Dear Molly,

You’re asking this at the perfect time! Fraud in the mail stream is a growing concern, and the USPS is stepping up its enforcement to combat issues like counterfeit shipments and unmanifested mail. Starting August 1, 2024, the USPS began intercepting and destroying unmanifested or late-manifested shipments at first scan – with no reimbursement. These new measures are designed to increase compliance, shipment visibility, and accountability. Here’s what you can do:

1. Stay Compliant: File submissions (like SPEFs and SSFs) must be sent before the first scan. Late submissions will result in shipment interception.
2. Monitor Your Quality Shipper Score: This weekly recalculated score ensures compliance. A low score could lead to shipment delays or intercepts.
3. Leverage GrayHair Tools: Our address quality, data analytics, and monitoring solutions prevent disruptions by detecting and resolving fraud risks early.

Protecting your mail operations doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and practices in place, you can stay ahead of fraud while keeping your mail moving smoothly. If you’re ready to learn more, reach out to GrayHair for a consultation. We’re here to help you navigate these changes with confidence!

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Carly,

You’re right to be suspicious, those texts are definitely part of a phishing scam! With scammers constantly on the move, it’s great timing to address this during Cybersecurity Month. Here are a few quick tips to help you stay safe.

1. Be Suspicious: First rule of thumb, the USPS doesn’t generally send text messages unless you specifically request updates on a package or service. Be skeptical about unsolicited texts or e-mails.
2. Don’t Click on Links: You’re safest if you just don’t click any links in these unsolicited messages. They might claim to be connecting to you to the USPS, but it could be a route to steal your personal information.
3. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect something’s not right, report it to the USPS.
4. Stay Updated: Continually educate yourself about cybersecurity threats and effective measures to counter them.

Lastly, for added peace of mind, why not have a chat with my friends at GrayHair? They are the experts in data security and could give you a great consultation on ensuring your systems are secure. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all.

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Paul,

The 2025 USPS Promotions are designed to reward mailers who innovate and enhance the mail experience. To make the most of these opportunities, here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Plan Ahead: Review the promotion calendar and deadlines. Each promotion has specific requirements, so it’s crucial to plan your campaigns accordingly.
2. Understand the Requirements: Each promotion has its own set of guidelines, whether it’s incorporating augmented reality or using colorful envelopes. My friends at GrayHair are here to provide consultation to make sure your mailpieces meet the criteria to qualify for discounts.
3. Track Your Results: USPS Promotions are a great way to save, but combining promos with mail tracking is the best way to save big. Track the status and performance of your campaigns with GrayHair to get the most out of your mailings.

If you want to dive even deeper, attend one of the sessions by Lori Swetlin, Postal Solutions Leader, at the upcoming PCC Week. She’ll speak in Milwaukee on September 24th, Madison on September 26th, and Cleveland on September 27th, sharing invaluable insights on maximizing your savings and elevating your mail campaigns with these promotions.

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Polly,

I hear you! The USPS price hike can indeed feel like its popping your budget balloon. GrayHair Software’s Ironclad Approach has you covered with a three-prong strategy to tackle these increases head-on.

1. Improve Your Address Quality: Think of this as giving your mailing list a spa day. By ensuring your addresses are squeaky clean and up-to-date, you can save up to $3 per mailpiece that would otherwise be returned. Our advanced address quality solutions can help you achieve the highest levels of address data quality.

2. Secure Your Discounts with Promotions: Did you know only 12% of First-Class Mailers took advantage of USPS Promotions last year? Our postal experts can help you navigate these promotions to secure the best possible savings. For example, mailing 5 million pieces could save you over $100,000 a month just by leveraging the right promotions.

3. Segment Your Audience for Increased ROI: Audience segmentation isn’t just a fancy marketing term; it’s a game-changer for your direct mail campaigns. Our Xcelerate solution helps you target your prospects more accurately, allocate resources better, and engage customers through personalization. This leads to improved customer retention and significant savings for your marketing budget.

So, don’t let those USPS increases deflate your budget! Contact my friends at GrayHair for a consultation, and they’ll help you navigate these changes with ease.

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Manny,

2 words, Manny: Audience Segmentation.

Instead of blasting out generic messages that hit like a soggy pancake, you slice and dice your audience into segments based on things like age, behavior, and more. This means you serve up messages that speak directly to their interests and needs. The Result? Higher engagement, better ROI, and more love from your customers. Plus, my pals at GrayHair have it all figured out! Check out their solution, GrayHair Xcelerate, to start winning hearts and wallets like a pro!

