Letters to the editor

1. Make one point (or at most two) in your letter. State the point clearly, ideally in the first sentence.
2. Make your letter timely. If you are not addressing a specific article, editorial or letter that recently appeared in the paper you are writing to, then try to tie the issue you want to write about to a recent event.
3. Make sure you have an action item for people. What should they do with the information you are giving them?  What person are you targeting
4. Keep your letter brief. Type it whenever possible. Find others to write letters when possible. This will show that other individuals in the community are concerned about the issue. If your letter doesn't get published, perhaps someone else's on the same topic will.   Make sure to make them different!
5. Once you submit you're letter, follow-up.  Call a day or two after you submit the letter to make sure that it was received.
6. Monitor the paper for your letter. If your letter has not appeared within a few days, follow up with a call to the editorial department of the newspaper.
7. Find the angle that makes your point interesting or noteworthy.
• Timing - Why is it relevant now
• Significance to readership - Why should they care (know your audience)
• Geographic proximity - how does it affect where you are.
• Prominence - Anybody famous or important that makes it more interesting?
• Human Interest - Give it a human spin (i.e. children, mothers, education)