---
title: 6 Tips to Get Donors to Rip Open Your Next Direct Mail Appeal
description: In order for donors to give, they need to open direct mail appeal from you. Getting the fundraising envelope opened is more than half the battle.
---

[TrueSense Blog ](https://www.truesense.com/blog)

# [6 Tips to Get Donors to Rip Open Your Next Direct Mail Appeal](https://www.truesense.com/blog/6-tips-donors-open-your-direct-mail-appeal)

 Written by [TrueSense Marketing](https://www.truesense.com/blog/author/truesense-marketing) | Mar 25, 2017 4:00:00 AM

Getting potential donors to open the envelope is more than half the battle in direct mail fundraising.

#### Here are six tips to make that battle one you can win:

1. **Size up your fundraising envelope.**  
   No. 10 envelopes abound. To change things up, consider larger No. 11 and No. 12 envelopes or smaller Monarchs. Try different colors and textures too.
2. **Write the address.  
   **A handwritten mailing address (or one that looks handwritten) will almost always outperform one in a standard font.
3. **Window or no?  
   **If you usually use window envelopes, try closed face. Although they cost more, they often increase response.
4. **Consider the corner card.  
   **The corner card is the return-address area. People instinctively look there to see who the letter is from. So give it some variety. Try it without a logo. Try just the director’s name and address, without the organization name. Try no return address. These changes can generate interest.
5. **Think in reverse.**  
   Try additional messaging on the reverse side of the envelope. Donors often look at both sides before deciding to open the envelope, so an extra prompt usually boosts response. 
6. **Make the teaser tease.**  
   Don’t tell the whole story with your teaser. Instead, ask a provocative question, hint at a gift inside, refer to an intangible benefit like changing a life or doing good, play off a current event, and so on. Arouse curiosity. On the other hand, if you have a matching grant, multiplier, or other specific offer, say so clearly. These are proven motivators. But teasers can be tricky. An envelope without a teaser will usually beat an envelope with one.

[View full post](https://www.truesense.com/blog/6-tips-donors-open-your-direct-mail-appeal)

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