Yesterday, Australia Post announced letter delivery would be reduced to once every two days in metro areas (click on link and go to Regulatory relief section).

Along with current delays due to the increase in online shopping parcels, this will obviously affect direct mail to donors. It’s probably too difficult to move forward deadlines for first waves of tax appeals now but consider moving forward second wave deadlines by at least a week.

Before corona, if your mailing was due to hit letterboxes on a Wednesday, you could expect most people in metros areas to receive it by the end of the week or by the following Monday at the latest. Now, to be safe, I would suggest allowing at least a week.

If you’re a national charity, you may wish to allow even more time since Australia Post is saying to allow up to 5 days for intrastate post.

And note, some people are complaining letters and parcels are taking up to 6 weeks to reach them!

I know it’s tough with all of us working crazy hours to get mailings and comms out to donors. If you can move deadlines earlier then move them. Because timing of your appeal does matter. In previous years, I’ve seen orgs with delayed mailings – even by a week – see revenue hits of up to 10%. And even more if delayed by 2 or 3 weeks.

BUT the good news is this article says:

This means your emotional, donor-friendly direct mail pack has a greater chance of cutting through with more people at home! So proceed with confidence. Tell a heartwarming or tearjerker story, show donors your need during corona, and ask!