As a wholesale supplier, we understand that our customers prefer to market our products with their own brand. To do so is simple:
One of the reasons my wife and I get a lot of mail is our tendency to write checks. We both have a few pet charities. We’re not talking about big money here—$25 to $50 tops. What surprises me is we almost never see a “thank you” as a result of our donations. Maybe our checks aren’t big enough. The point is we did give something. My long-ago upbringing taught me to always write a thank you note when someone did something nice for me, or gave a gift, no matter how small. It is basic etiquette.
There is one nationally known nonprofit that does write us nice thank you letters. I am talking about a thank you note written within a week or two of the donation, and without another solicitation and return envelope. Guess who gets most of our donations? There are many nonprofits that send a form letter with a “thank you,” but enclose another solicitation and return envelope. Being in the envelope business, I am all in favor of return envelopes, but how about just a thank you for our donation? After all, you just received our check. They are saying, “Thanks for the check. Can I have another?”
If you are running a nonprofit, why not try a thank you note follow-up without the solicitation for those who give? Even a small gift, followed by your thank you, might lead to a larger donation next time. More importantly, it could improve your chances that there will be a next time. In the direct mail world all is measurable, so why not try it. It may lead to more donations from donors who feel their gifts and efforts are appreciated.
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