Some people get so many collection letters that they can tell by the outside of the envelope without even opening it that it is a dunning notice or bill. They just throw them away. You might think, no way, they must open them.
I called debtors for 17 years on past due accounts and they themselves would tell me that they could tell and that they just throw them away. So don' t be fooled. You need to make your letter stand out so it gets opened. That is just the first step. Once they open the letter you need to grab their attention and keep them reading and get them to take action before they toss the letter in the trash. Not as hard as you may think.
Letters are easy to ignore and just toss. You need to get creative and I have some tips for you. I have tried all of these suggestions and am giving you the ones that worked the best for me. 
- Use different shaped envelopes when sending your letters. - try using invitation envelopes which are 4 3/8 x 5 3/4, you can get them at any office supply store and an 8 1/2 x 11 peice of paper fits in them when folded into a square.
- Use colored envelopes when sending your letters - People look for the standard "form" envelope, with the windows that most businesses use, if you use those with a form letter, chances are it will not get opened and just be thrown away. If you send a yellow envelope or a green envelope, noone will think it is a bill or dunning notice.
- Hand address your envelopes, or use a similar font if you print them on a computer. - this takes some time but you will have much better results. Think about when you receive something that is hand written, most things are printed by a computer so this really stands out.
- Use Flat Rate Priority Envelopes. - They are free from the post office or website and they cost less than certified mail and can't be refused like a certified letter can. Also, think about when you receive your mail. If you have a large colorful cardboard envelope from Priority mail or Fed Ex or something similar, don't you open that first? It is large, stands out from the other mail and gives the impression of urgency and importance.
HOT TIP! If you purchase and print the postage for the envelope at www.usps.com with their Click-N-Ship option, you can get delivery confirmation for FREE.
- Use "many" stamps. - Instead of using your postage meter to "stamp" your letters, purchase stamps in different amounts and use 2-3 stamps on the envelope. Even if the address is printed on there, they will notice the use of many different stamps, another way to make your letter stand out from all the other mail they receive that day.
- Purchase rubber stamps to stamp the outside of the envelopes. - I purchased low cost rubber stamps that said things like:
CONFIDENTIAL
PERSONAL
Confidential Information Enclosed, to be opened by Addressee Only
Try ordering them in different colors so they stand out, stamp the outside of the envelope in the left bottom corner or even on the back, the curiousity will get your letter opened.
If you want more tips or ideas on how to make your letters stand out, check out my books of letters and forms you can use to help you collect more money faster.
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