Business Plan Establishes Simplified Gateway to Global Trade for U.S. Companies

Responding to the call for a doubling of exports over the next five years through the National Export Initiative, officials with the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Department of Commerce are leveraging their strategic partnership to launch a business plan aimed at empowering American businesses interested in exporting as a pathway to growth. A partnership agreement signed at Postal Service headquarters last month by Postmaster General John Potter and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke establishes an outreach strategy between representatives of the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and U.S. Commercial Service, and the Postal Service’s Global Business team.

With the launch of the partnership agreement, the two groups will work to provide foreign market expertise to small and medium-sized enterprises interested in expanding into new markets, providing simplified access to the free resources and tools available through a nationwide network of international trade experts and global shipping specialists. Awareness activities include outreach at trade shows, direct mail campaigns and online registration for resource support.

The combined strength of customized consulting from the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service and the value-based logistics expertise and business solutions from the Postal Service establishes a simplified roadmap for successful entry into new markets. In the first phase of the partnership, efforts will focus on those businesses currently shipping to one foreign market through the Postal Service. In subsequent phases, the two groups will work with small and medium-sized enterprises to identify key markets, build market entry strategies and provide the guidance needed to take high-quality products and services from the U.S. to export markets worldwide - building their businesses, increasing American exports and setting the stage for job growth at home.

The Commerce Department, with its network of trade specialists posted in 109 U.S. cities and at 128 U.S. embassies and consulates in 77 countries, and the Postal Service, with its unparalleled access to communities across America and its ability to serve as a gateway to the globe, together represent a significant resource for domestic companies seeking new markets. Business customers interested in learning more about exporting and the partnership can visit export.gov, and can learn more about international shipping at usps.com/international.

If you have any questions, or want to learn more about saving on your international mailing costs, contact your Rohnert Park USPS representative:

Sales and Shipping Specialist Gary Couto

Phone: 707-778-5250

Email: gary.l.couto@usps.gov

Is Bulk Mail Right for You?

Business Mail 101

May 26, 2010

Welcome to Business Mail 101, information for beginning or infrequent mailers that will help you harness the power of mail for your business or organization. Over the course of the next few weeks, the U.S. Postal Service will introduce you to Business Mail, and how it can possibly reduce mailing costs for your company. We began by explaining what Bulk Mail is. Now, let’s take it to the next step by answering the question: Is Bulk Mail Right for you?

Is Bulk Mail Right for You?

Mailing at bulk prices may not be the right choice for everyone. For example, if your business does just one or two mailings a year, then it may be worth seeking the services of a vendor, presort or mailing house. Why? Because bulk mail is an investment: an investment of time, in learning how to sort and prepare your mail, and an investment of money (in paying for a mailing permit, the annual mailing fee, and possibly the costs of presort software or other equipment).

As a guideline, if you are mailing a few hundred pieces at a time, a few times a year, or if you plan to make a large, one-time mailing—for example, 5,000 flyers to announce an upcoming sales event—bulk mail may be a good deal for you. It takes extra time to prepare a bulk mailing, plus there are fees for mailing at bulk prices. Before deciding to make a bulk mailing, you should consider those costs.

Next time, on Business Mailing 101 we’ll discuss how Direct Mail can improve your bottom line.

Until then if you have any questions, or want to learn more about saving on your mailing costs, contact your Rohnert Park USPS representative:

Sales and Shipping Specialist Gary Couto

Phone: 707-778-5250

Email: gary.l.couto@usps.gov

Or on the web at: http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/

Bulk Mail

Welcome to Business Mail 101!

Welcome to Business Mail 101, information for beginning or infrequent mailers that will help you harness the power of mail for your business or organization. Over the course of the next few weeks, the U.S. Postal Service will introduce you to Business Mail, and how it can possibly reduce mailing costs for your company and increase business. Let’s begin at the beginning by explaining just what is Bulk Mail?

What is Bulk Mail?

The term "bulk mail" refers to larger quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage. In Business Mail 101, the term "bulk mail" means commercial First-Class Mail and advertising mail (called "Standard Mail" by the Postal Service). Commercial prices are available for other classes of mail, too. The Postal Service uses the terms "bulk" and "presorted" interchangeably.

Bulk prices are lower than "single-piece." "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage price; when you put a stamp on a letter, you're paying the single-piece postage. Many mailers pay single-piece postage even though they are doing large mailings. Why? Because they don’t want to do any extra preparation work—they don’t have the time, or it’s just not cost effective for their business. Business Mail 101 will help you make smart choices about your own mail to determine if commercial prices are right for you.

There are many advantages to using bulk mail. The most important advantage is that bulk mailing prices are significantly lower than single-piece prices. That can save you a lot of money.

Next time on Business Mail 101 we’ll ask the question: Is Bulk Mail Right for You?

Until then if you have any questions about using Bulk Mail to give your business a boost, or want to learn more about saving on your mailing costs, contact:

USPS Sales and Shipping Specialist Gary Couto

Phone: 707-778-5250

Email: gary.l.couto@usps.gov

Or on the web at: http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/

For other Postal questions, call 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit USPS.com.