With the 2020 election cycle well underway, it is only a matter of time before political candidates start sending you postcards featuring all of their leading policy proposals and accomplishments. You might pile up a dozen of them by the time primary season is over and be left wondering how they even manage to send out so many.
For many candidates in the Region, the answer is Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service. Thanks to years’ worth of expert knowledge and a unique relationship with the U.S. Post Office, Flanagin’s ships out thousands of pieces of mail for different candidates every election cycle at discounted costs.
“Whether it’s a candidate or a regular customer, we treat every mailing with great care and confidentiality,” said Donna Flanagin, Owner of Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service. “That’s why a lot of candidates come to us. We’ve built up trust through our years in business and understand what it takes to get these mailings done and out on time.”
In most ways, handling the mail for political candidates does not work that much different than any usual client, but there are a few differences. Timeliness and punctuality become especially crucial when working with candidates.
“We get really busy about three weeks before an election,” Flanagin said. “Even if we’ve been talking with a candidate for some time, they often don’t know what their budget looks like until the last minute, and that determines the size and volume of what they can send out.”
Often, fresh-faced and veteran candidates are inexperienced when it comes to designing their postcards and understanding the logistics of bulk mail.
“For most of them, this is something they’re only thinking about once every four years, so it’s not something they stay familiar with,” Flanagin said. “Teaching them about the process is almost as much a part of my job as actually mailing their items. We like to be in touch with them ahead of time so we can guide them through the process and make sure they’re prepared.”
Flanagin recalled how she felt when candidates first started approaching her about handling their mail.
“When candidates first started reaching out to me, it was so exciting because it meant I had their confidence,” she said. “People got to know me and felt that I was honest and trustworthy, and that was a big deal.”
Now, Flanagin is excited to play a role in the electoral process and experience a unique relationship with the Region’s aspiring politicians.
“I feel like it’s hard for the average voter to see just how much work these candidates put in,” she said. “In the beginning when they first come to see me, they’re calm and ready, and then, just before the election, you can see how tired they are from all their efforts. By the time of the election, I’m just so excited for all of candidates.”
For more information about Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service, visit mybulkmail.com.
