You wouldn’t create a print newsletter just to send your friend a thank you note.

In email, as in snail mail, a letter is different from a newsletter. It’s shorter, more personal, probably from someone you know, and is most likely about something fairly specific like a personal message, an announcement, a request, or a specific or surprising piece of news.

Here are some tips for creating email letters, as opposed to other types of email communications:

1. Be Brief

Keep the messaging short and sweet.

2. Be Specific

Be succinct and to the point.

3. Be Clear about the Action

There’s probably a call to action, and you should be clear about what it is.

4. Be Personal

A letter should be from someone to someone. Personalize the salutation and make the from name and email address (as well as letter sign-off) from an individual. Write it as you would a real letter–using informal, non-corporate language.

5. Keep It Simple

Your letter shouldn’t look like your newsletter, nor should it look like everyone else’s newsletter. Keep the template design simple–similar to letterhead you’d use for hand-written stationery.

Tags: copy, copywriting, letter

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