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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
  1. Do letters really outperform postcards?
  2. How do I contact you?
  3. What methods of payment do you accept?
  4. How long does it take to mail my letters or postcards?
  5. How does mail merge work?
  6. Do I have to understand how mail merge works to use it?

  7. Is there a charge for mail merge?
  8. How much does it cost to mail letters or postcards?
  9. How do I get started?
  10. What is your minimum order size?
Design Questions
  1. Can I design my own letter?
  2. Can you help me design my letter?
  3. Can you help me to write my letter?
  4. Can you help me create a logo?
  5. What color paper can I use?
  6. What kind of envelopes do you use?
  7. Can I print on the back of my letter?
  8. Can I use multiple pages?
Mailing Services
  1. What is included in your mailing service?
  2. Where are my letters mailed from?
  3. How long until my mail gets delivered?
  4. How do I know when my letters are mailed?
  5. What kind of mailing list can I get?
  6. Do you clean my list for delivery?
  7. What file format do you need my mailing list in?
Printing Questions
  1. How good is the print quality of the letters?
  2. Can I print on the back of my letter?
  3. How does mail merge work?
  4. Can I include a color logo or photo?
  5. Can I just have you print the letters and send them to me?
  6. What is your turn around time?

 

General Questions

1. Do letters really outperform postcards?

Yes - a good letter will almost always beat a postcard in response.  A letter gives you more credibility than a postcard does. People spend more time reading and thinking about your letter. It also gives you 4 times more space than a regular postcard to tell your story. When consumers need information and facts to make a smart decision a letter has the space you need to give it to them.

 

And letters are professional, credible and believable. People trust letters more. You can have a friendly conversation and sign your name at the bottom. With personalization, if you have ten sales people you can actually sign different names on every letter. That's the power of mail merge.

 

And just look at your own mail. Large, professional companies send letters. They know a lot about getting people to respond.

 

2. How do I contact you?

You can simply call 1-800-573-5633 or

Send us an E-Mail  or

Our address is:

     Professional Advertising

     6248 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205

 

3. What methods of payment do you accept?

You can pay by check or credit card. However, if you pay for postage with a charge card there is a 3% processing fee on the postage only. The U.S. Postal Service does not accept charge cards for standard class mail. We have to process your card, pay the fee and write them a check. If you pay by check there is no additional charge.

 

4. How long does it take to print and mail my letter or postcard?

Once your design is complete your letters will be printed and mailed within 1-2 business days and your postcard in 5 business days.

 

5. How does mail merge work?

Direct mail is proven to work better when you personalize your letter. Instead of saying "Dear Sir", you can say "Dear John" using mail merge. But there is much, much more.

  • If you know their favorite brand or flavor, you can CHANGE that brand or flavor FOR EVERY CUSTOMER.

  • You can use different account numbers, account balances or calculated data - like different payment amounts.

  • You can use different dates, times, locations, names, places etc.

  • You can use different phone numbers and extensions for your different sales people or for tracking.

  • You can refer to the client personally again and again in your letter.

  • You can change each letter to test the difference in your response rate.

  • You can make different offers to see which works better.

You can merge any data you have in your mailing list into your letter. So you could assign a different account number to each person on your list, or a different time, date, special offer etc. As long as it's in your mailing list you can merge the information. If you are not sure how to add information to your mailing list we will help you do it.

 

Mail merge is extraordinarily powerful. It will increase your response and make your mailing more profitable. Note: Mail merge is only available on the front of your letter. It is not available on the backside.

 

6. Do I have to understand how mail merge works in Word to use it?

No. All you do is decide what information you want to merge into the letter. As long as the information is in your mailing list or can be added to your mailing list it can be merged into the document. We will do it for you.

 

7. Is there a charge for mail merge?

There is no charge for the address and salutation. There is a one-time set up fee of $30 for using mail merge. So if you mail the same letter again [even to a new list] there is no additional charge for setting up the mail merge.

 

8. How much does it cost to mail letters?

For full pricing details click Pricing. For the cost of mailing lists check Mailing Lists.

 

9. How do I get started?

To start designing your letter get your template HERE. If you have any questions just call 1-800-573-5633. If you already have your mailing list and letter simply E-Mail    them to us. We will review your files and create a postage statement for you.

 

10. What is your minimum order size?

Our minimum quantity is 2,500 pieces.

 

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Mailing Services

 

1. What is included in your mailing service?

First we run your mailing list through Certified Postal Software. You get CASS [9-digit zip code correction] and Delivery Point Verification certification to make sure each mail piece can be delivered. We also look for duplicates and addresses that are not deliverable. Unlike many companies there is no charge for this service.

 

Next we create the required paperwork for the post office [a postage statement], You get a copy of the postage statement when your job is mailed. All of the mail is bar coded to give you the highest deliverability possible.

 

When we deliver your mail to the post office, they create a postal receipt for you specific job. We send you a copy of your postage statement and the postal receipt.

 

2. Where are my letters mailed from?

We offer two different services to get your mail there faster. Mail is either sent from the main bulk mail post office in Northern Virginia or it is shipped directly to the local post office serving your area. This will get your standard mail delivered almost as fast as First Class mail for a much lower price.

 

3. How long until my mail gets delivered?

Delivery times do vary with standard mail. It can take 2 weeks to get your mail delivered if it is being delivered to many different states. But if  your mail is concentrated in just one or two states it usually can be shipped directly to the local level and you get 5-7 day delivery - all for our low flat rate price. For an additional charge first class mail gets delivered in 2-3 days.

 

4. How do I know when my letters are mailed?

You get a copy of your postage statement showing when your mail was created and a copy of the receipt from the post office showing exactly when your mail was dropped.

 

For an additional cost you can use mail tracking to watch your mail move through the postal system. This is set up through a separate post office vendor. Call for more details or visit www.trackmymail.com.

 

5. What kind of mailing list can I get?

Mailing lists are available in a very wide variety. You can get lists by zip cods, cities, states, etc. in almost any category. From home owners, to residents, business owners, new movers or new businesses, to people with children or even animals, almost any list is available. Think about who your best prospect is and then just let us know what you are looking for. We will get the perfect list for you. See Mailing Lists for information on types and costs of mailing lists.

 

6. Do you clean my mailing list for delivery?

Yes. Your list will be CASS [9-digit zip code] and Delivery Point Verification certified. We will also sort it for duplications and addresses that are not deliverable.

 

7. What file format do you need my mailing list in?

Excel is our preferred format for accepting mailing lists. But we can work with many different database files types including ACT, DBase, Excel & FoxPro. Please call to check on your specific mailing list format.

 

Here is a sample of what your mailing list may look like. Each merge field MUST be in it's own column.

First Name Last Name Address City State Zip Code Payment Date
Mary Smith 123 Sample St Anywhere VA 22205 $567.45 1/25/2007
Fred Jones 121 Sample St Anywhere CA 78960 $876.59 2/15/2006
John Brown 151 Sample St Anywhere NY 01378 $1,256.47 12/19/2002

 

This list IS WRONG AND WILL NOT WORK. Each merge field MUST be in it's own column.

First Name Last Name Address, City, State, Zip Payment Date
Mary Smith 123 Sample St, Anywhere, VA 22205 $567.45 1/25/2007
Fred Jones 121 Sample St, Anywhere, CA 78960 $876.59 2/15/2006
John Brown 151 Sample St, Anywhere, NY 01378 $1,256.47 12/19/2002

 

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Design Questions

 

1. Can I design my own letter?

Yes - and it's easy using Microsoft Word. Just write your letter and decide what information you want to merge into it. We will take care of the actual mail merge. Remember you can merge any data that you have in your mailing list into your letter. Get your template HERE to get started.

