| Package | Strategy | List | Design | Printing | Mail prep | Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print only | · | · | · | ✓ | · | · |
| Print and mail | · | · | · | ✓ | ✓ | · |
| Done for you | · | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | · |
| Managed program | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automated mail | · | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Print only
You supply the design and handle mailing. The vendor prints and ships to you or to your mail house.
Print and mail
You supply the design and the list or area. The vendor prints, addresses, sorts and mails.
Done for you
The vendor handles design, list or area selection, printing and mailing. You approve and pay.
Managed program
A recurring schedule of mailings with planning, testing and reporting, usually on a monthly fee or contract.
Automated or triggered mail
Software sends a piece automatically when something happens, such as a new lead, an abandoned cart or a past-due service date. The vendor's system connects to yours, and each piece is printed and mailed individually or in small batches.
Which to choose
- One-off campaign, design in hand: print and mail.
- No time or design skills: done for you.
- Mail is a steady channel for you: managed program.
- You want mail to react to customer actions: automated mail.
FAQ
What are direct mail solutions?
A catch-all sales term. It usually means one of five packages: print only, print and mail, done for you, a managed program, or automated triggered mail.
What is triggered direct mail?
Mail sent automatically by software when a customer does something, such as submitting a form or leaving a cart.
Is a managed program worth it?
If mail is a regular part of your marketing and you don't have time to run it, often yes. Compare the fee to what you'd spend managing it yourself.