How do I start a national campaign?

[Zeke]

When I read this, I though it was brilliant. And to think that I've never really thought about this.

Originally posted by Rondinone
When we get junk mail, I remove the part with my name, tear the rest of it up and send it back in the prepaid envelope.

The USPS would reap a bonanza in return mail and the senders would suffer greatly if millions did this. They expect about one half of a percent in replies. At bulk rate for each envelope sent back, thier profits would tank if even 10% shot back a worthless envelope.

I'm all for promoting this.

[motion]

Best way: Create a simple, one-page website explaining the campaign. Then start a virul email. Email it to everyone you know and ask them to forward to everyone they know. It'll be all over the country within a few days. Put a counter on the site, too. Would be interesting to see how many hits it would get.

I think its a brilliant idea.

[VaSteve]

I have done that in the past. It is kinda fun.
It's better if you open ALL your junk mail, mix it into a pile and pick out random handfuls and send it back.
They also like it if you send them meat. Get some Oscar Meyer out of the fridge and slip in inside. By the time it gets there....hooo boy.

OK, I have had too much sugar. Signing off.

[djmcmath]

One of my teachers in high school used to paste the pre-paid mailers to a brick which he dropped in the mail. That was a lot more expensive than paying for the postage on a few scraps of paper!

Dan

(Oh, and bricks cost money, too, though...)

[speeder]

Oh my God, you guys are funny. Oscar Meyer.

[DonDavis]

I've sent back LOTS of junk mail that way but the meat thing has me inspired.

Maybe some nice cheese or fish....

[BGCarrera32]

I got rear ended in my Honda on Monday night. Smacked it all up in the back.

Wednesday afternoons mail included 2 letters offering legal services, 1 post card offering legal services, and 1 larger postcard offering Chiropractic and wellness care...

[jrdavid68]

I think your campaign has just begun!

I'm not alone!!! My wife thinks I'm a geek for doing that. Every piece of junk mail that comes in with a pre-paid envelope gets sent out. If it's a legitimate credit card offer or the like, I always very clearly void the application area, circle the address and ask that it be removed from their mailing lists.

For the others, I too remove the name and address information and stuff it full with whatever they sent me (including the envelope it came in cut up to fit) plus what ever other advertising etc. might be close just to give it more weight. The USPS has got to love me!

Whenever I am on the phone with a co. that I have an account with, I always ask to make sure that my account is tagged that I don’t want to receive offers etc. I also have the address at home somewhere that you can send a note to in order to get yourself off junk mail lists – this is something one needs to do every few years. Our junk mail had been reduced to only a few pieces a month. Now, in the last three years we have purchased a house and re-fi’d twice, purchased a couple new cars and my wife has started a sole proprietorship, needless to say, the junk mail volume had significantly increased!

[djmcmath]

Zeke,
You'd be proud of me -- I just stuff a credit card application back into the pre-paid mailer with the envelope that it came in. I almost threw it away, then remembered this post. Your campaign has begun!!! Long live Zeke!! Down with the junk mailers!!!

Dan

[jrdavid68]

I've probably sent back three or four in the last couple weeks. We should keep track somehow to see just how much revenue we can generate for our "ailing" USPS.

FJMWDP - Fight Junk Mail World Domination Plot

[pwd72s]

Those annoying cards in magazines? The ones that don't let you turn the page? Tear 'em out, send 'em back...with a written message of how much you "enjoy" the cards. If it's a subscription pitch for the magazine? I usually write: "No thanks, I already subscribe"...then send it back.

[djmcmath]

Awesome -- can I put FJMWDP in my tagline? Finally, part of a WDP!!

[on-ramp]

How about junk catalogs/brochures?

Every day, our mailbox is full with them!!!!

[pwd72s]

Alas, they just go in the recycle pile...unless, of course, they have a "postage paid" order form...

[Leland Pate]

This reminds me of a trick the NRA pulled on some anti-gun lobby groups. They had NRA members from all over request information from the groups and the mass influx of postage actually delt a death blow to whatever group was spending money to mail bookelts.

Don't remember where I heard that from...