What is EDDM? Every Door Direct Mail Explained for Local Businesses

If you run a local service business and you have never heard of EDDM, you are about to learn about one of the most cost-effective ways to reach customers in your neighborhood.

EDDM in Plain English

EDDM stands for Every Door Direct Mail. It is a program run by the United States Postal Service that lets businesses send mail -- postcards, flyers, menus -- to every household on a specific postal carrier route.

The key difference from regular direct mail: you do not need a mailing list. You do not need names or addresses. You pick the neighborhoods you want to reach, and the USPS delivers your piece to every single door on that route.

How Many Homes Can You Reach?

Each carrier route typically covers between 400 and 1,200 homes. Most businesses target multiple routes at once. A typical EDDM mailing reaches about 5,000 households -- that is every home in a specific section of your city.

What Makes Shared EDDM Different?

Traditional EDDM means you design and mail your own piece. That works, but the cost adds up fast when you factor in design, printing, and postage for 5,000 pieces.

Shared EDDM mailers solve this problem. Instead of mailing your own postcard, your business gets an ad spot on a professionally designed card alongside other non-competing local businesses. Everyone shares the cost of printing and postage.

The result: you reach 5,000 homes for a fraction of what a solo mailer would cost.

The One-Per-Category Rule

This is the most important part. On every shared EDDM card, only one business per category is allowed. If you are a plumber, no other plumber is on your card. If you are an HVAC company, no other HVAC company competes with you on that same piece of mail.

When a homeowner looks at the card, your business is the only option in your category. No comparison shopping. No competitor ads next to yours.

Who Should Use EDDM?

EDDM works best for businesses that serve a specific geographic area:

• HVAC companies
• Plumbers and electricians
• Roofers
• Pest control companies
• Restaurants and pizza shops
• Dentists and chiropractors
• Auto repair shops
• Landscaping companies
• Real estate and insurance agents

If your customers live in a specific area and you want them to know you exist, EDDM is one of the best tools available.

How Much Does It Cost?

With shared EDDM mailers, the cost depends on the size of your ad spot. There are three sizes available -- small, medium, and large -- each at a different price point. Contact us for current availability and details.

How to Get Started

Getting on a shared EDDM mailer is simple:

• Check if your business category is available in your city
• Reserve your spot (first come, first served)
• Submit your artwork or let us help with design
• We handle printing and USPS delivery
• Your ad reaches 5,000 homes