Ever Seen a $10 Bill Letter? I have... <pics>

19 replies
I nearly threw this out but something told me to open it. The envelope was fairly ordinary, though stamped. The only teaser copy was "Here's the survey we wrote you about"

I didn't recall the company but was pleasantly surprised when I pulled the contents out. Clipped to the letter was a crisp, brand new $10 bill. I didn't even think it was real at first and had to feel it.

And even being a copywriter, the reciprocity is guilting me into filling out the damn 28 page survey.

Enjoy!

#&ltpics&gt #<pics> #$10 #bill #letter
  • Profile picture of the author TheSalesBooster
    My water company does something similar, but it's only a 1 dollar bill.

    $10 is a lot! I wonder what their return rate is like and how many get dumped in the garbage lol.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7864592].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Originally Posted by TheSalesBooster View Post

      My water company does something similar, but it's only a 1 dollar bill.

      $10 is a lot! I wonder what their return rate is like and how many get dumped in the garbage lol.
      I'm curious. If it's not worth $20,000 to do 9 one-hour calls, how is $10 "a lot"?



      Alex
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7865251].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author TheSalesBooster
        Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

        I'm curious. If it's not worth $20,000 to do 9 one-hour calls, how is $10 "a lot"?



        Alex
        Well apparently on their website the survey consists of 13,000 people.

        $10+ mailing costs to a pretty broad marketing demographic(doesn't seem very targeted other than people who make more than $100k) can get pretty expensive just asking for someone to fill out a survey.

        That's $130,000 and you're not even selling anything.

        That's why I'm curious to know what their response rate was.

        I'm guessing they are some kind of direct marketing list broker. I'm sure they will make their money back, but I can think of better ways to spend $130,000 targeting people who make over 100k.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7866045].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Curtis2011
    Don't feel guilty. They are playing a numbers game. For every person that responds to their survey, they are getting much more than $10 worth of value from their information.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7864595].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bruce Wedding
    I wonder how many people are signing up to do a Mendelsohn Survey now LOL!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7865328].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
    I got one of those a while back - don't remember who it was from. Might have been a year or two ago.

    But, like Bruce, the $10 bill DID guilt me into doing the survey as well. LOL
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7865761].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod View Post

      I got one of those a while back - don't remember who it was from. Might have been a year or two ago.

      But, like Bruce, the $10 bill DID guilt me into doing the survey as well. LOL
      Would have been easier to just send the $10 back.

      Alex
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7866773].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Harlan
    That's a letter with a $10 bill as a grabber - not the classic Halbert letter.

    The most I ever got was a $100 letter from an Internet Marketer asking me to be an affiliate.

    I won't even lower myself to discuss a different internet marketer who sent people $.01 to ask them to mail for him.

    Loser.
    Signature

    Harlan D. Kilstein Ed.D.
    Free NLP Communications Course at http://www.nlpcopywriting.com
    http://overnight-copy.com
    Get Fit In Four Minuteshttp://just4minutes.com
    Learn how to build a Super Site Without SEO http://supersiteformula.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7865957].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
    Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding View Post

    I didn't recall the company but was pleasantly surprised when I pulled the contents out. Clipped to the letter was a crisp, brand new $10 bill. I didn't even think it was real at first and had to feel it.

    And even being a copywriter, the reciprocity is guilting me into filling out the damn 28 page survey.
    What you experienced is the same thing the original receivers of the dollar bill letter experienced in 1923. In 2013 dollars you'd have to attach $13.59 ($10.00 is close enough) to give it the same kick a $1 did back then.

    I seriously doubt anyone here would fill out any survey for a buck, but for $10 you do feel obligated to do so.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7866673].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TakenAction
    Very interesting. Yeah I wish we knew the response rate.
    Signature

    The best thing you can do is put yourself out there.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7867357].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi there,

    Interestingly, they don't reference the $10 bill in the letter.

    I wonder if this is because the reader would then equate the $10 with an actual timeframe to complete the survey?

    It's almost as if they're just laying the $10 out there and you know what you need to do, lol...

    All the best,

    Sasha.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7869433].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Biz Max
      Originally Posted by SashaLee View Post

      Hi there,

      Interestingly, they don't reference the $10 bill in the letter.

      I wonder if this is because the reader would then equate the $10 with an actual timeframe to complete the survey?

      It's almost as if they're just laying the $10 out there and you know what you need to do, lol...

      All the best,

      Sasha.
      They did address the $10, at the bottom

      Too bad the letter itself is weak. You'd think they would have pushed that 'reciprocal button' even
      harder. Looks like they are hoping the money is strong enough. Kinda half-assed if you ask me.
      Signature
      Small Business Marketing & Branding Specialist
      http://BrandWhisperer.net
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7869489].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
        So what about letter one? This is the follow up from reading the intro.

        Did you or someone in your house respond to letter one indicating that you would be willing to take the survey?

        Took a bit of a chance if you didn't.

        Dan
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7869753].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Bruce Wedding
          Originally Posted by jimbo13 View Post

          So what about letter one? This is the follow up from reading the intro.

          Did you or someone in your house respond to letter one indicating that you would be willing to take the survey?

          Took a bit of a chance if you didn't.
          Honestly, I'm not sure. I never saw it but I'm notorious for throwing mail away if it doesn't look important.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7869842].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
            Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding View Post

            Honestly, I'm not sure. I never saw it but I'm notorious for throwing mail away if it doesn't look important.
            Bruce, I was wondering why you never cashed that $100 check I sent you!

            Speaking of grabbers... kid you not, once got a letter from Adam and Eve or one of those "adult" catalogs...

            Had a magnetic fridge business card with a very attractive, well endowed woman at the top of their letter.

            Certainly grabbed my attention... still hanging on my fridge today. Wife hates it.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7869881].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Biz Max
              Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post

              Speaking of grabbers... kid you not, once got a letter from Adam and Eve or one of those "adult" catalogs...

              Had a magnetic fridge business card with a very attractive, well endowed woman at the top of their letter.

              Certainly grabbed my attention... still hanging on my fridge today. Wife hates it.
              So besides antagonizing your wife, how much have you ordered from them so far?
              Signature
              Small Business Marketing & Branding Specialist
              http://BrandWhisperer.net
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7869951].message }}

Trending Topics