Unwanted Mail Multiplying Like Rabbits?
Reduce Unwanted Business Mail!
Dealing with unwanted mail can be a drain on the time and resources of your business. Anyone who works in an office can see how much unwanted mail arrives daily and a significant amount of time can be spent handling it. This includes mail that employees don't want, duplicate mailings, and mailings to employees who are no longer there. The problem has gotten so bad that some businesses don't even allow Standard Mail (formerly known as Third-Class Mail) to be distributed to employees. Instead, they instruct the mailroom to recycle it all. Even then, it wastes the time of the mailroom staff. So, if your unwanted mail is multiplying like rabbits, reduce it with these junk mail reduction strategies!
How Do I Get Rid of It?
Most mailers want a written request for removal from mailing lists.
Tips for Reducing Junk Mail Before It Starts
- For registration at conferences, workshops, classes, sign-up sheets at meetings, entry forms or whatever - use name, phone, e-mail, but no address.
- Subscribe electronically to newsletters, magazines, newspapers, etc.
- Place some standard language on purchase orders, such as, "In the interests of reducing waste, do not add this name or address to mailing lists, or share this name or address with other mailers through mail list sales or trades".
- Be discriminating when giving out your business card. That's one way businesses develop mailing lists.
- Ask those receiving incoming calls to your business to screen callers who ask for your company's address, zip code, name of the senior buyer, etc. Some callers may have a good reason for requesting such information, but many just want to add your business to a mailing list.
Reducing Junk Mail After It's Multiplied
Removal From Individual Company Mailing Lists- This does not need to be an elaborate system, but can be as simple as a brief written or stamped note. Read on for 3 easy steps to reduce the unwanted mail.
- Create a Post-it note with the words "REMOVE FROM MAILING LIST" written or rubber-stamped on it.
- Look through the unwanted letter, catalog, periodical, etc. for a fax number for the company sending the unwanted mail. In the case of a catalog or periodical, the fax number is usually located on the inside cover or first couple pages. If there's not a fax number, there is probably a phone number and a quick phone call can get you the fax number.
- Tear off the page from the publication that has the address label on it or use the envelope in which the mail was received, place the Post-it note above the address label and fax it off to the company. You can reuse that same Post-it note over and over again!
This method can be used for reducing mail on an individual basis or your company can place someone in charge of your "Junk Mail Crusade". Often there are several employees receiving junk mail from the same mailer. The "crusader" can sort through the junk mail by mailer and remove several employees at once. Mail sent to terminated employees can also automatically be forwarded to the person in charge of the junk mail so the mailers can be notified.
Removal From Two Major Business Mailing Lists
The two companies listed below compile information on businesses and sell that information to other businesses for direct mail purposes.
An authorized representative of your business can request a delisting verbally or in writing. According to D&B, the delisting will result in the permanent removal of your business information from marketing directories, publications and/or mailing lists.
To request a delisting, call the D&B Customer Service Center at 800.333.0505.
On letterhead, request your business be removed from their mailing lists. It takes up to 90 days for your business to be removed from their lists.
InfoUSA Inc.
1020 E 1st St
Papillion, NE 68046-7611
Attn: Business Update Department
What Doesn't Work
Writing "Return to Sender" and placing mail in your outgoing mail. Only First-Class Mail (mostly bills, invoices, personal correspondence, and some merchandise), and mail marked "Return Service Requested", "Change Service Requested", or "Postmaster Send Change of Address to" will be sent back to the original mailer at their expense. Much of the unwanted mail your business receives is NOT First-Class but is Standard-Class or Package Media-Class which does not include return to the original mailer or forwarding services. The Post Office will just dispose of the mail.
