An introduction to the USPS® Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) discount program.
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a direct mail service offered by USPS®. With EDDM, you select neighborhoods (carrier routes) in which you would like USPS to deliver a mailpiece to every address or delivery point within the selected routes. EDDM mailpieces do not include a mailing address or recipient name; for EDDM, no address information is needed and is not printed on the mailpieces. Mailers prepare the mailing based on the counts for each route and drop it off at the designated post office to initiate delivery.
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There are two options for using EDDM. Both options require creating an account with USPS via the Business Customer Gateway.
- Retail EDDM: You may choose to mail at your local Post Office® if you use Retail EDDM. This option does not require a mailing permit. Mailpieces are limited to Standard Mail® flats, and the price is slightly more than the BMEU option. Additionally, there is a 5,000 piece maximum for mail entered at each retail facility.
- BMEU EDDM: You may choose to mail from a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU). This option requires a mailing permit. Mailpieces are limited to Standard Mail® flats, irregular parcels, periodicals and bound printed matter flats, but there is no maximum. This option provides a deeper discount on your mailing rate.
Satori Software offers EDDM support to help you significantly cut the time to paperwork but also provide you easy route selection with the fastest and most intuitive tool outside the USPS map.
With Satori Software, you can easily select exactly the routes you need, without using complicated filtering. Selecting multiple routes and ZIP codes in other products can require a database specialist. We’ve taken the complexity out by allowing you to see exactly which routes are available in each ZIP Code, and which ones you’ve selected, including a total count so you know when you have hit your target number of deliveries. In addition, you can easily toggle between residential only and business/residential counts. Here’s what our customers have to say about it:
“We used to use AccuZip, but it was a disaster to set up the mailing. Bulk Mailer is so much easier.”
“Looks very straightforward. We wouldn’t have to do a lot of training. This would be phenomenal for me.”
“I like that I don’t have to think about it, just have to click.”
Create all required documentation: we’ve enhanced the reports, including a new ZIP/route summary report, better handling of residential-only mailings, and USPS-compliant facing slips in two sizes - 8.5”x11”, for most EDDM pieces, and 2-up 5.5”x8.5” labels for smaller pieces. Both sizes of facing slips have large, readable text to ensure USPS delivers your pieces flawlessly. And we take care of creating the layout.
Keep your delivery counts up to date: no researching for delivery counts and fewer wasted pieces. USPS is constantly changing carrier routes and counts, and finding the numbers isn’t always easy. We use USPS delivery statistics to generate the correct number of mail pieces per route, to limit the amount of your mail goes into the recycle bin. A common concern for mailers is that the USPS will not accept or deliver the mail. Our easy to read documentation and current data limit the excuses USPS has to reject the mail.
Keep all your mailings in one spot – no separate process for EDDM. You can keep your current processes, along with the mailing history, beside your non-EDDM mailings. We’ll keep a history of your reports as a reference.
Considerations for Using EDDM
The benefits of EDDM for mailers include discounted postal rates and not needing to rent or buy a mailing list. In addition, if you choose to mail from your local Post Office® retail location, you will not need a mailing permit. However, there are other considerations, and some mailers may find that a targeted mailing provides better value. Among the considerations:
Reaching your target audience
Ensuring that you are communicating with your intended audience is an important consideration when preparing direct mail. If your target audience is everyone in a given neighborhood, then EDDM may be a good option. However, if your mailing is intended for specific audiences, you may find that preparing a targeted list mailing is more effective.
If you do use EDDM, it is important to research demographics for your product and for your candidate delivery areas, to be sure that your mailing is reaching the audience most likely to find value in your product or service.
Defining the delivery area
You must define the delivery area for an EDDM mailing. This means choosing one or more ZIP Codes and carrier routes. After you have registered for a Business account via the Business Customer Gateway, the USPS EDDM site provides tools for defining and viewing your delivery area.
Identifying your mailpiece type
There are restrictions on the types of mailpieces that can be sent via EDDM, and Retail EDDM is limited to flats only. For more details, see the USPS EDDM site.
Considering customer response to your mailing
Mailpieces sent with EDDM don’t include name or address information. Eliminating the address may make the mailpiece look to the recipient like unwanted advertising.
Preparing the mailing
Sending mail via EDDM does require preparation.
Steps include:
Define the delivery area
Go to the USPS EDDM Web site to research and select the routes.
Generate postal documentation
Enter your routes, generate paperwork and submit your paperwork in Bulk Mailer.
Print the mailpieces
Print your mailpieces, including the specialized address information and payment indicia recommended by USPS for Every Door Direct Mail.
Bundle the mail
Your mailpieces will need to be bundled by carrier route.
Drop the mailpieces for delivery
To initiate delivery, you will need to drop off your mailing at the designated Post Office® location.
Alternatives to EDDM
Using mailing software such as Bulk Mailer allows you to create a targeted mailing at discount rates that may rival the rates available via Every Door Direct Mail. The value of your investment will depend what you decide about the considerations for selecting EDDM.