Higher Education Direct Mail

Elevate Your University Fundraising Program and Outreach

In today’s data-driven world where personalized engagement is key, Splash leverages advanced analytics and cutting-edge technology to craft higher education direct mail campaigns for targeted fundraising, prospect outreach, and alumni engagement.

Did you know that 76% of donors are more likely to support a nonprofit if they receive personalized content?
-Giving USA

Meeting Your University’s Direct Mail Fundraising Goals

University direct mail marketing spans many audiences, from new students and parents to alumni, donors and board of directors. Keeping your campaigns consistent and organized may not be an easy feat (especially with multiple campuses).

At Splash, we’ll help you scale your complex direct mail campaigns to effectively:

Increase Donations
Foster Your Alumni Network
Attract Potential Students and Drive Applications
Reactivate Lapsed Candidates or Students
Support Your Overall Higher Education Brand

Direct Mail Fundraising Services for Higher Education

We’re committed to helping you nurture valuable relationships through the power of a well-crafted direct mail marketing campaign.

With direct mail marketing services designed for the complexities of higher education, you’ll have access to the latest in print technologies, marketing automation and digital integration to reach your audiences on their favorite channels.

Your One-Stop Shop for University Direct Mail:

Full Campaign Evaluation
Data Management
List Segmentation
In-House Design and Development
Quick Turnaround Time
1:1 Personalization
Variety of Engaging Formats
Sophisticated Marketing Automation
Digital integration
High-Quality Print and Mail
In-Depth Campaign Results and Attribution
SOC 2 Compliance

Personalization and Direct Mail Segmentation for Universities

Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with your audience one-on-one.

Personalization is more than just adding a name – and list segmentation goes beyond mere categorization. It’s using variable data printing (VDP) to add specific variables throughout the mailpiece – all in a single print run.

Think of the opportunities to utilize variable data in the higher education space – including variable elements related to your recruitment, retention and fundraising segments (e.g., program of interest, start dates, suggested donor amounts or amount of last donation, QR codes and PURls). We’ll help you maximize the value of each mailpiece with cutting-edge technology and innovation, ensuring your fundraising efforts hit the highest ROI.

Elevate Your Direct Mail with Advanced Marketing Technologies

Splash also offers tech-savvy solutions to help you seamlessly consolidate your student communications among colleges, campuses and types of programs while increasing your multichannel touchpoints.

Powerful Marketing Automation

Do you have recurring, high-volume direct mail campaigns for each stage of recruitment, enrollment and alumni and donors? Operate more effectively with a platform that combines custom print and digital solutions to leverage templates and eliminate redundancy to streamline your direct mail.

Learn More About Amplify

Results-Driven Integrated Marketing

What if you could increase the effectiveness of your direct mail campaigns by 23 – 46%? Seamlessly target your student and alumni population with awareness and brand-building campaigns, delivering your message on all the popular digital channels.

Learn More About Velocity

Types of University Direct Mail Campaigns

At Splash, you’ll find eye-catching university mailers that communicates your institution’s mission, achievements and fundraising needs to alumni, students and potential donors.

Examples of university direct mail campaigns include:

Student Recruitment Direct Mail
Alumni Engagement Mailers
University Appeal Letters
Charitable Gift Reminders
Planned Giving Mail Campaigns
Legacy Giving Direct Mail
Alumni Giving Direct Mail
Foundation Fundraising Mailers
Major Gift Solicitation
Donor Stewardship Mail

Using Direct Mail for Alumni Engagement

We understand the significance of fostering lasting connections with alumni to support fundraising efforts for your educational institution. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategic insights, we facilitate effective communication while optimizing fundraising outcomes to maximize potential donor engagement.

Personalization and Tailored Messaging

To increase response rates, utilize variable data printing (VDP) for customized direct mail pieces to create unique and relevant mailers. Personalize campaigns with:

Alumni names
Graduation years
Individualized messages

Personalization is the cornerstone of effective alumni engagement. By tailoring each piece to the individual recipient, institutions can create a more meaningful connection that resonates on a personal level.

