First Up: 4 Highlights in Holiday Note Card Packages

March 2009 by Britt Brouse

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Showing through the oversized back window of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate's November mailing is an image of a gift-wrapped present with the copy "Give the Gift of Prayer." Not only does this package include three white-and gold-note cards with matching envelopes, but it also includes three postcards where donors can be remembered in prayer or give the gift of prayer to friends or relatives in the form of donations. In case the prospect is overwhelmed by all the contents of this package, there are easy, three-step instructions on the reply for how to donate and even receive back-end premium gifts like a rosary, pin, statuette and bracelet for each level of giving (Archive code #609-173192-0811).

4. Pack in More Cards by Mailing Them Flat
Finally, an 8? x 11? flat package from Susan G. Komen for The Cure, decorated with its signature pink ribbon logo and tiny black and white snowflakes, arrived in November. Copy under the address window announces, "SEE INSIDE! Your 2008 Holiday Card Collection is Enclosed." Prospects won't be disappointed by the 12 note cards with four different designs, all laying flat inside the package, ready to be folded and mailed.
Unlike some of the other mailers, Susan G. Komen also includes one envelope for each note card and a sheet of "seal" stickers featuring the organization's logo to tack on the back. While this may seem like an expensive package, especially in a flat format, Lamb, who's worked on note card packages for several groups, says the benefits usually outweigh the costs. "Though more expensive to produce, I find average response much higher, average gifts a bit lower, but overall a better return on investment than a traditional, noncard package" (Archive code #604-637679-0811B).

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