Increase Direct Mail Response with PURLs.

In today’s digital age, direct mail can be considered behind the times. However, it’s proven that consumers are more likely to visit your website with a mailed piece in hand. And, 14.2% of prospects visiting a site are there because they received direct mail, while only 1.5% of prospects visit because of an email.

One way to ensure success with your next mailer is to make sure the content is engaging and relevant. Utilizing a cross-media tactic, such as personalized urls (PURLs) is a great way to get your audience’s attention and connect them to your message.

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• Attempting to prove you are right. If you find yourself pushing someone to see your way or attempting to create evidence to strengthen your side—step back. If you’re correct about something, you usually don’t have to force your point.
• In one ear and out the other. Communication always goes two ways. Respond so that the other person knows you are listening and that you care about what they are saying. Often you can do this effectively with non-verbal cues, like nodding your head or sitting in a receptive stance.
• Holding back. Don’t edit or hold back on important topics, when appropriate. Important topics are those that are "mission critical" to the organization or matters of ethics and integrity. Effective dialogue requires honesty, not just things people want to hear.

Will Post Office Prices Change?

• The proposed price increase–on average 5.6%–covers most services. (For postage rates to cover the entire Post Office deficit, the increase would have to be over 20%.)
• If approved, the price increase will go in effect on January 2, 2011–almost two years since the last increase.
• The proposed pricing is being reviewed by the government-backed Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), which expects to make a final ruling in early October. They can accept or reject all price requests.