Choose carrier routes with the USPS EDDM tool, print a qualifying postcard or flyer, bundle and drop off at the post office; USPS delivers to every address on those routes.

Local, geo-based businesses such as restaurants, contractors, gyms, retailers, and real estate agents benefit most.

How much does EDDM cost?

Postage is commonly around $0.20–$0.25 per piece, plus printing and design.

What Is Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)? | A Beginner’s Guide for Local Businesses.

Q: What is Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)?

EDDM is a USPS program that lets businesses mail promotional pieces to every address on selected carrier routes—no list required.

By Advising IQ · October 5, 2025

This article is Part 1 of a 6-Part Series on Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) marketing. In this first post, we’ll explore how local businesses can reach nearby homes affordably using real-world USPS route data.

Every Door Direct Mail overview — EDDM puts your offer in every mailbox along selected postal routes.

When you’re looking for affordable ways to reach new customers in your community, digital advertising isn’t your only option. Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a service from USPS that makes it easy for small businesses to put postcards, flyers, and mailers directly into local mailboxes—without needing an expensive mailing list.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain what EDDM is, how it works, the benefits for small businesses, and how you can get started.

What Is Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)?

EDDM marketing is a program from the United States Postal Service that allows businesses to send promotional mailers to every address along a chosen mail carrier route.

Instead of paying for individual addresses or managing a complicated customer database, you simply:

Select your target neighborhood or ZIP code
Design a qualifying mail piece (postcard, flyer, or menu)
Drop off your bundles at the post office

From there, USPS delivers your piece into every mailbox along the route.

Put simply: EDDM is one of the easiest, most affordable ways for local businesses to run a direct mail campaign.

How Does EDDM Work?

Wondering how EDDM works in practice? Here’s a quick step-by-step overview:

Choose Carrier Routes – Use the USPS EDDM Online Tool to select neighborhoods or carrier routes that fit your target audience.
Design & Print Your Mailers – Create a postcard or flyer that meets USPS size and design requirements.
Bundle & Drop Off – Group your mailers into stacks, add facing slips, and drop them off at your local post office.
USPS Delivers – Your mail piece arrives in every residential and business mailbox on the selected routes.

Example: A local pizzeria can target about 800 addresses for roughly $200 and deliver a “Buy One, Get One Free” coupon to every home within driving distance for about ~$0.25 per address — approximately a 66% discount off the current first-class postage rate of $0.78 per address.

Example of EDDM postage cost in Pflugerville (route shows ~809 mailpieces at approximately $199.82) — EDDM route example in Pflugerville: ~809 mailpieces, approx. $199.82.

Benefits of EDDM for Small Businesses

Direct mail has been around for decades, but EDDM offers unique advantages for small, local businesses. See the official USPS EDDM FAQ for program basics and eligibility.

Affordable Pricing

Unlike traditional mailers, EDDM doesn’t require you to buy or rent a mailing list. Postage is also discounted compared to first-class mail, making it budget-friendly.

Simple Targeting

Instead of worrying about customer names or addresses, you can target by neighborhood. Just pick carrier routes where your ideal customers live, and USPS handles the rest.

High Visibility

Unlike digital ads that can be ignored or skipped, a physical mail piece is delivered to every mailbox. Even if someone doesn’t redeem your offer immediately, your brand has visibility in their home.

Perfect for Local Marketing

Restaurants, gyms, contractors, real estate agents, and retail stores can all benefit. If your business depends on local customers, EDDM is a natural fit.

Who Should Use EDDM?

EDDM works best for geo-based businesses that want to build awareness in a specific community. Industries that benefit most include:

Restaurants and pizzerias
Retail shops and boutiques
Gyms, fitness centers, and wellness clinics
Local contractors and home service providers
Real estate agents and property managers

If your business thrives on foot traffic or service calls within a defined radius, EDDM can deliver strong results.

EDDM vs. Other Marketing Options

You may be wondering how EDDM compares to digital marketing tools like Google Ads or Facebook Ads. A useful comparison from HubSpot shows why pairing direct mail with digital often improves response rates. Here’s the breakdown:

Google/Facebook Ads: Fast to launch and highly targeted, but competition is high and costs can climb quickly.
Email Marketing: Cheap and trackable, but inboxes are crowded and many emails go unopened.
SEO: Builds long-term visibility and authority, but requires time and ongoing investment.

EDDM sits in between — it’s affordable, visible, and doesn’t require a lot of technical know-how. The best approach is often combining EDDM with digital campaigns for maximum reach.

Getting Started with EDDM

Ready to test EDDM? Here are a few tips (and a quick primer from USPS): USPS Delivers: EDDM Overview.

Use the USPS EDDM Online Tool to explore routes and costs in your area.
Start small with one or two carrier routes to measure response.
Keep your design simple, with a strong offer (discount, free trial, or limited-time promotion).
Track results with a coupon code, call tracking number, or landing page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a mailing list to use EDDM?

No. EDDM targets carrier routes, so you don’t need to purchase or maintain a list of individual addresses.

How much does EDDM usually cost?

Postage is typically around $0.20–$0.25 per piece, plus printing and design. Total cost depends on the size of your mailer and volume.

How fast will my mailers be delivered?

After drop-off and acceptance, delivery is usually within a few business days on the selected routes (timing can vary by location and USPS volume).

What’s the best first step?

Start small with one or two routes, run a single strong offer, and track responses via a unique promo code or QR-linked landing page.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee specific outcomes. Results vary by industry, competition, offer, creative, and execution.