Letters to the Editor: Having Your Say

Writing a letter to your newspaper's editor is a privilege that Americans have exercised since the early days of journalism. You need not be an expert about the topic at hand, but by adding your voice to the discussion you can help shape people's opinions positively and constructively. Here are some tips to help you get your letter published:

1. Keep it short and sweet. Most newspapers and ezines put limitations on the number of words you can write. Generally, 200 words or less is common although some newspapers allow for up to 300 words. If you find these limitations to be too confining, consider offering your thoughts to the editor via an "op-ed" piece.

2. Keep it "libel-free." You can criticize someone personally, but you may not libel them. Don't expect your letter to receive the light of day if you slander or libel someone. Free speech does have its limits.

3. Use your own words. Sharp editorial staffs will recognize plagiarism in a moment. Speak from your heart, don't quote others unless you are responding specifically to an article or previously submitted letter to the editor.

4. Show good taste. This one is difficult. What is tasteless to one, is a freely spoken opinion to another. Remember: you want to get the letter published, so curb your language accordingly.

You don't have to agree with the newspaper or ezine's policy regarding letters to the editor. Still, if you want to get published you must take into consideration whatever guidelines are offered.

Please note that you will be required to submit your name, address, and city as well as your phone contact information too. Some, not all, editors will allow you to be listed as "Name Withheld by Request" while others will want you to identify yourself with the words you wrote. So, think carefully about what you want to have printed as misused verbiage can come back to haunt you later on.

Matt Keegan is The Article Writer who writes for magazines, newsletters, ezines, web sites, and more. You can preview his site at http://www.thearticlewriter.com

---

Articles That Sizzle - Top Ten Topics

There's one key rule that every writer should understand before sitting down to write an article and that's "know your audience".Who are you writing for? A limited... Read More

How To Master Article Writing To Get More Traffic

If you are starving for traffic, can't seem to consistently draw thousands of visitors to your website each day and struggle to get them to buy when... Read More

Every Writers Dilemma: How Do You Decide What to Write About?

The sources of inspiration are all around us, in the headlines of the daily newspaper, in conversations, and listening to what questions people are asking. But how... Read More

Direct Sales Reps CAN Write Articles - Heres How!

We all know that article writing is a great way to promote our businesses AND helps establish us as an expert in our fields. But, just because... Read More

Website Promotion: Alternatives to Article Banks

Writing and submitting articles to article banks is a well-known method for promoting one's website. Usually there is an author's box at the bottom of the article... Read More

So You Want to Be an Author - These Are the Easiest Types of Articles in the World to Write

Being an Internet Article Author is far and away the best way to get noticed quickly by the Big 3 Search Engines. Anyone can Create Enumerated List... Read More

Article Marketing 101: The Perfect Author Resource Box

If you want to really make your article "SELL" then you've got to craft the perfect RESOURCE BOX. This is the "author bio" that is below your... Read More

10 Things To Remember When Writing Articles To Market Your Website

Whatever you're selling, writing articles to distribute freely amongst webmasters is one of the best ways of getting yourself and your service known.Although I know nothing much... Read More

10 Article Writing Quirks

Much has been touted about the effectiveness of article writing in the promotion of their business. While everyone raves about its benefits I'll look into a few... Read More

Dont Miss These 10 Must Know Facts About Promoting Your Website with Article Writing

Most all ezine publishers need fresh content. Article writing is something that gets tedious to the publisher who sends out an ezine every week. Fresh, unique ideas... Read More

Resource Box Rules: Winning Tactics

Lets face it people use articles to send traffic to their websites. But if their resource box is lousy and not worded right they will get minimal,... Read More

Article Marketing Benefits Online Retailers

Strategically developing online content helps to ensure a small-business owner's success in both the short and long term.Article marketing is a smart, comprehensive way to broaden the... Read More

How to Effectively Hire a Ghost Writer

In today's busy world, whether your business is large or small, it is easy to become over whelmed with day-to-day tasks. Suddenly you realize that you need... Read More

Why Writing Articles Is Much Better Than Search Engine Optimization

This article is dedicated to those who are afraid to challenge themselves and go out on the edge and prove that if they can do it so... Read More

Summer is the Perfect Time to Write

As of July 1st, the year was half over! July 1st is the Wednesday of the annual calendar, it's an annual hump day (stop giggling!), and we'll... Read More

3 Article Outline Essentials

Most writers I talk with who experience "writer's block" do not get bogged down by the content of the article, rather they are stopped by the outline... Read More

Smart Writing and Layout Styles for the Web

If you write web content, it may be a mystery to you as to what "works" and what doesn't work. You want people to read what you... Read More

5 Simple Ways To Get Ideas For Awesome Articles!

1. Participate in chat rooms related to your targeted audience. Watch what questions people are asking and ask others what information they're interested in.There are probably millions... Read More

Writing a Statement

You have decided on a great idea and researched a publication, what's next?Before you write any part of your article you should write a statement. This will... Read More

SureFire Ways To Get Free Publicity Using Articles

Free publicity can help to spread the word about your name and business. There are many ways in which you can publicize your web site at no... Read More

Articles and Internet Branding: 5 Steps to Success

Are you ready to become an internet marketing expert? Are you ready for a massive conversion rate plus unlimited residual streams of income for your web-based business?... Read More

Writing for the Internet - How to Market Yourself on the Web

Writing articles for online newsletters and websites can be a low cost, effective and powerful way of marketing yourself to new clients.Writing for the Web, however, is... Read More

Understanding That Online Writing is Business Writing Will Make You a Fortune

Never before in the history of the business of writing have opportunities opened up and presented themselves on such a large scale and in such huge quantities... Read More

Article Marketing: the BETTER Offpage SEO Solution

Been reading up on SEO? If so, you know that there are one of two major strategies for bumping up your website on the search engines. One... Read More

Publishing: Changing realities (I)

When you frequently post articles on ezines, you might be aware that you are an active participant in the art of publishing at grass roots level. From... Read More

Everything I Needed to Know About Article Writing I Learned from My English Teacher

By now you probably understand how important writing for trade publications is to establishing credibility in the home business world.On to the first hurdle: how do you... Read More