Help using USPS.com - Posted by randyOH

import · February 19, 2004, 5:17pm

Posted by randyOH on February 20, 2004 at 16:55:12:

Mike,
Please send me your templates.
Thanks,
Randy

import · February 19, 2004, 5:17pm

Posted by randyOH on February 19, 2004 at 18:17:58:

I have seen several references to USPS.com in regards to a simple and inexpensive way to send out postcards.

I find this site extremely difficult to use. I can’t seem to get to first base. I wonder if someone here could give me some pointers.

First, where do you start from the homepage? I am just trying to create a simple black and white postcard to send to a mailing list that I will create myself.

One possibility is USPS.com/directmail. I have seen this link mentioned in a previous posting. But it is just an online course about direct mail. It does not seem to provide any options for actually mailing out postcards on their site.

Another choice involves being referred to a private mailing service by the name of mailingonline.postedigital. I did connect to their website and they do seem to offer the service, but they are not the USPS at all. This makes me wonder if I am even on the right page. Is this the right website?

I did set up an account with this service but ran into a problem when I tried to create my postcard. When I tried to download a template, I got an error message saying something to the effect that my browser (IE 6.0) could not download the template.

I have not been able to get past this step in the process. Can anyone here help? Did I end up at the right website from USPS.com? Or did I select the wrong link on the USPS.com site?

If I did end up in the right place, can anyone advise me on how to download the postcard template?

You guys that say this is an easy way to send out postcards have got to be kidding.

import · February 19, 2004, 5:51pm

Re: Help using USPS.com - Posted by Kevin IL

Posted by Kevin IL on February 19, 2004 at 18:51:48:

Randy,

the USPS site is a bit difficult to navigate at first. The online mailing is provided by a third party and you were in the right place. The hardest part is setting up your account and creating your first campaign. After that it is very easy and efficient way to do mailings (and cost effective).

You will need to download the template. It’s been awhile since I did this but it should work. Make sure you don;'t have a pop up blocker, that could cause download problems. As for your browser, IE 6 should be compatible. That’s about all the more help I can offer. Stick with it, once you figure it out it really is slick.

P.S. When doing a mailing, always send yourself a postcard. This way you’ll know the mailing was successfull.

import · February 19, 2004, 6:01pm

Re: Help using USPS.com - Posted by randyOH

Posted by randyOH on February 19, 2004 at 19:01:12:

Kevin,
Thanks, that helps me a bit. At least I know I am on the right page. And I do need to download a template, right?

Could you also tell me how you create your mailing list? If you use Excel, do you just list the names and addresses in one column with a space between each one? Or is there some kind of special formatting involved?

Thanks,
Randy

import · February 19, 2004, 6:39pm

Re: Help using USPS.com - Posted by Big Slick

Posted by Big Slick on February 19, 2004 at 19:39:24:

I am a wiz with the usps site

All you have to do to set up the mailing list is use an Excel spreadsheet. Set up the header (the first row) with the titles you want i.e. Name , Address , City , State , Zip.

It is really easy once you get it set up. I had problems when I first started using it with the template as it is a word document and at the time I only had works. If you experience other problems just send the customer service an email. They are good help.

-Matt

import · February 19, 2004, 8:08pm

Re: Help using USPS.com - Posted by randyOH

Posted by randyOH on February 19, 2004 at 21:08:32:

Thanks, are these five items in separate columns? Do you skip a space after each entry?

import · February 20, 2004, 7:34am

Re: Help using USPS.com - Posted by Kevin IL

Posted by Kevin IL on February 20, 2004 at 08:34:02:

I use excel also. No need for spaces, just set up each column as instructed. For example in cell A1 type Name, cell A2 type Address…etc etc.

Then type in a few names and adresses and save the document. When you do the actual mailing you’ll merge this spreadsheet with the mailing template and automatically generate a postcard mailing.

import · February 20, 2004, 8:58am

Re: (USPS) Want Templates? - Posted by Mike Cerni (IL)

Posted by Mike Cerni (IL) on February 20, 2004 at 09:58:21:

I’d be glad to send/e-mail anyone the postcard and an old mailing list. This is much easier than figuring it out on your own. Keep in mind that the Excel file has to be saved as a comma seperated value file. (.csv) This is very important.

import · February 23, 2004, 8:24am

Re: (USPS) Want Templates? - Posted by Jim (NJ)

Posted by Jim (NJ) on February 23, 2004 at 09:24:08:

Mike,
I am also having difficulty with the USPS site. Would you please send me your postcard template and list.
Many thanks in advance
Jim