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. The report may include a geographic map which plots respective locations of recipients, and/or a listing of receipts grouped into a plurality of demographics segments.

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, said report comprising a geographic map which plots respective locations of recipients.    
     
     
         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, presence of children, 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 , and comprising forwarding redeemed direct mail items to a clearinghouse for reading respective ID codes.  
     
     
         10 . A business method according to  claim 1 , and comprising surveying the recipient after the direct mail item is redeemed.  
     
     
         11 . 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, said report comprising a listing of receipts grouped into a plurality of demographics segments.    
     
     
         12 . A business method according to  claim 11 , 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.  
     
     
         13 . A business method according to  claim 11 , wherein the targeted group of recipients comprises new residents having relocated from one zip code to another.  
     
     
         14 . A business method according to  claim 11 , wherein the demographics information comprises statistical data selected from a group consisting of address, age, gender, presence of children, and income.  
     
     
         15 . A business method according to  claim 11 , wherein the machine-readable ID code comprises bar coding.  
     
     
         16 . A business method according to  claim 11 , and comprising forwarding the mail packages to recipients via a postal service.  
     
     
         17 . A business method according to  claim 11 , and comprising forwarding the mail packages to recipients via electronic mail.  
     
     
         18 . A business method according to  claim 11 , wherein the report further 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.  
     
     
         19 . A business method according to  claim 11 , and comprising forwarding redeemed direct mail items to a clearinghouse for reading respective ID codes.  
     
     
         20 . A business method according to  claim 11 , and comprising surveying the recipient after the direct mail item is redeemed.