Comments on: One Simple Method To Increase The Results Of Your Next Direct Mail Appeal

By: Cindie Alwood

Cindie Alwood — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:44:46 +0000

Is there any data to show whether a letter or postcard works the same? What about a letter that does not have the donor’s name on it, it just says thank you and why?

By: Steven Shattuck

Steven Shattuck — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 15:12:40 +0000

In reply to Anne Marie Watson. I don't think you can ever go wrong starting an appeal with a thank you!

By: Anne Marie Watson

Anne Marie Watson — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 15:02:51 +0000

Thanks for the thoughtful piece, as always.
A second mailing is out of our reach, financially and most of our demographic prefers snail mail, not e-mail.

I wonder if an opening paragraph giving thanks as part of the direct mail letter is as effective or nearly so?
That is our regular practice and our average donation is above industry average,

Anne Marie Watson
Durham and Community Health Care Foundation

By: Laura Kaufman

Laura Kaufman — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 17:22:33 +0000

Thanks for this information, Jay.

I’m wondering if any testing was done to see if a pure email thank you was as effective. Did the thank you have to come by snail mail?

For small to mid-size nonprofits with limited bandwidth it may not be possible to send a letter by US mail to their whole list, but they could certainly email everyone.

Laura Kaufman
Partners in Effective Philanthropy