Mail services provide a convenient and low stress way for business owners to filter and distribute mail and shipments. Without mailing services, you will spend a significant amount of crucial work time preparing and sending mail to customers, investors and your target market — your time is better spent developing and running your business. A mail service provider will provide you with time and peace of mind, especially in regard to direct mail services.

Mailing companies include the United States Postal Service, UPS, FedEx and DHL. While most people only associate these mail service providers with large shipment needs, many of them provide other crucial business mail services. Efficient office mail support covers the following aspects of your postal needs:

1. Direct mail services and development and design of your direct mail items (such as postcards and brochures)

2. Provision of a ready-made mailing list for direct mail services

3. Mail service providers

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

Determine what your business needs from an office mail service

You need to know exactly what mail assistance you are looking for before you make a choice on an office mail service. For example, if you intend on designing your own postcards for direct mail and simply need a mailing list, then it may be more fitting to use your local USPS than to hire a direct mail firm. Write out a plan, including what portion your business will do, what mail assistance you desire for the project and a time line.

I recommend: Read Entrepreneur.com's mail service options for a home-based business to determine if they fit your needs. Visit Bresser's Information Services to get some ideas on the services mailing companies can provide.

Hire a mail service provider

When looking at mail service companies, there are a number of items you need to examine to be sure that the companies are legitimate and will provide you with the best possible service. Investigate how long they have been in business. Ask for a list of referrals and contact their previous clients to study their opinion on the services provided. Ask about the available mail services, how the companies will handle your account and the turn-around.

I recommend: Review the guide to working with a mailing service provided by the Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association (MFSA). Obtain a list of mailing service companies referrals from friends or business associates, or visit the MFSA website to locate a registered mailing service member in your area. If you're on a deadline and need help immediately, FedEx Kinko's has a facility in nearly every town and can provide for all of your direct mail and shipping needs in one location.

Start or join a PCC to improve mailing services in your area

The Postal Customer Council (PCC) is a service provided by the USPS. The goal of the PCC is to develop better communication between business owners and the postal service and to better meet the mailing service needs of businesses. Join a PCC to make your opinions and desires for mailing services known. There are more than 200 PCC groups nationwide. Start a PCC if one isn't available in your area.

I recommend: Review complete information on the PCC on the United States Postal Service website, including program policies and rules and answers to frequently asked questions about the organization. Visit the USPS National PCC Locator to find a Postal Customer Council in your area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you own a small business, consider renting a mailbox from a mail service provider such as the USPS or Mail Boxes, Etc. Doing so will reduce the risk of the misplacement of mail or a package being left at your office when no one is available to receive it.