Focus: To make the recipient aware of an error or defect in a received product or service or to request a correction or adjustment for a received service. In other words, to gripe about something you think is wrong.
Points to Include: In the intro paragraph, state clearly the main complaint, followed briefly by any subsequent minor issues. In the main body of the letter back up your complaints with any facts or information you have. You may want to mention any documents you are enclosing as proof (follow the structure guidelines above for “enclosures.”) or people the recipient should contact. Be sure to actually ask for a specific action; don’t assume the recipient will automatically know what you want. In the concluding paragraph reiterate the main points and include a gentle emotional appeal for resolution. Even if you are upset about the issue at hand, it will do no long-term good to spill your anger across the page. Be polite. Be direct.
Benefit: The first benefit is the hope that you can actually resolve the issue. Many times simply communicating with the parties will allow resolution. If that doesn’t work, the second and very important benefit is that you now have a written record of your attempt to resolve the issue. This is where being polite pays off too. If you can show a constant, polite attempt to rectify the situation, you’ll be better positioned legally.
To keep from missing any great writing articles, please subscribe. Thanks!
Focus: There are many types of cover letters—it’s a catch-all term for any letter that doesn’t fit neatly into other specific categories. But there are certain types that are more recognized than others, primarily the kind you send with a resume. This type of letter is also known as a “Letter of Application.” Within the category of cover letters you’ll also find the kind you send with promotional material if you are marketing your services. This is sometimes called a “Marketing Letter.” If promotional or marketing materials are not included and the cover letter is all you are sending, it is called a “Letter of Introduction.” The latter can be about you or on behalf of someone else. All of them amount to pretty much the same thing; you are writing to request consideration of you, your work, or your colleague’s work.
Points to Include: The introductory paragraph needs to catch the reader’s interest instantly. They must know exactly what you are offering them and why this is important. If you are applying for a job, state clearly what job, why hiring you benefits them, and what you’ll bring to the table in terms of skills. In a Marketing Letter you want to impress them with the benefits they’ll receive from you, not why you want to work for them. In a Letter of Introduction you are telling them why you (or your colleague) are important to them and what you can do for them; in other words, what’s in it for the reader? Are you getting my drift? These letters are first and foremost about how your existence is going to make the recipient’s world a better place. In the main body, back your claims up with facts: your actual experience, how you’ve helped others in the same situation with similar jobs, and how specifically you intend to help them. Conclude by restating the job you’re applying for, the service you’re offering (or the person you’re recommending) and then a brief recounting (using different words) of how you are going to be the recipient’s next ticket to ride.
Benefit: Business professionals are bombarded daily with resumes, requests to buy/use certain services or introductions to potential associates. The cover letter is your chance to stand out. Most of these other requests are going to come with cover letters too, but by far, cover letters are poorly written. A tight, complementary and to-the-point letter will at least get you in the door. After that, the hard sell begins.
To keep from missing any great writing articles, please subscribe. Thanks!
Focus: To place an order for a product or service, you would write an Order Letter, also known as a Purchase Order. It is your written proof that you requested the item.
Points to include: In the intro letter state very clearly what you are ordering. Include the product number if applicable. In the main body include the cost of the item or service, your intended method of payment, your payment (if applicable) and your shipping address and phone number. Conclude the letter with a thank you, for politeness’ sake. Remember, the recipient will most likely fill the order without ever contacting you, but in the case of services requested, they may need to call you for clarification.
Benefit: The main benefit in this type of letter is the written proof you have that you attempted to initiate an order. If you rely on a phone call or verbal “okay,” you might find yourself having to repeat the process.
To keep from missing any great writing articles, please subscribe. Thanks!
Focus: To let the recipient know you are terminating your employment or your services.
Points to Include: The intro paragraph should get politely to the point, preferably in one sentence. Why you are terminating your employment or services becomes the main body of your letter. Explain your reasons, back them up with facts. Be sure to maintain a polite tone, even if you are terminating under adverse circumstances. Burning bridges by using angry words can leave you stranded in the future. Politeness now might boost you one step higher on the ladder of your career. Or it might not. Bottom line: play it safe.
Benefit: When you resign a position or contract you will be required to do so in writing. This written proof serves to protect you as well as the company you are resigning from. If you have explained politely the reasons you have for terminating your employment, you have your own proof against any false claims against you.
To keep from missing any great writing articles, please subscribe. Thanks!
Many people start a blog thinking they can spew words on a page and the general public (or some specifically targeted public) will come in droves to read and twitter about the new genius on the block. Okay. No.
This section is going to be a little bit beyond the basics and I will provide details of how I dramatically improved earnings from Adsense. Just to clarify, at the time of this increase I was already making some money with Adsense, but I had no idea how much difference a few tweaks could make. In my case I increased earnings over $1500 in a short amount of time.
It will take a while to get a decent amount of traffic from the search engines. The search engines do not like NEW websites. They like more established sites that have a lot of people linking to them, hence proving that they are reputable. This is why getting links from other bloggers, directories, other web sites that have a good reputation in the search engines’ eyes is very important.
So now we are getting to the point of this article where I start sharing everything I have learned over the last couple years about blogging. So, if you are like most, you want to create a blog so that others can read what you have to say.
Sadly, people will not find your blog (in the beginning anyway) unless you do a little legwork.
The second question that people normally ask after, “How do I make money with a blog?” is, “How long is it going to take?” Well just like most things in life, there is no legitimate quick and easy way. It takes time and hard work.
"Birgitte, you have a wonderfully clear head, a great knowledge of the craft, and are able to help a writer put on paper, the vision that is in their head. I’m excited for the lucky folks who enlist your services!"
-- Claudine Rogers
Current Novel Progress
Fiction For Fun
My goal: To read 15 novels in 2012. (3 down, 12 to go!) That might not sound like a lot, but consider that for work I read over 100 nonfiction books a year as an indexer. So squeezing in 15 for fun can get challenging. (Let's not even talk about the guilt factor) I'll post my progress here. If you have suggestions you'd care to share, contact me.Thanks! So far I've read...
Focus: To make the recipient aware of an error or defect in a received product or service or to request a correction or adjustment for a received service. In other words, to gripe about something you think is wrong.
To keep from missing any great writing articles, please subscribe.
