| id="body"> | | | | · Include your organization name and |
| Fundraising letter reply devices--also known as reply | | | | address, just in case the reply device and reply |
| coupons, donation coupons, reply slips, response | | | | envelope get separated. |
| forms and gift forms--are the instruments that | | | | · If you are requesting gifts by check, tell |
| conclude your request for funds. If your reply device | | | | the donor who to make the check payable to. |
| doesn't work, your appeal letter doesn't work--and | | | | Mistakes to Avoid |
| you don't get the gift. | | | | · Introducing new ideas or taking a new |
| Here are some tips for getting your reply devices | | | | direction |
| right. | | | | · Making the donor do too much |
| General Guidelines | | | | · Leaving insufficient room for donors |
| · Assume the reply device is the only piece | | | | (particularly elderly donors) to complete the form |
| in the package your donor will read. This forces you | | | | · Using the same reply device for every |
| to make a strong case for giving. | | | | appeal. Because they are printed several at a time on |
| · Ask donors to do as little as possible in | | | | a sheet of paper, reply devices are inexpensive to |
| returning a gift to you in the mail--make the process | | | | produce. So design one for each appeal so that each |
| as quick and easy as possible. | | | | reply device supports the case for support and |
| · Involve the donor in some way (placing a | | | | appeal for funds in each appeal package |
| check mark in a box, answering a survey question or | | | | · Forgetting to include the donor's unique |
| two) that moves them closer to making the gift. | | | | identification number |
| · Restate why you are asking for funds | | | | · Printing the letter and reply device on the |
| now--keep selling the idea of making a contribution. | | | | same sheet of paper. Testing over the years has |
| · Reiterate the benefits the donor receives | | | | demonstrated that a separate letter, reply device |
| by making a donation (membership in your | | | | and reply envelope generate better responses and |
| organization, for example, or a free book that you | | | | more gifts than reply devices that must be torn off |
| will mail upon receiving the gift). | | | | the bottom of a letter. |
| · Contain an "acceptance statement" written | | | | · Designing your reply device so that donors |
| in the voice of the donor (Example: Yes! I'll help in the | | | | are confused and unsure of what to do to make a |
| fight to end clear cutting in Puget Sound. Here is my | | | | donation. |
| gift. Send me your free newsletter." | | | | · Including information on the reply device |
| · Leave lots of room for donors to write. | | | | that donors want to keep but that must be returned |
| · If the reply device is designed to solicit | | | | with a donation. Print any information that donors will |
| large gifts, don't call it a reply device. Give it a name | | | | likely want to retain on a perforated portion of the |
| that communicates importance and value, such as | | | | reply device that donors tear off and keep. |
| "Memorandum of Acceptance." | | | | © 2006 Sharpe Copy Inc. |