n National Small Business Week Overview
n Postal Service Tools for Small Business Growth
n Websites
n Grow Your Business Events “How To” for Postmasters
n Collateral
n Media Outreach
n Sample Media Advisory
n Social Media
n Contacts
National Small Business Week Overview
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which encourages Americans to support the spirit and success of small business owners. This year, National Small Business Week runs from May 5 to May 11.
The United States Postal Service® recognizes the importance of supporting small businesses, the jobs they create, and the quality of life that they provide in every ZIP Code™ across the nation. In honor of National Small Business Week, Postal Service™ employees will host Grow Your Business Day (GYBD) events in as many lobbies and ZIP Codes as possible. These free, community-based events are intended to educate small business owners and entrepreneurs about Postal Service resources that can help them grow their business.
The Postal Service offers a variety of products and services to help support the unique needs of small businesses. During National Small Business Week 2019, our goal is to increase awareness of the tools offered to small business owners at their local Post Office™ and at usps.com.
Ultimately, their business is our business.
One-Stop Direct Marketing Platform for Small Businesses
The Postal Service recently unveiled a comprehensive online tool that helps small businesses create and execute direct marketing campaigns. With the online tool, users can:
n Create direct mail and digital advertisements;
n Target local audiences; and
n Submit orders that include all printing, production, and fulfillment requirements.
Now, users can easily plan a direct mail campaign from any home or office computer. The online tool offers:
n 24/7 customer support;
n Design templates and professional design services;
n File upload functionality to create postcards, flyers, and more; and
n Add-on digital components, such as display ads and email communications, to convert direct mail campaigns into multichannel experiences.
As part of the cost, USPS® will distribute the product into the target market — with postage included in the price. For more information on direct marketing, visit usps.com/directmail.
The Small Business Direct Mail/Every Door Direct Mail End-to-End Marketing Solution
The Small Business Direct Mail/Every Door Direct Mail (DM/EDDM) End-to-End Marketing Solution is an online platform that simplifies transactions by creating an environment where small business customers can plan and execute a fully-integrated direct marketing campaign. Harnessing the resources of printer-affiliate business partners, the Postal Service offers a solution that fills gaps in services and provides users with all they need to conduct transactions, end-to-end.
The Small Business DM/EDDM End-to-End Marketing Solution is a convenient, self-service environment that helps small business customers complete a direct mail campaign transaction. For more information, visit usps.com/directmail.
Every Door Direct Mail Mapping Tool
The EDDM Mapping Tool is an affordable, targeted advertising technique that lets small business owners map their marketing mail audience by age, income, or household size. Users can choose the ZIP Code and carrier route that will target their best possible customers — current and future. Our online EDDM Mapping Tool and EDDM delivery service make it easy and economical to plan and execute a mailing:
1. Create a mailpiece,
2. Select postal routes,
3. Pay for postage online, and
4. Bring the mailing to USPS for delivery.
Additionally, the Postal Service offers in-person guidance for printing EDDM mailpieces. Click “Find a printer” for help with creating memorable and actionable mailpieces.
Direct Mail
USPS is the small business one-stop shop for all things direct mail. From new customer acquisition to customer retention, we offer small business customers a host of resources to help get them started.
The Direct Mail End-to-End Marketing Solution is an online platform to help simplify sending Direct Mail. Small businesses can execute a direct mail campaign from start-to-finish in about 15 minutes — it’s quick, easy, and effective. This solution allows small business owners to work with printer-affiliate partners, which ultimately helps grow their businesses.
Shipping
Shipping with USPS means small business owners get access to the country‘s largest delivery network. With a range of business shipping services available, customers can choose the one that‘s right for their business. Plus, we now offer free Saturday delivery and no residential surcharges.
Returns
Make it easy for customers to return packages, whether they value speed or affordable pricing, with Priority Mail Return™ Service, Merchandise Return Service, Ground Return Service, and more. Build customer loyalty, increase sales, and control costs with flexible options that provide customers with a return label in a variety of ways:
n Include the return label in the original shipment box,
n Integrate the returns tool to your website and let customers print their own label, or
n Request the return label through the Print and Deliver Label Service.
