USPS Prepares for Holiday Season

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is one of the nation’s top shipping companies during the holiday season. During the 2021 season, USPS processed over 13.2 billion cards, letters, postcards, and packages. That number is expected to rise this season. 

Isaac Cronkhite, chief processing and distribution officer said, “We have been preparing for this all year. It’s on the calendar. We know it is coming and what kind of volumes to expect. It’s predictable, and therefore not a surprise when the workload increases.”

Ahead of the busy holiday season, USPS has prepared with a few strategic tactics, including: 

  • Transitioned 100,000 part-time employees to full-time 
  • Employed 28,000 seasonal employees
  • Increased overall processing and capacity to 60 million, up by seven million from 2021
  • Implemented 249 new package processing machines
  • Strategically added eight-and-a-half million square feet across 52 buildings nationwide
  • Leased an extra 1,900 trailers for the season 
  • Readied 222,682 delivery vehicles 
  • Updated operations to ensure trucks leave on time, delivering mail expeditiously
  • Improved technology by adding 6,000 computer tablets to the workroom floors
  • Leased an additional 17 temporary mail processing facilities and 71 delivery annexes 

“We are ensuring we have the right staffing and equipment so that the additional workload can be processed effectively and efficiently,” Cronkhite said. 

With the increases in critical investments in employee and technological realms, USPS has been readying for months. Their 10-year strategic plan, called Delivering for America, was implemented in 2021, aimed at transforming USPS into a self-sustaining, high-performing operation. 

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said, “Successfully delivering for the holidays is a cornerstone of our Delivering for America 10-year plan. Thanks to the 655,000 women and men of the Postal Service, recent investments, and operational precision improvements, we are ready to be the most used delivery provider this holiday season.” 

For cost-efficient, high-quality printing this holiday season, Econo Print has you covered! Contact us today to learn more. 

At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Our top priority is listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and expertise exceed our client’s expectations. Contact us today or visit www.econoprintusa.com to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Why Your Business Needs Holiday Mail Campaigns

The holidays are right around the corner, which means many of our to-do lists are piling up. Between dealing with the busy holiday rush and feverishly working to meet the new year’s goals, there’s no time to waste. Due to the already-busy season looming ahead, where does marketing your business fit in? 

Holiday cards are a great way to connect with potential customers and serve as a subtle reminder to previous clients. One of the most effective tools for marketing to consumers, direct mail produces higher responses than all digital channels combined. By offering your customers an incentive with holiday discounts or expressing gratitude, holiday cards are a win-win. 

Capture your audience’s attention by following three tips below: 

Personalized Mail
An effortless way to stand out above the rest is to create your document in a non-standard size, fold in a unique way, magnetize, and more. Personalized mailers see higher response rates – as much as 50 percent – than non-personalized. When you add a name to a mailer, the response is increased by more than 135 percent. With personalization, acquisition costs can be lowered by half, revenue can be raised by 15 percent, and marketing spend efficiency by 30 percent. 

Start Early, Timing is Everything
Start advertising early to ensure your materials are seen before the others. By being one of the first holiday cards, consumers are less likely to toss your card in the bin. Being first also gives customers time to reflect on any deals you are offering and make holiday purchases from your company versus the competition. 

Combine Marketing Strategies To maximize efficiency and your Return on Investment, combine your direct mail campaign with online outreach. E-mail newsletters, social media campaigns, and other online marketing strategies can help boost the efficacy of your direct mail.

Don’t get distracted and overlook holiday mail during the busy season. These mailers are crucial for audience reach and to gain momentum into the new year. 

Are you looking to deliver powerful print marketing campaigns? Contact Econo Print to learn more about our design and mailing services. Get ahead of the holiday rush today. 

At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals is our top priority. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and level of expertise exceed our clients’ expectations. Contact us today or visit www.econoprintusa.com to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Seven Direct Mail Ideas to Get Your Business Going

Thought direct mail was an endangered form of marketing? Think again! Direct mail is thriving as a way for business owners to gain marketing momentum. If you are thinking about adding direct mail to your marketing budget, keep reading to discover some ways it can boost clientele. 

B2B
Direct mail delivers messages to audiences with special promotions and other offers that draw customers through the door. Business-to-Business (B2B) is a way to achieve tangible connections through direct mail services. 

