1-844-222-4769
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable way to get your brand in front of local customers, Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) might be your best move. This guide to every door direct mail will show you how it works—and why it could be the secret weapon your business needs.
Why Should My Brand Consider EDDM?
EDDM helps businesses saturate entire neighborhoods with postcards, coupons, and promotions—without needing a mailing list. It’s affordable, fast to launch, and built to drive local awareness. You choose the routes. USPS delivers your message to every address.
Whether you’re opening a new location, promoting a seasonal service, or running a local campaign across multiple ZIP codes, EDDM makes it easy to show up in your customers’ mailboxes—and on their radar.
Compared to traditional direct mail, it’s more flexible, more targeted by location, and more budget-friendly.
What Is EDDM?
Every Door Direct Mail is a service from the USPS that lets you send postcards or flyers to every home (and business) on a selected postal route, or multiple routes you choose. It’s designed for businesses that want broad local reach—without the cost or complexity of renting a mailing list.
With Growmail, you can send EDDM campaigns directly from our EDDM Mapping Tool—no permit needed for smaller sends, and no guesswork about where your mail is going.
Who Should Use EDDM?
If your business relies on local customers, EDDM should absolutely be on your radar. Here are a few industries that are already seeing strong results:
| Business Type | How to Use Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) |
|---|---|
| Retail Establishments | Announce grand openings or promotions with discount offers that drive foot traffic. Track redemptions to measure success. |
| Restaurants | Distribute menus, promote limited-time offers, or highlight catering services along key postal routes. |
| Medical Professionals | Introduce your practice to new residents or announce expanded services using maps and consultation offers. |
| Home Services & Contractors | Target local homeowners with seasonal offers for services like lawn care, HVAC maintenance, or pest control. |
| Realtors | Send “Just Listed” campaigns, open house invites, or build trust through repeated brand presence in key ZIP codes. |
| Auto Sales & Services | Announce new model arrivals, dealership expansions, or service offers with maintenance reminders. |
| Political Campaigns | Raise awareness and promote events, rallies, or key issues with personalized messaging and election reminders. |
| Small Local Businesses | Drive in-store traffic with announcements, exclusive discounts, and neighborhood-focused messages. |
| Nonprofit Organizations | Boost event attendance or donations with community-focused mailers that showcase your mission and impact. |
Want more targeted campaigns? You can also explore Targeted Direct Mail for list-based mailings.
Choosing the Right USPS EDDM Option
There are two EDDM options:
- EDDM Retail: Perfect for small businesses sending fewer than 5,000 pieces per ZIP code per day. No special permit needed.
- EDDM BMEU: Ideal for franchises or higher-volume mailers. Requires a USPS mailing permit and drop-off at a business mail entry unit.
Need help deciding which is right for you? Contact our team—we’re happy to walk you through it.
How to Launch a Successful EDDM Campaign
- Set a Clear Goal – Are you trying to increase foot traffic? Promote a sale? Build awareness in a new neighborhood? Having a specific objective makes it easier to design and measure your campaign’s success.
- Pick Your Routes – Use our EDDM Mapping Tool to choose delivery routes based on ZIP code, household type, and other demographics. You can even compare estimated costs by route.Want to target routes that look like your current best customers? Think about age, income, home type, or household size—then match routes accordingly.(And yes, this part is actually kind of fun. It’s like playing matchmaker for your marketing.)
- Design Your Mailer – Your design matters—a lot. Use bold headlines, a strong offer, and an easy-to-spot call-to-action. Make sure the size meets USPS guidelines, and leave space for the address block and indicia (that’s the prepaid postage mark).
- Print, Prep, and Send – Once your design is approved, we handle the rest—from printing to bundling and delivery prep. If you’re sending EDDM Retail, your pieces go directly to the local post office. BMEU campaigns head to regional facilities.Growmail can manage both for you, so you don’t have to worry about paperwork or USPS compliance.
A few best practices:
- Highlight what matters—discounts, event invites, limited-time offers
- Don’t clutter your layout; let your message breathe
- Use high-contrast design and colors to stand out
- Include contact info and a compelling reason to take action
Need a hand? Growmail offers templates and creative support to help you design for success.
Measuring Success
A successful EDDM campaign doesn’t stop at delivery. Track your performance with:
- QR codes or vanity URLs to measure web traffic
- Unique phone numbers or promo codes to track redemptions
- Timed campaigns to see what season or offer performs best
- A/B tests on layout or headline to see what gets more action
Bonus Tip: Combine EDDM with Digital Marketing
Here’s a powerful move: use EDDM alongside digital campaigns. You can show social ads to the same ZIP codes you’re mailing to, send reminder emails before or after delivery, or retarget visitors who scan your QR codes.
Ready to Try EDDM?
Whether you’re a small local business or a national brand looking to boost your local presence, EDDM is one of the most efficient ways to get results without overspending.
Our team makes it easy for you to get started—from route selection and design help to print, prep, and mailing. You focus on the message. We’ll handle the rest.