Create a direct mail campaign – Avid

Create a targeted direct mail campaign, assign packages to audience segments, and export a clean mailing list for production.

Use this article when

You want to send a targeted direct mail appeal to specific audience segments.
You need to assign different packages (letters, reply cards, postage) to each segment.
You must export a clean, production-ready CSV file for your print or mail vendor.

Applies to	Organizations with Direct Mail enabled; roles with Direct Mail access.
Permissions	Access to Direct Mail and permission to create and export campaigns.
What you need	Audience segments ready (Targets/Seeds/Exclusions). A configured File layout for export
Optional	Your print vendor’s latest file specifications.

Go to Direct Mail → Appeals → + Add New Appeal.

You see the campaign wizard: Information, Audience, Packages, Selection, Review.
On Information, enter Name, Drop date, and Appeal code, then select a File layout.

Click Next to move to Audience.
On Audience, add segments as Targets, Exclusions, or Seeds.

(Optional) Enable audience filters such as One record per household, Primary addresses only, and Exclude deceased records. Then click Next.
On Packages, add each package and its production details.
- Set Letter version, Carrier, Reply card, and Postage.
- Enter Cost to track budget.
- (Optional) Enable Split for A/B Test to A/B test package variants.
Click Next to move to Selection.
On Selection, assign a package to each audience cell.

Confirm the constituent count for each cell and the overall campaign, then click Next.
On Review, verify totals, package assignments, and estimated costs.

Click Export. The export job starts and runs in the background.
Download the CSV when the export completes.

Use the in-app notification or the email Download link, then send the file to your vendor.

You created a direct mail campaign, assigned packages by segment, and exported a production-ready mailing list for fulfillment.

Use Split for A/B Test in your next campaign to A/B test packages and improve response rates.
Update File layouts when your vendor’s column requirements change.
If you want ROI reporting in Avid, follow Create a matchback-ready appeal in Direct Mail and enable Matchback at export time.

Exports use the File layout configuration at the moment you run them.
If you change a layout, re-export to get updated columns.
Counts can change if your audience definitions update before you export again.
Large audiences may take longer to export. Wait for completion before sending files to your vendor.