Short & Sweet
Just a few years ago, copy on direct mail pieces was almost double what it is today. Direct mail works to snatch the recipient’s attention by offering bold copy, lively colors, short sentences, and a clear call to action by invoking an emotional reaction. Generate curiosity by piquing customers’ interests.

Size Matters
Looking to stand out from the crowd? Make your direct mail a unique size so it is immediately legible – and noticeable – to your audience. Postcards are a great way to engage with customers, as people are spending less time reading and more time glancing. Postcards are also more economical than traditional direct mail options. 

Who, Me? No, You!
Personalization is all the rage these days, thanks to help from highly complex, data-driven technology. Customized strategies and a multitude of data points ensure your message is headed to the right mailbox. Mailing lists have progressed to allow for a higher Return on Investment (ROI) in marketing.

Freebies
Free samples are a plus when trying to familiarize an audience with your brand. To jumpstart sales, offer something free as a highly effective way to connect with your customers. If they are impressed, they are more likely to purchase products from you in the future or recommend your services to a friend or family member. 

QR Codes
QR codes have been around for some time, but in recent years they have gained momentum for online business integration. Printing a QR code on your direct mail piece is an efficient way to interact with potential customers by showcasing your online presence. 

Deals & Discounts
Direct mail is an excellent – and tried-and-true – way of promoting coupons to customers. Ensure your dollar amount or percentage off is bold, clear, and concise to intrigue your audience. 

Direct mail won’t be going extinct any time soon. With innovative technologies, fresh marketing strategies, and adaptive takes on traditional formats, businesses can utilize direct mail to reach clientele. 

Looking for direct mail design and print services? At Econo Print, we know direct mail. Work with us today!

At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals is our top priority. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and level of expertise exceed our clients’ expectations. Contact us today or visit www.econoprintusa.com to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level. Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Killer Business Cards

You might think business cards have lost their marketing advantage. But no, they are in high demand, especially with small businesses. A business card is an invitation to your front door and represents your company. So, don’t skimp on quality. First impressions are the make or break in obtaining new customers. Follow these simple tips to design a killer business card that’s sure to impress.

Keep your print quality professional – Maintain a minimum typography size and keep at least 5 mm from the trim. Stay with at least 300 dpi for the best quality image of your print.

Quality matters – Spend a bit extra on nice card stock paper. Everyone knows a cheap business card when they see one. The better the quality, the more apt someone will be willing to slip it into their wallet or purse instead of the garbage.

Don’t use clip art. Instead, use a photograph or better yet, seek the service of a graphic designer who can create something awesome. If you want to stand out from the competition, you can’t reuse someone else’s design. Put creative thought into your industry, determine what will resonate with potential customers, and strive to meet that.  

Design with purpose – A business card does not have much room for print. So, deciding the card’s purpose and focusing on it is vital. For example, are you trying to get your brand noticed? Then get your point across by laying it out. Or perhaps, you want to increase traffic and get contact calls to come in. Then, you’ll want the content to showcase your open availability, etc. A print designer is the most qualified person to design and lay out the fundamentals without getting lost in the presentation.

What a business card is used for – The bottom line is to increase revenue. Wherever you go, if someone indicates an interest in your business, you have an easy mode of reference. Remember, sometimes less is more. You don’t have to overcomplicate things; just show confidence. Think about Amazon or McDonald’s; their symbols are amazingly simple, an arrow shaped like a smile and a large M. The ideas are endless!

If you need assistance designing and printing custom business cards, call the pros at Econo Print!

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At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals is our top priority. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and level of expertise exceed our clients’ expectations. Contact us today to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Boast your Brand on a Budget

With inflation affecting everything from paper to postage, marketing your business can be pricey. Don’t let this daunting fact dent your brand’s identity. Read on for some tips for marketing on a budget.

Engage
Connect with your target audience by guiding them with deals, giveaways, and unique opportunities. Prioritize engaging with your customers to stay relevant and enticing. 

Profitability
Learn what is working well to drive sales by analyzing your media patterns. If you don’t have one, start an account on a social media platform or television advertisements to determine what works. Traditional and digital marketing, when combined, can reach a higher audience, build trust, and support purchases.

Deal
Value is imperative for not only you, but your customers as well. Ensure you offer coupons to help stretch spending and to connect on an empathetic level. 

Creativity
Maintain your vision and voice by staying relevant to your audience. Redirect your budget to focus on readily available or cost-efficient media from a reliable partner. Consider new formats, tactics, and offers by thinking outside the box. 

