April 28, 2015
Several upcoming promotions present opportunities for nonprofit mailers to try out new applications of postal mail and earn discounts on their postage. The Postal Service has a web page dedicated to its upcoming promotions and incentives.
These include an Earned Value Promotion, in which nonprofit mailers who use Business Reply Mail (BRM) and Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM) enclosures can receive earned credits that can be applied to future mailings of First-Class Mail Presort and Automation cards, letters, and flats, and Standard Mail letters and flats. The number of earned credits will be based on the number mailpieces counted and the earned value assigned.
Another is the Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion that encourages nonprofit mailers to integrate direct mail with technology, providing an interactive experience for customers. Mailers who create mailpieces that use at least one form of approved emerging or advanced technologies will receive a postage discount.
A third promotion that should interest nonprofits is the Mail Drives Mobile Engagement Promotion that provides mailers with an upfront postage discount on Standard Mail letters and flats that include a mobile barcode or print/mobile technology that can be read or scanned by a mobile device and leads to mobile-optimized shopping website.
Recently, when USPS announced its plan to implement new rates on May 31, it also included the following update on promotions: “The Postal Service Governors have decided to move forward with the Earned Value promotion, effective May 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015. Registration for this promotion has been underway since March 15 and will end on April 30, 2015. This promotion allows mailers to earn postage credits based on receipt of First-Class Mail reply pieces; the postage credit can be redeemed later this year on First-Class Mail and Standard Mail mailings. Click here for more information regarding this promotion.
All other USPS promotions are expected to move forward on their previously scheduled dates, with the exception of the Advanced and Emerging Technology Promotion, which will be delayed one month. This promotion now is scheduled to run from June 1 to November 30, 2015.”
Nonprofit mailers, please seriously consider participating in upcoming USPS pricing promotions that, through your Alliance, you have ensured equal access to. Check out the promotions and incentives web site that we mentioned earlier. And submit any questions you have about upcoming promotions to mailingpromotions@usps.gov.
(c) 2015 Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers