Business method for promoting goods and services of providers

Abstract

A business method for promoting goods and services of providers includes the steps of designating a group of targeted recipients, and storing demographics information of each recipient in an electronic database. A plurality of direct mail items including provider promotions is generated, and each marked with a machine-readable ID code unique to each of the recipients. The direct mail items are sorted by their respective ID codes into cooperative mail packages, each mail package containing multiple items with common ID codes. The mail packages are then forwarded to respective recipients. After redemption of a direct mail item by a recipient, the ID code is read and electronically linked with the recipient's demographics information contained in the electronic database. A report is generated based on the direct mail items redeemed.

1 . A business method for promoting goods and services of providers, comprising the steps of: 
 designating a group of targeted recipients;    storing demographics information of each recipient in an electronic database;    generating a plurality of direct mail items comprising provider promotions;    marking each of the direct mail items with a machine-readable ID code unique to each of the recipients;    sorting the direct mail items by their respective ID codes into cooperative mail packages, each mail package containing multiple items with common ID codes;    forwarding the mail packages to respective recipients;    after redemption of a direct mail item by a recipient, reading the ID code and electronically linking it with the recipient's demographics information contained in the electronic database; and    generating a report based on the direct mail items redeemed.    
     
     
         2 . A business method according to  claim 1 , and comprising sorting the mail packages based on the number of direct mail items contained in each package, such that each package in a sorted group has an equal number of direct mail items.  
     
     
         3 . A business method according to  claim 1 , wherein the targeted group of recipients comprises new residents having relocated from one zip code to another.  
     
     
         4 . A business method according to  claim 1 , wherein the demographics information comprises statistical data selected from a group consisting of address, age, gender, and income.  
     
     
         5 . A business method according to  claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable ID code comprises bar coding.  
     
     
         6 . A business method according to  claim 1 , and comprising forwarding the mail packages to recipients via a postal service.  
     
     
         7 . A business method according to  claim 1 , and comprising forwarding the mail packages to recipients via electronic mail.  
     
     
         8 . A business method according to  claim 1 , wherein the report comprises a secondary mailing report containing demographics information for at least a portion of the targeted group for purposes of generating additional direct mail items.  
     
     
         9 . A business method according to  claim 1 , wherein the report comprises a trending report including a redemption ranking of direct mail items for goods and services classified by subject matter.  
     
     
         10 . A business method according to  claim 1 , wherein the report comprises demographics information for recipients redeeming the direct mail items.  
     
     
         11 . A business method according to  claim 1 , and comprising forwarding redeemed direct mail items to a clearinghouse for reading respective ID codes.  
     
     
         12 . A business method according to  claim 1 , and comprising surveying the recipient after the direct mail item is redeemed.  
     
     
         13 . A business method according to  claim 1 , wherein generating the direct mail items comprises printing sheets of paper coupons, each sheet comprising first and second coupon sections.  
     
     
         14 . A business method according to  claim 13 , and comprising stacking the sheets such that the first coupon sections and the second coupon sections are arranged, respectively, in vertical registration.  
     
     
         15 . A business method according to  claim 14 , and comprising collating the coupons such that respective cooperative mail packages are assembled in sequence from coupons cut from the first coupon section of each stacked sheet, and after the first coupon sections are exhausted, from the second coupon section of each stacked sheet.  
     
     
         16 . A cooperative mail package containing multiple direct mail items comprising promotions designed for promoting goods and services of providers, said direct mail items including common machine-readable ID codes unique to an individual recipient, each ID code adapted for being electronically linked to recipient demographics information contained in an electronic database.