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Direct mail marketing glossary

Stay current with the latest direct mail marketing terms. 

Address Verification

Postal address verification allows senders to ensure their mail will be deliverable and that location is valid (addresses are valid if they are CASS-certified).

Address Verification APIs

Address Verification APIs verify each recipient's address and ensure proper formatting.

Address standardization

This direct mail service feature helps business owners make sure addresses adhere to the proper postal formats.

Analytics dashboard

An analytics dashboard lets users view delivery and mail speed on a segment-by-segment basis.

Batching

Batching allows the postal service to operate more efficiently by grouping similar materials into single packages.

CASS Certification

CASS stands for Coding Accuracy Support System.

Cancellation window

When mistakes happen, or a mailer changes their mind about the materials they were preparing to send out, canceling is the best option.

Delivery point

A delivery point may be a resident's personal mailbox, a business mailslot, or a PO Box.

Direct mail

Direct mail refers to a marketing or advertising method that involves sending promotional materials directly to individuals or businesses through physical mail.

Direct mail advertising

Direct mail advertising is a marketing strategy that involves sending promotional materials, such as catalogs, flyers, or postcards, directly to the homes or businesses of potential customers.

Direct mail automation

Direct mail automation refers to using technology to streamline and optimize the creation and distribution of direct mail campaigns.

Direct mail campaign

A direct mail campaign is a marketing effort that involves creating and distributing promotional materials through physical mail to generate sales, leads, or brand awareness.

Direct mail marketing

Direct mail marketing is a type of direct marketing that involves using physical mail to promote products, services, or events to potential customers.

Direct mail postcards

Direct mail postcards are a type of direct mail marketing material that are sent directly to the homes or businesses of potential customers.

Direct mail printing

Direct mail printing refers to the process of creating and producing physical promotional materials for use in direct mail campaigns.

Direct mail template

A direct mail template is a pre-designed and pre-formatted layout that can be used as a starting point for creating direct mail materials, such as postcards, flyers, or letters.

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)

Every Door Direct Mail is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows businesses to target and deliver direct mail advertisements to specific geographic areas without needing a mailing list.

First-Class Mail (FC mail)

When a message needs to be delivered with lightning speed, you can count on First-Class Mail (FC mail).

Indicia

An indicia is a marking that appears on mail in place of a stamp. Indicias indicate that postage has already been paid, and thus manually stamping each envelope isn't necessary.

Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)

Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) is a US code that helps mailers track letters and flats more efficiently.

Intelligent direct mail

Intelligent direct mail refers to a type of direct mail marketing that leverages advanced data analytics and technology to create highly personalized and targeted campaigns.

Junk mail

Junk mail refers to unsolicited, unwanted, or irrelevant mail that is sent to individuals or businesses.

National Change of Address (NCOA)

When residents move away, they can submit a change of address form to the US Postal Service.

Nixie undeliverable mail

When mail is undeliverable, it is marked with a yellow label.

Personable Identifiable Information (PII)

PII refers to any personal information that is attached to an individual.

Self-mailer

Self-mailers are simply mailpieces that arrive outside of an envelope.

USPS Certified Mail

USPS Certified Mail is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that provides proof of mailing and delivery for important or time-sensitive mail pieces.

ZIP+4

In 1983, the USPS added four additional numbers to specify the standard 5-digit zip code further.