Newark, NJ

<p>In the past few years, the number of people choosing the freelance lifestyle has steadily increased. In fact, <a href="https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/freelance-stats/#:~:text=By%20the%20year%202027%2C%20freelancers,by%20the%20end%20of%202020!">Website Planet</a> reported that 35% of Americans were freelancing in 2019, compared to 7% in 2013. Projections suggest that this number will only continue to grow, with an estimated 50.9% of working Americans becoming freelancers by 2027. </p><h3>Freelancers have unique needs</h3><p>As this segment of the workforce continues to grow, it’s important to note that freelancers face some issues that traditional 9-5 workers do not. Without a conventional employer to handle the overhead of operating as a business, freelancers have to invest in many resources and tools. </p><p>Freelancers have to think of everything from where they will work to the mechanics of how they will get paid. Moreover, because they <i>are</i> their business, freelancers may have to work extra hard to separate their personal and professional lives. These aspects of the freelancer lifestyle lead to additional expenses and paperwork. </p><p>Several tools can make a freelancer’s life easier, like invoicing software or building a website with a Content Management System (CMS). However, one often overlooked product that can make freelancers’ lives easier is a virtual mailbox service. </p><h3>What is a virtual mailbox?</h3><p>A <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/virtual-mailbox"><u>virtual mailbox</u></a> service will digitize your postal mail so that you can access it online, 24/7, from any device. When you sign up for a virtual mailbox, you will go through an onboarding process to officially give the company the right to receive postal mail on your behalf. Then, your virtual mailbox provider will begin receiving your postal mail and digitizing it for you to access it like email. </p><p>Your virtual mailbox subscription will also come with a virtual address that you can share with clients or other people who may send you postal mail. Virtual addresses are real, physical addresses, but the word virtual is used to clarify that a company or person does not actually reside at that address. When people send you postal mail, they will need to use your virtual address for it to be digitized by your postal mail provider. <br/></p><h3>How does a virtual mailbox work? </h3><p>At a basic level, <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/how-virtual-mail-works">this is how a virtual mailbox operates</a>:</p><ul><li><p><b>You sign up for a plan that fits your needs.</b> When signing up for a virtual mailbox plan, you’ll want to keep in mind things like whether or not you need to choose your virtual address, how many people need access to your postal mail, and more. We offer three different <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/pricing"><u>virtual mailbox plans</u></a><u> </u>to suit different needs for individuals, freelancers, or small businesses. Medium to large companies can choose from mailroom plans that allow for larger quantities of mail. </p></li><li><p><b>USPS routes your postal mail to a secure facility where it is processed and digitized.</b> At Earth Class Mail, we log, organize, and store your postal mail with the help of our Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (<a href="https://www.hipaatraining.com/"><u>HIPAA</u></a>) certified technicians. </p></li><li><p><b>The virtual address service scans the postal mail and uploads it to a cloud-based service</b> giving you the freedom to access it whenever from wherever. Earth Class Mail uploads your postal mail to our secure cloud as a high-resolution PDF document with a searchable text feature, where you can easily view it in your account.</p></li></ul><p>A virtual mailbox service should provide you with efficiency, flexibility, and, most importantly, security while addressing your postal mail needs.</p><h3>Why should freelancers consider a virtual mailbox? </h3><p>Virtual mailboxes are popular with businesses, digital nomads, ex-pats, and location-independent people. There are a few reasons why freelancers can benefit from a virtual mailbox or virtual address. Many of these stem from aspects of the freelancer lifestyle and the need to operate as a legitimate business.  </p><p>Here are a few reasons freelancers should consider investing in a virtual mailbox:</p><ol><li><p><b>Separate your personal and professional address.</b> Anyone can benefit from having a virtual mailbox, but keeping your residential address private is critical for privacy and security for independent business owners and freelancers. However, you likely still need an address to share with clients or to <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/blog/use-virtual-address-to-register-business"><u>register as an LLC</u></a>. Many small business owners, startups, or freelancers utilize their personal address as their business address. However, this approach can easily entangle your private and confidential affairs and require you to publicize your residential address when you otherwise wouldn’t. With a virtual address, you can register your business or share an address with clients without broadcasting your private information. </p></li><li><p><b>Get paid faster with Check Deposit.</b> While some find it hard to believe, many companies still use checks to pay invoices. In fact, we cash anywhere between $8 million to $20 million a week for our customers. As a freelancer, you’ll work with clients who use various payment methods, including checks. With an Earth Class Mail account, you can sign up for automated Check Deposit and get paid faster.</p></li><li><p><b>Make document retention easy with integrations.</b> Earth Class Mail makes it easy to integrate your postal mail with apps you know and love, such as Dropbox and Google Drive - all from your favorite device, with the touch of a button. With a virtual mailbox, keeping a digital record of all necessary documents is easy. </p></li><li><p><b>Save time and manage your postal mail like email.</b> With a virtual mailbox, you have full control of your postal mail. You have the option to share, shred, or connect your postal mail. The best virtual mail services allow you to do what you want when you want</p></li><li><p><b>Flexibility.</b> Freelancers aren’t typically tied to specific offices or locations. Whether you’re on the go or traveling for work or pleasure - a virtual mailbox provides you convenient access to your postal mail whenever and wherever you are. Ideally, a virtual mailbox should have the ability to handle packages as well as your postal mail. At Earth Class Mail, we allow you to store your incoming packages until you’re ready to receive them at your private address – submit a request when you decide. We’ll send your packages directly to your residential address. </p></li></ol><h3>Summary </h3><p>Freelancers have their work cut out for them. Between operating as a business of their own and keeping clients happy, there’s a lot to do. Of the many ways freelancers can ease some of this burden, a virtual mailbox is one of the most unique. Not only does a virtual mailbox make it easier for freelancers to separate their personal and professional lives, but it also can enhance their efficiency with features like automated check deposit and document storage integrations. <br/><br/></p>

In the past few years, the number of people choosing the freelance lifestyle has steadily increased. In fact, Website Planet reported that 35% of Americans were freelancing in 2019, compared to 7% in 2013. Projections suggest that this number will  

Freelancers face a number of unique challenges, including separating their professional presence from their personal life. Read more about how a virtual mailbox can help freelancers face this challenge.

Why Freelancers Should Consider A Virtual Mailbox

<p>When starting a business, there are a lot of questions to answer. Especially if you are a first-time entrepreneur, you may have never thought about many of the things you&#39;ll need in order to get your business off the ground. </p><p>One of the most important steps you may need to take to legitimize your business in the legal sense is to register it. </p><h3><b>What Does it Mean to Register My Business? </b></h3><p>Registering your business is the process of making it a <a href="https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business"><u>legal entity</u></a> in the eyes of the federal or state government. Many companies opt only to register with state agencies. It&#39;s important to note that owners can register a business in multiple states and are sometimes required to do so. Depending on your business&#39; structure and location, you must follow different requirements to register it. </p><h4><b>Business registration vs. Business name registration </b></h4><p>Some businesses choose only to register their name with state and local governments. Still, it&#39;s important to remember that registering your business and registering its name are not the same. If you register your business with the state, you don&#39;t typically need to <a href="https://www.thebalancesmb.com/register-business-name-3974576#:~:text=Business%20registration%20means%20sending%20in,by%20completing%20Articles%20of%20Incorporation.&text=As%20part%20of%20the%20incorporation,will%20automatically%20register%20the%20name."><u>register its name</u></a> because registering the company as a whole accomplishes that. </p><p>When you submit your business name for registration, you ensure that the state&#39;s registry of legal names includes your company. <a href="https://www.thebalancesmb.com/"><u><i>The Balance</i></u></a> recommends taking this step if you plan to run a sole proprietorship or have decided on a business name but are still figuring out more details about its structure. <br/></p><h3><b>Do I Need to Register My Business?</b></h3><p>Before you worry too much about registering your business, it&#39;s essential to know whether or not you are required to do so. In terms of federal registration, the Small Business Administration (SBA) advises that most companies don&#39;t need to register outside of filing for a national tax ID. </p><p>However, there are different implications for state registration. Generally speaking, LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits will most likely need to register in any states they conduct business. The SBA defines conducting business as: </p><ul><li><p>Having a physical location or presence in a state</p></li><li><p>Traveling regularly to a state for client work</p></li><li><p>Substantial revenue coming from a state </p></li><li><p>Having employees who work in a particular state </p></li></ul><p>If your business is an LLC, corporation, partnership, or nonprofit and meets the above criteria in a particular state, you will likely need to register there.</p><h3><b>What Are the Benefits of Registering My Business?</b></h3><p>Even if you aren&#39;t required to register your business at the federal or state level, there are many benefits in doing so. When applicable, registering your business at the national level can offer benefits like trademark protection or tax-exempt status. </p><p>At the state level, registering your business can protect you from personal liability while also offering legal and tax benefits. There are also many<a href="https://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-registering-business-532.html#:~:text=A%20business%20registration%20allows%20you,taxes%20on%20the%20employee's%20behalf."><u> services</u></a> that you may need or seek as your business scales that will be easier to obtain if your business is registered. For example, finance-related tasks like getting a bank account or loan for your business are more accessible if your business is registered. To hire full-time employees to help you grow your business, you will need to register your business.</p><h3><b>What Do I Need to Register My Business? </b></h3><p>In preparation for registering your business, you will need to have a few things ready.</p><ul><li><p>You will need a <a href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/what-is-a-registered-agent"><u>registered agent</u></a>. Registered agents can receive official paperwork on behalf of your company, but they must be located within the state of your choosing. In some cases, a registered agent is an employee. However, many companies choose to work with external service providers, as well. </p></li><li><p>Be ready to pay registration fees. There are fees associated with registering your business, and these can vary based on location and type of business. Fortunately, the SBA reports that registering your business typically costs under $300. </p></li><li><p>Prepare the proper documentation needed for your business structure. Depending on the form of your business, you will need various types of documentation. For example, LLCs require <a href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/articles-of-incorporation-what-are-articles-of-incorporation"><u>articles of incorporation</u></a> and an <a href="https://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/llc-operating-agreement/?loc=US"><u>LLC operating agreement</u></a>. Visit the <a href="https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business"><u>SBA</u></a> to determine what kinds of documents you must prepare for your business structure.  </p></li><li><p>Determine any (state or federal) permits needed to operate your business legally. It&#39;s possible that your business may need permits to operate. For example, some counties require companies to register their names. To determine any applicable local requirements, you will need to investigate local government sites. At the federal level, you may need special permits if your industry is regulated by a federal agency. </p></li><li><p>Be mindful of ongoing requirements. When registering your business, make sure you determine whether or not you will need to keep any documentation or reports up to date. These requirements can vary by state or business type. <br/></p></li></ul><h3><b>Where Should I Register My Business? </b></h3><p>As covered earlier, where you are required to register a business depends mainly on where you conduct business. That covers everything from where workers live, to where your revenue comes from. However, companies who either have no physical location, nor regularly conduct out-of-state business, may be able to <a href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/starting-up-which-state-to-file-your-llc-in"><u>start an LLC in a state they don&#39;t live in</u></a>. Typically, businesses take this route to take advantage of the incentives that the state provides. </p><p>For example, many companies choose to form LLCs in Delaware because associated fees are lower, and the state does not tax out-of-state income. Moreover, should you enter into any disputes for your business, you can take advantage of Delaware&#39;s <a href="https://courts.delaware.gov/chancery/"><u>Court of Chancery</u></a>. This court is dedicated to hearing only business-related cases and is the only one of its kind in the U.S.  </p><p>Other popular states for forming an LLC include Nevada and Wyoming. Neither of these states charges business income or franchise taxes. Nevada has relatively lax measures for remaining compliant with the law and offers some unique privacy benefits. For example, the state does not require operating agreements and &quot;allows LLC owners to remain anonymous in public filings.&quot; On the other hand, Wyoming offers the option of a &quot;lifetime proxy.&quot; An owner&#39;s identity can remain private by leveraging a lifetime proxy to share their perspective. </p><p>Many companies also opt for <a href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/which-state-should-you-file-your-llc-in"><u>registering in their home state</u></a> even if it&#39;s not required. Of course, proximity likely makes this option the most convenient one for most. Registering your business in your home state can save you from paying the fees associated with a foreign LLC or a registered agent. </p><p>Overall, where you register your business can have many implications for the fees that you pay or the legal benefits you receive. For many small companies, this matter is quickly resolved by where they primarily conduct business. However, for LLCs who have more leeway in terms of registering or setting up their business, it&#39;s worth considering how you can optimize for factors like tax benefits or privacy.</p><h3><b>How Do I Register My Business? </b></h3><p>Once you have followed the above steps to prepare and understand the appropriate requirements, you are ready to register your business.</p><p>First, you will request an Employer Identification Number (<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers"><u>EIN</u></a>) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An EIN is also referred to as a Federal Tax Number. If you are unsure whether or not you need an EIN, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/do-you-need-an-ein"><u>this IRS questionnaire</u></a> can help you determine the answer. Any businesses that employ people or that operate as corporations or partnerships are required to obtain an EIN. Applying for an EIN is free and can be done <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/how-to-apply-for-an-ein"><u>online, by mail, or by fax</u></a>.</p><p>Next, you will need to register your business with state or federal agencies. Depending on the state you are registering in, you may be able to complete registration online. However, some states only allow registration in-person or by mail. To confirm the requirements for the state or states of your choosing, you will need to visit each state&#39;s government website. Typically, you will need to register with the Secretary of State&#39;s office, a Business Bureau, or a Business Agency. </p><p>While there is a lot to consider when registering your business, closing the loop on this process is not difficult if you&#39;ve done the upfront work required to understand all of the steps you’ll need to take. <br/></p><h3><b>Summary </b></h3><p>Registering your business is one of the most important steps you can take to legitimize your operations. It&#39;s also important to note that you must tailor business registration based on your location, business structure, and how you operate. </p><p>For instance, some businesses need to only register at the state level and not the federal level. Other companies may also need to register at the local level, depending on city or country-specific requirements. </p><p>While many businesses may not be required to register, there are several benefits to doing so. Most notably, registered companies enjoy tax-benefits and liability protection. However, registering a business can also make other critical operational tasks more straightforward. For example, getting a loan or a business bank account is much easier as a registered business.</p><p>To prepare to register your business, be sure to conduct the necessary research on the best path forward for your business and prepare the proper documentation. Conducting research upfront will make registering your business a breeze! </p><p>In need of a virtual address to register your business? Learn more about our business address plan. </p>

When starting a business, there are a lot of questions to answer. Especially if you are a first-time entrepreneur, you may have never thought about many of the things you'll need in order to get your business off the ground. 

There's a lot to do when you start a business: from deciding your business structure to registering your business. In particular, registering your business can spur a lot of questions. We put together a guide for small business owners and entrepeneurs.

Registering Your Business: A Guide for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs 

<p>It’s been going on eight months now since the team at <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/">Earth Class Mail</a> has been working from home. With a team of five, spanning multiple time zones and locations, even before workplaces established COVID work from home policies, keeping everyone on the same page wasn’t always easy. But now, with an almost fully-remote workforce across the organization, the need for transparency, clarity, and consistency is even greater. </p><p>To say that my team has relied on technology to get us through this experience would be putting it lightly… Without video conferencing, instant messaging, and good old-fashioned email, I can’t imagine how we would function. Traditional water cooler talk is out, but collaboration can still take place, in spite of the obstacles working remotely can create.</p><p>As most of us settle into working remotely for the long term, <a href="https://businessfacilities.com/2020/06/even-after-covid-19-execs-expect-remote-work-trend-to-continue/"><u>at least longer than we had initially thought</u></a>, we can’t afford a band-aid approach. It takes sustainable methods and consistent practices to keep our teams engaged and productive. </p><h3>Tools and Check-ins </h3><p>I’ve managed remote employees in the past, but to have the entire company working away from the office has forced a shift in how I operate, how we communicate as colleagues, and how we stay on-track without the benefit of face-to-face interactions. New tools and routine check-ins have taken the place of more casual encounters.</p><p>As part of my research on different mechanisms and techniques to keep employees engaged, I’ve been talking to colleagues in my network at the <a href="https://www.revenuecollective.com/"><u>Revenue Collective</u></a> to hear what they have to say about this new style of work.</p><p>Heather Teicher, VP of Marketing at Loqate (a GBG solution) shared her experience in managing her remote team. &quot;It&#39;s been very important to maintain personal connections with members of my team. We&#39;ve been &quot;at home&quot; in the NYC/NJ area since the end of February and had to get creative in how we keep things fun, while working really hard. We chat about what&#39;s really going on in our lives on weekly 1:1 calls (non-video) and share random things that make us happy over text, like freshly baked cookies. We&#39;ve sent each other flowers for each other&#39;s birthdays and random surprises for jobs well done. Anything to keep each other smiling and sane.&quot; These seemingly small gestures can go a long way in maintaining team unity and connectivity.</p><p>Intentionally setting aside time to check-in with my team on non-work related matters has been important for my team as well. Virtual Happy Hours with “get to know you” games have been a great way to maintain social connection. It’s also been important to check-in and see how the team is <i>feeling</i>, just how they are <i>doing</i>. Happiness scores in our new HR platform <a href="https://lattice.com/"><u>Lattice</u></a> have helped drive some of those conversations.</p><p>Watching for signs of employee burnout are also important. At Earth Class Mail, we have an unlimited PTO policy, and I encourage my team to take time away from work to recharge and unplug. Lattice also provides the opportunity to ask deeper questions and monitor happiness scores over time. This helps shine light on employees who might benefit from some time away from their desk, screens, and home office.</p><p>Tate Gibson, Head of Marketing at AccessPay identified that “video call fatigue is real. I think our brains are working harder to read emotion and understand each other through pixels and headphones.” To combat that, her team has camera-optional daily stand-up in the mornings to check in on everyone&#39;s mood and priorities for the day. These meetings help remind her group that they are “on a team, not on an island” and allows her to follow-up with team members directly if she senses that anyone is feeling overwhelmed or “off.”</p><h3>Management Tips</h3><p>The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted some best practices in an article called <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/battling-pandemic-blues-how-managers-can-rally-the-troops-11602460801?st=25c0vf13vhioljr&reflink=article_imessage_share"><u>Battling Pandemic Blues: How Managers Can Rally the Troops</u></a>. The article does a fantastic job of offering insights into managing teams from a distance. It features tips and tricks that I’ve began implementing with my own team such as:</p><ol><li><p><b>Rethink meetings:</b> Make sure every Zoom call has a purpose. If a meeting isn’t working, adjust the content, cut the time in half, or scrap it altogether.</p></li><li><p><b>Analyze what happened: </b>Conduct after-event reviews of your team’s successes and failures, Prof. Hinds says, so no one’s in the dark about what happened, and employees can apply lessons learned to the next project.</p></li><li><p><b>Give people a challenge:</b> Form a special team to examine new opportunities or give workers time to tackle a tough problem. Learning helps people grow, feel engaged and be productive, Ms. Bates says.</p></li><li><p><b>Keep tabs on your employees</b>: Set reminders on your calendar to check in with folks. Standing meetings can further clutter your team’s calendar, so adjust your outreach as you go based on who needs what. And really listen to what they share.</p></li><li><p><b>Offer perspective: </b>Remind your team that this is just a moment in time. Things might be hard, but this stretch won’t last forever.<br/></p></li></ol><h3>Summary</h3><p>While working remotely has proved challenging, it has also been rewarding in many ways. My team members who were already remote get an equal amount of face-time among the checkerboard during our video calls. The situation has pushed me as a leader to be open to new approaches, new technology, and new ways of connecting. Celebrating our achievements has taken on new importance, and making sure everyone feels connected is a top priority. The team at Earth Class Mail continues to be collaborative, open, and hard-working - all reasons that motivated me to join the company in the first place.</p>

It’s been going on eight months now since the team at Earth Class Mail has been working from home. With a team of five, spanning multiple time zones and locations, even before workplaces established COVID work from home policies, keeping everyone on the

With the pandemic, teams around the country have been pushed into working remotely. For leaders managing a team remotely can present unique challenges. Read more about how our VP of Marketing has tackled managing her team remotely.

Managing a Team Remotely at Earth Class Mail 

<p>It’s happened to all of us. You walk out to your mailbox, open the door, and pull out a thick, folded wad of unwanted mail. You can already see the coupons, credit card offers, and advertisements, so you go straight to the garbage can and start tossing. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up with one or two bits of mail that you’re actually interested in opening. </p><p>On average, every American receives 41 lbs. of unwanted mail per year. That’s 41 lbs. of unwanted mail for <b>every member</b> of your household. The average person spends more than a year and a half of their life going through mail.</p><p>You didn’t want the mail or ask for it and you’re not interested in the offer, so where does it go? Right into the trash or recycling can, along with the 15,000 lbs. of unwanted mail everyone else throws away every day. Maybe unsurprisingly, nearly half of all of those pieces of unwanted mail are never even opened.</p><p>Putting a stop to the amount of unwanted mail you receive can give you more time in the day to do the things that are important to you, and of course, reduce clutter.</p><h3>Benefits of Reducing Your Unwanted Postal Mail</h3><p>The first thing you’ll notice when you eliminate your unwanted mail is that your trips to the mailbox are much less disappointing. The mail you receive is there for a reason and you actually want to read it. You’ll see a significant reduction in clutter as those little piles of mail you’re “going to look at later” start to disappear.</p><p>The less obvious but even more important result, is that your household’s carbon footprint will be dramatically reduced. An average family of four who eliminates their unwanted mail waste will reduce toxic emissions by more than 572 lbs. per year.</p><p>You might have wondered before whether the postal mail you’re throwing out could pose a risk to the security of your identity and personal information. The U.S. Postal Service’s 2016 Annual Report stated there were more than 60,000 cases of mail theft in a single year, many involving attempted or convicted identity theft. So reducing the amount of unwanted mail you receive, such as unsolicited credit card offers, could also help you safeguard your identity. </p><h3>Why are you receiving unwanted mail?</h3><p>There could be a number of reasons you are receiving unwanted mail. As you shop or go about your everyday activities, companies receive access to your personal information and add it to their records. Over time, the number of mailing lists or catalogs you didn’t consciously opt into just seems to grow and grow. That translates into more unwanted mail. </p><p>You may also find yourself receiving unwanted mail from companies or institutions you’ve never interacted with. That’s because some companies will obtain your address, name, and other information from public records, applications, directories, and sometimes even the USPS itself. Then, they use your information for huge direct mail marketing campaigns for their clients. </p><p>This combination of a digital footprint and direct mail marketing campaigns are part of why that pile of unwanted mail only seems to grow. </p><h3>How to Stop Unwanted Mail from Individual Senders</h3><p>Learning where unwanted mail is coming from can help you put a dent in the amount you receive. If you know where the items are coming from, you can opt out and register for the postal mail equivalent of a “Do Not Call” list. However, direct mail companies cannot guarantee that your name will be removed from all lists, so alternative options should be considered. The following are options for removing your information from specific lists and types of lists. Keep reading to find out how you can get rid of unwanted postal mail all at once.</p><h3>Stop Unwanted Postal Mail Offers</h3><p>You can opt-out of certain types of mail like insurance and credit offers for five years or forever, according to the Federal Trade Commission. You can also write into each of the three major credit bureaus with a request to opt-out of postal mail offers.</p><h4>Experian</h4><p>Opt-Out</p><p>PO Box 919</p><p>Allen, TX 75013</p><h4>TransUnion</h4><p>Name Removal Option</p><p>PO Box 505</p><p>Woodlyn, PA 19094</p><h4>Equifax, Inc.</h4><p>Options</p><p>PO Box 740123</p><p>Atlanta, GA 30374</p><h4>
Opt-Out of Direct Mail</h4><p>To remove your name from thousands of direct mail lists at once, you can submit a request to be placed on the National Do Not Mail List. You’ll have to update your status on this list every six months through Direct Mail.</p><h4>Opt-Out of Data &amp; Marketing Association</h4><p>The Data &amp; Marketing Association, a direct mail company that provides your consumer information to countless marketers, will allow you to opt-out for a fee of $2 or $3, depending on whether you register online or by mail.</p><h4>DMAchoice</h4><p>Data &amp; Marketing Association</p><p>PO Box 643</p><p>Carmel, NY 10512</p><p>Neither DMA nor Direct Mail can guarantee your name will be removed from all lists. </p><h4>Stop Receiving Catalogs</h4><p>If you’re receiving catalogs, your information is probably on a list with Abacus, an association of publishing companies. You can have yourself removed from the list via email or by writing to their physical address.</p><h4>Abacus, Inc.</h4><p>PO Box 1478</p><p>Broomfield, CO 80038</p><p>Alternatively, you can request a free service from Catalog Choice to cancel specific catalogs and other postal mail. Not all catalogs and postal mail can be canceled through Catalog Choice, so you’ll have to search their database.</p><h4>Stop Receiving Subscriptions</h4><p>If you’re subscribed to a magazine or organization, you can make a request directly to the sender to cancel your subscription and remove your name from their registry. Unfortunately, many of these senders sell or share your information with other lists, so you’ll have to make one or more requests that they do not share your information, and then start the process of opting out of any lists they’ve already added your name to.</p><h4>Stop Donation Requests</h4><p>When you donate to a charity, your name and information are typically added to their mailing list and are often sold to or exchanged with other lists. To prevent this, include a note with all donations asking that your information not be shared. You can also request that the organization not send you further donation requests or that they reduce the frequency of the requests. If you have no interest in continuing to donate to the organization, you can request that your name be removed from the mailing list and not shared. </p><h4>“Dear Current Resident”</h4><p>If you receive mail that’s addressed to “resident” or “occupant,” you can return the promotion to the sender if the envelope is marked with:</p><ul><li><p>Return/forwarding/address/change service requested</p></li><li><p>First Class Mail</p></li></ul><p>Just write “return to sender” on the envelope and place it in the outgoing mail.</p><h4>Supplemental Opt-Outs</h4><p>Many organizations sell your information to direct mail marketers. If you’re attempting to clear your mailbox using the opt-out method, include opt-out requests to SKUlocal and RetailMeNot. If you continue to receive marketing mail, contact senders individually to be taken off each list.</p><h4>Stop Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes</h4><p>Publishers Clearing House is one of the most common direct mail marketers and has been since the 50s. Opt-out of this mailing list with their online form, by email, or by writing to their physical address.</p><h4>Consumer &amp; Privacy Affairs</h4><p>Publishers Clearing House</p><p>300 Jericho Quadrangle #300</p><p>Jericho, NY 11753</p><h4>Do Not Mail Registry</h4><p>The Center for a New American Dream<u> is an organization that</u> campaigns for a Do Not Mail service in the United States. So far, 14 states have considered implementing registries and fines for companies who ignore them. There are paid services available to help you remove your name from individual lists, but none can guarantee complete removal or even that the mailers will follow through with the removals.</p><h3>How to Stop Unwanted Mail in the Future</h3><p>Once you’ve gotten the bulk of your bulk mail eliminated, make sure it stays that way by contacting any organization that still has permission to use your information and ask that they do not share it with anyone without your consent. This includes banks, utility companies, insurance companies, credit card companies, and more. Any time you provide your information when ordering or registering a product, subscribing to a publication or service, entering a contest, etc., make a request that your information be kept private. This can be done by simply writing “no mailing lists” next to your name.</p><h3>Stop Unwanted Mail With a Virtual Mailbox</h3><p>Another way to put an end to unwanted mail is a virtual mailbox. A <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/virtual-mailbox">virtual mailbox</a> regulates your postal mailbox automatically with rules you set regarding what you’d like to receive. Of course, you can supplement a virtual mailbox with various opt-out methods to truly optimize your mailbox. </p><p>Services like Earth Class Mail allow you to go paperless, dramatically reducing the amount of time you spend dealing with mail by letting you access your deliveries from any smart device at your convenience. In fact, Earth Class Mail will automatically sort out certain classes of postal mail so that unwanted promotional mail never makes it to you. </p><p>While a virtual mailbox doesn’t stop unwanted mail from being produced or sent to you, it does make it so that you never have to interact with it. Moreover, every bit of postal mail that passes through Earth Class Mail facilities that is not forwarded to its owner, is securely <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/mail-shredding">shredded and recycled</a>. </p><h2>What is a virtual mailbox?</h2><p>Virtual mailboxes are the modern-day solution for reducing the amount of unwanted mail you receive and spending less time sifting through it every day. It allows you to access your mail from any smart device, enabling you to travel without worrying about what you’ll miss, provide a secure address for your home-based business, and keep a secure record of important documents.</p><p>A provider like Earth Class Mail will convert your postal mail into a digital format that you can access like email. With Earth Class Mail, you can store postal mail, share it, or transfer it to connected apps like Dropbox or Google Drive. When you choose to discard unwanted mail, Earth Class Mail will shred it and recycle the materials. Virtual mail reduces unwanted mail and provides an additional layer of security against mail theft. Plus, you can access your postal mail online, on any device. </p><h3>Stop Receiving Unwanted Mail </h3><p>Unwanted mail affects more than your mailbox and your workday, but fortunately there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of mail you receive. One option is to go through the various opt-out methods and preventative measures and hope that your information isn’t still out there being shared. Another option is to sign up for a virtual mailbox that will filter your mail automatically according to your settings and selections and immediately stop unwanted mail from ever arriving. A virtual mailbox service like Earth Class Mail will not only allow you to set smart rules, but they will also recycle any unwanted mail or pieces of postal mail that are not stored or forwarded. Of course, you can also combine opt-out methods with a virtual mailbox and put an end to unwanted mail once and for all. </p>

It’s happened to all of us. You walk out to your mailbox, open the door, and pull out a thick, folded wad of unwanted mail. You can already see the coupons, credit card offers, and advertisements, so you go straight to the garbage can and start tossing.

Unwanted mail can be a nuisance. All of those promotional flyers and credit card offers you never asked for can easily pile up. Read more to learn how you can stop receiving unwanted mail.

How to Stop Receiving Unwanted Mail | Earth Class Mail

How to Stop Receiving Unwanted Mail

<p>Communication is vital for businesses to connect with customers. Often this communication is not done correctly with the customer in mind. New fixes, features, and updates are made to the product suite without proper communication to the customers that would benefit most from knowing about them. With the fast-paced nature of internet software and service businesses to quickly fix pain points and launch new features, good communication does not always occur. </p><p>At <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/">Earth Class Mail</a>, we focus on improving the communication we share with you, the customer. We have implemented several new ways to improve how we share new features and updates launched for the products you use. Our new changelog is part of this communication improvement. </p><p>The changelog is the best place to see our current and past communications to see everything we are working on and our updates.</p><h3>Changelog</h3><p>The changelog is organized on a page containing all the fixes, announcements, and improvements in reverse chronological order. It provides an efficient mode of communication with current and prospective customers. At Earth Class Mail, we use the changelog to communicate all updates to our customers, but we also use our version of the changelog internally to work backward from what we should create. </p><h3>Working Backwards</h3><p>The “working backward” process is a method where our desired result is determined, and then teams figure out the best way to achieve it. Amazon pioneered the use of the <a href="https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/amazon-uses-a-secret-process-for-launching-new-ideas-and-it-can-transform-way-you-work.html">“working backward”</a> process in its development of products. </p><p>At Earth Class Mail, we use ”working backward” documents to drive our product development every week. The product manager provides a working backward document to be reviewed by the business stakeholders. The document leads with what the changelog will say when the product or feature is launched. </p><p>This process was recently completed with the launch of our popular check deposit feature in the Earth Class Mail iOS app. This feature went through the entire “working backward” process. The changelog that is live matches what had been initially presented in the early vision of the feature.<br/></p><h3>What You’ll Find in Our Changelog</h3><p>In our changelog, you will find a list of fixes, announcements, and improvements. In each update, we focus on the basics of what, why, when, where, and how we fixed or improved the products that you use. At the bottom of each update, you will see an opportunity to provide your kudos or feedback. We value receiving your feedback to be aware if we’re doing the right thing, encounter any pain points with the product, or have ideas for future product feature requests. This communication is vital for connecting with you and ensuring we are on the right track to creating a product you love to use.</p><h3>Announcekit.app</h3><p>In our search for a changelog platform that provided flexible posting options at the right price, we decided on <a href="https://announcekit.app/">announcekit.app</a>. The UI offers a simple way to make announcements with widgets, tracking, and easy-to-format posts. You can also subscribe to our page and receive an email as soon as we publish a new update.</p><p> You can find the new Earth Class Mail changelog here: <a href="https://announcekit.app/earth-class-mail/announcements">https://announcekit.app/earth-class-mail/announcements</a> </p>

Communication is vital for businesses to connect with customers. Often this communication is not done correctly with the customer in mind. New fixes, features, and updates are made to the product suite without proper communication to the customer

Learn more about how to stay in touch with product updates from Earth Class Mail. 

Stay Informed About What’s Going On at Earth Class Mail

<p>At Earth Class Mail, protecting our customers’ postal mail and personal data is our top priority. From monitoring our processing facilities to offering our customers the privacy of a virtual address, our products are designed with the security of your confidential information in mind. </p><h3><b>Keeping Your Postal Mail Secure </b></h3><p>That’s why we’re excited to announce that we have recently completed a System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2® Type 1 audit. This audit shows ECM’s systems and designs, from its hiring process to physical and technical security, are in line with <a href="https://www.compassitc.com/blog/ssae-16-soc-2-report-the-5-trust-principles"><u>trust principles</u></a>. Trust principles are the security criteria outlined by the SOC 2® report. The team is now preparing for its SOC 2® Type 2 audit.</p><p>In addition to being SOC 2 Type 1 compliant and tight security measures at physical facilities, Earth Class Mail undergoes annual Penetration Tests (or pen testing). Pen testing is a security exercise in which a cyber-security expert attempts to find vulnerabilities in an attempt to identify any weak spots in a computer system.  </p><p>Security of our systems and your data is our top priority and a core value at Earth Class Mail. SOC 2® compliance and proactive penetration tests are just some of the steps we take to secure your postal mail.</p><h3><b>Virtual mailboxes and security</b></h3><p>With the increased prevalence of remote work, a virtual mailbox helps turn postal mail into secure, searchable PDFs. A <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/blog/what-is-a-virtual-mailbox"><u>virtual mailbox</u></a> contains scanned copies of your postal mail, which you can access 24/7, from any device.</p><p>Using a physical mailbox has some security limitations, such as susceptibility to “<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/porch-pirates-have-become-public-enemy-number-one-stopping-them-ncna1104446"><u>porch pirates</u></a>” or mail theft (which can lead to <a href="https://www.lifelock.com/learn-identity-theft-resources-what-is-mail-theft.html"><u>identity theft</u></a>). In fact, last year, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) reported 2,076 mail-theft related convictions. A virtual mailbox protects you from many of these vulnerabilities.</p><p>So, how does a virtual mailbox work? All incoming postal mail is routed to Earth Class Mail’s secure processing centers in Beaverton, OR or San Antonio, TX. The centers are access-restricted and monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cameras are also placed throughout the processing facilities and all visitors are logged and escorted throughout the facility. </p><p>Our secure measures begin at the physical facilities and hiring phase. Every technician (mail handler) must pass a background check and complete intensive security training. </p><h3><b>Secure and Digitize Your Postal With Earth Class Mail</b></h3><p>With SOC 2® compliance and our rigorous security measures, we are delighted to continue to secure postal mail for thousands of customers everyday.  Moreover, we are proud to provide our customers with affirmation that our systems and processes are continually evaluated and advanced to better safeguard your information.</p>

At Earth Class Mail, protecting our customers’ postal mail and personal data is our top priority. From monitoring our processing facilities to offering our customers the privacy of a virtual address, our products are designed with the security of your

We’re excited to announce that we have recently completed a System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2® Type 1 audit. Security of our systems and your data is our top priority and a core value at Earth Class Mail. 

Securing Your Postal Mail Earth Class Mail is SOC 2 Type 1® Certified 

Earth Class Mail is Officially SOC 2 Type 1® Certified

<p>You asked, and we listened. We’re excited to announce that our popular check deposit feature is now available in the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earth-class-mail/id1484077329">iOS app.</a> We understand that dealing with checks can be a hassle, and you have more important things to do than waiting around by your laptop for checks to arrive in your account.</p><p>With the check deposit feature in the iOS app, you can be anywhere, getting groceries or enjoying a day at the park, and deposit your checks from your mobile device as soon as they arrive in your account.</p><img className="blog-content-image" width=600 height=300 src=//images.ctfassets.net/nkeg78xbl0jr/aUrIlzgko0kFz7PvhOjBD/65bdc254f394526718bda9e622c223db/Email_graphic.png /><p></p><p>Our product and engineering teams have been hard at work for the last few months making this a reality. As of October 6th, this functionality is live in the iOS app! Now you can deposit checks and track their progress at your convenience, 24/7, from your mobile device.</p><h3>Checks are here to stay</h3><p>In the age of credit cards and Apple Pay©, it’s easy to think of checks as a thing of the past, but that’s not the case. In 2019, the Federal Reserve reported collecting 17.5 million commercial checks daily. This translates to an average daily value of $33.1 billion. Checks aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, especially for small businesses. According to the SMB Technology Adoption Index™ in Q3 of 2016, 97% of small and medium businesses surveyed were still dependent on checks for sending and receiving payments.</p><p>We’ve seen similar trends with Earth Class Mail customers. Earth Class Mail customers cash anywhere between $8 million and $20 million in checks every week. Earth Class Mail customers deposit over 60% of the checks our system detects using the check deposit feature. We know how important it is for our customers to cash checks as quickly as possible, so we decided to invest in making it even easier for customers to deposit checks from their mobile devices.</p><p><i>Learn more about how our customer, </i><a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/blog/how-desire-street-ministries-modernized-their-mail-processing"><i>Desire Street Ministries,</i></a><i> uses check deposit to improve their efficiency as a nonprofit.</i></p><h3>Get paid faster with check deposit in the iOS app</h3><p>Now all iOS users can deposit checks straight from their mobile device! Make deposits, track progress, and get paid faster directly from your iOS device. The new check deposit feature will improve your experience in the following ways:</p><ul><li><p><b>The funds you need, in your hands faster. </b>We know that many of our customers are small businesses or entrepreneurs who depend on these funds to run their business. We’re thrilled to be able to help get those funds to you faster and more conveniently than ever before.</p></li><li><p><b>Keep an eye on your money. </b>The check deposit feature offers a timeline for your checks, so you always know the status of your deposit requests.</p></li></ul><p>If you aren’t already using check deposit with your Earth Class Mail plan, <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/check-deposit">learn more about adding this feature to your plan.</a></p><h3>Getting Started</h3><ul><li><p>It’s easy to get started with check deposit for iOS. If you already have check deposit enabled on your account, you can start using this feature at no extra cost. For customers who already use our iPhone app, make sure you update your Earth Class Mail app, and then you’ll be able to see the option to deposit checks.</p></li><li><p>Don’t have our check deposit feature enabled yet? Learn more about <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/check-deposit">signing up for this add-on</a> and getting paid faster. If you aren’t using our iOS app yet, you can <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earth-class-mail/id1484077329">download it on the AppStore</a> and start accessing your postal mail and depositing your checks straight from your phone.</p></li></ul><p>Ready to sign up for Check Deposit? <a href="https://www.earthclassmail.com/check-deposit">Learn more about how to get started.</a></p>

You asked, and we listened. We’re excited to announce that our popular check deposit feature is now available in the iOS app.

Get paid faster with check deposit on iOS. You can now request check deposits directly from your mobile device! Learn more about how to get started.

Address in Newark, NJ

Newark

How Virtual Mail Works

We receive your mail

We digitize it for you

You take control

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