There are a few critical components (design, data, audience, timing) that go into creating a successful direct mail campaign. Ensuring that you have a clean and optimized data list is one of the deciding factors in the success of your campaign. When it comes to the data and list components of a direct mail campaign, there exists a lot of mailing industry jargon that often creates a lot of confusion.

We've compiled a list of 11 mailing and data processing terms you need to know before getting started on your next direct mail campaign. 

Direct Mail remains one of the most effective ways for you to market your business. It ensures that your target audience sees your message so that you have an opportunity to connect. When you decide to send out a direct mailing, there are a few important decisions that you will want to make.

So, you’ve finally finished dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s on your direct mail campaign. You’ve spent countless hours carefully collecting data, choosing the best direct mailer for your needs and now it’s time to send it out. Envelopes are often an afterthought – the less attractive, less interesting necessary evil just to get your direct mail into the hands of your consumer.

Polywrapping - you’ve seen it before, usually around magazines and thicker catalogs that have inserts. Did you know that it’s now a great solution for direct mail campaigns? You can even “wrap” promotional items, newspapers or flyers!

Secure data printing is a tricky beast. Keeping up with ever-evolving compliance requirements while still staying on schedule is a handful, at best.

Colors fill our world and (literally) frame what we see. Colors are also key for successful direct mailings. The right color can invoke a mood that harmonizes your campaign, while the wrong color can at best send a mixed message, at worst make a direct trip to the recycling bin.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) proposing new mailing and shipping services pricing to take effect January 21, 2018. The PRC has reviewed and approved the proposed pricing changes.

Notable mailing services price changes include:

• First-Class Forever stamps from 49 to 50 cents
• Domestic Postcards stamp price increase from 34 to 35 cents
• Metered Letters price increase from 46 to 47 cents

It's all about smart marketing these days. You can have the classiest looking website with all of the latest bells and whistles, but if no one is visiting, or if most of your visitors take flight in less than a minute of hitting your site, something is not working.

Even if you have studied search engine optimization (SEO) and email marketing, it is important to realize that thousands of others have read the same papers and guides and are likely applying the same tactics that you are trying. This is truly a case of following the crowds and feeling left behind in the dust.

There is a better solution, almost a hidden marketing treasure that few people have uncovered so far.