While the team at Lob can't predict the future, we do know one thing: changes are coming to the USPS. Whether that's regular business cycle adjustments or more significant shifts, we're here to help you navigate any challenges so you can keep your direct mail program stable – and thriving – even during unpredictable times.
So whether you're facing supply chain changes, new regulations, or postage increases, here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of the curve and keep your strategy on track.
The United States Postal Service recently announced service standard changes that will affect First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Marketing Mail, and Package Services. What does that mean for you? Most mail sent through Lob will stay on its current schedule, while a smaller percentage may see delays. Check out the Lob Help Center for up-to-date predicted delivery times for the most popular mail classes.
Want to stay in the loop? Follow USPS and Lob on LinkedIn for the latest updates, insights, and best practices.
The USPS regularly updates its postage pricing. We expect another increase is expected in July 2025. You can build cost resilience into your direct mail program to prepare for these bumps. Lob’s logistics team is always looking for ways to keep costs low so we can give you the best possible product at the best possible rate.
Promotions are a great way to take advantage of discounts on postage, and Lob makes this easy for you. You can take advantage of USPS discounts and promotions in your Lob Dashboard to offset the costs of increases. Current promotions include discounts for:
Bad data equals wasted money. In our recent State of Direct Mail 2025, nearly half of direct mail leaders say they struggle with outdated or incomplete customer data. If your mailing list is full of outdated addresses, you’re throwing away postage on undeliverable mail.
Regularly cleaning and verifying your list ensures your mail gets where it needs to go. Using address verification tools can cut down on returns, and segmenting your audience helps you send the right message to the right people at the right time.
Make your mailings as efficient as possible by targeting customers and prospects most likely to respond to your outreach. Lob Audience can help you refine your lists with geographic, demographic, and retargeting data – or build lookalike audiences that mirror your best buyers.
According to our 2025 State of Direct Mail report, 86% of marketing executives agree that direct mail performs best when integrated with other channels. Mail can effectively integrate with other marketing channels by delivering a tangible message to consumers at the precise moment they are most receptive to taking action. Not only is omnichannel more impactful, but by diversifying your marketing strategy, your campaigns become more resilient to changes within the market or any one channel.
Using direct mail software that seamlessly connects with your existing marketing stack makes it easy to automate, personalize, and track direct mail just like your digital campaigns. Whether you're using a CRM like Salesforce, a marketing automation platform like HubSpot, or a data warehouse, an API-driven mail platform allows you to trigger mail based on customer behavior, integrate with digital touchpoints, and measure performance with real-time tracking.
You can also use Informed Delivery by USPS to create an integrated experience for your audience. Informed Delivery enhances the mail experience by providing its subscribers with a daily email that includes a digital preview of incoming mail.
You may not be able to predict the future plans of the USPS, but you can lean on direct mail partners like Lob to make your program as reliable as possible. Not only does Lob negotiate the best possible production rates to keep your costs low, but our Print Delivery Network (PDN) can also help you overcome logistical challenges like paper shortages and production slowdowns. Instead of relying on a single supplier, the PDN allows you to diversify your options so you’re not left scrambling.
Lob’s flat-rate pricing means you can predict, plan, and budget to maximize ROI. Plus, Lob's team of strategic and technical direct mail pros is always here to help you get the most out of every single send. Want to experience our white-glove service? Talk to our experts about getting started.
Follow this list to make sure you’re set up for success.
