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​wr0. Course introduction
​

wr1. Writing fundamentals
wr1-0. Introduction :29
wr1-1. Chose simple words :54
wr1-2. More verbs less adjectives :33
wr1-3. Use the present tense 1:05
wr1-4. Compound your sentences :25
wr1-5. Keep paragraphs short:29
wr1-6. Use the past tense 1:13
wr1-7. Review :56


wr2. Planning your message
wr2-0. Introduction: 1:06
wr2-1. Start with the ending: :36
wr2-2. Now start your beginning :19
wr2-3. Adjusting the middle 1:01
wr2-4. Captions add picture value 1:15
wr2-5. Headlines attract readers :44
wr2-6. Review 1:07


wr3. Writing with purpose
wr3-0. Introduction :37
wr3-1. Feature you 1:29
wr3-2. A short video script :47
wr3-3. Press release 1:26
wr3-4. Business cover letter 1:33
wr3-5. Instruction manual 1:18
wr3-6. Review :33


wr4. No this
wr4-0. Introduction 1:12
wr4-1. No alphabet soup 1:11
wr4-2. No abbreviations :45
wr4-3. No contractions :46
wr4-4. No slang and no swearing 2:19
wr4-5. No misspelling :56
wr4-6. Never misspell names :50
​wr4-7. Review :38

Lesson

wr3-4. Business cover letter
​

A business letter should, well, naturally be about business. 

Start by reminding the reader how and where you previously met, or discuss briefly, what you have in common and what you are writing about. 

If you have never met, get to the point about who you are and why you are writing. 

Be polite and gentle. Imagine you work in a five-star hotel, and the person you are writing to is a VIP guest.

Do not be too friendly. Skip the "How you doing?" or "Hey." Or even, "I hope you are doing well."

​And do not write like this is an all-or-nothing pitch. 

The point of the business letter is to convince the reader that you mean business. Do not dillydally. Get right to the point. 

​Remember that being "businesslike" means being polite and professional, not simply talking about money or trying to make a sale.

Do not assume that this is an all-or-nothing proposition. Always remember that this might not be a convenient time for them to pay attention to your request. 

A "no" answer is not necessarily a rejection. And a yes is not necessarily a sale.
​
Picture

Example

Note how the one page letter has a lot of white space. It is easy to "breathe," meaning it does not feel cramped. it looks easy to read. Here is the text below:

209 Kings Mountain Street
Clover, CA 29710
310-405-2690 harrisfromparis.com harris@harrisfromparis.com

Aaron Copeland, Events Editor
The Los Angeles Times
1233 Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90037

Hello Aaron,

It was a pleasure bumping into you on Sunday's ninth hole at the Venice Golf Club. 

Thanks for your business card. I did not realize it then, but we are both media professionals. I have an event that might interest you in writing a story.

A client of mine has been holding an annual event that now draws over 500 persons. These are movers and shakers around the Riverside area who get together to help kids heading into college.

Enclosed, please find:
- - Two tickets for the event
- - A poster of the event
- - A press release with event details
- - Dana's business card

I told her about you, and she welcomes you to cover the event. She is available for an interview if you wish to run a story before the event.

I will call you after the event to see how you liked it.
Best regards,

Harris Gaffin

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