How to Write Crisp, Compelling Letters to the Editor that Promote Your Product, Service or Favorite Cause

Letters to the editor are one of the fastest, easiest and least time-consuming ways to catch the media’s attention and spread your message to the greatest number of people possible. Unlike news stories that are written by reporters, letters allow you to state an opinion, offer an alternative viewpoint, heap praise, or move someone to action in your own words. That means there’s a much smaller chance that the facts will be wrong or that your message will be twisted or diluted as it might be in a regular news story. Why You Should Write Letters Write letters to the editor frequently for the following reasons: --To keep your name in front of the public. Even if you’re already receiving great publicity, use letters to the editor to supplement the stories that are written about you. --To build or maintain a high profile. Because well-written letters are so easy to get printed, you can use them as part of your campaign to build your celebrity image, increase your profile in the community or simply to become better known, and to be seen as an expert. --To set the record straight when a story written about you is inaccurate. Of course, you should ask the newspaper to print a correction. But don’t hesitate to follow up with a letter to the editor correcting the error in your own words. One of the idiosyncrasies of media people is that editors will sometimes balk when you ask for a correction, but they won’t give you a hard time if you ask that they print your letter to set the record straight. --To get your share of ink when a newspaper or magazine writes about your competitor and never calls you. When I hear people grumble that a magazine contacted all their competitors for a story, but not them, I suggest they write a letter to the editor, or a longer opinion column, commenting on the story and offering a viewpoint that the reporter did not mention in the story. I’ve seen people get four and five times more ink this way, than had the reporter called them in the first place. In this report, you will learn: Why letters are powerful publicity tools The elements of a good letter Six free ways to publicize your products and services A template for a great letter to the editor Do's and Don'ts of letter-writing How to save money on postage How to contact editor