Envelopes

It’s 2021 and I want to talk about envelopes.

I know, I know… The marketing and comms team roll their eyes and walk away. The social media team goes back to sourcing the best gif from last night’s Super Bowl. (It’s this one… you’re welcome.) Your boss goes back to their spreadsheets and budgets and all we have left is you and your next mail appeal.

Those who know me, know I obsess over envelopes. I lie awake thinking about them.

I find it so strange that when I start working with a new coaching client and ask to see the pack, sometimes the only thing I’m sent is the letter.

Even if that letter was written by Tom Ahern, if what the letter goes in never gets opened or gets dropped into the recycling - it will be for nothing.

The problem I have is that so many charities want to (or can only afford to) mail white, #10 envelopes and slap some sort of tagline on it. Nothing says “I’m junk mail” more than that.

So HELL YES it’s 2021 and I’m going to talk a little more about envelopes. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. SORRY, NOT SORRY.

Just a few tips for you.

• Anything other than a white, #10 envelope will do well.
• If you have something inside that your donor truly will find interesting, insightful, inspirational then tell them! Unless of course it is something lumpy. Then you don’t need to since they will open it anyway.
• If all you can afford is a #10 then please, please do something interesting with it. Use a different stock, use a label, add some handwriting on it, use two windows or maybe - DON’T put anything on it at all!

I leave you with one final thought. Which envelope would you open first?

Your honor. I rest my case.