Important Information
📬 Mailing: Approx. June 9th - 11th 2026
🏘️ Reach: Approx. 10,000–10,500 homes & businesses
📍 Communities: Marion, Iowa
⏰ Deadline For Entry: May 1st, 2026
Ad space and business categories are limited per campaign.
Why This Mailer Exists
I created this mailer as a local business owner looking for a practical, affordable way to build long-term visibility. Like many small businesses, I use digital and online advertising, but sending thousands of standalone mailers on my own isn’t realistic.
By sharing space in a community mailer, businesses—including my own—can reach local households consistently at a manageable cost as part of a long-term marketing approach.
Why It Works
Mail reaches every household. Everyone pulls mail from their mailbox. While some mail gets thrown away, this isn’t a weekly flyer or newspaper insert. A full-color mailer piece stands out.
Some people keep it, some set it aside, and even those who glance at it still see your business name. That recognition matters. When someone later searches online for a service, they’re more likely to notice a name they’ve seen before.
This mailer is designed to support everything else you’re already doing, helping build familiarity over time so your business is recognized when customers are ready to search, compare, and choose.
The highlighted routes in blue represent delivery areas for this edition; specific routes may be subject to change due to periodic USPS route updates and adjustments.
Quick Details
• Shared full-color community mailer (scalable format)
• USPS Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)
• Sent every 2 - 4 months for this Cedar Rapids neighborhood
Advertising Options & Base Pricing
Standard Ad
Approximate size: 2.8″ × 1.8″
Base Price: $390
Featured Ad
Approximate size: 2.8″ × 3.8″
Base Price: $590
All pricing reflects the base cost for ad placement only.
Ad dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly due to print layout requirements.
Design services are listed separately below.
Ad Design Options
Included with every ad:
• Placement in the final mailer
• Minor layout and sizing adjustments
• Basic spell check and formatting
• Digital proof before printing
• Printed locally by a professional print shop
Option 1 — Advertiser-Provided Ad
You submit a finished, print-ready ad (PDF preferred).
Option 2 — Basic Ad Setup ($50)
Light design assistance using your content, which may include simple color or background adjustments, basic styling, optional photo placement, and QR code or social icons.
No logo creation or full redesigns.
Option 3 — Full Ad Design ($85)
A complete ad created from your information, including a clean layout, one proof, and two revisions.
Logo creation and additional revisions are not included and may incur extra fees.
Design availability is limited and subject to approval.
Proof Approval & Responsibility
Advertisers receive a digital proof before printing. Once approved, the advertiser is responsible for all ad content. Shop Independence is not responsible for errors after approval.
Category & Placement Guidelines
To ensure balanced visibility and avoid category overcrowding:
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Most categories are limited to one business per campaign
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Only one placement per side
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Similar businesses are spaced apart when possible
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Exact placement and adjacency are not guaranteed
Edition Format Based on Participation
To ensure strong distribution and maximum value for all advertisers, this campaign’s format is based on total participating businesses:
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If 11 businesses commit by the deadline → the mailer will launch in a 6.25″ × 9″ format
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If 14 or more businesses commit → the edition automatically expands to a full 9″ × 12″ mailer, providing increased visibility for all advertisers
As participation grows, the mailer scales up — benefiting every business included in the edition.
The submission deadline may be adjusted slightly to allow time to meet participation thresholds and maximize campaign impact.
If minimum participation requirements are not met after any extension period, participating businesses will be notified and may choose to receive a full refund or apply their payment toward a future Shop Independence mailer.
How Participation Works
Ad space and categories are limited, and all businesses are reviewed to ensure a good fit.
To be considered, complete the Ad Agreement & Content Submission Form below. Once approved, you’ll receive payment instructions to secure your placement. You’ll receive an ad proof to review before anything goes to print.
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to review this opportunity. As a local small business owner myself, I understand how valuable your time and marketing dollars are.
If this campaign isn’t the right fit, you’re welcome to stay on the list for future Shop Independence mailers as the program continues to grow.
Thank you for supporting local businesses.
— Nicholas Derr
Contact Information
Nick Derr
Phone: 563-608-3196
Email: nickstoyventure@gmail.com
Facebook: @ShopIndependence
Submission Process
Campaign #5 — Ad Agreement & Content Submission Form
You will be directed to a secure Google Forms