Direct Mail vs Facebook Ads for Redlands Businesses

If you own a small business in Redlands, you have probably asked: should I put my money in a postcard or in Facebook ads? Both can work. They work in different ways. This guide keeps it simple and links to the real rules and prices so you can check them yourself.

How each one reaches people

• Direct mail (EDDM): USPS Every Door Direct Mail sends your card to every home on the mail routes you pick. You do not need a mailing list. It lands in the hand of everyone on that route, whether they use social media or not.
• Facebook ads: Your ad shows on Facebook and Instagram to people Meta picks based on where they are and what you choose. It shows on a screen and can be scrolled past in a second, but people can tap right through to your page.

What it really costs

Mailing it yourself

USPS lists EDDM Retail postage at $0.26 per piece for flats up to 3.3 oz (see the USPS EDDM page and the USPS Notice 123 price list, effective Oct 4, 2026). You must send at least 200 pieces, and up to 5,000 per day per ZIP Code. No permit is needed. So postage alone for 3,000 homes is about 3,000 x $0.26 = $780, before you pay to design and print the cards.

Facebook ads

Meta lets you set a small daily budget, but it has a minimum. Meta's own minimum budget page says the minimum depends on your goal, your country and your bid, and Ads Manager will warn you if your budget is too low. You pay for as long as the ad runs. When you stop paying, the ad stops.

Sharing a postcard

A shared card splits the printing and postage across many businesses. You get one spot on a bigger card instead of paying for the whole mailing. Read more in our shared postcard guide and our EDDM in Redlands guide.

What business owners are saying

Real owners do not agree, and that is useful to know. Here is what people said in public threads on Reddit's r/smallbusiness:

• In "Direct Mailers - Worth the money?", one person said mail is "Not worth it" because so much of it goes in the trash. Another person said, "It works; expect a 1-2% conversion rate." Treat both as opinions, not facts.
• In "Has anyone tried direct mail marketing/ads?", a marketer said mail "works best for awareness," that you should plan on several mailings over months, and that you should add a way to track it, like a discount code or a special web link.
• In "Do Facebook ads work for small businesses?", a shop owner said Facebook ads helped people learn the shop had opened, but did not bring many sales, and were costly to keep running.
• In a thread about a local ice cream shop, a person who said they run a direct mail company said mail works best when each sale is fairly big, like HVAC repair, and may not pay off for small sales.

Which one fits your business?

• Mail tends to fit businesses that serve homes near them: plumbers, roofers, landscapers, dentists, salons, real estate agents, restaurants that want regulars.
• Facebook ads tend to fit when you want to test fast, change your ad often, or send people to buy online.
• Many owners use both. The card puts your name in front of homes. Facebook and your Google profile are where people look you up after.

How to test it the smart way

1. Pick one clear offer, like a free estimate or a first-visit deal.
2. Give each channel its own tracking: a code for the card, a different code for the ad.
3. Ask every new customer, "How did you hear about us?"
4. Give it time. One mailing or one week of ads is a small test, not a final answer.
5. Count customers and money made, not just likes or clicks.

The SBA's marketing and sales guide has a free walk-through for making a simple marketing plan and budget.

We mail to homes in Redlands, South Redlands, Mentone and Loma Linda. See all areas.