There are a host of companies able to help you undertake regular mailings. The advice of list brokers is usually free as the list providers pay their commission.
Direct marketing agencies offer both strategic and practical input and most mailing houses can tackle almost every job related to direct mail from printing, stuffing and mailing to database management.
Many businesses can handle a few hundred or even a couple of thousand mailshots themselves but for large mailings, it is usually sensible to use a mailing house.
The fee should not include any mark-up on postage and you can ask for a Postal Docket to show proof of postage. For mailings of over 4000 standard letters or 1000 large letters, the Royal Mail Mailsort service offers discounts on postage.
For do-it-yourself mailings, invest in a franking machine or buy boxes of 200 self-adhesive stamps from the Post Office.
The Direct Marketing Association
Tel: 020 7291 3300
Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
Tel: 020 7291 3310
The Mail Media Centre (MMC)
Tel: 0800 917 0640
Royal Mail
Tel: 08457 950 950