We’ve designed our Affinity direct mail program along with an equally low-cost donor recognition program to meet the needs of fundraisers and direct marketers on tight budgets. Not only is our Affinity program cost effective, it is also environmentally friendly as it uses substantially less paper (50% or more) than a typical direct mail package.

The heart of our low cost Affinity mailing system is our proprietary and patented Boomerang 2-way mailer, enhanced by the addition of built-in coupons and Visa/Master Card/American Express/Diner’s Club credit card charge form.

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Everything in this unique and highly efficient direct mail package, with the exception of the covering letter, is made all at the same time from a single sheet of paper! Not only are the pieces made simultaneously, they are in effect inserted simultaneously, leaving just the covering letter to be inserted.

What do you get with the Sheppard AFFINITY system, besides the outgoing envelope, the reply envelope, and the coupons?

• excellent return %
• low cost
• simplicity
• speed
• flexibility
• originality

What do you lose?

Nothing, except the opportunity to accomplish the same objective at higher cost.

THE KEY COMPONENTS

Our program includes all the key elements of effective affinity-based fundraising/ marketing program (to see actual samples of the program please scroll down to SAMPLES).

#1 Your covering letter that tells your story #2 A unique reply format that features 5 coupons (or more) for highlighting the purpose of the mailing. #2 Interactivity #3 Space to make a compelling case. #4 A sense of urgency #5 A low cost THANK YOU program that reinforces your organization in the minds of your donors every day, year after year

GETTING STARTED
It is critically important to establish realistic goals for your mailing. Make sure you’ve done all the research possible on your market, be they alumni, subscribers, members, etc.

Affinity means common interest, so it’s critical to write your copy in the vernacular that reinforces that shared ground. In short, decide what you want to say, then write it, and re-write it, until you get it right. A 3 or 4 page letter may not be excessive.

ESTABLISH REALISTIC EXPECTANCIES

Will your mailing accomplish its objectives? Make your assumptions on the percentage return you are likely to get….will it be 1% or 10%? Don’t be overly optimistic, as there are no guarantees, even though affinity marketing increases the effectiveness of direct mail because you are mailing to people with shared values (to yours).

CREATE the mailing

Assuming you’ve done your homework, and have established realistic goals, you’re ready for the fun part…. creating the mailing. Use our templates to help get the creative juices flowing…make up a few dummy samples and write the solicitation letter (using as many pages as it takes). Get feed-back from your trusted go-to group, and re-do as required. Only then make your first test mailing, or depending on volume (if not more than 5,000) go straight to launch.

MAIL

We are happy to do the complete mailing (mailer, letter, inserting, addressing, postage and mailing) or any portion. But you do not have to use us for creating anything other than the mailer. We are not all or nothing. We understand that you may have volunteers who like to come in to help, and it is not our intention to undermine your volunteer staff. Nor is it our intention to displace your local printer or lettershop, the owner of which may also be an important financial supporter or perhaps a critical committee member. However, if you would like us to handle the whole mailing for you, we are happy to do so. We can accept your list by e-mail, or physical labels. Of course we presort and go for the optimum postal discounts available. We can mail from our location , or ship back to you for mailing from your local post office.

THE COST OF THE MAILERS

all prices are per mailer unless otherwise noted

One-time flat set-up charges:

• black or 1 color $225
• 2 colors $255
• 4 colors $450

For larger quantities please contact us by phone, fax or e-mail sales@sheppardenvelope.com

Please remember that we are not talking about just one envelope here, like just the outgoing envelope. We are talking about a complete direct mail package….including both the outgoing envelope and the reply envelope, as well as all 5 coupons and the Visa MC charge form already inserted. All that is lacking is the addition of your letter, which we are happy to print for you (including the letterhead). Let us know.

FOUND MONEY?
Given the reduction in the use of paper and the efficiencies of making almost the entire package in one print and folding run, it is a fair guess that the savings afforded by using our Affinity mailer should enable you to mail to a far greater number of addresses than you ever imagined.
Alternatively, you can consider the savings simply found money.

AFTER THE MAILING – FOLLOW UP DONOR RECOGNITION

The one thing our Affinity mailer will not do is to relieve you of the obligation to say THANK YOU in a way that reflects lasting good taste. The question is, how to do this affordably?

The first step is to create a nicely worded THANK YOU letter. Personalized, and hand signed in blue ink, so there is no question that the letter was personally signed.

Here’s a suggestion for the letter:

Each donor receives 2 credit card sleeves which can be custom printed front and back with your message, or you can use one of our stock messages on the reverse side. The stock messages include a calendar, American flag, tipping guide, things to do list, his and her sizes, metric conversion, and interest repayment schedule. Or, use the season’s athletic or other schedule of events that you choose.

THE COST OF RECOGNITION

Credit card holders, imprinted with your copy:

MOVING AHEAD

Did I mention that we will be happy to help you with the MAILER layout and copy, at no charge? We’ll even help you write the cover letter, or recommend copy writing experts (who do charge).

After all the copy is set to go, production of the mailer takes an absolute minimum of 15 days, and the credit card sleeves need the same. So plan ahead, and allow plenty of time to do the job right the first time!

Please use the list below to help organize your thoughts. Contact us when you’re ready!