It became such a problem that I had to do something about it.
I wanted an easy system that didn't require someone to type out all of the addresses into a spreadsheet. I also didn't want someone to have to look up countless addresses in 10 different excel files.
We needed a way to spend the minimum amount of time possible on each mail piece and automate as much of the process as possible.
After a lot of trial and error, we created the exact system we set out to create.
Up until now, this system has not been shared with anyone outside of our company.
But, I know a ton of people could save time and money with access to this tool. For that reason, I decided to make it available to everyone.
Here is how the entire process works…
1. You order mail through whatever mail house you typically use
2. After the mail is sent, you request that the mail house provide you the data file for the list.
Note: When you submit a list to the mail house, the mail house adds additional data to your list. This data is required for mailing purposes. The mail house can easily email you the file with the additional data included (all you have to do is ask). My mailhouse sends it automatically each week.
3. You paste the list they send you into my returned mail tool.
4. When you get returned mail, you will scan the barcode on the mail piece with a scan gun.
5. Copy the list of barcodes into the returned mail tool and run the program
The tool will then go through all of your mailings and find the ones that were returned. Once it finds the returned mailers, it will make a list that only contains the returned mail.
You can then send the list to be batch skip traced.
You get updated addresses.
You profit (and save money)
It’s that simple.
Here is the entire process in a diagram: