A Practical Guide to the Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) Side Hustle in the USA
The idea of earning $1,000 from a single postcard sounds unrealistic at first. In a world dominated by Facebook ads and Google marketing, physical mail often feels outdated. But in many parts of the United States, direct mail is still one of the most effective ways to reach local customers.
This article explains how the Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) model works, why it appeals to small businesses, and how some marketers generate consistent income by using shared postcards instead of expensive solo mail campaigns.
This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It is a repeatable local marketing system that works when done correctly.
What Is Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)?
Every Door Direct Mail is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS). It allows anyone to send postcards or flyers to every home on a selected mail route, without needing individual addresses.
Key features:
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No mailing list required
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Target by neighborhood, income level, and age range
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Lower postage costs compared to traditional direct mail
Typical postage costs range around $0.20–$0.25 per postcard, depending on size and quantity.
The Core Idea Behind the $1,000 Postcard Model
Instead of mailing one business advertisement to thousands of homes, this model uses a shared postcard.
One oversized postcard includes ads from multiple local businesses. Each business pays a small fee, making the campaign affordable for them while allowing the organizer to keep the margin.
The postcard is sent to a highly targeted neighborhood, not an entire city.
This shared approach reduces costs, increases consistency, and makes repeat mailings possible.
How the Numbers Work (Realistic Breakdown)
A typical campaign looks like this:
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15–16 local advertisers
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Each advertiser pays about $150
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Total revenue: approximately $2,300–$2,400
Costs usually include:
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Printing
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USPS postage
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Fulfillment and handling
Total expenses often come to around $1,300.
That leaves roughly $1,000 in profit per mailing, assuming all ad spots are filled.
Advertisers pay before printing, so there is no upfront financial risk.
Why This Works Better Than Traditional Coupon Mailers
Many business owners are familiar with coupon envelopes like Valpak or Money Mailer. However, those mailers often include dozens of competing ads, making it easy to get ignored.
This shared postcard model is different because:
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Fewer advertisers appear on each card
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Only one business per category is allowed
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The layout is clean and easy to read
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Targeting is neighborhood-specific
This combination gives businesses better visibility and stronger brand recall.
How to Position the Offer to Local Businesses
This type of postcard is not direct-response advertising like Facebook ads. It works more like a local billboard.
When presenting the offer, the most effective framing is:
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“Your business name will appear in thousands of nearby homes”
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“This is about awareness and repetition, not instant sales”
When expectations are clear, businesses are more likely to stay long-term.
Businesses That Perform Best With EDDM
Over time, certain industries consistently benefit from local postcard exposure:
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Dentists and medical clinics
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HVAC, plumbing, roofing, and home services
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Restaurants and coffee shops
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Weight-loss and body-contouring services
Restaurants are especially valuable because food offers encourage people to keep the postcard longer, benefiting all advertisers on it.
Finding Your First Advertisers (Without Aggressive Sales)
Instead of cold-calling all day, successful operators focus on low-pressure outreach, such as:
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Facebook messages to business pages
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Short email follow-ups
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Phone calls only after interest is shown
Including the price upfront filters out uninterested leads and saves time.
A simple message works best:
“We’re mailing a community postcard to 2,500 homes nearby. Spots start at $150. Would you like details?”
Targeting the Right Neighborhoods
USPS provides an online EDDM tool that allows you to:
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Select specific mail routes
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View household count
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See income and age demographics
The most effective campaigns usually target 2,000–3,000 homes per mailing, focusing on areas businesses already serve.
Design and Fulfillment Without Handling Mail
Most postcards are designed using tools like Canva with simple, uncluttered layouts.
EDDM-friendly printers can:
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Print the postcards
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Prepare USPS bundles and facing slips
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Deliver directly to the post office
This means the entire process can be managed remotely.
The Importance of Consistency and Retention
One postcard alone rarely delivers dramatic results. This model works best with repetition.
Businesses that commit to 3–6 months upfront see better outcomes, and this creates predictable recurring income for the organizer.
Retention rates of 60–70% are common when expectations are set correctly.
Common Mistake to Avoid
The biggest mistake is over-promising results.
This is not guaranteed lead generation. It is brand awareness marketing.
When businesses understand that, satisfaction and long-term participation improve significantly.
Is This a Realistic Side Hustle in the USA?
Yes — for people who:
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Understand local marketing
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Are comfortable speaking with small business owners
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Can stay consistent month after month
No — for anyone looking for instant or passive income without effort.
This is a process-driven side hustle, not a shortcut.
Final Thoughts
The $1,000 per postcard concept is not magic. It is a smart combination of:
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Shared advertising
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Local targeting
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Repeat exposure
When done properly, it creates value for local businesses and predictable income for the organizer.
If you approach it as a long-term local marketing system, not a quick win, it can become a powerful side hustle in many US communities.
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