Partnering
Feel comfortable sharing challenges and setbacks with a partner who can elevate your customer experience and work toward the most cost-efficient, practical solutions. Pay attention to data, insight, audience engagement, and note your Return on Investment (ROI) to track spending.

Mail
Dollar for dollar, direct mail is more effective long-term and can be an efficient way to engage potential customers. A renewed interest in mail among consumers has spiked since 2020.

Are you looking to improve your marketing and promotional strategies? Contact Econo Print and let our experts boost your brand on a budget you can afford. We have a variety of products to suit your needs. Contact us today to learn more. 

At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals is our top priority. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and level of expertise exceed our clients’ expectations. Contact us today to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Direct Mail Tips

Direct mail has one focus: to be opened. An assortment of tools and tactics can help your direct mail be opened in the hands of potential customers. Once they are drawn to the mail for whatever reason, whether copy, images, ink, paper weight, etc., they are more likely to open it.

When judging mail by its cover, the envelope is the first thing potential customers see. Plain envelopes are “blah” and don’t attract attention to the target. Instead, opt for an inviting, exciting, and unique envelope. With more differences to set your mail apart from other envelopes, the chances of it being opened are much higher.

Ultimately, direct mail envelopes should reflect the contents, but consider how people will be intrigued or how their attention will be drawn to it. Below are some suggestions for achieving stellar direct mail envelopes.

Color
With solid-color envelopes or full-bleed 4-color images, your message will really pop. Look up some color charts to discover which types of emotions you are trying to provoke. 

Copy
Personalize the envelope or add an intriguing sentence to get your envelope opened. 

Size
Consider using unconventional sizes or custom shape cuts to achieve a different look.

Paper
The United States Postal Service has requirements for thickness, but you can still take advantage of various paper stocks, embellishments, finishes, and embossed text. 

Eco-Friendly
Consumers love making a difference; depending on your target audience, several materials (kraft, recycled, etc.) can help get your mail opened…that are good for the planet, too. 

Gifts
Special gifts or freebies can be wonderful incentives for people to open your envelope. 

Urgent
Create a sense of urgency by saying things like, “Hurry – offer ends in 10 days – immediate attention needed!” to hook your potential customers. It’s a tried-and-true method sure to help you get results. 

If you are looking for direct mailing services, you’ve come to the right place. Contact Econo Print today.

At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals is our top priority. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and level of expertise exceed our clients’ expectations. Contact us today or visit www.econoprintusa.com to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Increase Business Visibility With These Effortless Marketing Tips

Don’t be fooled by the technology surrounding us – marketing still matters. Businesses of all sizes can use tried-and-true tactics to attract new customers, lock in brand awareness, create notoriety, and much more. Read on to discover some creative ways to increase your company’s visibility. 

Be A Sponsor
Call your city council or community center to learn about future events, and then offer to sponsor them. Look for children’s sports teams, canned food drives for humans or pets, trade shows, grocery store carts, etc. 

Give Away Branded Merchandise
One of the most effortless ways to help get your business’ name and logo in the public eye is to give away items with your logo on it. Consider getting banners, signs, flyers, postcards, and other handheld materials for your clients. 

Socialize
Social media is a must for all companies trying to reel in more customers. According to Fundera, 74 percent of consumers rely on social media to sway their purchases. 

Sweepstakes
Remember the good ol’ buzz-creating sweepstakes of yesteryear? They still exist; only now, they mainly run through social media. Offer a special item (tablet, gift card, expensive coffee machine, headphones, etc.) as a prize, and watch the entries come in. 

Establish Loyalty
Implementing referral discounts on products or services can help promote exclusivity. Build a refer-a-friend program, offer special codes, add incentives, etc. Publish these on social media or send a physical postcard blast throughout neighborhoods to hook potential clients.  

After brainstorming some marketing strategies, create a plan while staying true to your brand. Choose the techniques that make the most sense for your business and can really showcase your brand. Marketing is an ever-evolving strategy; trust the process and be as creative as possible.

Econo Print is your one-stop shop for marketing materials. We’ve got you covered whether you want to print a postcard, yard sign, banner, invitation, label, or more. Contact us today to learn more.

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At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals is our top priority. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and level of expertise exceed our clients’ expectations. Contact us today to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/