January 2008 Issue
Kheng Chow Consulting LLC
P. 646.522.9346
F. 646.328.3167
info@KhengChowConsulting.com
www.KhengChowConsulting.com
P. 646.522.9346
F. 646.328.3167
info@KhengChowConsulting.com
www.KhengChowConsulting.com
| DataHealth News |
TM
Is the returned mail piling up from all of your year-end appeals?
That’s a sign of lost opportunities to connect with
your constituents and wasted money!
Did you know that over 44 million Americans change addresses annually? The US Postal
Service (USPS) estimates that upwards of 10% of all mail is undeliverable because of
incorrect addresses. This becomes a major challenge for organizations like yours to stay
connected with donors. A lapse in communication with donors will mean a long road to
recovering the relationship you once had.
What is the solution? Get your list of active donors and prospects "NCOA’d". NCOA
stands for National Change of Address and is a service provided by companies licensed with
the US Post Office. An NCOA will update your constituent records with current addresses for
individuals or businesses that have moved in the last 48 months (4 years) and filed a Change
of Address Notice with the post office. Many mail houses can perform an NCOA for your
organization or you can contact one of the companies below.
www.lortondata.com www.ncoasource.com www.nationalchangeofaddress.com
NCOA is a very affordable way to keep your database healthy and your mailing lists
performing well with higher response rates.
*Starting November 23rd, 2008, the US Post Office will require all addresses on all automation
discount rate and presort rate First-Class Mail must be updated within 185 days before the
mailing date with a USPS-approved method. Click here for complete details
(NCOA is one of the approved methods)
The NCOA update process will require an export file from your database sent to the mail
house. Once the list is returned to you with correct addresses, a constituent import will be
necessary to update your records in your database.
While NCOA is a recommended solution, we also have to realize that not every American
reports their change of address to the US Post Office. In order to minimize the risk of losing
touch with donors, continuously ask for changes of address on your membership renewal
forms and other mailings.
Finally, for those records that you just can’t locate a new address for, you should mark them
as having "No Valid Address” and keep them suppressed from future mailings.
Ever wonder why a piece of mail gets returned when the address is confirmed to
be correct?
The post office might have returned it due to bad address formatting. Follow USPS standard
abbreviations to ensure the highest deliverability. Making it easier for the post office clerk will
save you money!
Commonly used: Street, Avenue, Road, Drive, Apartment #, Suite, Basement
USPS Standards: St, Ave, Rd, Dr, Apt, Ste, Bsmt
Click here for full list of USPS standard abbreviations
Start saving money today!
That’s a sign of lost opportunities to connect with
your constituents and wasted money!
Did you know that over 44 million Americans change addresses annually? The US Postal
Service (USPS) estimates that upwards of 10% of all mail is undeliverable because of
incorrect addresses. This becomes a major challenge for organizations like yours to stay
connected with donors. A lapse in communication with donors will mean a long road to
recovering the relationship you once had.
What is the solution? Get your list of active donors and prospects "NCOA’d". NCOA
stands for National Change of Address and is a service provided by companies licensed with
the US Post Office. An NCOA will update your constituent records with current addresses for
individuals or businesses that have moved in the last 48 months (4 years) and filed a Change
of Address Notice with the post office. Many mail houses can perform an NCOA for your
organization or you can contact one of the companies below.
www.lortondata.com www.ncoasource.com www.nationalchangeofaddress.com
NCOA is a very affordable way to keep your database healthy and your mailing lists
performing well with higher response rates.
*Starting November 23rd, 2008, the US Post Office will require all addresses on all automation
discount rate and presort rate First-Class Mail must be updated within 185 days before the
mailing date with a USPS-approved method. Click here for complete details
(NCOA is one of the approved methods)
The NCOA update process will require an export file from your database sent to the mail
house. Once the list is returned to you with correct addresses, a constituent import will be
necessary to update your records in your database.
While NCOA is a recommended solution, we also have to realize that not every American
reports their change of address to the US Post Office. In order to minimize the risk of losing
touch with donors, continuously ask for changes of address on your membership renewal
forms and other mailings.
Finally, for those records that you just can’t locate a new address for, you should mark them
as having "No Valid Address” and keep them suppressed from future mailings.
Ever wonder why a piece of mail gets returned when the address is confirmed to
be correct?
The post office might have returned it due to bad address formatting. Follow USPS standard
abbreviations to ensure the highest deliverability. Making it easier for the post office clerk will
save you money!
Commonly used: Street, Avenue, Road, Drive, Apartment #, Suite, Basement
USPS Standards: St, Ave, Rd, Dr, Apt, Ste, Bsmt
Click here for full list of USPS standard abbreviations
Start saving money today!