Recommendations for a printing & mailing service please?

[Stormcatcher]

I have a database of about 3-4 thousand companies that I want to mail. I googled it and was faced with loads of companies- they didn't seem to have Google ratings, I'm always a bit concerned about those. The last lot we did by hand (happy evenings in front of the TV!!) but it turned out we could have had it printed AND posted for not much more than we paid for the printing. A special concern I have is the security of the database; it needs to be confidential. Any ideas? I would be very grateful for advice or recommendations, or indeed, any companies to positively avoid!

 

[Jeff FV]

Haven't used them for a while, but I have successfully used doc mail before, happy to recommend them.

http://www.cfhdocmail.com/

J

 

[Stormcatcher]

Thank you Jeff

 

[Gilese]

Hi Stormcatcher,

I'm sure you've probably sorted this requirement by now, but I thought I'd offer a little tip.. that if your DM list is 3-4k records, it might be worthwhile getting it to a few records over the 4k mark.

At the 4k+ level, your mailing will benefit from being able to be classified as 'Admail' which carries the biggest discounts with Royal Mail. Also, maybe this is obvious, but A5 is quite a bit more cost effective than A4.

In terms of pricing, you shouldn't really be spending any more that the cost of a second class stamp on everything.. i.e;

Printing (assuming its an A4 letter or A5 flyer)
Folding (A4 letter down to A5 or DL)
Enveloping (inc the envelope)
Printing the address, return address and postmark on the envelope,
Posting by RM second class

In terms of security, ensure you smuggle in at least one 'seed' address to somewhere you have access to (your home or business address, or a friend's business) with a very obviously identifiable fake name, so you will know that if anything ever turns up at the seed address with that name, your list was sadly compromised and you know where the leak came from.

<Edited by moderator - no, it isn't allowed on this forum!!>

G

 

[Stormcatcher]

Thank you Gilese, that was helpful.

 

[webgeek]

I'm guessing you're also emailing them valuable content as well?

A drip-feed nurturing program will cost a fraction of the amount and will tap into the fact that companies are 13x more likely to buy from companies where they've built a strong brand connection.

Buyers are 278% more likely to search for you after they've heard of your brand. By approaching them with valuable content, rather than a cold pitch, you're likely to make that positive impression that leads to further search (when they're closer to a buy decision).

 

[Stormcatcher]

Thank you Webgeek that's a really useful tip, so I'll be sure to give them a 'hot tip of the month' or something similar.