How to Get a Response to a Letter

There's nothing more satisfying than writing a letter that receives a response. The response tells you your effort in writing and mailing the letter was appreciated. There are ways of writing letters that increase the likelihood of you receiving that response.

Instructions

1. Ask for action. When writing a letter to a manufacturer to complain about a product, end your letter by telling them what you want them to do for you. Your request for action should include a response to your letter. "Please acknowledge this correspondence by sending me a new product" is one way to handle it.

2. Question your reader. Young people get excited when they receive mail. Writing letters to a niece or nephew you don't see often is one way to keep in touch. The exchange can be even more pleasant when they write back to you. Encourage a response to your letter by asking questions. Your questions give the other person something to write about, and she will be more inclined to answer your letter.

3. Clearly state your urgency. Make it important that you receive a response to your letter. Come right out and say that you need a response by a certain date. Explaining why a timely response is important also improves your chances of getting one.

4. Be outlandish. Include a statement in your letter that the reader can't help responding to. When writing a letter to a local politician criticizing his views on an issue, overstate one of the facts. He will hurry to set the record straight and thus respond to your letter.