 |
|
Postal Links for Answers & Information The Postal Service has detailed its full-year 2013 promotional schedule to give mailers time to plan and prepare. Included in the “2013 Promotions Calendar” are (in chronological order): Mobile Coupon & Click-to-Call, Product Samples, Earned Value Reply Mail, Picture Permit, Emerging Technologies, and Mobile Buy-It-Now. For information on the proposed promotions, go to this USPS web page and note the downloads available under “Important Links.” The USPS now offers a unique opportunity for postal permit indicia mailers to enhance their First-Class and Standard letters. The page linked above has Picture Permit applications, info sheets, and layout templates for a permit indicia that includes a business-related color image, photo, logo, or trademark. An incentive program for the Picture Permit Indicia is scheduled for August and September of 2013. Select the “Promotions & Incentives” link on the USPS page linked above for details. The directory of guides for basic postal information and standards. Select by subject matter. QSGs are generally 2-4 pages each and include topical information and diagrams, as needed. Available in html and pdf format. This is the USPS site for business mailers. Select current topics on the left-side menu or select from index options at the top of the page. Essential for critical programs, such as Intelligent Mail Services and Move Update, and for Mail Service Updates. New RIBBS Feature – The USPS has provided an Updates page on the RIBBS website to show what files have been recently added or updated. The page lists changes by date, type, topic, and the specific documents that have been updated. Network facility changes – During 2013 and 2014 the Postal Service plans to close hundreds of locations. The first phase began in July 2012 and involved 48 facilities. Closures were halted during the mailing season of September through December 2012, but resumed in January 2013. For 2013, a total of 82 consolidations are planned. Eighteen were moved from Phase 2 of the plan in early 2014. Five new consolidations were added to the original plan, while an additional 58 facilities are under review for possible acceleration into 2013. The USPS plans to halt closures from July 2013 through the end of the year, and then resume in early 2014. Detailed Excel-format charts on the “Network Rationalization Schedule” closures and consolidations are available on the RIBBS website. This NR-Winter 2013 Mail Move Plan is updated weekly. Contact Mailpiece Design Analysts and locate BMEs, MERLIN report/appeal documents, the drop-ship checklist, access the Business Customer Gateway, and more. The USPS now offers alternative addressing for PO Boxes. The option enables customers to receive deliveries from private carriers requiring a street address for delivery. Visit this link for an overview and data file with PO Box location addresses. USPS service standards maps and data files containing originating, destinating, and destination entry data have been added to the Modern Service Standards page on RIBBS. The maps that can be generated reflect standards for mailing services products. All data files are updated quarterly. Find a correct ZIP+4 Code by entering an address. Results also include correct address formatting and mailing industry information for higher level barcoding and sortation. For reverse lookups and Zip Code area maps, visit this non-USPS website: www.unitedstateszipcodes.org Includes information filed with the PRC, statistics, results, and Revenue/Pieces/Weights reports. Facts, figures, and USPS history. Now available: “Postal Facts 2013”, a 26-page downloadable pdf.
Mailing News & Updates Central page for locating and downloading every form and publication offered by the Postal Service. USPS news releases and announcements, as they are issued. Includes mail service updates, fact sheets, multi-media downloads, and postal background information. Mailing news and updates from around the globe. Site provided by the Association for Postal Commerce (PostCom). Mail marketing strategies and ideas from the U.S. Postal Service. Includes case studies, marketing research, postal news, and mail marketing commentary. Daily e-news site managed by the postal employee unions. Includes internal USPS news and communications, links to articles about the Postal Service from news media around the country, and news of the Congress and PRC. The Direct Marketing Association website with information for members and the business public about mail and marketing. Includes event and seminar schedules and links to major conferences and exhibitions.
|
||||||||
|
© 2013 Tension Envelope Corporation. All rights reserved. |
