Direct Mail Cost

[Dan Miller]

I would like to start doing direct mail campaigns, either letters, postcards, or both. The thing is that I have almost no idea what the cost is, so it's hard for me to see if I can stay within a budget. If I want to buy a list (let's say preforeclosures or absentee owners), and then pay a mailhouse to send it out, what should I assume would be the cost per postcard? per letter? (costs would include purchase of list/name, cost to print, and cost of postage). I recognize I would run the campaign multiple times, but just for simplicity, one mailing, what would it cost me per mail piece (or for 500 names? 1000names?) Just trying to get a sense for what I can mail (postcard, 1st class, 3rd class), and how many names.

Thanks!