Steer yourself toward the proper order with this “bread, meal, water/wine” memory cue.
In a pinch remember the acronym BMW: bread, meal, water/wine. Starting at your left, you go “Bread, Meal, Water.” Bread is to your far left, the meal is in the middle and the water or wine is to your far right.
Keep It Simple. Use short, understandable words in short, understandable sentences. Best to write on a 5th grade reading level.
Follow the formula. The first sentence should grab the readers attention, then move to presenting a problem, next offer up a solution- be sure to include how your reader is to play a part in that – and finally, close.
PS. Always include a PS to restate your request. Remember the PS is typically read first.
No need to explain. If the reader isn’t familiar with your cause, you’re not going to explain it enough in a 2 page letter to get a contribution.
Confused people say no. Again…keep it simple.
Personalize. Write to 1 person, not to 100. Use “I” and “you.”
Ask for money, don’t educate. Your goal is to raise funds, not to underscore a message.
Use bold and underlines they should act as a synopsis of what the letter says.
Make the reader reach for a pen. Your letter should inspire the recipient to act and react. It should give them a sense of ownership to your campaign.
Dead donors don’t give. Keep your mail lists updated.
Mail it. Don’t get bogged down on creating a perfect mailing. Time is money.
Follow-up. Always follow-up and if need be, remind them you haven’t heard from them in a while.