7 Tips For Writing an Effective Letter to The Editor (Video)

The “Letter to the Editor” section is one of the most widely read parts of most newspapers and magazines, because it contains a lot of personal, human content and it offers the writer a great chance to reach a broad audience with your message. Because of this fact, letters to the editor can be an effective tool in influencing public opinion and legislators’ views.

Check out other helpful tips on my 7 Tips page.

Lots Of How To Knowledge on The 7 Tips Page

So you guys are probably aware that I recently put up a couple of How To / Helpful Tips posts. One was “7 tips for writing an effective letter to the editor” , and the other one was “7 tips for writing an effective letter to your lawmaker”.

Apparently they got a lot of interest in the blog reading community, or at least in the segments  of said community that actually takes the time to read this particular blog. So I have decided to dedicate a WHOLE PAGE and compiling a list of some of the these helpful tips.

You can visit my 7 Tips Page and maybe you can pick up something useful for yourself. Don’t forget to like and comment. Any kind of feedback is really appreciated.

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7 Tips For Writing an Effective Letter To The Editor

Letters to the editor can be an effective tool in influencing public opinion and legislators’ views. I figured it would be very useful if I wanted to bring the attention the Ohio residents to the issue of online poker in their own community. The letter to the editor section is one of the most widely read parts of most newspapers, because it contains a lot of personal, human content. and it offers a great chance to reach a broad audience with your message. Here are 7 Tips for writing an effective letter to the editor.

1. Keep it brief. Keep the letter to 250 words or less. Discuss only one issue in a letter. Keeping your letter short will help ensure that the newspaper does not edit out important points if they decide to print it.
2. Get to the point. Start with a compelling introductory sentence. Follow the introduction with short, clear, factual points. Don’t make broad statements you can’t back up with facts. Focus on what is most important to you, rather than trying to address every aspect of the issue.
3. Relate it to home. Newspaper readers care about how an issue will impact them or their families locally. Including brief information on the economic or other impacts of an issue in the community will draw a reader’s interest.
4. Personalize the letter. Avoid submitting “form” letters. Provide an example of how the issue impacts a real person in your community to help the readers understand the issue and encourage them to take action.
5. Be timely. Try to place letters when they will be the most effective. For example, letters supporting or opposing legislation will have the most impact when legislators are considering and debating the issue.
6. Be professional. Letter should be typed or neatly handwritten and should follow the submission rules of the particular newspaper. Language should be polite but persuasive.
7. Identify yourself. Sign the letter personally. Include any information highlighting your expertise on the issue. Provide contact information, including an address and daytime phone number so the newspaper can verify the letter’s authenticity.