ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT: THE ART OF ADVOCACY
Point-of-view: Done well, account managers function as the client’s in-house advocate. They are their voice pushing for faster speeds, lower costs, more impact, and better results.

TESTING: SUBSTITUTING FACT FOR SPECULATION
Point-of-view: Testing is a continuous improvement process that replaces judgment with fact. It is the one direct marketing mantra that can’t be repeated often enough and that rewards devoted practitioners consistently and reliably.

WE FOUND YOU! A SHORT COURSE IN DATA & LIST SELECTION
Point-of-view: List selection and data mining are processes of identifying “look-alikes” and integrating messaging with audience characteristics and motivations.

NON-DELIVERABLE MAIL: PHANTOM PROSPECTS, REAL COSTS
Point-of-view: Reducing non-deliverable mail is the same as increasing response.

DIRECT MAIL STRATEGIES THAT WORK
Point-of-view: The single most important aspect of planning any direct mail effort because it examines all the critical elements of list, offer, competitive set, audience segments and creative in combination rather than isolation.

EIGHT MARKETING TRUISMS FOR A TOUGH ECONOMY
Point-of-view: Times are tough, which means it's time to re-assess your marketing efforts to stay competitive in your industry. This article will help you to navigate these difficult economic times – or spur some ideas of your own.

HOW WILL THE NEW USPS POSTAL RATES IMPACT YOU?
Point-of-view: The U.S. Postal Service has approved new postal rates, including a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class stamp to 44 cents. The new prices will go into effect May 11, 2009.

Helpful direct marketing related websites

http://www.dbmarketing.com/articles/Art143.htm - Glossary of Direct Marketing Terms.

http://www.directmag.com - Direct Magazine: A wealth of solid editorial content; free online or print subscriptions available.

http://www.dmnews.com - DM News: solid content, also free online and print versions available.

http://www.envelope.org - The Envelope Manufacturers Association

http://www.flexography.org - Flexographic Technical Association

http://www.gracol.org - General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography

http://www.gain.net - Graphic Arts Information Network (GAIN)/Printing Industry of America (PIA)

http://www.gammag.com - Graphic Arts Monthly

http://www.highbeam.com - Highbeam Research: A good place to research products, competitors, audience segments and so forth. Paid subscription required.

http://www.mfsanet.org - Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association

http://www.marketingsherpa.com - Marketing Sherpa: A great source for research, white papers and lots more; free 6-month trial memberships.

http://www.mdma.org - Midwest Direct Marketing Association

http://www.napl.org - National Association for Printing Leadership

http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html - Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System Search. Allows you to search for OSHA’s SIC Codes based on category.

http://www.piworld.com - Printing Impressions

http://www.theprintcouncil.org - The Print Council

http://www.pimn.org - Printing Industry of Minnesota

http://www.postcom.org - Information on the postal industry – rates, etc.

http://www.sspp.org - Society for Service Professionals in Printing

http://www.targetmarketingmag.com - Target Marketing Magazine

http://www.the-dma.org - Direct Marketing Association - significant information pertaining to all aspects of the direct marketing industry

http://www.the-dma.org/whitepapers/ - Direct Marketing Association, White Papers: DMA members can access, generally without additional cost.

http://www.usps.com - Get shipping rates, buy stamps, print postage, track a package, and look up a ZIP Code. Find the mailing products and services you need at USPS.com.

http://www.whattheythink.com - What They Think

http://www.whosmailingwhat.com - “Who’s Mailing What?” Billed as the world’s largest swipe file. Fees required for viewing readable samples.