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The Daily Insight

What is a good response rate for a direct mail campaign?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Published Feb 15, 2026

Normal Rates of Return on Direct Mail Campaigns 5 to 2% return rate is about average for a direct mail marketing campaign. That means that you can expect around 1 or 2 purchases or responses per 100 mailers with a standard campaign.

How do I find my direct mail response rate?

To determine your response rate, you simply count up the number of responses the mailing generates, then divide by the quantity mailed. For example: 100 responses divided by 5,000 pieces mailed = 2% response rate.

What is the average ROI on direct mail?

29%
According to a recent study from DMA, the median Direct mail ROI is 29%. Only seriously outpaced by email (124%), that return places direct mail as better than or virtually equal to popular digital channels like social media (30%), paid search (24%), and online display (16%).

How do I increase my direct mail response rate?

So, without further ado, let’s begin.

  1. Make Your Envelope Large AND Unique.
  2. Create a Prospect List Using the Right Resources.
  3. Keep Your Designs Consistent.
  4. Make Your Response Coupons Bigger.
  5. Sell Benefits, Not Features.
  6. Create a Simple-To-Understand (and Tempting) Offer.
  7. Make the Value that You’re Offering Clear.

What percentage of direct mail is opened?

90%
Up to 90% of direct mail gets opened, compared to only 20-30% of emails.

How do I track a direct mail campaign?

There are two things you can do to make tracking really easy:

  1. Use a dedicated phone line and/or URL/landing page. That way you know that 100 percent of the leads/orders came in from your direct-mail campaign.
  2. Put a tracking code or coupon on the mailing piece.

How do I track EDDM?

Step 1: Search for Routes Use the EDDM® Online Tool to search for neighborhoods where your customers live. Then, use the filters to target customers by specific demographics such as age, household size, and income. Enter an address, city/state, or ZIP Code™ to begin your search.

What is the best day for direct mail to arrive?

The best days to send your direct mail campaign is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Delivering your campaign between Tuesday and Thursday is considered to be the most favourable time frame because recipients are well into the flow of the workweek and are likely to be going home that night.

Is direct mail still effective in 2021?

“With COVID-19 still raging and many knowledge workers continuing to work from home, direct mail will have a banner year in 2021 and will be the most powerful tool for getting on the radar of prospects who have become digitally overwhelmed with an onslaught of sales email and Linkedin messages.”

Is direct mail Dead?

But here’s the truth: Direct mail is NOT dead. Direct mail is actually getting MORE response from consumers than any other marketing method — including online ads and email, even though it may seem like an ancient form of marketing.

How effective are direct mailers?

In its response rate report, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) analyzed Bizo and Epsilon data and found that direct mail achieves a 4.4% response rate, compared to 0.12% for email. Overall, the DMA found that direct mail’s response rates are actually anywhere from 10 to 30 times higher than that of digital.

What is meant by direct marketing?

Direct marketing consists of any marketing that relies on direct communication or distribution to individual consumers, rather than through a third party such as mass media. Mail, email, social media, and texting campaigns are among the delivery systems used.

How long does it take for EDDM to be delivered?

2 to 4 weeks
Q: How long does EDDM® delivery take after I place my order? A: Generally, it takes 2 to 4 weeks from start to finish. As you might expect, your artwork requirements will largely determine how quickly we can print, prepare, and deliver your mail.

How effective is direct mailing?

While direct mail and email marketing campaigns get similar response rates, a recent study found direct mail campaigns generate purchases five times larger than email campaigns. Combining email with direct mail led to the best results of all: purchases six times larger than email alone generated.