Optimize Your Direct Mail Strategy: Stay Informed and Ahead in the Industry

This is the seventh blog in a series exploring postal success strategies for nonprofit organizations.

Throughout this past month, we’ve published blogs highlighting our Postal Success white paper, a checklist for making the most of every dollar in your direct mail campaigns. One of the easiest ways to optimize your direct mail postal strategy is simply staying informed in the direct mail industry. It empowers you to make decisions that protect your program’s long-term success and helps you budget in advance.

At PS, we strive to remain at the forefront of the direct mail industry, keeping abreast of trends and updates. Serving as strategic partners to our clients, keeping a watchful eye on postal rates and changes is a must. USPS has the authority to increase rates twice a year, in January and July, without being limited by the Consumer Price Index. The USPS did not raise postage rates this month; however, a rate adjustment is expected in July 2025. Knowing this information as soon as it’s available helps you budget and ensure your program’s long-term health.

We also have a pulse on the direct mail chain and the paper market. We’ve enjoyed nearly two years of steady paper prices. Predictions indicate there may be a slight price increase from paper mills with uncoated and coated paper early this year.

Be sure to download our Postal Success Checklist as we provide details on key advocacy partners who are raising awareness of the challenges and impacts nonprofit mailers face. We encourage you to get involved! Every voice matters in our industry. It stresses the importance of direct mail for nonprofit fundraising.

PS has been actively involved in industry associations like the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW). Join Meredith Piemme, Business Development Director at PS, alongside other industry experts for Production Day on April 11. This training covers printing, data processing, personalization, mailshop operations, and postage.

On February 11, PS will offer our virtual Production 101 seminar that is open to all. This seminar goes over the making of a typical direct mail package.

It’s crucial to stay informed to stay ahead of new developments in the industry, ensuring you’re doing all you can to optimize your direct mail strategy. Be sure to take advantage of the resources we mentioned here and contact us if you have any questions.