Grabbing the reader's attention is of paramount importance whether you realize it or not. Failing to attract and keep the attention of the reader most likely will result in failing to get an interview. Hiring managers are inundated with cover letters and resume and we all have busy personal lives. So how do you stand out from the crowd and get noticed?
There are many effective tactics to accomplish the task. Perhaps the most effective tactic is to write a headline that can't be ignored. It's not different than the headlines you see in magazines and newspapers. The articles you choose to read are the ones with the most intriguing headlines, aren't they?
If you think headlines are effective in newspapers, wait until you use a headline on your cover letter. You're not going to stand out by doing what everyone else does but put a headline on your cover letter and suddenly your different, interesting and worth a second look. Cover letters with attention-grabbing headlines have proven to be so effective that I wish I had discovered this tactic sooner.
Imagine you're at a fraternity party and you see an old friend across the dance floor. For this example, your friend's name is Jim. What's the best way to get Jim's attention? Would you start waving your arms and screaming, "Hello! Look this way!" That could do the trick. But you'd have better luck if you screamed "Hello Jim! What's Up!" You'd be more likely to grab Jim's attention that way, wouldn't you? It's because Jim hears his name being called. When people hear (or see) their name, the message is personalized and stands a better chance of getting noticed.
Let's take that concept one step further as it pertains to the headline on your cover letter. A personalized headline is proven to increase the response rate. Your cover letter is much more likely to be noticed and read if it's personalized. Hiring managers don't normally get cover letters with personalized headlines which means they'll read the few they get out of curiosity. They can't help themselves; it's human nature. Send out a few dozen cover letters with headlines. You'll be shocked at all the attention you get.
A business cover letter can be sent by email, which has become a very convenient medium nowadays or by snail mail. Try to refuse the temptation to use exactly the same cover letter template for your e-mail correspondence and for your snail mail letter correspondence. This is because the way to read over these two media differs vastly.
Using e-mail for getting through with your business cover letter
Internet made it possible to mass mail millions of people worldwide, hence your competitive advantages begin with composing a better cover letter or sales letter than the others, which is a very hard thing to accomplish. The golden rule is to use both tactics, direct mail and email communication to address your buyers or business partners. The balanced mixture of one and the other will get you the best results.
Using e-mail to spread the word about your new product or service, requires the implementation of some key guidelines on email business cover letters:
1. You do not want to bother your readers with too long paragraphs, with excessive use of colors or with inappropriate wording. Try to follow these few simple steps:
a. Language - the language should be simple and crisp.
Address practical problems and worries of your readers. Try to stay objective without directly praising yourself or humiliating your competition.
b. Five lines is what you should target for the length of your paragraphs.
If you are not able to explain the main objective of your paragraph in 5 sentences, than do not bother to write it at all.
c. Though you should limit the length of specific paragraphs, you should not worry too much about the number of paragraphs used in your letter.
Though it depends on the business you are in to, your business cover letter could contain anywhere between 3 and 7 paragraphs.
d. Keep the colors appealing and not overshadowing the importance of the content.
To emphasize specific paragraphs or words, try to use the usual bold or underline functions found in your word processor. It is easier on the eyes. Kepp it under 3 basic colors if you want to leave a good impression with your readers.
Try to make your color scheme such that it supports the content, it should invite the reader to read through the whole content and not being distracted by too many pictures or colors.
2. The subject line is a tricky thing, you have to avoid landing in the junk mail.
Without knowing the name or the ID number of the person you are trying to e-mail, it will be hard to follow up on how many of your business letters ended up deleted by the user or by the mail client. At least one individual or personal detail in the subject line of your business letter may get you through all those obstacles safely and reliably.
3. The body of your business cover letter is the crucial part of your email campaign, it will decide on whether you sell or fail.
Do not sell yourself short with that first email campaign, use that email to salt your customers and keep them thirsty for more. A good business cover letter has at least three follow up business cover letters prepared in advance, that way you have built yourself a perfect highway to establish a deep and trustworthy relationship with your target audience.
There will be only one chance to generate sales with your email list and so many chances to spoil your business cover letter campaign, hence a campaign like that has to be planned carefully and with patience.
Both Robert Jobberson & Melanie Hudson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Melanie Hudson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Seat Cover and Beauty Tips. Perhaps the most important part of your cover letter is to establish a long term relation with the receiver of your mail. You can not expect your campaign to be successful if you do a poor job on any of the three crucial parts of your business cover lette. Melanie Hudson's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.