Letters for fundraising schemes can be both easy to prepare and at the same time difficult to conceive. The tone you will be using in your fundraising letters is the key to your success it has to be direct and in the present tense, anything else will work badly as an impact on the public.
Use phrases such as tomorrow we are going to and not tomorrow we will The concept of present tense relating is direct and people automatically feel involved or at least interested in your scheme because it is already active.
When you convey events that are about to happen or past events by using the present tense they are more forceful and will move people and stimulate them much more.
So take out those conditional and past phrases from your letters if you want them to have an impact on people.
Therefore start by writing or re-writing your fund raising letter in the present tense and get your audience involved now. Choose sentences like, Your contribution makes a difference instead of your contribution will make a difference.
Avoid phrases like we have used your donations to help children in Africa and substitute them with others like, we are using your donations to help children in Africa
Avoiding the use of conditional sentences and keeping to the present will make your fundraising letters have an impact and it definitely works and you have the living proof with the media around you.
Once you have finished writing the content of your fundraising letter you will need to work on the exterior finishing touch, the envelope. Ask yourself if it will attract the reader.
Avoid envelopes that give away what is inside, keep them mysterious because you want people to open them not throw them away. The outside of your envelopes must pull the reader’s curiosity strings and must not give the game away.
Ask yourself whether the envelope appeals to peoples noble impulses. Do not offer something in exchange for a donation that simply defeats the object of the cause.
People must feel personally involved with fundraising and will draw personal gratification from helping. So try to appeal to their ideals not their covetous ends.
Give people a reason to open the envelope. The envelope should have two purposes: deliver your message and persuade the person to give money for your fundraising cause if you keep that in mind your letters will be a success.
