---
title: Mail Smarter with These 7 Tips for Direct Mail Fundraising
description: The essence of smart direct mail fundraising is knowing whom to ask, and when to ask. Here are guidelines for asking the right donors at the right time.
---

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

# [Mail Smarter with These 7 Tips for Direct Mail Fundraising](https://www.truesense.com/blog/7-tips-direct-mail-fundraising)

 Written by [TrueSense Marketing](https://www.truesense.com/blog/author/truesense-marketing) | May 30, 2017 4:00:00 AM

The essence of smart direct mail fundraising is knowing who to ask and when to ask them.

#### Here are seven proven guidelines for mailing to the right donors at the right time, while not wasting money on the wrong ones:

 

1. **Ask your donors.**  
   If you’re wondering how often to mail to your donors, ask them. Surveying for donor preferences is a great way to cultivate the relationship. Then, do what they asked! They’ll feel they’ve been listened to, and will reward you with greater generosity.
2. **Separate out low-dollar donors.**  
   The cost of mailing frequently to low-dollar donors will often far exceed what they give. Mail less to these donors for a better return-on-investment.
3. **Focus on higher-dollar donors.**  
   Spending more money on appeals with higher production values and more components will probably pay off in a** [higher average gift](https://www.truesense.com/blog/boost-donor-average-gift)**. With high-value donors like your sustainers or mid-levels, that means a lot more income.
4. **Consider lapsed donors.**  
   Sometimes it’s best to let lower-dollar lapsed donors go. Reactivating them won’t pay. The opposite is true with higher-dollar lapsed donors. **[These are donors you want back](https://www.truesense.com/blog/6-ways-win-back-lapsed-donors)**.
5. **Test the year-enders.   
   **Some donors give only at year-end. Mail them less during the year, but try adding an extra appeal at year-end.
6. **Find your off-season.**  
   Your data will tell you when it is, but your off-season is probably during the spring and/or summer. Try mailing less to a portion of your file during that period to test how your donors react.
7. **Create a donor-centric newsletter.**  
   A refreshing change of pace from typical fundraising mail, [**donor newsletters** ](https://www.truesense.com/blog/motivate-donors-winning-donor-newsletter)can show in detail how donors’ gifts are being put to use. That’s a powerful incentive to give.

 

[View full post](https://www.truesense.com/blog/7-tips-direct-mail-fundraising)

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