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Clean Mailing Lists

Whether you are mailing a customer their statement or sending a catalogue to a prospect you want to use a clean mailing file/list.  

• Mail returns are a fact of life, 11% of the population move house annually which means you can never keep in touch with all your customers or prospects.
• Royal Mail’s National Returns Centre in Belfast processes a total of around 20 million items a year, mainly business mail, at a cost of over £4m.

Using a clean mailing list will ensure that the item is addressed correctly and reaches the recipient.

Benefits of Clean Mailing Lists

There are many benefits to using a clean mailing list for your campaigns, they include;

• Consumers respond more positively to mail that is are addressed correctly and free from spelling mistakes
• The item is more likely to reach the recipient if it is correctly addressed and includes a postcode
• The item will reach the recipient in the time suggested if it is addressed correctly
• Waste and returns will be reduced if the list used to mail consumers is clean
• Brand reputation will be protected

Characteristics of a Clean Mailing List

Cleaning your mailing lists is easier than many people expect and the characteristics of a clean mailing list will depend on wether your are mailing customers or prospects and the purpose of your campaign.  The following principles would apply;

• Addresses will be validated & standardised to Royal mail Postcode Address File
• Postcodes will be included
• Names will be validated to ensure the person lives at the address
• Known goneaways will not be included in the clean mail file
• Known deceased individuals will not be included in the clean mail file
• People on the mailing preference service (if applicable) will not be included in the clean mail file

Clean Mailing List Services

Cleaning your mailing list (file) before each campaign will help reduce returns, waste and increase response.

There are a number of inexpensive mail list cleaning services which you can use.

Data Discoveries have developed a PAYG low cost mail cleaning service called View.  A View account is free and will show you how to clean your mailing file.   

Register today and you will also receive 20% of your first order