This article addresses the most frequently asked questions, key strategies for navigating the promotions, and expert insights into preparing your campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions from the Webinar Series with MindFire, Sylvamo and USPS
1. Can I use Informed Delivery only without using another campaign? I don’t care for the discount.
Answer: Yes, you can use Informed Delivery independently of the promotion. The promotion is optional.
2. As an MSP, how do we register our customers for USPS promotions? They rely on us to handle it.
Answer: For most promotions, as long as the MSP/mailing agent is registered, the mail-owner can be auto-enrolled at the time of mailing. For Integrated Technology, we recommend your customer enroll, but you can register on their behalf if you have access to their CRIDs. Remember, content must still be submitted for pre-approval.
3. If my client has multiple versions of the same mailer with different phone numbers, do I need separate approvals for each?
Answer: If the only change is the phone number, you only need the initial approval. That approval lasts until the end of the promotion period. However, significant changes to copy, format, or art require a new submission.
4. Does the paper need to be FSC-certified or just from a sustainable source for the sustainability add-on?
Answer: Multiple certifications qualify. You can find approved certifications here: https://postalpro.usps.com/promotions/25-st. You can also submit other certifications for review.
5. Can add-on promotions be submitted separately from the stand-alone promotion they’re paired with?
Answer: Yes, they can be submitted at separate times. Both must be submitted before the mailing occurs.
6. Do I need to upload 18 covers if I have 18 versions of a mailer each month for Informed Delivery?
Answer: Yes, each version requires its own cover upload.
7. For Continuous Contact, does the 90% threshold apply to the initial or follow-up mail.dat?
Answer: At least 90% of recipients on the file must have received the initial mailing.
8. For the Integrated Technology promotion, is the rolling period tied to the Mail Owner CRID?
Answer: Yes, the 6-month promotion period is based on the mail-owner’s CRID. Ensure the relevant CRIDs are registered prior to claiming the discount.
9. Can donations qualify for the Continuous Contact promotion?
Answer: Yes, as long as the copy or imagery changes between mailings and the content ties back to the initial piece.
10. If we add more CRIDs later, can they be added to an ongoing enrollment?
Answer: You can add/edit CRIDs before the 6-month promotion period begins. Once it starts, no edits can be made.
11. Does AI-generated targeting or mailing lists qualify for the Integrated Technology promotion?
Answer: No, AI used for generating mailing lists does not qualify. Only AI used for copy or image creation is eligible.
12. For tactile promotions, does the treatment need to be on the outside of the envelope, or can it be inside?
Answer: Treatments can be applied to either the outside of the piece or its content inside.
13. Can a nonprofit mail owner qualify for the Mail Growth Incentive?
Answer: Yes, nonprofit mail owners can qualify for the incentive.
14. For TSI and IT promotions: if my customer uses variable coupon offers weekly, can I submit one placeholder?
Answer: Yes, you can open one Service Request and upload artwork variations onto the initial request.
15. Can Informed Delivery campaigns still run if they are not eligible for the discount?
Answer: Yes, you can run Informed Delivery campaigns without utilizing the discount.
See this additional FAQ resource from the USPS
How Can You Best Understand and Qualify for Promotions?
Qualification for USPS promotions often requires careful adherence to specific guidelines, including registration, submission of documentation, and compliance with design specifications. The USPS Business Customer Gateway serves as a central hub for registering and managing your participation in these promotions.
Key Steps to Register:
- Log into the USPS Business Customer Gateway and navigate to “Incentive Programs.”
- Review the qualification requirements for each promotion to ensure your mail pieces meet USPS standards.
- Submit required samples and documentation for pre-approval if necessary.
What Should You Know About the Continuous Contact Promotion?
One of the standout promotions for 2025 is the Continuous Contact Promotion, designed to encourage sustained customer interaction through multiple mailings. This promotion can be particularly advantageous for businesses that mail regularly to the same list of customers. Download the guidebook here
Key Points to Remember:
- Tracking Requirements: The USPS tracks participation to ensure follow-up mailings target the same recipients as the initial campaign. Advanced data management tools, such as those provided by BCC Software, can be instrumental in keeping track of these mailing lists.