Priority Mail
Get more for your money with Priority Mail® service, which includes fast domestic service, including flat rate shipping, in 1, 2, or 3 business days based on where a package starts and where it’s being sent. Priority Mail service is available beginning at $7.35 at Post Office locations or online.
Informed Delivery
The Postal Service is enhancing the mail experience nationwide with Informed Delivery®, an optional notification service that provides a daily digital preview of mail. Informed Delivery offers business mailers the opportunity to engage users through integrated mail and digital marketing.
Here is a list of helpful online resources for small business owners:
n USPS Small Business page: usps.com/smallbusiness
n USPS Direct Mail page: usps.com/directmail
n Business Customer Gateway: gateway.usps.com
n PostalPro website: postalpro.usps.gov/promotions
n U.S. Small Business Administration website: sba.gov
n EDDM page: usps.com/business/every-door-direct-mail.htm
n Mapping Tool: eddm.usps.com/eddm/customer/routeSearch.action
n Retail Every Door Direct Mail Standard Operating Procedures: blue.usps.gov/customerservicesoperationsandretail/productsandservices/consumerproducts/every_door_direct.shtml
n For assistance by phone, call the small business customer service help line at 877-747-6249.
Grow Your Business Events “How To” for Postmasters
GYBD events are designed to educate and grow small businesses in the communities we serve. Postmasters and managers are encouraged to host events for small businesses, which in turn, can boost USPS revenue.
Events provide the opportunity for Postmasters to meet current and potential customers and position USPS as a business resource. By hosting an event, you’ll have the opportunity to:
n Increase USPS visibility with small businesses.
n Demonstrate the value of USPS products and services.
n Build relationships with local small business owners.
GYBD events are a great way to promote EDDM and Priority Mail services, which can be particularly valuable to small businesses. Use the following checklists to plan your GYBD event:
Pre-event
n Reserve a location that can comfortably accommodate a group event, such as your Post Office lobby or your local Chamber of Commerce.
n Ask letter carriers and retail associates to personally invite potential customers they know.
n Promote the event in your Post Office lobby. Contact the strategic communications specialist for your Area to help reach out to local media.
n Identify and assign day-of-event responsibilities. Make sure that onsite responsibilities have been handled, such as testing equipment ahead of time and printing name badges.
n Order GYBD EDDM event kits at sfr.usps.gov/login.do (use SKU# 17GYBDEDDMKIT101). These kits are great resources for customers.
Day of the Event
n Arrive early to make sure everything is set up properly.
n Keep extra name tags on-hand for last-minute guests.
n Test your audio and video equipment to make sure it works properly.
n Have printed copies of your presentation (with notes) available.
n Provide easy access to feedback forms and customer leave-behind materials.
n Identify the drop-off point for collecting feedback forms.
n Greet customers as they arrive and have a successful event!
Post Event
n Make follow-up calls to each of the business representatives that attended your event. Contact participants within 7–14 days while the event is fresh in their memory.
n Schedule one-on-one meetings to learn more about customer business needs. Share the various ways USPS products and services can help them meet those needs and grow their business.
n Document your Business Connect® quality activities. Be sure to document what you learned about the customer’s needs or concerns, so you can turn it into a solution that results in a positive outcome for the customer and a potential transaction for USPS.
All local Post Offices are encouraged to host a GYBD event during National Small Business Week (May 5–11, 2019) to maximize USPS revenue potential. Business Connect would like to encourage postmasters and managers to interact with local businesses to discuss USPS products and services. The following tools to promote your event are currently available through eBuy2. To find these items on eBuy2, type “GYBD” in the search bar.