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Conference-Goer,

To make the most of your experience at #NPF2024, I suggest planning your schedule ahead of time to ensure you attend sessions aligned with your interests. I heard through the grapevine that these sessions are sure to knock your socks off:

1. Address Management: Corporate-Level Impact Requires Corporate-Level Thinking

2. Leadership Looks Good On You: Success Strategies for Dynamic Leaders in Mail

3. Adding Value to Mail with Data Analytics

Don’t forget to engage with fellow attendees during breaks and networking events—building connections is key! Enjoy exploring the exhibit hall and follow up with new contacts after the forum. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to visit your friends at GrayHair at booth #1300!

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Charlie,

You heard right Charlie! As an expert in all things data, I know that leveraging data, wink 😉 – postal data – can be a game-changer, especially in optimizing call center efficiency. By tapping into postal data, you can gain valuable insights that empower your team to streamline operations and enhance customer interactions. Real-time visibility into mail delivery statuses allows your agents to proactively address customer inquiries, reducing call durations and improving overall efficiency. With ongoing changes to the USPS network, now is more important than ever to have this data!

By integrating postal data into your communication processes, you can ensure that customers receive timely updates and notifications, further enhancing their experience. With data as your ally, you can transform your call center into a well-oiled machine, delivering exceptional service with every interaction!

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Cindy,

Picture this: your company is gearing up for a major product launch, complete with a targeted direct mail campaign aimed at attracting new clients. You’ve invested significant time and resources into crafting the perfect marketing materials, ready to make a splash in the market. Now, imagine the horror as a chunk of those mailers bounce back, stamped “return to sender” or “undeliverable address.” It’s not just paper and postage going down the drain; it’s your brand’s reputation taking a hit, and potential clients slipping through your fingers.

Don’t worry, Cindy, my friends at GrayHair have the solution! Address hygiene tools are the secret weapon your company needs to swoop in and save the day. By cleaning up your mailing list and ensuring spot-on addresses, you’ll not only save cash but also shield your brand’s rep and amp up that customer experience. It’s an investment that’ll pay off big time in today’s cutthroat market.

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Manic Marketer,

According to the Data & Marketing Association, direct mail boasts an average response rate of 4.4%, while email lags behind at 0.12%

Sure, it demands more effort, but its tangible appeal and personal touch often make it worth the investment. So, why not give direct mail a chance to shine? Craft eye-catching campaigns, target the right audience, and watch those response rates soar. In a world saturated with digital noise, sometimes the classics still reign supreme.

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Analytical Overthinker,

Don’t let the details overwhelm you! It is always a best practice to ensure you are respecting the privacy of your customers to inspire trust in your organization. Lucky for you, I have a few tips to help you refine your company’s data practices into tip-top shape:

1. Assess your data collection practices. Understand which privacy laws apply to your business

2. Adopt a privacy framework to help you manage risk and create a culture of privacy in your organization

3. Hire a reputable and certified cybersecurity company to test your systems and policies at least annually

4. Educate your coworkers on their and your organization’s obligations to protecting personal information

By being open about how you use data and respecting data privacy, you can stand out from your competition and gain respect for your organization. Refer back to my column whenever you need a friendly nudge in the right direction.

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Mrs Claus,

What magical timing you have! our newly launched GrayHair Client Portal is designed to provide our clients with a streamlined and intuitive experience, allowing for fast decision-making based on visual cues and a graphic representation of your data. Of course we didn’t forget about our friends at the North Pole – we included a “Letters to Santa” dashboard within the portal! Rest assured, with our upgraded GrayHair Client Portal and the Letters to Santa add-on dashboard, Santa will navigate the sky worry-free.🎅

Happy Holidays, Piper

Dear Melanie,

As a marketer, it’s important to remember that it’s not a matter of physical or digital, it’s physical AND digital. Key tools like Informed Visibility allow you to coordinate digital messages with direct mail to allow for that diversified reach you’re looking for. You can also receive timely updates on deliveries to ensure that your customers are staying in-the-know.

Your Ho Ho Holiday Campaign is a perfect opportunity to see Informed Visibility in action! If you’re curious about the other ways that IV can make an impact at Marketable Marketing, register for Transforming Visibility Into Value, an upcoming webinar hosted by my friends at GrayHair!

Peace Out, Piper

Dear Procrastinating Auditor,

Get a grip, dude! Grab a pen and paper because you came to the right place…with not a lot of time to spare, might I add. Lucky you, I have five foolproof tips I want to share that will help launch you to security superstar status:

1. Establish a strong security framework

2. Keep documentation up-to-date & organized

3. Perform regular risk assessments

4. Implement proactive vulnerability management

5. Foster a culture of security awareness

Go show ’em what you’re made of and don’t forget to credit me later. 😉

Peace Out, Piper