If you haven’t used Direct Mail to advertise for at least 24 months or more we’re offering savings by way of a postage credit, of up to 25% on selected services.

We want to help you find out how Direct Mail can work for you, so we are offering a 25% postage credit on your first mailing, a 20% postage credit on your second mailing and a 15% postage credit on your third mailing.

These savings are on top of our existing prices and applicable discounts.

We can also help to increase the effectiveness of your mailings as we have a range of experts available to help you get more from your Direct Mail or multi-channel campaign. Whatever your campaign aims, our media, data, B2B and international experts are on hand to share their insights - and help you build an effective Direct Mail campaign.

For those interested in advertising abroad, we’re also offering savings on our international prices if you haven’t used Direct Mail to advertise internationally for at least 24 months.

• To be eligible you must not have used Direct Mail for advertising within the last 24 months prior to application.
• Savings are applied after all other applicable discounts as a Postage Credit to your account.
• A minimum spend before credit of £6000 for the first mailing and £1200 for mailings 2 and 3 applies.
• Mailings made under this scheme are not eligible for the Royal Mail Sale promotion or the Royal Mail TMI Scheme or Mailsort Light rebate.

You can apply now to start posting from 1st February 2011.

The application process for the First Time User Scheme has been broken down into 5 simple steps. Your Royal Mail account manager can help you through each of these stages, but if you do not have an account manager, please contact our Business Customer Helpline on 08457 950 950.

The 5 steps:

1. Check you can meet the minimum spend thresholds and confirm your eligibility to take part by completing a First Time User Direct Mail Check Form
2. Sign the First Time User Scheme Terms and Conditions
3. Complete a First Time User Application to Mail Form for each of the three mailings under the First Time User Scheme
4. Post and Review each mailing stage
5. Within 6 months of each mailing, submit a claim for postage credit All the documents listed above can be found in the Document Library.

Step 1: Confirm First Time User Status and Eligibility

Before applying to take part in the First Time User Scheme, you will need to make sure you can meet the minimum spend thresholds for each mailing stage. Spend thresholds apply after all other discounts and before application of the postage credit.

The minimum spend thresholds are below

• Mailing 1: £6000
• Mailing 2: £1200
• Mailing 3: £1200

To confirm your First Time User Status, you will need to complete a Direct Mail Check Form which can be found below. When this is complete, please submit this to your account manager. If you do not have an account manager, please submit the form to the First Time User Scheme Team at ftu@royalmail.com.

If you are eligible to take part, you will be provided with a First Time User Reference Number which you will need to refer to on each of your application forms, and a copy of the Terms and Conditions.

Step 2: Sign the First Time User Scheme Terms and Conditions

When your direct mail check has been approved you will receive a copy of the First Time User Terms and Conditions which you will need to check, sign and return.

Please note there are separate terms and conditions for Inland UK and International products.

Step 3: Complete an Application to Mail Form for each of your 3 mailings

If you are eligible to take part in the First Time User Scheme you will need to complete and submit a separate application form for each of your 3 mailings. The First Time User Scheme Application to Mail Form can be found below. Please note, to take part in the First Time User Scheme, all mailings must be made through an OBA (Online Business) Account with Royal Mail.

If everything is in order you will then receive a confirmation email advising you that you have been accepted into the First Time User Scheme and you can go ahead with your proposed mailing.

Step 4: Post and Review each Mailing

When you have received your email confirming acceptance, you will be able to post under the First Time User Scheme. At the end of each mailing, and so that we can help you get the most out of using direct mail, we will ask you to provide some details relating to the performance of your mailing and how

Step 5: Submit a claim for Postage Credit

At the end of each Mailing stage (ie Mailing 1, 2, or 3) you will need to submit a claim for postage credit using the Credit Application Form below. You credit will be processed and paid directly into your Royal Mail account.

If you do send Direct Mail but you are not eligible for the First Time User Scheme, find out how you can still make savings by increasing the amount of mail you send in March or April 2011 through the Royal Mail Sale 2011 or changing the way you do your existing campaigns via the use of Tailor Made Incentives.