June 3, 2024
Welcome to part 2 of our 2-part blog series, let's continue exploring the essential features to look for in a mail service provider. Part 2 focuses on cost savings, performance tracking, and sustainability. We will discuss how mail service providers optimize processes for efficiency and cost savings, the importance of performance tracking and analytics, and the sustainability initiatives implemented by leading providers. By selecting the right mail service provider, you can save yourself time, money and hassle. Customization and Flexibility A good mail service provider should offer the ability to customize solutions to meet your unique needs. As your business evolves, your mailing requirements may change, so look for a provider that can easily scale up or down to adjust for fluctuating volumes. You'll want the flexibility to customize key aspects of your mailings like printing, addressing, and more. The right mail partner will work closely with you to understand your current situation and future plans. With this insight, they can develop fully customized solutions optimized for your operations. For example, they may offer: Customized inkjet printing with your logo and messaging Automated digital matching and audit reports to ensure your list is accurate Scalable inserting and folding equipment Solutions to handle varying monthly volumes Options to seamlessly integrate with your IT infrastructure A flexible, customizable approach enables efficiency, cost savings, and an improved customer experience. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all stance, your provider should be willing to configure their services and solutions specifically for your needs. As your business grows and changes shape, your partnership with your mail service provider should seamlessly evolve as well. Expertise and Understanding When choosing a mail service provider, it's important to find a partner that has deep expertise and takes the time to understand your unique business needs. Look for the following: Industry experience and knowledge: An established mail services provider that has been in business for many years is likely to have extensive experience across different industries and business types. They will understand the nuances and complexities involved in managing various mailings and campaigns. Choose a partner that can draw on their experience to provide strategic advice and guidance. Consultative approach to understand needs: The right mail services partner will take the time upfront to thoroughly understand your business, your target audiences, your goals and your pain points. Through an in-depth discovery and consultation process, they will get to know your specific needs and customize solutions accordingly. This consultative approach leads to better results. Ongoing account management: Your partnership shouldn't end once the contract is signed. Look for dedicated account management and customer service teams who will work closely with you on an ongoing basis. Your account manager should act as an advisor and extension of your team, providing proactive recommendations and updates. This level of service ensures your needs will continue to be met as your business evolves. The ideal mail services provider will combine industry-leading expertise with a consultative, customer-focused approach. Their depth of knowledge and dedication to fully understanding your business will drive more impactful and aligned mailing campaigns. Cost Savings A good mail service provider can help businesses save money in several ways through economies of scale, performance tracking, and process optimization and efficiency. Process Efficiency Mail service providers invest heavily in technology and automation to reduce costs and increase efficiency in the mailing process. From integrating with data to print and mail pieces without manual touch points to automated inserting equipment that speeds processing, they bring technology and workflow improvements that optimize efficiency. Their expertise and focus on mailing also allows them to find cost savings that customers may have never realized on their own. Performance Tracking A good mail service provider should offer robust performance tracking and analytics to help you monitor and optimize your mailing operations. This includes: Monitoring of SLAs and KPIs: Ongoing monitoring of service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) like delivery times, accuracy rates, and more. This enables you to ensure your provider is meeting standards. Identifying areas for optimization: Detailed reporting and analytics to uncover opportunities to improve mail quality, reduce costs, increase delivery speeds, and boost performance. This helps drive continuous improvement. With comprehensive performance tracking, you can pinpoint potential issues, troubleshoot problems, and work with your provider to implement solutions. This leads to greater reliability, efficiency, and value over time. Environmentally Minded Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration when choosing a mail service provider. Many organizations want to partner with vendors that share their values around environmental stewardship. Leading mail service providers have implemented a number of sustainability initiatives: Recycling with Purpose: separate and recycle paper and corrugated board, while also utilizing FSC paper for responsible sourcing and recycling. Energy-Efficient Workspaces: energy-efficient office spaces whenever possible —Every little bit helps. Eco-Friendly Materials: Inks curated with the Earth in mind. Water-based inks, reduce harmful emissions, ensuring a healthier environment. Mail involves paper and packaging materials that can generate waste. Responsible mail service providers implement recycling programs and waste reduction processes. Strategies include reusing materials, reducing paper usage, recycling paper waste and using biodegradable packaging materials when possible. When selecting a mail service provider, investigate their sustainability commitments. A forward-thinking provider can help minimize your organization's environmental impact. Partnering with an eco-conscious provider also demonstrates your own values and stewardship to customers and stakeholders. Choosing the Right Partner When selecting a mail service provider, it's important to take the time to find the right fit for your business. Here are some tips on choosing the best partner: Assess capabilities needed: Make a list of everything you need in a mail service provider, from basic services like addressing and sorting to value-adds like tracking and analytics. Prioritize must-have vs. nice-to-have features. Compare providers: Research a few top contenders that offer the services you require. Compare factors like pricing, security, deliverability rates, and customer support. You can request free trials to get hands-on experience. Check customer references: Reach out to current customers of each provider to get unbiased reviews. Ask about their experience with onboarding, ongoing support, and results. Feedback from real users is invaluable. In conclusion, taking the time upfront to carefully evaluate and select the right mail service provider sets your direct mail marketing up for success. Partnering with an expert provider aligned to your needs can significantly improve deliverability, cut costs, and provide helpful insights. This is part 2 of the series, so be sure to check out part 1 for additional insights.