This is a busy time for most – a time to give, a time to celebrate, a time to reflect.
This has been a break-through year at Zairmail. We added to the team to better serve you. We released a new responsive interface, a desktop application, and lots of powerful new features. We set records for volume, turn-around, and reliability.
We have lots more in store for you in 2022 as well.
The thing we are most grateful about is that we get to serve you.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Please accept a big holiday hug from the whole Zairmail team!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS. The Zairmail Team
Zairmail is the fastest, easiest, and most reliable way to send (postal) mail.
Holiday decorations are out on display, there is cheer in the air, and very soon over one billion people will tune-in to see the ball drop in Times Square. There are lots of distractions for business owners over the holidays – personal and professional. If your business is B to B, then December can be […]
Charles McKinley stood penniless, hopeless, and in limbo in New York City. He had come to the northeast from Texas to experience the big city. His job in retail wouldn’t pay the bills, he was living beyond his means, and his girlfriend maxed out his credit cards. Charles was done with NYC and just wanted to go home – now. Still, how could he make the trip without money to travel. He was much too proud to ask others for a handout […]
Determining the right balance between digital and direct marketing can be a challenge for a lot of organizations. Issues can arise, when one form is seen as superior to the other, and half of the mix gets neglected. Businesses are now engaged in a very digital world – digital has become very comfortable. It’s easy […]
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
Charles McKinley stood penniless, hopeless, and in limbo in New York City. He had come to the northeast from Texas to experience the big city. His job in retail wouldn’t pay the bills, he was living beyond his means, and his girlfriend maxed out his credit cards. Charles was done with NYC and just wanted to go home – now. Still, how could he make the trip without money to travel. He was much too proud to ask others for a handout.
That is when Charles hit on a novel idea. He was walking by a church and saw a large create. He had spent some time working as a shipping clerk. He would just ship himself home to Texas. He had a UPS card that would let him pay-off the shipping fees over time.
McKinley called UPS and scheduled a pick-up at the church. Then he separated two loose-fitting boards of wood from the huge crate and wriggled inside head and shoulders first. He wrapped himself in a blanket to stay warm. The church was in a bustling area of Brooklyn, New York. Still, no one noticed the strange incident taking place just outside the church.
One hour later McKinley was lifted into a truck and swooped away to Newark airport by UPS. Fifteen hours and four flights later, McKinley was delivered to his parent’s address 1,500 miles away in DeSoto, Texas. He was very fortunate that he was shipped in a pressurized cargo hold – many are not, and that could have been the end for Charles.
His parents were extremely happy to see him. On the other hand, the UPS driver and the DeSoto police were not as amused. Based on a call from the UPS driver, the DeSoto police arrested McKinley, and charged him with 10 felonies – mostly related to terrorism. His trip raised new concerns about cargo screening. McKinley, hidden in his crate, passed through security twice undetected.
On February 4, 2004, McKinley plead guilty to one charge of “misdemeanor stowaway” and was given four months’ house arrest and a fine of $1,500. The charges that were dropped carried a maximum sentence of 50 years and a fine of up to $100,000. McKinley’s Dad, a Chemical Engineer, also paid $7,000 in restitution to UPS.
It turns out this is a very expensive way to go from NYC to DeSoto that carries a lot of personal risk. Still, McKinley has taken his story on the road, and become a celebrity.
Dare we say it? Don’t try this one at home!
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
Holiday decorations are out on display, there is cheer in the air, and very soon over one billion people will tune-in to see the ball drop in Times Square. There are lots of distractions for business owners over the holidays – personal and professional. If your business is B to B, then December can be a short (quiet) month, by nature. If you work with consumers, December can be booming; but there is still a relatively calm bubble the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Why not take this opportunity to reflect on the year, critique the results, and start off January with some momentum and a plan for success?
Let’s Get Started
Spend a little time to reflect on how the year went. What were your goals for the year? Were they strictly financial in nature or were there other strategic goals you wanted to accomplish?
A foothold in an important new market? The first order from a critical activity-based client outreach campaign? Public relations coverage in an important trade journal? With consumer products, a spot on Oprah could do the trick. The launch of a new product that could change the future direction of the company? These could all be legit goals for certain businesses.
