Refuse haulers have several options when it comes to saving money when billing customers and printing marketing materials. Rather than using the same methods that have been employed the past, this article re-introduces some updated ideas to consider in future communications.
By Steve Leary
Postcards
Most refuse haulers use statements that stuff into an envelope and cost 49 cents postage to send out. You can save almost one-third of your postage costs by sending out postcards instead of statements. These postcards only cost 32 cents in postage and they can be printed out with many of the refuse software programs. The postcard is also less expensive to print than buying invoice paper and envelopes.
Most postcards are 3 2/3″ x 6″ and print three to a sheet of paper so they also cost less to print on your laser printer. They can be printed with your company logo and information and you should also put a refuse truck on the card to identify the bill with your customer. If you add a Postal Permit to your envelope or postcard instead of using a stamp you can save 1.5 cents on each piece of mail sent. You can register with your local post office for the permit.
Flyers
A second idea for marketing to your customers is to insert a flyer that is 4″ x 9″ into your statements as a statement stuffer. Many haulers promote extra services that they provide like refrigerator, mattresses and large item pickups as well as putting their holiday schedule on the cards for the dates of pickup. These flyers are inexpensive and, because you are already mailing a statement or invoice, there is no postage cost.
EDDM Postcard Mailing
This last idea is my favorite. When sending a marketing mailing, there is a new way to mail them that can save postage as well. It is called EDDM Postcard Mailing. The EDDM, which stands for Every Door Direct Mail, is only 17 cents per piece for postage compared to a letter that costs 49 cents. Your savings on postage is 66 percent. We all would like to grow our business but the work is cumbersome. We have to purchase an address list from a list provider and then design a mailing piece which also takes time. Instead of using a 49 cent stamp, haulers can send EDDM cards out to any given neighborhood that they choose. You can search and choose any neighborhood from the U.S. postal Web site. You start with searching on a zip code but then you can choose to just send the cards to a specific neighborhood. These large post cards can be many sizes: 6″ x 11″, 6.5″ x 9″ and as large as 9″ x 12″ (with other sizes in between).
Communication tools are an important part of customer service. These programs are just a few examples of how refuse haulers can save money with their printing and marketing programs. Next time you are thinking of sending a message to your customers, consider one of the above as an effective way of reaching out.
Stephen Leary is the Owner of American Business Forms & Envelopes (Baltimore, MD). American Business Forms & Envelopes has been providing printing for refuse haulers since 1989, including postcards, flyers, EDDM postcard mailings as well as all weather stickers for your containers, cans, trucks and portable toilets. The company’s marketing department does all of the artwork for free and they have many designs to choose from the Web site. For more information, call (800) 519-3691 or visit www.AmerBusForms.com.