Anyone care about the environmental impact of direct mail?

I agree - direct mail can be so wasteful.

The problem came to my attention recently when my local council sent out hundreds of paper flyers thanking people for recycling! Oh dear.

I'm currently working as an online copywriter so the environmental issues of direct mail doesn't affect me in the workplace but I still get the mail myself.

I'm sure it's an issue affecting lots of freelancers, whatever profession.

Did you come up with any solutions to the problem after your article went out?

Alex

We can't do everything possible to save the planet, but we can help. I opt-in to e-shots as opposed to mail shots. At the same time, I sent out post too. I reduce my mail-shots and ask potential clients which format they would prefer. If they go with postal, I make sure what I get out there is all in one package. Product offerings, brochure, business card, etc. If they choose e-mail, I send the same but in electronical format.

At any point if the client requests postal format of anything, including invoices, I give them the option again of postal or electronical. If they previously were electronical but want something postal I manage to slip in my business card within the package.

At this time, I'm trying to make the transition of stopping my paper statements which is going well so far - but I haven't stopped them as of yet. I will eventually. I'm just getting into the habit of downloading my statements.

At the end of the day though, I'm just one. If a client asked for paper anything I would tell them I can get it to them electronical but if they insisted on postal, the client gets what they want.

Thanks for the thoughts on this one. I think that you are right about e-mail, we all get so many e-mails now that there is the option that your marketing can be perceived as spam (even for existing customers). You are right also in that there will always be people and customers who prefer to hold the information in their hand.