After you've made a move, sending Personalized Change Address Announcements should definitely be one of your top priorities. However, you also don't want to forget to notify other important people and businesses about your change of address. Here are some helpful tips and suggestions for when you should start making your address change announcement.
Moving Announcements: A Few Tips
First, keep in mind that announcements cards aren't going to be necessary for every single person with whom you've ever done business or had as an acquaintance. Before you do anything else, you should make three lists. One list should be businesses you'll need to contact either in person or by phone in order to change your address. This list should include your credit card companies, your utility provider, and similar businesses. The second list should include any business contacts you have which may need to be made aware of your move or a chance in your contact information. For example, if you often receive faxes at your home from clients you may want to send address change announcements to them about the number change.
Finally, you'll want to create a list of personal contacts, such as your friends and family members, who have at least annual contact with you. These individuals should all receive address change cards.
Typically, you'll want to choose different change of address cards for the last two lists. Plus, you should remember to contact the United States Postal Service and submit the appropriate address change forms. You can find this in the lobby of most branches as well as online. The online version is the easiest and fastest way to submit the forms.
Tips for Making Your Unique Moving Announcement
With the change of address card from the post office, you should usually submit these forms about two weeks before your move. You can specify on the form when you want the change to go into effect.
Most of the companies in your first list should also be notified well in advance, especially if you'll be switching your existing services to the new address. With your second group of individuals, you can send out address change business cards about one to two weeks before the changes goes into effect. Make sure to note on the announcements address change when the change will take place so there's no confusion.
Anyone in your third list should have their custom change address announcements mailed the day of or after the move. They don't need to receive their personalized announcements in advance. However, you should call or email any of your closest friends and family members to give them your new contact information before you start sending out new address announcements. Otherwise, they may end up worrying if they can't reach you.
Finally, don't forget to send printed change address announcements to your neighbors and to your landlord (if you have one) so they can forward your mail or get in touch with you if someone comes looking for you.