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?
Gave the opening keynote this morning at a tech conference in Orlando. Crisis communications tip 29: Using social media to drive traffic to accurate information you've put on your website will significantly decrease misinformation.
Worked all day in Birmingham, Alabama with an awesome corporate credit union. AI Tip 29: Using AI to help you write an email, document, report, etc? Start with what's in your human brain and THEN use it to refine, instead of the other way around.
Gave keynote this morning in Pierre, SD, marking a milestone for me. I have now been paid to speak in every U.S. state (& 12 countries & U.S. territories). Thanks to all my clients & my colleague @NickIannitto for making sure my @Delta miles & @Marriott points never run out! 😉
Spent today in Seattle coaching the CEO of a financial institution. Crisis tip 14: Afraid to do the news interview? You have 0% chance of getting any positive in the story. Forget the fear, and embrace the opportunity to protect your reputation.
Speaking this week in Alaska and Washington state. Presenting tip 43: Never turn your back on the audience to read your PowerPoint slide. In fact, never read your PowerPoint slide, period.