Marketing Information

The Fundraising Letter PS: 25 Powerful Things To Say There (Includes Examples & Samples)


Donors read postscripts. This is a sad but important reality in fundraising. Sad because the PS is stupid and belongs in another millennium. In this age of word processors, no one needs to add a PS anymore. But important because a donor reading a PS is a donor looking for information. And that's your opportunity.

According to direct mail consultant Allyn Kramer, there are five "hot spots" in your direct mail packages where readers look first. Here they are, in order:

1. Outside envelope
2. Brochure headline
3. Inside address (who the letter is going to)
4. Signature line (who the letter is from)
5. Postscript

Since the PS is one part of your letter that you can be confident your donors will read, you need to write something there that will motivate your donor to send you a gift or take your desired action. Here are some ideas.

  • Re-phrase your ask in a new way
  • Reiterate the deadline for the member's gift, if there is one
  • Point the donor to your website to make an online donation
  • Invite donors to refer you to a friend who may support your organization
  • Invite the donor to complete the enclosed reply card and envelope
  • Remind donors that their gifts are tax deductible
  • Invite the donor to join your monthly giving program
  • Repeat your case for support in a fresh way
  • Include a brief and uplifting story that demonstrates that your supporter's gift will make an immediate difference
  • Invite donors to upgrade their gift
  • Offer a free guide on writing a will or making a bequest to your organization, sent to all who send a gift
  • Draw your reader's attention to a section in your enclosed brochure that illustrates your current need and encourages a gift
  • Break down the ask into daily amounts ("Your gift of £15 works out to just 50 pence a day")
  • Invite readers to visit your website to complete a survey (and ask for the gift again there)
  • Give your phone number or email address and invite the donor to contact you with any questions
  • Explain what will happen if you do not receive sufficient funding (without spreading fear and without making your donor feel guilty)
  • Thank your members for their ongoing support
  • Add a personal note about why you are so passionate about this particular ask--and why you need the donor to send a gift today
  • Remind the member about the freemium you've enclosed (mailing labels, for example)
  • Re-state the size of gift you are requesting
  • Explain that supporters can make a donation using their credit cards
  • Remind donors of your goal for this campaign
  • If you are well into your campaign, tell donors how close you are to reaching your goal--their gift right now will get you even closer
  • Tell the donor how much their continued support means to you personally
  • Name one of the people your donor's gift will help ("Children like Samantha need your help. And so do we.")
  • ----
    About the author
    Alan Sharpe is a professional fundraising letter writer who helps non-profits raise funds, build relationships and retain loyal donors using creative fundraising letters. Learn more about his services, view free sample fundraising letters, and sign up for free weekly tips like this at http://www.fundraisingletters.org.

    © 2005 Sharpe Copy Inc. You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the "About the author" message).


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Hawaii marketing to put Korea on hold
    Bizjournals.com, NC - 1 hour ago
    But the HTA will wait until at least late January to spend another $607000 on marketing to South Korea, as well as spending an additional $238000 for ...
    Tourism agency holds back funds for Korea marketing Honolulu Star-Bulletin
    all 9 news articles


    Reuters

    FedEx cuts marketing spend by more than 25 percent
    Reuters - 2 hours ago
    N) has cut its marketing budgets by more than 25 percent in 2009 as part of its response to the bleak US economy, the package delivery giant said on ...
    FedEx trims '09 marketing budget by 25% Bizjournals.com
    all 15 news articles


    Tivo CEO says stepping up marketing partnerships
    Reuters - 7 hours ago
    O) plans to establish more marketing relationships with entertainment producers and retailers such as Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) in the current quarter and ...


    Brightview Senior Living picks Crosby Marketing Communications for ...
    Bizjournals.com, NC - 7 hours ago
    The Annapolis marketing firm will develop a new logo, sales materials, ads, direct mail and other materials to promote Brightview’s communities. ...


    Call 4 Action: Marketing Of 'Weight Loss' Berry Drawing Fire
    MSNBC - 10 hours ago
    ... is also taking resentment with some of the claims. They're also suing Central Coast Nutraceuticals in an effort to stop some of its marketing practices.
    Acai Promoters Targeted by BBB, Arizona Natural Products Marketplace
    Consumers warned to avoid 2 supplement sales sites The Associated Press
    all 57 news articles


    Marketing into a Meltdown
    Wall Street Journal - 22 hours ago
    It turns out that Mr. Michaelson didn't get very far inside the company: He was a mid-level marketing executive at Countrywide from mid-2003 until October ...


    BrightTALK Hosts Marketing Automation Summit
    International Business Times, NY - Jan 6, 2009
    This online webcast summit will provide marketers with tips and techniquesto optimize their marketing programs by utilizing the latest marketingautomation ...


    Aon Affinity Insurance Services Signs on With Goodman Marketing ...
    MSNBC - 20 hours ago
    SAN RAFAEL, CA - Goodman Marketing Partners (GMP), an independent full-service direct marketing company based in San Rafael, CA, announced today that Aon ...
    Aon Affinity Insurance Services Signs on With Goodman Marketing ... International Business Times
    all 8 news articles


    Times Online

    Apple marketing strategy a sign of the times
    abc7news.com, CA - 23 hours ago
    There will also be a pricing tier at 69 cents," said vice president of marketing, Phil Schiller, during his keynote speech. It has upgraded its productivity ...
    Video: Steve Jobs Weight Loss Due to Hormone Imbalance AssociatedPress
    Live: Phil Schiller’s MacWorld 2009 keynote CrunchGear
    Macworld.Ars: Keynote day coverage wrap-up Ars Technica
    Seattle Times - Forbes
    all 2,882 news articles


    Norwegian Cruise Line Selects Omniture to Provide a More ...
    CNNMoney.com - 13 hours ago
    Using Omniture, NCL can provide a more intuitive site experience for customers and better tools to help travel partners maximize their sales, marketing and ...

    Marketing - Google News

    home | site map
    © 2006