Hackensack, NJ – Experts agree that small businesses contribute significantly to local economies by bringing growth, innovation, and much needed jobs to those communities where the businesses are located. Recognizing the economic importance of small businesses, a group of Postmasters from Bergen County are supporting a free Grow Your Business Day seminar on Wednesday, March 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the South Hackensack Post Office at 560 Huyler Street. The powerful 90-minute session is designed to stimulate the local economy by showing businesses how to successfully market their companies and grow business by using Every Door Direct Mail – Retail, a convenient and easy-to-use service from the Postal Service.

First launched as a test product in 2011, Every Door Direct Mail – Retail allows local businesses to reach customers without the need for names or addresses on the mail pieces.  “Every Door Direct Mail – Retail can be used with a wide range of formats, from oversized postcards to fliers,” says Hackensack Postmaster Anthony LoPrinzi. The Hackensack Postmaster emphasizes that mailing permits are not required, and at a postage cost of 16 cents per piece, Every Door Direct Mail – Retail is a cost-effective way to place coupons, menus and promotional calendars into the hands of customers and prospective customers. A new online mapping tool facilitates selection of the neighborhoods, cities or ZIP Codes to which the user wishes to market. For added convenience, credit cards are now accepted for both online and Post Office postage payment.

Garfield Postmaster Nelson Araujo, Little Ferry Acting Postmaster Gordon Graham, Lodi Postmaster Charles Hunter, Rochelle Park Postmaster Michael O’Leary, and Teaneck Acting Postmaster David Sparano are also supporting the March 6 business community outreach effort.

In today’s digital age, business professionals continue to recognize the proven value of mail as one of the most effective and profitable marketing channels. According to a 2012 survey conducted by Target Marketing magazine, direct mail delivered the strongest Return-on-Investment (ROI) for customer acquisition for business-to-customer marketers. Direct mail also scored the highest among business–to-customer marketers for customer contact and retention. Research published in The Little Book of Bigger Returns (Royal Mail Group Ltd. 2011) found that mail boosted Return-On-Investment (ROI) by 20% when it was part of an integrated campaign. Mail also helped increase the lift of local ads by 44% and online campaigns by 62%.

Registration is optional for the March 6 seminar. Postmasters in Bergen County recommend contacting a USPS Business Development Specialist at 732-819-3685 / 3684 or by email: gybds_northern_new_jersey@usps.gov for any questions about the seminar or the new Every Door Direct Mail – Retail service. Extensive Every Door Direct Mail – Retail information is also available online, including a free kit on how to get started, at www.usps.com/everydoordirectmail.

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