If you started the year with a list (you should), then revisit it now. If you didn’t, that’s fine, build one now. Think back to last December and capture the essence of what you hoped to accomplish.
Examine the Numbers
Sometimes numbers can be a little intimidating, but they really are your friend. The numbers can tell a story that is clear and unambiguous.
The numbers can also be organized in different ways to focus on specific pieces of information. A simple income statement can show sales and expense results over the course of the year. It is best if the numbers can be arranged in columns by month so that we can see seasonal trends – one column for the entire year, does not tell us as much. If we use the numbers from each monthly column and divide them by top-line sales, this can give use a sense for the magnitude (importance) of each element in relation to sales. This called a common size income statement. We can also subtract the previous months number, from the current months number, and divide by the previous months number, for the numbers going along the horizonal, to get a sense for trends that might not be obvious from the raw numbers.
The most important numbers will depend on the type of business. It is common to track sales, even though growing sales may not be the primary objective of some all businesses. It can still be an important indicator of business health. Were sales up, down, or flat for the year? Is this part of a longer term trend (e.g., this is the sixth year of decline or another record year)? Were the results due to something within our control or larger environmental factors. COVID has taken a toll on many businesses over the past couple of years. Do we expect these challenges to linger, or do we see them as temporary in nature?
Pick Key Metrics
Most businesses and industries have mountains of data. We don’t want to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume. We just need to pick a few key metrics that we know are pivotal to the health of our business. These are often referred to as Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).
As mentioned earlier, it is common to track sales as a topline indicator. It is also common to track gross margin – the amount of money that remains once Cost of Goods Sold is deducted. This is often tracked as both an absolute number and as a percentage. It can be important to track expenses as a percentage of sales. If we have certain categories that make up a large portion of expenses, labor for example, then we can call those out and show them separately. Inventory levels and inventory turn-over can also be key metrics in manufacturing industries.
How Did You Do?
Once we know what we are tracking, and we have gathered the information, then it is time to evaluate our results. How did we do? Were we close or off by a mile? As Jim Collins says in Good to Great, we need to be brutally honest with the results. If the results are in-line with expectations, then how do we get even better? If we came up short, what concrete (actionable) steps can we take to avoid that outcome in the future?
Looking Forward
Now we are back to that list of goals – this time for 2022. What do we want to accomplish?
SWOT analysis is a great place to start. Create a list of all your (internal) strengths and weaknesses. We need to understand our core competencies, but we also should own areas where we are lacking as well. Then add (external) opportunities and threats. When using this tool, strengths and weaknesses should always be internal, and opportunities and threats should always be external. We can also rank each item on the list in terms of likelihood and magnitude. This will help to direct our focus to the most important elements of the list.
Now let’s make a list of SMART goals for 2022. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-based. There are a few different versions of this tool in popular media, but this is the version we prefer. Goals should be clear and unambiguous (Specific). We need to be able to measure the results (Measurable). The goal needs to be something that we can take concrete action to obtain (Actionable). Goals should be within reach (Realistic) – though we often want to raise the bar a little. If the bar is set too low, then it becomes less motivational; If the bar is set too high, then it can demoralize rather than bring focus. We also need a specific date (Time-based) when each item will be complete.
We don’t want to go overboard on goals for the coming year. There is really not pre-set limit. However, if we have too many, and get spread too thin, then we may not accomplish any of them. If we have too few, then we can grow our business in a very monochromatic way. Just as a general rule, three is probably too few, and a dozen is definitely too many.
Monitor Progress
That’s it. We are ready to hit the ground running in 2022.
Just remember, that we don’t have to wait until next December to check our progress. We should have defined our KPI’s in this process. We can monitor them on an ongoing basis to assess our progress. There are many companies that will add KPI’s in an automated dashboard so they can monitor the business continuously. You can experiment a little and find the right balance for your business.
Here to a healthy and AMAZING 2022!
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
Determining the right balance between digital and direct marketing can be a challenge for a lot of organizations. Issues can arise, when one form is seen as superior to the other, and half of the mix gets neglected. Businesses are now engaged in a very digital world – digital has become very comfortable. It’s easy to predict which form marketers might wish to push aside.
