the normal postcard size.

[Charpress]

Originally Posted by emptyeternity

I am curious if anyone has used anything bigger than the normal postcard size.

Oversize postcards cost much more than standard postcards. People in the industry tell me that the extra cost is not warranted by the slightly higher response. I don't know this firsthand, but I do know that oversize cards end up costing close to the same as first class envelope mailings.

[padthaiforlunch]

And here I thought you liked my price. So much for trusting PM's.

Originally Posted by emptyeternity

I was doing some number crunching, and it seems like padthaiforlunch is just about paying the same as any mailhouse that is charging around 340-350 per 1000 of mailers, but with all that work. Is there any other benefits to doing it yourself if the price is even?

One benefit of the DIY is if you are at all interested in brand awareness. My piece is not generic, it has my logo and trademark. It is also color on both sides. Good luck with a plain b&w piece.

My mailing are targeted for annuities, and as charming as you are, I will pass on sharing my ad copy.

FYI -- I looked at many options for what I wanted -- 4/4, homeowners and age select, automated postage -- and shared the lowest cost for DIY. Knock yourself out if you need to clear your own path.

If you want to use a lead co for $335/M, be my guest. That is another beast.

One other thing on your vista quote: it doesn't include the cost of the list, so add another 5 to 6 cents on your mailing costs. Let's be generous and go with 5 cents. 5000k b&w for .39 each. Ldo.

Originally Posted by emptyeternity

your particular piece? im not sure, didnt research it, i have just seen the generic yellow and pink slips floating around the board and companies. Would you care to tell us what you write on yours? I am looking at vistaprint, alston posted something up about theirs, im trying to see what it comes down to per piece mailed, i will report back.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ok vistaprint has for blk and white, doing the mailing for you, you provide the list, it comes out to this
1,000=.38
5,000=.34
10,000=.33
20,000=.31
They have color options, data lists available, and over size post cards.

I am curious if anyone has used anything bigger than the normal postcard size.

[emptyeternity]

[quote=padthaiforlunch;137839]And here I thought you liked my price. So much for trusting PM's.

I love your price!! And you make a good point:-)




"My mailing are targeted for annuities, and as charming as you are, I will pass on sharing my ad copy."

Why thank You

[benhhill]

Help! What is CAS?

[djs]

Not sure, I would assume Mailing Lists - Consumer, Business, Email, CAS Inc.

[SoCalBroker]

I gave up on postcards after 3 tries with different services.

1. First Comp - a work comp carrier sponsored part of the costs.
- a - the list had a 30% undeliverable rate
- b - the postcards that came back were beat to hell by the USPS machines

2. 1,000 piece list to local homeowners
- A - far better deliverability this time
- B - the fewer returns but again our piece looked like hammer dog pile - USPS in my area is brutal on my stuff!

3. I tried again on a smaller list. I just didnt feel I could get an effective message out on the 4x6 or a 5x7 [or whatever it is] and again - I didnt care for the fact that a high percentage of the pieces delivered were banged up by the postal services sorting machines.

If we're talking about branding issues ... I dont want to be branded as a CHEAP Solution. Ive gone to 100% First Class Mail in envelopes. Cards / 4 color greeting and tri-folds. I use much higher targeted lists - sometimes not even a list. Business websites ...2 biz a day is a goal I have to mail a high value piece to.

Now If I could just get these niche pieces finished!

[padthaiforlunch]

Originally Posted by SoCalBroker

Ive gone to 100% First Class Mail in envelopes. Cards / 4 color greeting and tri-folds. I use much higher targeted lists - sometimes not even a list. Business websites ...2 biz a day is a goal I have to mail a high value piece to.

Good, a new variant. What are you talking about in your piece?

[hlink20]

We have used 6x8 and that size seems to work well.

[JustinUpright]

I would like to offer DI to Doctors and Lawyers. Would a letter first class be more appropriate or would you suggest a nice card mailer?

[njagent1975]

I use seniorinsuranceleads.com - pay .38c per an 8x6 perforated card. they include the list. all postage and give a toll-free number. i get scanned reply cards sent to me by email and get calls forwarded to my cell phone.

I think you can pay a couple of pennies less if you have your own list and phone number. so i see no point going through all the hassle with printing and mailing separately.

Kall8.com is awesome, btw.