 

2. Can you help me design my letter?

Yes and your graphic design is FREE on letters, postcards and snap packs. Our graphic designers will help you to format an attractive, professional piece.

 

3. Can you help me to write my letter?

Yes. We have professional copy writers on staff if you need assistance for just $59 per hour.

You want to be very careful when you write your letter. Make sure it is very easy to read and understand. Use simple, everyday language with short sentences and paragraphs. Use a simple, clean layout. And don't forget that a good headline and subheadings will grab attention, draw in the reader and help them to understand your letter. Always make a specific offer that they can respond to, and make sure and tell them exactly what you want them to do.

 

Remember the power of mail merge - the more personalized your letter is, the higher response you will get. You can merge any data, any place in your letter. Use mail merge to increase your response rate.

 

4. Can you help me to create a logo?

Yes. Our professional graphic designers can help with all of your design needs. Help is available to you for just $59 per hour.

 

5. What color paper can I use?

Any color is available. We use high quality 20lb color paper and 24lb white paper. Your customers can actually feel the difference with the heavy quality paper.

 

6. What kind of envelopes do you use?

We use a double window white #10 business envelope. This is the same envelope that comes into your mailbox every day. Probably every bank statement, bill or business communication you have ever received in your mail comes in this kind of envelope. This envelope is the envelope of business.  

 

Other special envelopes are available at an additional cost. Please call for pricing.

 

7. Can I print on the back of my letter?

Yes for just .03 cents. But there is no mail merge available on the back side. All merged data can only appear on the front.

 

8. Can I use multiple pages?

Yes. You can print up to four inserts/pages to insert into the envelope.

 

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Printing Questions

 

1. How good is the print quality of the letters?

Photographic quality. You get crisp, clear printing on high quality paper.

 

2. Can I print on the back of my letter?

Yes. But there is no mail merge available on the back side. All merged data can only appear on the front of your letter.

 

3. How does mail merge work?

Direct mail is proven to work better when you personalize your letter. Instead of saying "Dear Sir", you can say "Dear John" using mail merge. But there is much, much more.

  • If you know their favorite brand or flavor, you can CHANGE that brand or flavor FOR EVERY CUSTOMER.

  • You can use different account numbers, account balances or calculated data - like different payment amounts.

  • You can use different dates, times, locations, names, places etc.

  • You can use different phone numbers and extensions for your different sales people or for tracking.

  • You can refer to the client personally again and again in your letter.

  • You can change each letter to test the difference in your response rate.

  • You can make different offers to see which works better.

You can merge any data you have in your mailing list into your letter. So you could assign a different account number to each person on your list, or a different time, date, special offer etc. As long as it's in your mailing list you can merge the information. If you are not sure how to add information to your mailing list we will help you do it.

 

Mail merge is extraordinarily powerful. It will increase your response and make your mailing more profitable. Note: Mail merge is only available on the front of your letter. It is not available on the backside.

 

4. Can I include a color photo or logo?

Yes. But remember that this is a letter - not a brochure. If you really want to show your products you should print a separate brochure and insert it with your letter.

 

5. Can I just have you print the letters and send them to me?

Yes. But remember that you will be paying full price for the postage if you mail the letters yourself.

 

6. What is your turn around time?

Once your design is done we will print and mail your letters in 1-2 business days and your postcard in 5 business days.

 

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  • Mail merge personalization
  • CASS & DPV list certification
  • All bar coded mail
  • Planet code mail tracking
  • Fast turnaround
  • Excellent quality printing
  • Assembly, folding & labeling
  • Letter insertion
  • Delivered to the Post Office
  • Customized letters & postcards
  • Data calculations for each client
  • 100% list clean-up

Call 1-800-573-5633 For Your Free Consultation

 

Home    E-Mail    Send Files    FAQ's    Pricing    Mail Tips   Mailing Lists   Letter Design    Postcard Design 

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