Still, for those in the know, the facts are hard to ignore. Direct mail marketing is much more powerful than many business owners realize. Seventy-three percent (73%) of consumers prefer receiving information from brands via direct mail because they can read it at their leisure. Despite being delivered right to the front door; consumers find this less intrusive than online pop-up ads or social media interruptions. The best part… on average, direct mail advertising is kept in the home for 17 days. The impression really lasts… stalking and retargeting are definitely not required for success.
So, what’s the best way to integrate both digital marketing and direct mail? Here are some simple yet powerful moves.
Allow Digital Response
When a direct mail campaign is received, customers need to know which digital forms of contact they can use to respond. Not everyone wants to make a phone call or go directly to a website first. Including a web address is, of course, a crucial piece of information today. Organizations that deal with a lot queries through WhatsApp or Facebook Chat might find this is the preferred form of response for mail campaigns as well. Direct mail links well with this form of social media when it is clear and easy to connect the in-home online piece with the online platform. We need to make sure that we align the visual content between platforms so the consumer can clearly see the connection.
QR Codes Bridge Gap
A QR code is a 3D barcode that can be printed and displayed online or offline. Anyone with a smartphone can use their camera to scan it, and they will be redirected to an online destination in their browser. Consumers appreciate the simplicity and instant access to information. In fact, QR codes represent one of the leading forms of payment in places like Asia.
A QR code can offer any business more cohesion when connecting offline and online worlds (promotions). Information can be stored in a QR code; to quickly link a person to pages on a website, to showcase discounts and offers, display menus, highlight products, or download apps. They appear technical and can seem intimidating to implement at first. However, there are many applications on the web that will generate them fast and free.
There is often an element of mystery or intrigue offered with a QR code. The recipient may not know where they will land until they scan the code. It could be a secret discount code for the first 100 people who claim it, or a special landing page only for the recipients of that mail piece. It can be a perfect opportunity to be creative and fun, or simply a method to relay important information quickly. Whatever the end goal is (online), it’s quite possible a QR code could help.
Synchronize Branding
Digital and direct mail marketing should not be treated as separate – they are two specific tools that belong in every marketing toolbox. Both tools need to communicate a cohesive and consistent message to clients both online and offline. To illustrate, it would normally be frowned upon to use one style of branding in an Instagram ad and a different branding entirely for the same campaign on YouTube. The same principle applies to direct mail marketing. It should be treated as a combined element of the overall branding; this will build consumer trust and reinforce brand messaging.
Digital Funnel Capture
When leads are captured, such as email addresses over the phone, or directly in-person in a physical store, they should be added to a digital marketing funnel. These leads can be nurtured over time with periodic messages and offers – leads have a cost, and we don’t want to lose them. Offline leads that are not converted, can slip through the cracks. It can involve more effort to manually capture the entry, but it can be well worth it over time. Even for those brands that have high quantities of digital lead generation, offline leads can often convert better, if they have been given in-person or over the telephone.
There will always be occasions where digital outperforms direct mail – and the reverse can also true. It is important to pick the right tool for the job and to use both to complement each other. This usually leads to much stronger results overall. Personalizing communication to align with each customer’s needs is the ultimate way to balance effectively and produce stronger results.
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
Finding the best way to spread cheer during the holidays can be a tough nut to crack. If this year has been a challenging one for business, perhaps budgets are tight and you’re looking for ways to save costs, without compromising holiday cheer?
Holiday postcards are low cost, quick to put in motion, and best of all, customers love them because they feel so personal.
They are simple, yet they allow for a lot of creativity and they can even be sent in envelopes to maintain an element of surprise. To get the most out of your mailing, avoid these common holiday postcard mistakes.
Mailing Too Late
The holidays can be such a busy time for businesses, so it’s quite common for other things to take priority. Of course, when it comes to wishing your customers a happy holiday, it’s better late than never at all; but ideally, it’s much more effective if sent early! In the week right before Christmas, mail volume increases more than any other time of the year, as family and friends rush to get their greetings and packages to their loved ones (and clients).
If businesses can reach mailboxes in the first two weeks of December, the message is likely to encounter fewer competing distractions and receive more attention. Still, customers are eagerly anticipating mail and checking everything that comes through the mailbox. Your postcard will not be missed either way, but the optimal time to send would be the first week of December. Here at Zairmail, we can assist you with a holiday design and have your postcards in the mail within 48 hours. We are here to help and support you through the process every step of the way.
