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Letters to the Editors Work
Don't forget about this old-school marketing tactic in a social media world.
Even in today’s social media world, the letters to the editor columns are among the best-read sections of any newspaper, whether it is the Smalltown News or USA Today. It is your link to the public. But major newspapers get hundreds of letters each week and most run only a few letters a day.
The rules for getting your letter in the paper or being posted online:
- Be timely. If your letter is about news that’s three weeks old, nobody cares what you have to say
- Be brief. Keep it short, simple and to the point, under 200 words.
- Have an angle. Make sure your letter is different than the hundreds of others the newspaper receives. Have a reason for them to run it.
- Be sure it is well-written and typed.
- Try to make reference to something that has been in the newspaper, especially in another letter to the editor.
Where in the World is Anthony?
Speaking in Jacksonville today and tomorrow. Presentation tip 27: Standing still is boring. Move around to keep it interesting. And stop standing behind stuff! (tables, lecterns, chairs, etc.) It disconnects you from the audience.
Worked all day today north of Janesville with a Wisconsin-based contractor. Communication tip 43: Having an unpleasant conversation? Standing at a 45-degree angle can help defuse hostility.
Worked all day today in Philadelphia with a very large national contractor. Virtual Presenting Tip 14: Stop using your laptop. Get an actual webcam and a tripod and put your camera at eye level. A minimal amount of effort and less than $50 makes a huge difference.
Speaking this week in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Illinois. Presenting tip 6: Remove physical barriers that disconnect you from the audience. For live presentations - lecterns, tables, distance, soft voice, etc. Virtual presentations - bad lighting, weird camera angle, etc.
Spent yesterday near Syracuse, NY speaking at a contractor's executive leadership meeting. News interview tip no. 1: Address question 1st, THEN quickly move to your message. Don't be like the politicians who totally ignore the question!