- Eligibility: Ensure that the data file used for each subsequent mailing contains consistent recipient details. Variations in recipient data may disqualify a mailing from the discount.
- Versioned Mailings: If subsequent mailings have a different quantity or message, they still qualify as long as the core recipient list remains intact.
How Can You Stack and Combine Promotions for Maximum Savings?
Combining multiple USPS promotions can lead to significant savings but requires a nuanced understanding of USPS rules.
Tactical Advice:
- Review the 2025 USPS Promotions Calendar for overlapping periods.
- Confirm which promotions can be combined (e.g., Informed Delivery add-ons with Tactile, Sensory, and Interactive [TSI] Promotions).
- Ensure that your documentation, such as mail.dat files, accurately reflects the combined promotions to avoid processing errors.
What Are the Details of the Informed Delivery Add-On?
The Informed Delivery add-on has been a popular option for enhancing customer engagement through digital previews of mail pieces.
Expert Tips:
- Ensure your creative aligns with Informed Delivery specifications, including interactive campaign requirements.
- Use a call-to-action in the preview image to boost digital responses and overall campaign effectiveness.
- Be mindful that if your mail pieces already include Informed Delivery as a standalone promotion, integrating it as an add-on requires special configuration.
How Can You Simplify the Approval and Submission Processes?
Navigating the approval process can be daunting, especially when working with layered or add-on promotions.
Best Practices:
- Submit mail piece designs early to avoid delays. USPS recommends submitting designs at least one week prior to mailing for approval.
- Maintain a checklist of submission requirements, such as mailing dates, promotional codes, and eligible formats.
- Collaborate with your MSP or internal team to coordinate submission timelines and ensure all promotional elements are included in your mailing data.
What Are the Guidelines for the Sustainability Promotion?
The Sustainability Add-On Promotion encourages the use of environmentally friendly materials in mailings. For this promotion, mailers must prove their use of sustainable paper certified by organizations such as SFI or FSC.
What You Need to Do:
- Use paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
- Include the certification logos on mail pieces to qualify for the discount. The USPS may require proof of certification, so retain your paper purchase receipts and documentation.
- Confirm with your printer or paper supplier that your stock meets these requirements.
How Can You Ensure Eligibility and Tracking for Continuous Contact Promotions?
The Continuous Contact promotion often raises questions about how to verify and track eligible mailings.
Tips for Compliance:
- Utilize tools such as BCC Mail Manager or other USPS-compliant software that offers detailed tracking and reporting features.
- Set up a campaign template within your mailing software that includes the core recipient data, which can be reused for follow-up mailings.
- Maintain a log of mailings with timestamps and details of each batch sent to validate eligibility if audited by the USPS.
What Are the Challenges and Expert Solutions for Stacking Promotions?
Stacking promotions effectively requires an understanding of how USPS processes discounts and applies them to postage statements.
Strategies:
- Use the PostalOne! System for eDoc submissions to streamline the stacking process.
- Collaborate with your software provider or USPS consultant to ensure correct implementation.
- Confirm that all promotions and add-ons are reflected in the final postage statements, and reconcile them with the actual discounts received.
How Is AI and Technology Influencing USPS Promotions?
USPS is gradually incorporating AI-driven technologies to automate approval processes and enhance security.
AI Applications Include:
- Automated verification of mail piece compliance.
- Enhanced tracking systems for promotions like Continuous Contact, ensuring consistent data usage across campaigns.
How Can You Leverage Promotions for Engagement and Savings?
Using USPS promotions strategically can lead to improved engagement rates and cost savings.
Final Tips for Maximization:
- Educate your clients or stakeholders about the benefits of USPS promotions, focusing on how these can be integrated into broader marketing campaigns.
- Use resources such as USPS PostalPro (https://postalpro.usps.com) for updated information on promotions and changes to the submission process.
- Attend USPS webinars and industry workshops for insights on optimizing promotional use and staying updated on new developments.
Additional Resources:
- USPS Promotions Overview
- 2025 Mailing Promotions Guide (PDF)
- Sustainability Certifications for Direct Mail
This tactical guide provides expert users with a comprehensive understanding of how to approach and implement the 2025 USPS Mailing Promotions to their full advantage.
