Notes from Minnesota
Hey Freelancer!
Woah. What a
spring.
We just put Billie
William's latest book to bed. Uff-da. Few writers (sadly) get to feel the exhilaration, joy, the pure rush of
watching something you've written turn into a tangible as a book.
It's incredible seeing
your name in print and “autographing” the subsequent checks.
But mostly, the feeling
you get when you know you're influencing just a small corner of the world is something I hope every freelancer can
feel. The unadulterated satisfaction is (believe it or not) beyond words.
But the road can be
challenging. That's why it's so important to have information that'll give you an
edge, a
place to strengthen your mindset, a
soft place to land when you're feeling discouraged.
I hope that place is here.
Because there's nothing more powerful than a savvy group of writers heck bent on making this world better. To that
end, I hope you enjoy today's main article. It could be controversial. I hope it's not, because if you read the
message carefully, I think you'll walk away with some very strong persuasive skills.
Onward and
upward!
Beth :)
P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the
link
Mindset Moment
I know. Life's busy.
You've got a ton of commitments. You run like a rat in some insane race.
Just remember to
breathe.
For it is your breath that
fuels your imagination. As long as you stop and breathe deep, you'll always have the incredible support system of
your muse (and company).
Relax! Enjoy life. I'll
wait 'til tomorrow.
As
always,
Your Faithful
Muse
http://filbertpublishing.com/creative.html
Beth's Hot Pick of the
Week
What recession? Freelance assignments are
flowing freer as ever before... if you know where to look, how to approach them, and have the mindset essential
to land the assignment.
Next week,
the subscription price is doubling because I'm not going to spill the best of the best for a song. Lock in this low
price because it won't return... ever.
Here's the
link: http://filbertpublishing.com/creative.html
~~~~~
The Fine Art of Writing an Effective Letter of Protest
Beth Ann
Erickson
First, I must say I rarely do
this, share some of the more interesting e-mail correspondence I receive at Filbert Publishing. But this particular
e-mail piqued my interest more than most.
Here's the background: I received
a multi-forwarded e-mail last week asking me to protest the upcoming stimulus package the US government is
currently working on.
Now, before I want to get too far,
I want to make it perfectly clear that Writing Etc. is neutral when it comes to politics. This article is NOT about
the veracity of this protest. It's about a particular response to it.
I share this information in the
hopes that everyone who reads this will be able to comment intelligently and effectively when recruited to do
something similar.
Again, I feel the need to mention
I am politically neutral when it comes to this forum. I ask that if you have any comments on the upcoming
conversation, please feel free to do so here.
So, back on
track.
I get this e-mail asking me to
send a tea bag to Washington on April 1. I'm also asked to send a note if I'd like to.
I ignored the e-mail because I
usually disregard multi-forwarded correspondence. However, I did take note when someone had the courage to hit
“reply all” to share his response. And boy did he write something interesting.
A letter of complaint, or in this
case a letter of protest, carries with it some defined rules to follow if you want your message to be read, let
alone taken seriously. Writers who do not abide by these are basically wasting their time and are often times
damaging their position on the issue.
I've included this person's
message, in its original form, and have commented a few key areas every letter writer needs to remember when
setting pen to paper. You can find my comments within the parentheses and are colored in
red.
Here we go, starting with the
e-mail text:
Here's my tea bag. If I disappear mysteriously, you
can safely conclude we have already lost our right to freedom of speech.
(A leap of logic. I realize that this isn't technically part of
your message to the government, but as I read the following message, I was more concerned about members of the
grammar police silencing you than the government. :) )
April Fool’s Day - 2009 (The font is too large. Also, you do not need to
use a “bold” typeface.)
To Whom It May Concern: (Always address your letter to a real
person.)
