Every year, it's interesting to take a look back and see what stories and topics most sparked our readers' attention. From insourcing vs. outsourcing to Move Update changes, let's take a look at the 10 most popular articles of 2018.
10. Insourcing or Outsourcing: Which Is Right for Your Organization?
By Thom Roylance
I’m here to let you know the good, the bad, and, perhaps, the ugly, of outsourcing. Regardless of how one feels about outsourcing, it’s not always a bad thing. And let’s not forget its opposite: insourcing, which has its own set of perks as well. Ultimately, which is right for you?
9. Preparing for Move Update Changes
By Jeff Peoples
The United States Postal Service (USPS) implemented Move Update price and classification changes, effective in March 2018. The Move Update postage assessment for non-compliance increased from $0.07 to $0.08 per piece, but the Move Update verification method also changed. Not surprisingly, mailers were curious what this would mean for their operation.
8. Physical Mail, Digital Experience: QR Codes Are Hot Again
By Kurt Ruppel
As savvy marketers know, direct mail is an important part of multichannel campaigns. It is the channel that consumers prefer and trust for receiving information about new products and services. One of the hot trends in direct mail today is using a physical mail piece to connect the recipient to a digital experience. Once direct mail has captured the consumer’s interest, making it easy for that consumer to access digital resources directly from the mail piece makes a lot of sense.
7. Causes and Prevention of Undocumented Mail Pieces
By Jeff Peoples
As more mailers participate in the United States Postal Service (USPS) Seamless Acceptance program, the topic of undocumented mail pieces is worthy of review. For many mailers, any assessments for undocumented pieces could be the most expensive ones they face. Unlike some of the other assessments that are passed onto the respective mail owners, assessments for undocumented pieces will usually come right out of the mail preparer’s pockets.
6. Where Is Your Returned Mail Hidden?
By Gary A. Seitz
Returned mail can have a huge impact on an organization – especially when some in the mail industry like to pretend like this issue doesn't even exist! But the only way to solve a problem is to tackle it head-on, and that's what Gary advises in this piece.
5. 2018 Changes to Postage Payment
By Bob Schimek
The USPS's rollout of a new Enterprise Payment System (EPS) was definitely something that piqued our readers' interest, since ignoring this change could significantly impact operations. Here's a recap.
4. The Most Common Mistakes in Mail Piece Design: Part One
By Amanda Armendariz
It's no secret that mail piece design can have a big effect on customer response rates and your postage costs, so you want to avoid these common mistakes whenever possible. Here, you can view part one and, why not, part two as well.
3. A Look at How the January 21, 2018 USPS Rate Increase Will Impact Your Budget
By Adam Lewenberg
As always, any article that includes a rate analysis is a popular one with our readers, and this year was no different. You can read the article here, but given that 2018 is now over, we don't blame you if you'd rather read about the 2019 rate increase instead.
2. Are Changes to Standard Mail on the Horizon?
By Leo Raymond
Many mailers were not happy when they noticed an unexpected proposal the Postal Service published for comment in the August 23 Federal Register. In what was described as an “advance notice of proposed rulemaking,” the USPS stated it was considering, and in turn sought public comment on, a change to the content standards for Standard (USPS Marketing) Mail. Not surprisingly, many mailers reacted with furor.
1. Postal Terms Glossary
By Mark Rheaume
Even if you are a veteran of the mailing industry, you may still come across a term that causes you to scratch your head. And if you are new to the mailing industry, well, you can feel that folks are speaking Greek. Industry expert Mark Rheaume has compiled a glossary of the most common postal terms and their definitions. Not surprisingly, this has been our top article for the second year in a row. What can we say? Mailers take their education seriously. Enjoy!
Amanda Armendariz is Editor, Mailing Systems Technology media. A leading industry resource for over 30 years, Mailing Systems Technology prides itself on delivering the information mailers need to make their operations a success at all stages of the mail cycle. Follow her on Twitter @MailSystemsTech or email amanda.c@rbpub.com.