Not Going Jumbo
Share double the holiday cheer for just a nickel more. It now makes even more sense to go jumbo-sized on your postcards and really get noticed. Based on the specification changes that USPS made in August, the (in the mail) price difference is minimal, but the impact is twice as good! We highly recommend this upgrade for your holiday and new year campaigns.
For your reference:
Standard postcard size = 4 x 6 or 4.25 x 5.5
Jumbo postcard size = 6 x 9 or 5.5 x 8.5
Neglecting Design
It’s really easy to fall into the trap of choosing a design that looks like the front of every other holiday card. A postcard provides the unique opportunity to really pack a punch as soon as it’s seen. Even if you choose to send a postcard in an envelope, (which is a great option!) the goal is to get a spot on the fridge or somewhere memorable. Why not use this as a way to create an ‘out of the box’ Christmas design that is specifically made for the fridge? A shot of the team, a reminder of turkey (or roast beast) cooking times, or a special holiday recipe?
Sales Pitch Focus
A holiday postcard should spread cheer with no strings attached! This is not the time to mail a promotional offer or pitch your business services. It’s simply a way of staying ‘top of mind’, building rapport, and letting customers know you care. For promotional Christmas offers, October and early November are the best time to target those campaigns. These should not be confused with a holiday postcard.
Forgetting Contact Information
Even though the goal is not to sell directly through the holiday greeting, all relevant contact information should still be included. At the very least, the company name, website, phone number, and physical address should be included. A logo and company name will not be enough if customers do choose to reach out after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It’s surprising how often important contact details are forgotten in the rush of December.
Sometimes knowing what not to do is just the ticket for success! We have also shared loads of great material on how to smash success with postcards and all of the things that should be considered for promotional postcard campaigns. December is an ideal time to start mapping out direct mail plans for the new year. If you need ideas or advice, or would like to order a free sample mailing kit from us, click here.
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
Have a warm, wonderful, and festive holiday season!
Elspeth Douglas McClelland (1879–1920) was an architect and a member of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) also known as the Women’s Suffrage Movement. In the late 1800’s women did not have the right to vote in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. The goal of the Suffrage Movement was to win the right to vote for woman using peaceful, and at times, even violent means.
Elspeth is most notorious for her creative efforts to grab attention during Suffrage. In 1909, after unsuccessfully trying to schedule a meeting with the Prime Minister of England, Elspeth, and fellow activist Daisy Solomon, mailed themselves to him. The postal service guidelines had been severely eased to allow people to be “mailed” by express courier. Elspeth and her companion leveraged these new rules to secure a covert audience with the Prime Minister.
Elspeth and Daisy were addressed to “The Right Hon H. H. Asquith, 10 Downing Street, SW” (London). The stamp for this journey cost only 3 cents at the time. A.S. Palmer, a postal boy, transferred the pair to Downing Street, where on-duty police officers permitted them through to number 10. However, a government official arrived and protested the delivery. The official told the delivery boy that the pair cannot be presented and must be returned to sender – “these are dead letters”.
Elspeth and Daisy were taken back to the office of the Women’s Social and Political Union. The delivery arrived at the office of the Prime Minister as planned and the public relations stunt won even greater attention for their cause. An image of this eventful day is in the British museum and the Prime Minister is said to have been “amused” by the occasion.
Based on the efforts of activists like Elspeth, woman made steady progress and won the right to vote in the British colony of New Zealand in 1893. Australia granted this right to non-Aboriginal woman in 1902. Voting rights were extended to woman in most western powers after the First World War. In particular, Canada (1917), Britain and Germany (1918), Austria, the Netherlands (1919) and the United States (1920). It is hard to imagine, but the mail also had a role in this process.
On Thanksgiving we want to say thank you to ALL who have fought so hard for the rights and liberties that we all enjoy today!
Daisy Solomon and Elspeth McClelland with a post boy, police and an official outside 10 Downing Street, attempting to get themselves delivered as letters
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
It’s not often we stop to think about what a celebration like Thanksgiving actually teaches us. Rather, it’s something that businesses will jump on for their promotional messaging. The problem with this is… it often comes off as a bit flat. Holidays and celebratory days come around every year, and every year organizations will come up with methods and offers, simply because it’s a ‘special day’ and they feel obligated to do the same as everyone else. But consider this… if your business didn’t learn anything last year, what do you expect to gain this year? Here are four things Thanksgiving taught us.
