How to Cut Business Postage Costs

To be a profitable entity, a small business must keep a tight rein on the cost of operations. Eliminating wasteful spending is a key factor in the difference between success and failure. The expense of postage is a great place to cut spending because you can learn to manage costs. With a few simple changes in procedure, a small business can reduce postage costs dramatically.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Printer
• Tape measure
• Postal scale
• Shipping supplies

1. Discontinue paying customer expenses. Customers are able to supply their own envelopes and postage. When invoicing, providing customers with a return envelope, especially a postage-paid one, is expensive and unnecessary.

2. Take advantage of the Internet. Handle correspondence primarily through email. The speed is far more efficient and less costly than regular mail, and you have an electronic copy if you ever need one. This reduces paper handling and office supply costs as well.

3. Replace paper invoices with electronic billing. Most businesses and many consumers have a computer. Offer paper invoicing only to customers without Internet access.

4. Pay bills electronically. Online bank transfer can accommodate accounts payable. Shop around for a bank or credit union that offers this service to small businesses free of charge.

5. Eliminate unnecessary trips to the post office. Purchase a tape measure and a postal scale. Print mailing labels at your place of business and call for pickup.

6. Utilize discount direct mailing services. Bulk mail is not just for big businesses! Sending flyers with discounted postage directly to consumers is a great way to reduce mailing costs and get the most out of advertising dollars. Inquire about bulk mailing requirements at your local post office.

7. Shop around when shipping overnight or oversize packages. Rates can vary between different carrier services. The good news is they all want your business! Sometimes a simple inquiry phone call can result in a price discount offer.

Resources

• U.S. Postal Service
• DHL Global
• Federal Express
• UPS

[rhettaa]

on 11/21/2008 Good advice! A great resource for this subject is the "Postage" section under "USPS" at thINKplaza:
http://thinkplaza.lessonstudio.ca/index.php?TREE=14016