FAQs

 

General

The Community Spotlight is a shared neighborhood mailer that showcases 16 local businesses on one high-quality 9x12 postcard, mailed directly to thousands of nearby homes. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to stay visible and build trust in your community.

We design, print, and mail a large postcard that features ad spaces for 16 local businesses. Each business pays for one slot, and together we share the cost of printing and mailing — making professional direct mail affordable for everyone.

Every edition is mailed to targeted local neighborhoods or zip codes — typically  around 5,000 targeted households within your business area.

A solo mailer can cost thousands just in printing and postage. By sharing the card with other local businesses, you save up to 80% of the cost while still reaching the same households — and the “shop local” presentation helps your brand stand out as part of a trusted local network.

We feature a variety of local businesses—restaurants, salons, contractors, fitness centers, boutiques, and more. The only rule: no direct competition with another advertiser that month, so your business gets the spotlight.

After you submit your reservation, we’ll contact you within 48 hours to confirm details. You can provide your own ad or work with us to design one. You’ll always review and approve a proof before printing, ensuring full control over your business’s presentation.

Distribution & Reach

Each mailer reaches 5,000 targeted households through USPS Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM). You’ll know exactly which neighborhoods it covers.

We manage everything — printing, bundling, postage, and USPS delivery — so you don’t have to lift a finger.

We typically send out a new card every month or quarter, depending on your area’s interest and participation.

Typically 2–3 weeks from artwork approval to mail drop. However, timing also depends on how quickly the other business slots on the card are filled.

Pricing & Payments

No long-term contracts required. Advertise for one month, go month-to-month, or reserve multiple months at a discounted rate for added consistency and maximum exposure. It’s completely up to you—no pressure, no commitment.

Each basic ad slot costs around $500, which covers your design, printing, and mailing to 5,000 local homes. There are no extra or hidden fees. Please refer to the pricing breakdowns below for more options.

After reserving your spot, we’ll send a secure Stripe invoice. Payment confirms your space since spots are first come, first served.

Multi-month reservations must be paid upfront to qualify for discounts.

Yes. Discounts can be earned through referring other business to join a Community Spotlight card and/or commit to a monthly place across multiple monthly editions.

Also, we love local collaboration — and if you refer a business that joins, you’ll receive a discount on your next edition.

Design & Artwork

No worries! We can create a polished ad for you at no extra cost. You’ll just share your logo, images, and key message, and we’ll handle the rest. You’ll receive a digital proof to approve or edit before we finalize the print order.

Yes — we accept print-ready artwork as long as it matches our ad slot size (3” x 4”) and print specs. We’ll provide a simple template if needed.

Results & ROI

We recommend including a trackable offer or QR code in your ad (like “Show this postcard for 10% off” or a link to a custom page). That helps you track direct responses easily.

Yes — many small businesses see new faces and repeat customers after just one mailing. The key is a clear offer and consistent visibility.

 

Evidence & context:

The average response rate for direct mail campaigns typically falls between 0.5% and 2% — meaning 5 to 20 responses per 1,000 mailers. Taradel

In some cases — especially with a compelling offer or coupon — response rates can be much higher. One source notes that including gift cards or discounts in mail campaigns has yielded response rates up to 13.81%. Oppizi United States

When comparing marketing channels, a study by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) found that direct mail’s median ROI was 29%, outperforming paid search (23%) and social media (15%) in that sample. drmg.com

Direct mail also tends to enjoy much higher engagement and visibility:
  •  Open/view rates for mail pieces are often in the 80%–90% range. Postalytics
  •  A large share of consumers report trying a brand for the first time because of a direct mail campaign — some sources put that as high as 39%. PostcardMania

TCS template sizes

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Plans that work best with your business needs. Compare between 1 Month and 3 Month pricing plans. Contact us if you'd like custom plans to fit your business.

  • Small Slot
  • $250
  • $675
    Save $75!
  • Smaller listing, but just as effective.
    3" × 2" ad slot

  • 5¢ per home
  • 5,000 homes
  • Basic Slot
  • $500
    Most popular!
  • $1300
    Save $200!
  • Perfect for most businesses.
    3" × 4" ad slot

  • 10¢ per home
  • 5,000 homes
  • Large Slot
  • $900
  • $2400
    Save $300!
  • Maximum impact and exposure.
    6" × 4" ad slot

  • 18¢ per home
  • 5,000 homes
TCS mockup on fridge 12x9

Contact Us

 

Curious about how it works or how to get started? Get in touch and we’ll respond quickly to walk you through any details, availability, and next steps. You can also reach us by email.

Contact Us

Curious about how it works or how to get started? Get in touch and we’ll respond quickly to walk you through any details, availability, and next steps. You can also reach us by email.

TCS mockup on fridge 12x9