Saying Thank you and Being Thankful are Two Different Things
It’s so important to stay connected with customers, build relationships, and reach out during special times like Thanksgiving… but you already know that. Have you ever opened a ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ email or seen a blanket Thanksgiving message on social media from a brand you follow? The chances are you probably have, but did that message evoke any emotion? Did it stand out from other Thanksgiving wishes?
Probably not!
What are you truly thankful for this year from a business perspective? Be specific. Maybe it’s a wonderful new employee who has completely transformed your organizational culture and motivation. Maybe it’s one special customer who was so grateful for your service they brought in flowers and made your week. If you’re a charity, maybe you received an unexpected donation that allowed you to change lives in a new way. These are real things that have happened, and they are heartfelt (authentic). These are the things your customers would love to read as you share why you’re thankful this year.
Making a Difference… is the Difference
Thanksgiving is about sharing, so it’s the best time of year for your company to do something without profit in mind. If you’ve gone the entire year without giving back as an organization, without working with a charity, rewarding your loyal customers, or taking the time to benefit a cause bigger than you, now is the time.
If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that these are the important things. Brands that are aligned with causes are winning right now, because being kind, giving and sharing, matter more to people than nice packaging and a well-designed website. The companies that know this are already making a difference in the lives of other people while simultaneously gaining long-term customer loyalty.
Your Employees are Your Life Blood
Build a team of dedicated employees and business partners who are passionate about customer success. Work together to devise strategies that find, delight, and retain fiercely loyal customers. This type of mindset, when authentic, can create a snowball that continues to build on itself. It also starts with caring – caring about each other, caring about our clients, and caring about successful customer outcomes. What better time than Thanksgiving to show we care?
It’s a Time to Reflect
This time of year is ideal for reflecting on the previous twelve months and looking at what worked and what didn’t in an informal way, before leading on to a more formal strategic plan for the new year. When we say a less formal way, we’re talking about something similar to gratitude journaling. Gratitude journaling is the process of creating a short list of items that we are grateful for. There are those who do a gratitude journal every day. We don’t need to go to that extreme, but it is good to take stock periodically.
When we exercise gratitude, it’s easier to accept the challenges ahead and acknowledge the problems that might have occurred. Gratitude often leads to optimism and positive thinking, which are so important for innovation and creativity. Without that, it becomes challenging to brainstorm for new strategies or overcome hurdles. Take some time to stop and reflect before mapping out plans for the future.
Business is of course business, but at the heart of that, we are all still people. That means that emotions can come into play – especially at this time of year. It can be difficult for a brand to show its “human” side without feeling exposed. To some, this may seem unprofessional; yet it is this vulnerability that creates the potential for emotional connection with the brand. Thanksgiving teaches us that these seemingly insignificant things, working together, all matter – a LOT.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
Zairmail Salutes the Brave Men and Woman Who Have Served Our Country
Veterans Day started out as Armistice Day on November 1, 1919. The holiday celebrated the first anniversary of the end of World War I – the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, of 1918. Armistice Day became an official national holiday in 1926 and was renamed Veteran’s Day by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all those who serve or have served in the armed forces of the United States.
The men and woman of our military serve to keep us free and protect our way of life. They come from all walks of life. They come together for a shared purpose. They are parents, children, grandparents, friends, neighbors, and co-workers – you cross paths with veterans every single day.
We are all forever in their debt.
Reach out to someone who has served and say thanks.
Veterans take 10% off regularly priced direct mail orders through Sunday November 14. Use promo code SERVE.
Thank you for all you have done to help keep us safe!
Back to the Future (Price Decrease)
The cost of First-Class postage was $.03 at the end of World War I (Armistice Day). The price went down to $.02 after the war, a price point that lasted through 1932. In contrast, the USPS raised the cost of a First-Class stamp to $.58 in August – the second increase this year.
You can count on Zairmail to do our part to battle inflation for you. We work hard to maximize your savings based on both economies of scale and postal discounts – while still providing the fastest and easiest way to send mail.
