30 Ideas for Fundraising Success, Part 2

Test teaser vs. non-teaser
Sometimes a teaser can help push a donor inside a direct mailer. Other times, a plain envelope works better because donors' curiosity urges them to open it up. The only way to find out is to test it.

"If a teaser doesn't immediately come to mind for you package, a teaser is probably not needed," Manes said. "Recent trends have shown that teasers aren't working as well anymore in some instances, but you should test it. Start by challenging your assumptions."