Fundraising Letter Envelopes: How To Make Them Irresistible

Readers spend only a few seconds deciding the fateenvelope in a stencil font is this subhead: "Was and
of your direct mail fundraising appeals. Either they openWinter in Afghanistan."Use both sides of the
them on the spot, set them aside for later, or chuckenvelopeA mailing for the World Wildlife Fund features
them in the waste paper basket. Here are someon the front a tiger asleep on a log that stretches from
creative ways to tease your donors into opening yourone side of the envelope to the other. On the reverse
envelopes.Hint at the contentsA #10 envelope fromside of the envelope, a square window reveals some
Covenant House is covered in retro 1960s flowers,teaser copy and a premium inside.Involve the
with the headline, "A Special Gift for you inside . .donorDoctors Without Borders shows an immunization
."Demonstrate exclusivityA 6 x 9 envelope for Naturecard and this teaser: "As a child, you conquered this
Conservancy shows wetlands, forests and coastlinesdeadly disease . . ."Use an invitationHope for Children
and bears this teaser headline: "Your exclusive briefingFoundation intrigues donors with this headline: "Your
on Canada's most ambitious campaign forinvitation to turn a life around by one degree."Promise a
conservation."Ask a questionA #10 envelope forbenefitInTouch Ministries features a 6 x 9 envelope
Habitat for Humanity features a photo of a tapebearing a photo of a hand holding a remote control
measure and the question beneath: "How do youpointed at a television. On the television is Dr. Charles
measure hope?"Arouse curiosityDoctors WithoutStanley, television preacher and founder of InTouch.
Borders features a photo of a hand holding the specialThe teaser copy beneath the remote control says:
bracelet that doctors and nurses use overseas to"Why you need to grab this on May 1st."Announce
asses children for malnutrition. The headline reads: "SeenewsTrans World Radio intrigues donors with a photo
inside for a very useful little bracelet. Try it on!"Createof a man from Central Asia and this headline: "Exciting
urgencyThe Salvation Army features on its #10 outerNews Inside: New TWR broadcast signal going out!
envelope a "to-do" list featuring the days of the monthMillions in troubled region to hear the Gospel!"Add
from December 17 counting down to December 25,human interestHope for Children Foundation features a
which is circled. The headline, written by hand, says:photo of a smiling mother holding her smiling daughter.
"Urgent: Christmas Countdown! Please help us getThe headline reads: "This Christmas, celebrate the
ready!"Capitalize on current eventsDoctors Withoutimpossible."Hint at successA letter from Oxfam shows
Borders uses a broad red stripe across its envelopea girl standing at a blackboard. The headline says,
with this headline reversed out in white type: "7.5 million"Pascaline will change her world.
Afghans in humanitarian crisis." Stamped across the