How Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) Works and How it Can Generate Revenue

If you’ve ever wondered what “EDDM” is, you’re not alone. EDDM stands for Every Door Direct Mail, and it can help you supercharge your marketing results.

Many small businesses explore their options in direct mail marketing because it offers a simple, affordable way to get their brand in front of an entire neighborhood quickly. In this guide, we’ll answer these questions:

• What is Every Door Direct Mail?
• How does EDDM work?
• How much does EDDM cost?
• Does EDDM work for today’s businesses?

In the end, you can decide if this particular type of direct mail fits your unique goals for generating revenue and growing your business.

What Is Every Door Direct Mail?

Every Door Direct Mail is a mailing service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that lets you send marketing mail to every address in a chosen neighborhood or postal route. Instead of addressing each mailer individually, you simply pick the carrier routes where you want your message delivered, and USPS handles the rest.

So when people ask, “What is EDDM mailing?” the short answer is: a cost-effective way to blanket a geographic area with your postcards, menus, flyers, newsletters, coupons, or promotions—without needing a mailing list.

How Does EDDM Work?

The beauty of this direct mail marketing method is simplicity. Here’s how Every Door Direct Mail works, step-by-step:

• Choose your target area.
  Select the neighborhoods or carrier routes you want to reach. This lets you focus on ZIP codes or high-value areas near your business.
• Finalize the design of your mail piece.
  EDDM requires certain sizes which are usually flat postcards or large-format mailers, so make sure your design is accepted. Keep in mind that bigger postcards stand out more in a mailbox.
• Address and mail your postcards.

If you are working with a professional like us, you won’t have to worry about printing, addressing, and mailing your postcards. If you don’t let a mail provider do this labor for you, you can print, bundle, and drop off your cards at the nearest USPS center. Keep in mind that printing and addressing is time consuming and allows for errors. PostcardMania has quality control specialists and special partnerships with the USPS that make the process fast, easy, and high-quality, so that no mailers are wasted on poor addresses.

What qualifies a mailing for EDDM services?

To take advantage of the special postage discount, your EDDM postcards campaign must meet specific criteria:

• EDDM sizes — your postcard must be taller than 6.125” or longer than 11.5” and smaller than 12”x15”.
• You must mail only to zip codes in USPS door-to-door routes (we can tell you if they are)
• Your mailing must be at least 200 pieces AND at least one complete carrier route (So a mailing of 200 that only covers 70% of one route would not qualify, nor would a mailing of 58 that covers an entire route)
• You may only mail 5,000 EDDM postcards per day

If you and your marketing consultant decide that EDDM is right for your business, we will make sure all of these criteria are met!

How Much Does EDDM Cost?

One of the biggest advantages of the program is affordability. If you’re wondering how much EDDM costs, here’s the breakdown:

The cost of EDDM postage ranges from $0.24-$0.30 per piece, depending on whether or not it is drop shipped. After all is said and done, the postage savings can reach up to 20 cents per piece, which can add up fast when you’re sending thousands of postcards.

Does EDDM Work?

The big question every business asks: Does EDDM work?

Yes—when used strategically, EDDM works particularly well for:

• Local service-based businesses in the home services industries (plumbers, roofers, landscapers)
• Restaurants offering menus or coupons
• Real estate agents promoting listings
• Gyms, salons, and medical offices
• New business announcements or grand openings

Because EDDM targets entire neighborhoods, it’s perfect when geography matters more than demographics. High-visibility oversized postcards also tend to get more attention than digital ads that can be scrolled past in seconds.

The businesses that see the best results are those that:

• Include a clear offer like a discount, free item, or special event invitation
• Target routes with the right income level or home type that fits their particular audience
• Schedule consistent mailings instead of one-time mailer blasts
• Match mail timing with relevant seasons, needs, or events

Used wisely, EDDM can deliver strong results, high return on investment, and consistent local awareness.

Key Factors to Keep in Mind When You Choose EDDM

Timing will be a factor when you select EDDM. The USPS estimates the delivery time for standard direct mail to be 3-10 days, but it’s not guaranteed. Your mail will arrive 3 days at the earliest and 14 days at the latest.

Also, remember that ALL the address on the route or in the zip code will receive a mailer, so if there are any addresses that don’t fit your targeting criteria, they will still get one, and you’ll be wasting a postcard on that particular address.

However, the savings you gain from EDDM still likely outweigh the couple of postcards that may go to an address that isn’t as interested in your services.

Why Should You Choose EDDM?

If you want to reach homeowners or local consumers without buying a specific mailing list, EDDM is one of the simplest marketing tools available. So, do you feel EDDM is right for your business? We can get you started!

PostcardMania has experienced graphic designers to create a postcard design for you and can also handle all the complexities of printing, addressing, and mailing according to USPS standards.

Schedule a call with one of our EDDM expert marketing consultants today!