Engaging Content

Share compelling content like:

Success stories
Campus development updates
Upcoming events

Include nostalgic elements:

Photos of campus landmarks
Alumni achievements

Meaningful content keeps alumni interested and connected to their alma mater. By blending current news with nostalgic elements, institutions can evoke fond memories while demonstrating ongoing progress and relevance.

Career Support and Networking Opportunities

Provide valuable resources:

Resume tips
Job listings
Industry insights
Promote alumni networking events through direct mail

Offering career support demonstrates ongoing value to alumni, particularly recent graduates. Institutions can foster a sense of community by facilitating networking opportunities and encouraging active participation in alumni activities.

Data-Driven Insights

Leverage data analytics to:

Craft targeted campaigns
Identify specific alumni segments
Tailor messaging for maximum relevance

Utilizing data-driven insights allows for more precise and effective communication strategies. By analyzing alumni data, institutions can create campaigns that resonate with specific groups, enhancing engagement and fundraising outcomes.

University Direct Mail Campaign Strategies

Here are ideas for impactful higher education direct mail campaigns:

Campaign Type 1: Traditional Printed Mailers

Campaign Details: Send out personalized acceptance letters in high-quality envelopes to admitted students. These mailers can include a welcome packet with information about the campus, housing, and orientation.
Potential Results: The personalized touch and high-quality materials will increase the yield rate of accepted students deciding to enroll.

Campaign Type 2: Multichannel Direct Mail

Campaign Details: Use a combination of direct mail and digital follow-ups to engage prospective students. The mailer can include a QR code that leads to a personalized landing page with a video message from the Dean.
Potential Results: This multichannel approach will drastically increase engagement compared to previous email-only campaigns.

Campaign Type 3: Alumni Engagement Postcards

Campaign Details: Send out postcards to alumni with updates on campus developments and upcoming events. The postcards can include a personalized URL (PURL) for alumni to visit and update their contact information.
Potential Results: This type of campaign will see a significant increase in alumni updating their information and attending events, leading to higher engagement and donations.

Campaign Type 4: Fundraising Appeal Letters

Campaign Details: Send personalized fundraising appeal letters to alumni, highlighting specific projects and needs. Each letter can include a personalized donation form and a return envelope.
Potential Results: The targeted approach has been shown to have a higher increase in donations compared to general appeal letters.

Campaign Idea 5: Student Recruitment Brochures

Campaign Details: Mail out high-quality brochures to high school juniors and seniors, showcasing the campus, academic programs, and student life. The brochures can be tailored to the interests of the recipients based on their academic profiles.
Potential Results: By personalizing the brochures you will increase the number of campus visit registrations and applications.

The Importance of Follow-Up Plans in Direct Mail Campaigns

Direct mail is an effective marketing channel, but follow-up is crucial to ensure engagement. Methods can include phone calls, additional mail pieces, or emails. Effective follow-up ensures that prospective students or donors do not miss out on important communications.

Best Practices for Campaign Follow-Up:

Timely Outreach: Follow up within 1-2 weeks of the initial mailing to maintain momentum.
Multichannel Approach: Combine direct mail with emails and phone calls to reinforce your message.
Personalization: Tailor follow-up messages based on the recipient’s interests and previous interactions.
Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Each follow-up should include a specific action for the recipient to take.
Track Responses: Use unique codes or URLs to monitor engagement and refine your strategy based on results.

By implementing these best practices, institutions can enhance the effectiveness of their direct mail campaigns and improve overall engagement with prospective students and donors.

Get a Complimentary Campaign Review Today!

Contact Splash to transform your fundraising direct mail campaign and help deliver on your university foundation’s mission. Here’s how Splash can help:

Direct Marketing Expertise: Our team leverages advanced analytics and cutting-edge technology to craft targeted direct mail campaigns.
Personalization: We use variable data printing (VDP) to create personalized mailers that resonate with recipients.
Marketing Automation: Our sophisticated marketing automation streamlines your campaigns, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
Digital Integration: We seamlessly integrate direct mail with digital channels to enhance your outreach efforts.
Comprehensive Services: From full campaign evaluation to high-quality print and mail, we offer a one-stop solution for all your direct mail needs.

Harness the power of direct marketing, personalization, and marketing automation to drive alumni engagement, student recruitment, and overall institutional advancement. Supercharge your campaigns with Splash and achieve your higher education goals.