Special Report: Fundraising 101 Direct Mail

But these standard envelopes aren’t the only option. Another proven method that fundraisers can use is the all-in-one, “shape-based” self-mailer that includes a built-in BRE. The fundraising self-mailer — aka a two-way mailer or “round tripper” — is a valuable, lower-cost way to achieve good response results in your nonprofit direct-mail campaigns. They come in a wide variety of attractive formats and offer additional features that get attention, get the fundraising appeal opened by the donor and increase response.

Drawing them in
Most fundraising specialists agree that the most important challenge in regard to a mailing is getting the recipient’s attention long enough to motivate her to open it. Some of the many positive features you can use on a self-mailer’s front and back outside panels include full, four-color process colors, eye-catching outer designs, compelling photos, captions, bleeds, heartfelt headlines and text — just to name a few. All of these outer-panel selling features get seen before the self-mailer is opened or can be discarded due to a possible lack of interest in the appeal itself.