mailers use all kinds of different designs to get you to open their envelopes. Some work and some dont, but in the end, the letters you usually set aside first are the ones that look like personal letters from friends or family.   Do you want to get your mail opened? Make it look like a letter from a personal friend or family member. Its that simple. A plain white envelope with a typewritten (courier font) or handwritten address and a first class stamp will get opened every time. For your return address use your name (no title), the name of your company, and the street address of you company (no P.O. box). I also use one other type of envelope that gets opened every time. They are envelopes that look like an Air Express or FedEx letter. You can find these types of envelopes at   NOTE: One note about the stamp you use. One of the first things that reveal whether youre a bulk mailer or not is the stamp that you use. If you meter your mail, your recipient will know that you mail in bulk, which contradicts your attempt to make your letter appear personal. If you really want your letter to get opened, use a humble first class stamp.   Creating and Using a Swipe File   Perhaps the easiest and most value-added habit I have formed as a marketer is to create a "swipe file" - a collection of other peoples creative news articles, newspaper and magazine advertisements, or direct mailings.   Companies have paid thousands (sometimes hundreds of thousands) of dollars to high- paid direct response experts to create articles, ads, and mailings that work. Why not use their work as a "creative starting block" for your direct mail piece?   Before you start to say, "Thats copying and its illegal!" I should explain that all you use your swipe file for is to get your creative juices flowing. I call this method "creative inspiration."   I have sat for hours thinking about what I want to create for an ad. I dont anymore. I just open my swipe file and within minutes Im creating. Dont limit your swipe file to just marketing pieces from your industry. Put any ad or direct mail piece in your swipe file that jumps out at you and catches your attention.   One of my most successful direct mail pieces was based off of a letter I received from a company that sent me an invitation to a local seminar about a home-business opportunity maintaining pop machines!   Instead of just chucking the mail like I used to, I look at my mail differently now. I see it as the most inexpensive marketing education that I could ever receive. Why throw your mail away? Save the best pieces for your swipe file.   Testing: The Key to Ultimate Direct Mail Profits