Survey Mailers vs Direct Mail Cards for Final Expense Agents
Published by Agent First Contracts
With direct mail you are buying mail pieces, not leads. The leads are the replies that come back, and nobody can tell you in advance how many that will be. Keeping that distinction in front of you is the most useful thing you can do before choosing a program.
This page compares the recurring mail programs on our order page and shows how to think about cost per response without assuming a response rate.
Get Contracts · Book a Call · Free Training Course
Posted mail programs
These recurring programs come from the same catalog our order page uses. Each drop is billed at the per-drop price, at the frequency you choose, until canceled.
| Program | Pieces per drop | Price per drop | Cost per piece mailed | Frequency offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survey Mail 500 | 500 | $400.00 | $0.80 | Weekly or Every 2 weeks |
| Survey Mail 1000 | 1,000 | $690.00 | $0.69 | Weekly or Every 2 weeks |
| Regular Direct Mail Card 1000 | 1,000 | $675.00 | $0.68 | Weekly |
Pieces purchased are not leads returned
A drop of 1,000 pieces means 1,000 mailers go out. Replies depend on the area, the list, the mail piece, timing and other factors. A reply is a chance to contact someone, not an appointment or a sale.
Hypothetical cost per response
The table divides each posted per-drop price by 10, 20 and 30 responses. These counts are arithmetic examples only. They are not expected, typical or promised results.
| Program | 10 responses | 20 responses | 30 responses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey Mail 500 | $40.00 | $20.00 | $13.33 |
| Survey Mail 1000 | $69.00 | $34.50 | $23.00 |
| Regular Direct Mail Card 1000 | $67.50 | $33.75 | $22.50 |
Staggered drops and response lag
Replies don't arrive on one day. They trickle in over a period that varies from drop to drop, so a single drop can make your calendar feel full one week and empty the next. A recurring schedule (weekly or every two weeks where offered) overlaps those trickles so new replies keep arriving.
Don't judge a drop on its first few days. Decide in advance how long you'll wait before counting a drop's responses, and use the same window for every drop so they can be compared.
Track results by county and by drop
- Drop date, program and county mailed
- Responses received and the date each arrived
- Contacts reached, appointments set and appointments run
- Applications written and policies placed
- Total cost: drops plus mileage and other costs
Plan a reserve before you subscribe
Recurring programs bill every drop until canceled, while commissions arrive only after policies are issued and paid. Budget for several drops plus your travel costs before any commission comes in, and decide ahead of time what results would make you adjust or cancel.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, survey mailers or regular cards?
There is no universal answer. Compare them on cost per placed policy in your own counties, measured over the same time window.
How many leads will 1,000 pieces produce?
No one can promise a number. Track your own responses per drop.
Can I mail every two weeks?
On the order page, every-two-weeks is offered for Survey Mail 500 and Survey Mail 1000. Regular Direct Mail Card 1000 is offered weekly.
Related guides
Check current lead options
See availability by county and current posted prices, or talk with us about contracts and training.