200 years ago Americans proclaimed their independence from an exploitive, apathetic government by
throwing some tea in the water. (Actually, it was over 200 years ago. Get your facts
correct. Also, don't begin your sentences with a number. You want to appear intelligent, so be sure to follow
basic rules of writing. Also, your font is too large. Don't use “bold” either. A simple Times New Roman, 12
point, no bold is the standard.)
Today, Americans again need to revolt against another exploitive, apathetic government
(Says who? I doubt your reader will agree with this. You need to create rapport, even
with those you disagree with.) ……. (An ellipsis = 3 “dots”) RUN
BY AMERICANS (Yelling at your reader is not good form when you're trying to persuade
them) !! (Use these sparingly.)
If I exercised my Right to Free Speech publicly…to the point where I might convince a large
enough populus (Always spell check.) to actually threaten the security of
our “Leaders”, I would be assassinated covertly by the Secret (Gestapo) Service. (Got
any proof for this? Bold claim.) “My idea of Change is simply not allowed!” (Who are you quoting? Cite your sources.) Only Obama’s “change” is acceptable
(Lots of claims in this paragraph, but you don't provide any compelling
proof.) …and it will bury us as a Nation. (Again, lots of claims. No proof.
Arguments without supporting proof are too weak to be taken seriously.) (And I don’t blame
Obama. He is only a teleprompted, professionally groomed and clothed puppet. Albeit, just as corrupt as his
cronies.) (Insulting the recipient of your message isn't a good way to instigate
change.)
I (we) (Who is “we?”) can’t go down to the port and dump a
shipload of tea in the harbor. I can only hope someone in receipt of “my teabag” will do me the courtesy of
jamming it up one of the puppeteers’ ass! (Know your audience. Sentences like this make
the writer look unstable. It's not a good persuasive technique to appear at odds with the person you're
disagreeing with.)
GOD BLESS AMERICA !!
Our present government certainly WON’T !!!!! (Multiple exclamation
points will not make up for weak writing. Instead, select powerful, targeted words that'll effectively carry your
message without offending your reader.)
(Beth
again)
So, where does that leave
us?
-
Remember the point
of your letter. If you're protesting a government action, keep your words focused on that and do not stray
from your objective. The letter above does little to effectively address the writer's concerns and instead
veers off track venturing into the world of hyperbole, exaggeration, and unsubstantiated claims. Remember
why you're writing the letter. Then focus on that point.
-
Letters of protest
are good. When you disagree with something, it's important to voice your opinion and join in the
conversation.
-
“Joining in the
conversation” doesn't mean you should insult your reader. If you truly want your voice heard, respect your
reader.
-
Follow punctuation
rules, grammar rules, and rules of logic. Doing this will make you look intelligent.
-
Use large fonts
and upper case letters sparingly.
-
A few carefully
selected words can cut like a sword. Use these instead of hyperbole and ad hominem
arguments.
-
Understand your
topic as well as your stand. Write about specific issues. Writing broad generalities is far less effective
than writing about one specific issue.
-
If you want to
influence your reader towards your opinion, do not insult them, their intelligence, or the decisions
they've made. You can disagree without insulting.
-
Always write in a
respectful, yet targeted tone.
-
Ditch the
dramatics. When you write to a government agency or corporation, use a professional tone that matches their
style.
-
Remember,
exaggerated punctuation such as multiple exclamation points, doesn't create urgency. Only well-chosen words
can do that. Avoid dramatic punctuation.
-
Finally, be very
slow to respond to “forwarded e-mails.” Check Snopes.com to make sure the cause is legit. If you're going
to spend time crafting a letter, make sure the cause truly exists and you have a ghost of a
chance of making an impact.
Remember these ten points,
and any letter of complaint/protest you write will be far more effective.
Now go forward and engage
in lively discussion; agree and disagree. State your point of view firmly, effectively, and in the most powerful
style possible. Effective writers possess incredible (potential) power to influence. Use that power
wisely.
Onward and
upward,
Beth :)
P.S. Care to comment on
this article? Head here.
~~~
Beth Ann
Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No
Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at
http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of
Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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