This paper describes empirically tested strategies for containing mailed questionnaire costs while maximizing survey response rates. Survey focus, critical to gaining respondent interest and completion of the survey instrument, should be selected on the basis of the theme of the study in order to reduce survey length and yield more in-depth and potentially useful information on selected topics. To help insure that the survey focus interests respondents, the appropriate study population should be carefully selected. Psychometric considerations should determine whether addressing a random sample or entire population is cost effective. Appearance and organization of the survey, as well as its form, style and presentation should be tailored to arouse the interest of the target group. The mailing process should include a premailing letter or phone call, an initial mailing, a postcard mailing, a second cover letter and replacement questionnaire, and a certified mailing or telephone follow-up. Two case studies revealing differential successes with variations to traditional survey research are reported and sample surveys are appended. (CK)