Things You'll Need:
- A computer
- An Internet connection
- Word processing software
- An email address of the person whom you are contacting
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Step 1
Begin your email in a word processing document. Because writing a VIP is a craft, you will need to spend some time on the email, and edit for content, spelling and grammar.
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Step 2
Begin the email addressing the person as formally as possible. So, if it is a doctor you are contacting, let's say, Dr. Fred G. Berlesconi, then you would write "Dear Dr. Fred G. Berlesconi."
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Step 3
You have one sentence now to convince the person reading the email (probably will not be the person you are writing, but rather a personal assistant) that the email is not spam. In short, you need to show your respoect and admiration. So, begin the email with a phrase similar to the following: "I believe that you have done a great job, in particular your most recent work on [insert something the VIP has recently accomplished here].
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Step 4
After you have indicated your respect knowledge of the person's work, your second sentence should contain why you are writing. So, for example, if you are writing a medical scientist on a developing cancer drug, you should write something to the effect of: "someone I know is in great need of beneffitting from the work that you are doing - I am not asking for money, but rather for any help that you might provide in terms of information or anything else you feel you are in a position to do."
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Step 5
Your next sentence or two should detail your situation, why you feel writing a VIP might help you and what you expect in terms of a response.
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Step 6
The shorter and more to the point you make your email, the better. Keep the email, at max, to two paragraphs and maintain professional language, avoiding all spelling, grammar and typographical errors.
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Step 7
Your final sentence should be typed separately and say exactly what you are requesting. So, let's say you want to ask Governor Arnold schwarzenegger of California for a job as an employee of the State of California, you might write something to the effect of: "I have alredy worked for the State of Arizona as an accountant for Welfare Services and since I am moving to California I would like more information in how I might use my accounting skills to work for California."
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Step 8
Of course, before writing the above closing line, you will have already explained why you are writing Arny instead of someone else. Maybe you think that you could help with one of his current projects, such as balancing the California budget. If so, you might have indicated how your skills and experience would aid the the governor in his project, using one very specific example and mentioning the names of the people you might work with directly.
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Step 9
Be realistic and do not have inflated expectations. If you are writing a famous DJ and you have no DJ experience, don't expect to be able to meet the MC for a jam session. On the other hand, if you are a recording technician having developed a cool new way to record vocals, you might send in a sample and explain why you think your technique could help sell records. Of course, in this specific example, you would probably want to contact the agent of the MC first and perhaps CC the artist.
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Step 10
Don't harrass VIPS. Send one letter and wait. If they do not respond, find another VIP working in a similar field and try your luck with this person. Make sure you have an important reason to contact the person and be specific about what you expect without any unrealistic requests/expectations.
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Step 11
If and when they respond, you should then write back thanking them for their response only after you have something new to present them moving yourproposal forward on your own withouth their help. So, if Arny of California gives you a name of someone, contact that person and perhaps let him/her know what progress you have made, making sure to credit them with helping and giving lots and lots of well-phrased praise.
