Bulk mail

Bulk mail, also known as direct mail or advertising mail, refers to unsolicited physical mail sent to a large audience, typically for marketing or advertising purposes. The defining characteristic of bulk mail is its distribution to a large number of recipients, often targeting specific demographics or geographic locations based on marketing data. Postal services often offer discounted rates for bulk mail due to the economies of scale involved in processing and delivering large quantities of mail.

To qualify as bulk mail, the sender must typically meet certain requirements set by the postal service, such as minimum volume thresholds, standardization of mailpiece dimensions, and pre-sorting by zip code. These requirements help to streamline the postal service's processing and delivery operations.

Bulk mail can take various forms, including postcards, flyers, catalogs, brochures, and personalized letters. It is a common marketing tactic used by businesses, non-profit organizations, and political campaigns to reach potential customers, members, or voters.

While bulk mail can be an effective way to reach a large audience, it is often criticized for being wasteful and contributing to environmental pollution. The low response rates associated with bulk mail can also make it a less efficient marketing method compared to digital channels. Furthermore, many recipients view bulk mail as junk mail and discard it without reading, leading to concerns about its effectiveness and sustainability. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more targeted and personalized direct mail campaigns, as well as a shift towards digital marketing channels, in response to these concerns.