SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOr
Writing a letter to the editor is easier than you might think and can be pretty impactful! If published, these short pieces are a surefire way to make sure your opinion is heard.
According to data, a letter to the editor (LTE) is among the most widely read features in any publication and allows you to reach a much larger audience than by sharing your opinion on social media. They are also often monitored by elected officials and their staff to track the attitudes of voters and can bring up critical information that was not addressed in a given news article!
So here are some tips on how you change hearts and minds through an LTE.
Letter Writing Tips
Make it relevant and timely. LTEs should only be written if there is a local or national issue that is happening right now (or in the very near future) that you would like to supply commentary for
Address the editors. Write as if you're talking to the editor of the newspaper directly.
Stay on point. One topic per letter is best. And do not feel that you have to cover all aspects of that in a few short sentences. Rather, concentrate on a few powerful points. Bring in personal experiences when appropriate and if you are comfortable doing so. Here are some talking points.
Keep it short. There is always a limit to how long an LTE can be. Longer letters are less likely to be published and, if selected, will almost definitely be edited. Don’t let the letters editor remove or dilute your most important points.