Every day, millions of business owners use the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to mail invoices, promotional materials, catalogs, coupons, merchandise and more. Business mail is a vital and powerful communication tool that provides a direct link to your customers, prospects, suppliers, vendors and employees. Whether you're sending a million postcards or a single envelope, using USPS services wisely can help you:

1. Attract new customers.
2. Fulfill orders.
3. Increase brand awareness.
4. Strengthen existing customer relationships.
5. Save money on mailing costs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use business tools

The Postal Service offers a host of products and services to facilitate business mailings. The services that make the most sense for you depend on your mailing volume and frequency.

I recommend: For general business mailing needs, use USPS business tools. You'll find shipping tools for packages, letters, international mail, direct mail, catalogs and supplies. For complex mailing needs, National and Premier accounts lets you manage your account online. For information about the latest postal rate increases see the Work.com Guide to the 2007 Postal Rate Changes.

Speed your mail with Click-N-Ship online mailing

Click-N-Ship lets you create shipping labels with postage, pay by company credit card, purchase insurance, create an address book and view your shipping history – all online.

I recommend: Register for Click-N-Ship (it's free) to take advantage of online capabilities.

See your postage payment choices

From stamps and prepaid envelopes, to postage meters, high volume permits, online postage and automatic bank account transfers, USPS offers a variety of ways for a small business to pay for postage.

I recommend: See Postage Payment Options for Business for complete details and signups.

Check retail mailing options and prices

The USPS offers six retail (regular-priced) mailing services: Express, Priority, first-class, parcel post, bound printed matter and media mail.

I recommend: Find out more about the retail mailing services that make the most sense for your business and the prices for adding extra services.

Save money with bulk mail

For large advertising mailings, consider bulk mailing. By using bulk mail, which requires you to pre-sort by ZIP code, you pay a discounted rate. To qualify as a bulk mailer, you must obtain a mailing permit and pay an annual fee.

I recommend: Business Mail 101 has an introduction to bulk mail that shows you how to apply for a mailing permit, how to pay for postage and how to calculate rates.

Use international mailing tools

International shipping options include Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail, Global Priority Mail, Global Airmail and Global Economy.

I recommend: Avoid the confusion often associated with international shipping by taking advantage of USPS resources, such as international addressing tips, restrictions by country, rate calculators and online customs forms.

Use NetPost postcard mailing services

NetPost is an economical service that helps you design and send postcards, sales letters, flyers, greeting cards or newsletters. Simply create your mailings on your computer using customizable templates and the USPS handles the rest, including printing and mailing.

I recommend: It's free to sign up for NetPost.

Get help with direct mail campaigns

USPS offers helpful direct mail advice, including tips on buying or building a mailing list, designing your mailing, creating your message, printing your mailer and calculating return on investment.

I recommend: Visit the USPS Direct Mail center.

Know your payment options

The USPS offers a number of ways for your business to pay for postage, such as buying stamps online, get a postage meter, use a permit imprint or use PC postage technology.

I recommend: Learn more about postage payment methods to determine which method is right for your business. Find postage meters designed for small businesses from Pitney Bowes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Calculate rates and fees before you ship to make sure you don't go over budget.
• •  Speed up your mailings with prepaid envelopes.
• •  Avoid long lines at the post office by scheduling a pick-up at your office location.
• •  Use the online tracking feature to affirm delivery of your most important packages.