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Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
I'd appreciate some feedback on a direct mail marketing letter I'm getting ready to send out. I'm marketing to local schools and am targeting PTA presidents with this letter. I'm considering putting in a headline along the lines of 'I can help you raise money'. I will then go on to discuss my fundraising show.
The thing is, I also want to market my reading show and my family show. I'm considering a couple of ideas. Lead into the letter with the headline above, and then discuss the fundraising show. Then have another headline about my reading show followed by a discussion of its benefits to the school. Then another headline about my family show followed by a discussion of its benefits. The second idea is to start with the headline about raising money. Follow that with a paragraph about my reading show, then a paragraph about my family show and finish the letter with a discussion of the fundraising show. To me, this idea seems almost like a bait and switch so I'm leaning toward the first idea. I'd appreciate any comments you may have. Thanks, Tony |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
I would not mix the mailings. If you do not have the funds to do three separate mailings, focus on your best show and don't clutter the message.
The motivations for a person booking an assembly show are different from those of someone trying to raise money. If your intention is to book assembly shows, then do a mailing promoting your most educational show - your reading show. Include a mention of the other shows you offer, but lead with your strongest show to get your foot in the door. You can always do additional mailings for your evening family show and/or fundraiser another time. Jim |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Jim,
As always, you offer excellent advice. I have the funds available to do separate mailings. How much time do you think I should leave between the mailings? Thanks, Tony |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
For assembly programs, I found that a spring mailing would result in fall bookings and a fall mailing would result in spring bookings. A postcard in January would often bring in a few additional springtime assemblies.
I don't know about mailing for fundraising programs, but I'll bet the same time frame would be good. As for time between mailings, I'm not sure, but I would probably try 4-6 weeks initially and see what kind of response I got. Good luck. Jim |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
"I can help you raise money" is a weak headline. Be bolder, more direct, and more sensationalistic.
A better headline might be something like "Make Up To $4,000 For Your School With No Risk To You!" Who can resist THAT?! Keep sending them. Make a regular schedule. Let 'em keep seeing your name. Again. And again. And again. Cycle through the various programs you offer. But keep your name in front of them. I've made a great deal of $$ via fund-raisers and it works. |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Thanks for the advice Jim and Starrpower. I appreciate the help.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
BTW, don't explain HOW you plan to raise the $$$. The letter should entice them to CALL you, not sell the program. Do that IN PERSON if possible.
Good luck! |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Direct mail---- you gotta keep sending them---budget for 3 mailings
or hit them with Letter, email, post card etc but don't give up after the first mail out TRUST US |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Thanks icentertainment. I don't plan on giving up at all. I'm just new to this direct marketing thing and was hoping to learn from other's mistakes.
Starrpower - thanks for the idea of meeting them in person. I likely would have just discussed it with them on the phone. That's good food for thought. I appreciate everyone's help. |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Here is a cost effective marketing tool for you to get you started
Here is a great mass email program for you http://www.lmhsoft.com/ecamp/ it allows personalised emails such as Dear Dave, dear mike etc at the top and allows you to easily send HTML (web pages) You use an excel file as your data base and you can add your existing data base very easily. It is a very user friendly program I use it all the time to send things to my clients and potential clients |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
You can sell them on the phone. I have many times. I was under the impression that this is something new for you, and a personal meeting allows you to be far more persuasive than a phone call. But don't think ya GOTTA meet with them. I do think it's a more sure-fire sell, however.
Check Volume I of "Money In Your Pocket" for fund-raising details: http://www.starrpower.org |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Icentertainment - thanks for the link. One of the first investments I made when I decided to treat this as a business was to purchase ACT customer relationship software. It allows me to do the things you suggested.
Starrpower - The sales and marketing side of the business is definitely new to me. I've been involved with the performance part for many years. Thanks to both of you for the help and suggestions. |
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