Starting March 1, 2013 and ending April 30, 2013, the United States Postal Service will be offering another mobile-marketing discount to marketers.  The USPS will offer a 2 percent discount on your mailing costs when you include a mobile marketing coupon.  This offer is similar to their offer over the summer of 2012 when they offered a 3 percent discount for mailings with a QR codes, the biggest difference is the post office has expanded their offer to all mobile-marketing technologies, not just QR codes.  The one catch is that the mobile offer must lead to a consumer coupon or discount that can be used by the recipients.

The discount applies to standard postal rates, nonprofits and first-class mail.  The mobile technologies that can be eligible for the discounts are:  QR codes, Microsoft barcodes, RFID chips and NFC Smart tags.  It is also recommended by the post office to use text message and SMS marketing in addition to the mobile barcodes to that non-smartphone users have the option to participate in the discount as well.

One additional stipulation to the two percent discount is that the coupon must be redeemable in the same time period as the USPS discount (Mar. 1 – April 30, 2013.)

It is a great idea to take advantage of these discounts from the post office, not only because of the discount, but also because direct mail that includes mobile marketing has been shown (through DMA studies) to have higher response rates.

How do you use direct mail and mobile marketing to increase your response rates and overall revenue?  Do you have plans to take advantage of the USPS special offer in the spring?

Timothy Freeman

President

Print & Graphic Communications Association