It’s time to focus on franked mail communications

John Leary: The Leidos and DotGov team deliver the expertise and experience your team needs. Members of Congress are always working to deliver vital information to their constituents. There are […]

by | Nov 4, 2021 | Blog Posts

The Leidos and DotGov team deliver the expertise and experience your team needs.

Members of Congress are always working to deliver vital information to their constituents. There are important reasons to get started planning your Member’s franked mail communication right now. As a result of supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic, paper is in limited supply. This can cause significant delays if you don’t plan ahead. DotGov has already ordered the necessary paper for existing clients. By planning ahead and getting started as soon as possible, we can quickly ensure that your Member’s mailing needs are met.

With the legislation currently being considered and new district lines, constituents want to hear directly from their Member on the issues that affect them.

There are important benefits of franked mail. Here are some ways it can improve and complement your office’s communications strategy:

Print pieces do not get caught in spam filters.
As email systems become more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly hard to reach people using email. With direct mail and print, it goes right to the constituent.

No opt-in is necessary.
It’s important for your audience to opt-in for emails due to new data laws. With direct mail, you do not need to opt-in and there is no reason to delay important constituent communications. No opt-in is necessary.

Direct mail lasts longer.
The average lifespan of direct mail is 17 days. The average email lasts around 17 seconds. That is 17 seconds of the emails that are opened. The emails that do not get opened have no life span since no one has read them.

Direct mail resonates.
According to a study by Xerox, the open rate of direct mail is 79% and 70% is read for a minute or longer. Usually, when we receive an email we do not act. It becomes out of sight and out of mind. By the time you go back and look at your email inbox, you have received many other emails and you forget about it. With direct mail, you will often put it aside to read.

Direct mail outperforms email.
According to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the response rate for direct mail is 3.7% versus 0.2% for email and 0.1% for paid search.

Direct mail is more effective at garnering attention.
Direct mail has to fight less hard for your audience’s attention. Your audience is bombarded with email, on average receiving close to 150 per day. Along with spam filters and different email tabs, it is hard to keep the attention of your audience. 

If you’d like a bit of inspiration, you can take a look at some examples of newsletters, surveys, and postcards by clicking the graphic below:

screenshot of franked mail examples

With just a little information about your goals for the communication, we can provide you a free, no-commitment budget estimate very quickly. Click the button below to get started.

Start Planning

If you’re thinking about a franked mail piece, please be aware of the upcoming blackout dates. Find your state by clicking the link below.

Find Blackout Dates

With so many critical issues facing our country, constituents are anxious to hear your Member’s perspective. Leidos and DotGov have been helping Members communicate since 2001. We look forward to working with you. Please click here to start planning your mail piece and to receive a no-cost, no-obligation budget.

Any questions? Reach out to your Account Manager or contact our team today!

Suggested Blog: How to improve constituent engagement

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