Bulk mailing: How businesses can save on large-scale postage

Direct mail campaigns can use bulk mailing solutions to send out large volumes at a reduced cost. While this is the main benefit of these mass mailing services, they can also streamline logistics and enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns.

Why bulk mailing provides more than just cost savings

Bulk mailing optimises logistics and workflow, as even personalised campaigns can benefit from multiple items being delivered simultaneously. This efficient method of communication with potential customers allows you to reach a large number of recipients all at once.

In today’s digital world, direct mail marketing still has the ability to reach recipients and engage with them on a one-to-one basis. High-volume mailing maintains that connection while targeting a large number of people at the same time.

How bulk mailing works: The process from start to finish

Data preparation: A clean mailing list with complete and accurate addresses ensures efficient bulk mailing.
Design: The content and execution of the letter, postcard or brochure must support the marketing message and include a clear call-to-action (CTA).
Print: Business mailing services will print the mail to the pre-agreed specifications, including any personalisation elements.
Addressing: All mail should be accurately addressed to ensure it arrives with its intended recipient.
Sorting: Pre-sorting the mail according to postal regulations qualifies businesses for bulk postage rates.
Postage: Apply bulk mailing postage through a mailing service.
Delivery: Mail is distributed by the postal service.

Advantages of bulk mailing for businesses

Cost savings and bulk postage rate reductions

Bulk mail cost savings are the most common reason for using large-scale mailing solutions, as they enable businesses to target a large audience on a budget. Many factors play into reduced bulk mail postage rates, such as economy of scale and postal pre-sorting.

Increased efficiency in high-volume direct mail campaigns

Streamlined printing processes and optimised mailing logistics make bulk mailing an efficient process for businesses. High-volume direct mail campaigns also allow you to promote a consistent message to a wide audience all in one go.

Reliability and professional branding opportunities

Direct mail fulfilment is a reliable way of ensuring a marketing message reaches its intended recipient. While digital assets can get lost among the online clutter, the physical nature of a tangible piece of mail is more likely to spark engagement.

Bulk mailing vs standard mailing: What are the differences?

There are a number of key differences between bulk mailing and standard mailing, which start with postage optimisation, but go beyond business mail discounts. They include:

Volume – To qualify for bulk mailing and its discounted rates, the sender must be posting a large quantity of mail. Otherwise, standard mailing applies.
Cost – Bulk mailing is significantly cheaper per piece compared to standard mailing.
Preparation – Bulk mailing is subject to specific formatting and sorting to meet requirements for discounted postal rates. Standard mailing has no such limitations.
Purpose – Bulk mail is usually used for marketing campaigns, which send out brochures, newsletters or flyers to a large customer base. Standard mail is used for important documents or smaller targeted mailings.

The volume thresholds to qualify for bulking mailing discounts are 4,000 standard size letters or 1,000 large letters. Pre-sorting materials before they go to Royal Mail can reduce postage costs by up to 30 per cent.

How to choose the right bulk mailing provider

It’s important to know what to look for in a bulk mailing service to ensure your marketing campaigns run as smoothly as possible. Some of the crucial factors include:

Speed – Ask the provider what the turnaround time is for creating a bulk mailing campaign from start to finish.
Pricing – Is the mailing house you’re thinking of using competitively priced and taking full advantage of bulk mailing discounts on your behalf?
Customer support – What forms of help are on offer?
End-to-end service – A good mailing house will be able to guide you through all the stages of your campaign.
Data cleansing – Giving your mailing list a health check before sending out a bulk campaign will improve your metrics.

The Mailing People offers tailored bulk mailing solutions that will maximise your campaign and allow you to enjoy discounts on postage.

Future bulk mailing trends

Bulk mailing has been a proven marketing tactic for a long time, but modern technology offers the potential to improve its outcomes. Automation and AI are optimising bulk mailing to make it even more efficient and sustainable practices like eco-friendly printing and paper sourcing are proving popular with many businesses.

How to get started with bulk mailing

Get in touch with us to explore our bulk mailing services and get your first campaign underway. We will guide you through each step of the process to a successful high-volume mailing.