Zairmail is rolling back the price of jumbo postcards. Upgrade from a standard postcard to a jumbo postcard for just a nickel more. Talk about a blast from the past – what else can you do with a nickel these days?
We are always here to help. Just let us know how we can best serve you.
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
The stores are chocked full of scary costumes and treats. It seems to start a little earlier every year. Still, it comes not a moment too soon, Americans are more than ready for some fun social events with family and friends. We have seen 18 months of pandemic-driven mask mandates, stay at home orders, and political turmoil. The entire country is ready for some holiday fun.
SEND JUMBO POSTCARDS FOR LESS
We can take a clue from the consumer goods folks on this front. It is never too soon to plan for the holidays and get your holiday greetings in the hands of those who matter most to you and your business. We need to stay “top of mind” and be part of the glow.
Just in time for the holidays, the US Postal Service has extended the (discounted) postcard rate to jumbo postcards (5.5 x 8.5 and 6 x 9). That means that you can super-size your greeting for just a small amount more. Talk about a holiday treat! This one is super sweet!
DRESS IT UP WITH AN ENVELOPE
You can also drop your holiday postcard in an envelope to get a high-end holiday card effect. Postcards in envelopes do not qualify for the postcard rate, but they still cost a tiny fraction of what traditional cards in the store run. They also have a personal and tactile feel that an email greeting cannot match.
CLASSICS ARE ALWAYS IN STYLE
Zairmail can also send more traditional greeting cards too. Come up with your own personalized holiday design and Zairmail will print and mail it for you. You can even personalize your envelope with a holiday stamp, a handwritten font, and a personal message on the outside.
GO FOR GHOULD!!
Still not enough? We have one client who includes magnets for the fridge in her cards. These special greetings have a central place in the kitchen for months or even years.
Of course, since you are using Zairmail, the process will be faster, easier, and less expensive!
Let us help you ward off the evil spirits and spread the holiday cheer!
Zairmail
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
This made us wonder, is it possible to ship other things, like a human for example, through the mail. We might be able to include food and water right in the package to sustain the occupant – even when service slows down over the holidays. Other types of human needs might still remain a problem. Still, that didn’t stop us from looking.
The Smithsonian published a piece that highlights the launch of parcel post, for packages of less than 15 pounds, in 1913. The service started on January 1, in part to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for mail order services to rural communities. Almost immediately people began shipping their children to relatives. An 11 pound parcel costs just 15 cents at that time – insurance, if any, was extra. Postmaster General, Albert Burleson, quickly put an end to that practice by June.
It turns out that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many curious (and humorous) stories about people being sent though the mail. Over the next few months, we will share several of these stories in this column.
Henry Box Brown was a slave who successfully sent himself to freedom in 1849. Brown hid in a wooden crate and arranged to be sent to slavery abolitionists in Philadelphia. Brown was a slave in a tobacco factory when he devised the perfect plan of escape to the freedom. However, brown was forced to leave behind his enslaved family.
Cohorts
James C. A. Smith, a free black man, along with Samuel Smith (aka Samuel the Shoemaker), aided Brown in his ingenious plan. Brown escaped in a wooden box just 3’ (w) x 3’ (l) x 2’ (h)wide, which was labeled “dry goods” on the side. Brown took a small amount of water and several biscuits with him. The wooden box had a single hole for air. The shipping box was nailed shut and then wrapped with straps.
The Escape
Brown’s trip to freedom lasted 27 hours during which, the box that held Brown was transported by wagon, railroad, steamboat, and ferry. Despite instructions on the box that said, “handle with care” and “this side up”, Brown was bounced around and placed upside down multiple times. Brown continued to stay still and went undetected.
After Browns impressive escape, he earned the moniker Henry “Box” Brown and spent years on the abolitionist speaker circuit, first in the northeast US, and then in England.
We have offer many other interesting posts this blog here are some:
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.
Wilson Zehr is a Direct Mail Industry Expert, Direct Marketing Specialist, and CEO of Cendix (www.cendix.com), the leading provider of Web-to-print
solutions that increase sales both online and offline. He is also the founder of Zairmail (www.zairmail.com), the company responsible for many "industry firsts" in direct mail.
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