Flyer
Pre-event Direct Mail
Post Event Direct Mail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact [Insert Name]
[Insert Date] (O) xxx.xxx.xxxx
(C) xxx.xxx.xxxx
name@usps.gov
usps.com/news
[Insert ZIP Code] to Host “This ZIP Code Means Business”
Event in Support of National Small Business Week
[City, State] — This year, the [Insert Name] Post Office will participate in National Small Business Week, May 5–11, by hosting an event to demonstrate how the United States Postal Service continues to create easy and affordable services designed to help small businesses grow.
[Insert City] Postmaster [Insert Name] said, “This ZIP Code Means Business” when it comes to helping small business grow in the [Insert Zip Code] ZIP Code. We offer numerous solutions to assist with marketing efforts such as Every Door Direct Mail, and new and exciting mailing innovations for advertising, in addition to providing shipping solutions like Priority Mail that help small businesses ship economically and confidently.”
During National Small Business Week, [Insert Number] Post Offices around the country will host “Grow Your Business” events where business owners and entrepreneurs can learn about USPS small business offerings designed to help grow and innovate small businesses in a one-on-one setting.
Additional Post Offices and branches participating in National Small Business Week events throughout the [Insert Name] area include:
[List Names and Address of Post Offices here]
The Postal Service embraces this year’s theme, “This ZIP Code Means Business,” as we recognize the importance of supporting small businesses, the jobs they create and the quality of life that they provide in every ZIP Code across the nation.
Small business owners unable to attend can learn more about how USPS can help grow their business at usps.com/smallbusiness. While visiting our website, please check out all the tools and applications we offer specifically with small businesses in mind.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/newsroom/. Reporters interested in speaking with regional Postal Service public relations professionals should visit about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.
Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com/ and facts.usps.com/.
[Insert Date] Contact: [Insert Name]
[XXX-XXX-XXXX]
name@usps.gov
“This ZIP Code Means Business” Event
In Support of National Small Business Week in [Insert ZIP Code]
What: The United States Postal Service is hosting an event to help small business owners strengthen their business using USPS products and services, as well as shipping solutions, to innovate and grow with direct mail.
When: [Insert date and time]
Where: [Insert location address]
Background: National Small Business Week 2019 takes place May 5–11. In support of this annual event, USPS is hosting thousands of related events across the country.
At local Post Offices, attendees will learn how to innovate and grow their business with USPS tools and applications created specifically with small business owners in mind. There is no charge to participate.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/newsroom/. Reporters interested in speaking with regional Postal Service public relations professionals should visit about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com/ and facts.usps.com/.
Here are some ideas for Twitter content:
1. “This ZIP Code Means Business” event in [ZIP Code]. For details click here: [URL for local press release].
2. @USPS celebrates “Small Businesses are Made in [Insert City/Location/State] as #USPS builds its partnership with #SmallBiz in every ZIP Code across the nation, May 5–11.
3. @USPS supports Small Business Week — contact us for solutions: #SmallBusinessWeek and #USPS.
4. Happy #SmallBizWeek from @USPS. See us for solutions: usps.com/business/welcome.htm and #USPS
5. [Insert Date]: Small Biz event @USPS [PO Address] #ShipSendSave, #SmallBizWeek, and #Connect& Grow.
6. We‘ve made helping small business succeed one of our top priorities: #ShipSendSave and #Connect&Grow.
7. [Insert Postal Executive Name] speaking at today’s @USPS small biz event: [URL for local press release] #SmallBizWeek and #Connect&Grow.
8. When you ship with us, your business becomes our business: #Connect&Grow, #ShipSendSave, #SmallBizWeek, and #USPS.
9. Informed Delivery for Business Mailers — Create Once — Connect Everywhere! #Connect&Grow.
10. Small Businesses are made in [Insert City/Location/State]. Grow your business with #USPS.
11. Click here for free, first-class business building events near you. #ShipSendSave and @USPS.
Postmasters and managers are encouraged to contact their business development specialists for assistance with setting up a GYBD event and the strategic communications manager for your area to promote the event.
— Small Business Team, Sales, 4-25-19
