Letters to the editor are a lot like statements. They're fast, they get published more often than other products and they're persuasive instruments written in the first-person.
When You Should Use A Letter To The Editor
- As a response to breaking news -- Write letters to piggyback on stories that appear in the newspaper. It's best to send a letter the same day a story appears.
- As a rebuttal to an editorial, oped or letter that just appeared on the oped pages -- Public figures are often criticized on the editorial pages. Letters are one of the best ways to respond.
- As a thank you -- Maybe you're a small business that just opened on Main Street, and you want to thank the newspaper for the profile story they did and all the people who showed up at the grand opening. A press release wouldn't do the job. Many newspapers run thank-you letters; some even reserve separate space for them, separating them from the letters about property taxes and conspiracy theories about the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations.
- As a call to arms -- If you're not mad, you're not paying attention. Letters to the editor are perfect for rousing people to take action.
When You Shouldn't Use A Letter To The Editor
- When you need more space -- If 200 words is just too small to address a big issue, write an oped (guest column) instead. They run 600 to 800 words, depending on the newspaper.
- When you're tooting your own horn -- Say the Ministry of Silly Walks gave you an award. That's great. Don't write a letter to the editor signed by you. Let the Ministry's press people send a press release or a letter thanking you for all your hard work.
- When you're personally attacked -- Whether you're a politician, an actor or a CEO, there'll be times when you aren't just criticized but are personally attacked and villified. When things get truly nasty, nobody should respond personally. If you wrestle with a pig, both of you get muddy and only the pig enjoys it. Have somebody else respond.
Letters to the editor are quick and useful. Because they're persuasive and in the first-person, they're also great practice for the toughest things to write: opeds and speeches.