Why Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is the Most Cost-Effective Marketing Tool for Martial Arts Schools in 2025
In a time where online advertising costs continue to climb and digital noise makes it harder than ever to stand out, smart martial arts school owners are rediscovering the power of print—specifically, Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) postcards.
This blog post takes a deeper dive into what makes EDDM not just effective, but one of the most cost-efficient marketing investments you can make for your school.
1. Direct Mail Has Fixed Costs—No Surprises
Unlike digital platforms where ad spend can spike overnight due to competition, EDDM offers predictable pricing:
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Design, printing, and shipping: $395 for 1,000 custom postcards
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USPS postage: Approximately $190 for 1,000 households
That’s a total of $585 to reach 1,000 homes—about $0.58 per household. No bidding wars, no fluctuating CPMs, no wasted impressions on the wrong audience.
According to the Data & Marketing Association, direct mail boasts a 9% household response rate for oversized postcards—far higher than digital ads, which average a 0.9% click-through rate across platforms.
2. You’re Paying for Guaranteed Delivery
With social media and Google, you’re often paying for impressions or clicks, which doesn’t guarantee that the right person even saw or engaged with your message.
With EDDM, you’re paying for your postcard to be physically delivered into the mailboxes of your chosen neighborhoods. That means:
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No skipped ads
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No ad blockers
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No competing for attention against 10 other local businesses on the same scroll
In fact, a study by USPS showed that 77% of people sort through their physical mail as soon as they get it, and 55% say they look forward to discovering what’s in the mailbox. You simply don’t get that kind of attention in a digital scroll.
3. High Cost-Per-Click for Martial Arts Keywords
Martial arts schools face stiff digital competition. On Google Ads, the cost-per-click (CPC) for local martial arts-related keywords can range from $2 to $6 or more per click.
Want 1,000 people to click your ad?
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That could cost you $2,000 to $6,000, depending on your market.
Even if you use social media ads, CPCs can range from $0.70 to over $8, with many schools reporting unstable performance and ad fatigue.
According to WordStream, the average small business spends $9,000 to $10,000/month on Google Ads, and many martial arts schools struggle to compete unless they have a dedicated marketing team.
Compare that to 1,000 families physically receiving your offer for just $585. There’s simply no contest.
4. Postcards Have a Longer Shelf Life
A Facebook ad is gone in 3 seconds. A Google ad is forgotten the moment someone clicks away.
But a well-designed EDDM postcard?
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It gets set on the counter.
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It ends up on the fridge.
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It becomes a visual reminder of your school, your upcoming event, or your irresistible trial offer.
Research by the USPS Office of Inspector General shows that direct mail elicits a stronger emotional response and is easier to remember than digital media.
And best of all? Postcards don’t expire. They stay in the home, visible to the entire family, sometimes for days or even weeks.
5. Local Targeting Without Paying for Data
Google and Facebook charge you for advanced targeting. With EDDM, you can hand-pick your ZIP codes and USPS routes without paying extra for lists or access.
You reach:
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The neighborhoods around your school
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The families most likely to enroll
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The exact households you want to serve
No algorithm. No hidden fees. Just smart, local targeting on your terms.
Plus, EDDM lets you saturate specific areas, reinforcing brand visibility in a way that’s nearly impossible online unless you’re spending thousands.
Final Thoughts
When you look at the numbers, it becomes clear: EDDM delivers more value per dollar than most digital marketing options.
It’s direct, predictable, and powerful. You know exactly what you’re getting—and more importantly, so does your audience.
In a marketing landscape filled with uncertainty, EDDM postcards are a proven way to reach local families, generate leads, and grow your martial arts school without breaking the bank.