If you have not had the opportunity to determine and document your postal strategy for 2020, now is the time. We should all have a plan to build on from previous years which should provide a good “base strategy.” This foundation must now be modified to incorporate changes in the industry, postal regulations and promotions and most importantly, changes to your business plans going forward.

There are many different things you can do to impact your bottom line. Perhaps you are targeting a new offering that will become a new revenue stream. You could target improved operational efficiencies or pricing strategies that will produce better margins. It all counts, whether part of your overarching postal strategy or one-off projects that will impact your goals with minimal investment.

The recent postage rate increase can be effectively offset using several different “levers.” Improved operational efficiencies/processes, strategies, and techniques that will increase response rates and drive business and participation in USPS promotional programs that reward mailers are just a few of the levers everyone should consider. I have recently written about how costly postage is for any managed service providers (MSP’s) and their customers. Postage is a huge cost factor for anyone who mails. It accounts for 60–80% of the total cost of the mailed piece. Here are some best practice levers we must all utilize as fully as possible to make a difference for our businesses in 2020.