The International Postal Working Party, chaired by Peter Regis of Reed Business Information promotes best practice and identifies areas in international postal distribution where improvements can be made.
International address formatting is one of these areas.........
Address formatting is an extremely important issue but most publishers are unaware of just how essential it is to get it right. Incorrect addressing formatting has always been a concern, but automation in countries like US and Europe has amplified the problem. Mail is even more likely to be rejected by an automatic sorter, if the address does not contain the correct information or right postcodes. Even those that are partly right could incur delay by having to go through an additional sortation process.
Acceptance
1. The first step is for publishers to be made aware of the problems and recognise the importance of correct address formatting. Subscriber complaints, late receipt or non-delivered magazines could be caused by poor addressing.
Postcodes are critical
2. Something as simple as a required field for postcodes in an online subscription form could make all the difference.
Take advantage of the resources available
3. The Mail Consolidators Association have identified several useful resources including a guide to worldwide address formatting which is the most comprehensive available.The updated 2004 version of this guide is available for purchase from World-Vu Publications, addressformats@worldvu.com Information in the print edition can be found on the web and purchase of the hard copy gives publishers access to the web pages as well.
4. International address management software is available for via Quick Address (www.qas.com) and Capscan (www.capscan.com). These provide reliable information for the most common destinations.
Check your data
5. Those buying lists need to be educated about the quality of list data.
Fulfilment
6. Ask your fulfilment operators what systems are in place to promote correct addressing.
Click here to download MCA tips for international mailing
Top 3 problem areas for international mailing
October/November 2004
-Switzerland
-France
-Eire/Singapore
December/January 2005
-France
-Italy/Mexico
-Eire/Singapore
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