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:

    Fortune

    Chrysler marketing chief denies Super Bowl ad was political
    Detroit Free Press
    Olivier François, Chrysler's marketing chief, denies that its Super Bowl ad aimed to endorse President Barack Obama. By Brent Snavely Chrysler Chief Marketing Officer Olivier François insisted that the "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad was not ...
    Chrysler's Super Bowl Ad: Debated, Like It or NotHuffington Post (blog)

    all 165 news articles »


    TSN

    Andretti group plans IndyCar race to Milwaukee
    Boston Herald
    Andretti Sports Marketing, founded last fall, will bring the IZOD IndyCar Series back to the historic State Fair Park oval June 16 — the Saturday of Father's Day weekend — the group announced Friday. Milwaukee returned to the IndyCar schedule in 2011 ...
    IndyCar returning to Milwaukee MileESPN
    IndyCar returns to Milwaukee for June 16 raceSan Francisco Chronicle

    all 138 news articles »


    7 Marketing Lessons From RIM's Failures
    Mashable
    And, mostly, really bad marketing. On this, RIM is in good company in the consumer electronics industry, where so many manufacturers market poorly. But few have made so many marketing mistakes so quickly. Here are seven marketing lessons from RIM's ...

    and more »


    BILMBA Marketing & Associates Launches 1SwingThought.com to Aid Golfers in ...
    Sacramento Bee
    By BILMBA Marketing & Associates LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- BILMBA Marketing & Associates has launched a new website http://www.1SwingThought.com with a simple yet revolutionary product for golf equipment designed to help the 20+ ...
    BILMBA Marketing & Associates Launches 1SwingThoughtcom to Aid Golfers in ...Review seeker (press release)

    all 12 news articles »


    SEO Services Alert: Internet Marketing Blueprint Unveiled at 2012 AAJ Winter ...
    Sacramento Bee
    10, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- When you design your house you need an architect; when you design your lawyer Internet marketing campaign, you need an SEO architect who understands the online legal marketing industry. Cepac lawyer marketing consultants ...

    and more »


    Nan Richardson Named Director of Marketing & Business Development for JG ...
    MarketWatch (press release)
    based commercial/retail contracting firm JG Construction as director of marketing and business development. In her new position, Ms. Richardson will be responsible for all marketing activities both internal and external, including client relations, ...

    and more »


    5 Ways to Market Your Brand on LinkedIn
    Mashable
    Linda Coles is the author of the book Learn Marketing with Social Media in 7 Days (Wiley) and is a social media speaker and consultant at Blue Banana. LinkedIn provides plenty of marketing opportunities, but lets take a look at some of the lesser-known ...

    and more »


    BancorpSouth Insurance Hires Texas Region Marketing Manager
    Sacramento Bee
    10, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc. hired Larry D. Batie II as marketing manager for the Texas region. He previously served as account executive and assistant vice president at Marsh & McLennan Companies.

    and more »


    Ammon News

    Entourage redefines marketing standards in Jordan
    Ammon News
    AMMONNEWS - entourage, among the fastest growing marketing and events agencies in Dubai is stepping into Jordan with ambitious expansion plans. Already a success among the most admired brands in the world and the region, including Google and ...

    and more »


    Deadline.com

    NBC Layoffs Hit Marketing and Publicity Departments
    Hollywood Reporter
    Somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 marketing employees were let go Friday, with publicity layoffs expected next week. The pink slips are being doled out across NBC's marketing and publicity ranks. The news of structural changes comes as entertainment ...
    NBC cuts 10 jobs in marketing unit: 26-year veteran ousted; more layoffs expectedChicago Tribune
    EVP Jim Vescera Departs In NBC Marketing Department DownsizingDeadline.com
    NBC entertainment chief spending big bucks as pink slips loom for marketing ...New York Post
    mediabistro.com -O'Dwyer's PR News
    all 7 news articles »

    Google News

    home | site map
    © 2006