The United State Post Office has launched a series of mailing promotions and incentive programs for 2019. As in years past, these programs offer discounts on postage for mail pieces that take advantage of the unique marketing properties of physical mail over email and other forms of electronic communications.
The USPS promotion and incentive programs are also designed to encourage consistent direct mail marketers to try something different with their 2019 campaigns. Ultimately, the goal of the USPS is to demonstrate that direct mail that has these enhancements will result in improved customer engagement and higher response rates.
Each USPS program offers a 2% discount off at the postage line level. This means that the discount is applied after the postage statement has been calculated.
The programs also have a specific time frame in which they must be used as well as a limited registration period. Companies wishing to take advantage of the programs must follow these steps:
- Prepare the concept and design of the mailed piece in consultation with your mailing service provider.
- Submit a hard copy mockup/proof of the concept to your mailing service provider.
- The mailing service provider will submit the concept to a USPS design analyst to confirm that the piece qualifies for the discount or incentive program.
- Allow up to 30 days for the approval process to be completed.
The six programs for 2019 are as follows (additional details can be researched at the links below reach program):
Tactile, Sensory and Interactive Mailpiece Engagement Promotion
Registration Period: December 15, 2018 – July 31, 2019
Promotion Period: February 1, 2019 – July 31, 2019
Eligible: USPS Marketing Mail® letters and flats
Details on 2019 Tactile, Sensory and Interactive Mailpiece Engagement Promotion
Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion
Registration Period: January 15, 2019 – August 31, 2019
Promotion Period: March 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019
Eligible: First-Class Mail® & USPS Marketing Mail®
Details on 2019 Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion
Earned Value Reply Mail Promotion
Registration Period: February 15, 2019 – March 31, 2019
Promotion Period: April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019
Eligible: BRM, CRM, and Share Mail
Details on 2019 Earned Value Reply Mail Promotion
Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion
Registration Period: May 15, 2019 – December 31, 2019
Promotion Period: July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
Eligible: First-Class Mail® (excludes all FCM single-piece-price mail)
Details on 2019 Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion
Mobile Shopping Promotion
Registration Period: June 15, 2019 – December 31, 2019
Promotion Period: August 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
Eligible: USPS Marketing Mail® letters and flats
Details of 2019 Mobile Shopping Promotion
Informed Delivery Promotion
Registration Period: July 15, 2019 – November 30, 2019
Promotion Period: September 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019
Eligible: First-Class Mail® & USPS Marketing Mail® letters and flats
Details on 2019 Informed Delivery Promotion
At Printwell, we are committed to keeping customers informed about opportunities to improve the impact of their direct mail marketing programs and to reduce costs. Please contact your account representative for a consultation or send us a message here and someone from our sales team will get in touch with you.