Tips for Effective Email and Written Communications

Make sure to be clean about the who, what, when, where and why you are writing.

You want your email to have impact, not be ignored. 

Keep your letter as short as possible, while including all relevant information.

Identify yourself as a constituent (if you are) or as a representative of an organization (such as NAACP).

You are the expert on your topic. Give enough information for the member to understand your position and be clear.

If possible, illustrate the impact of the issue on his/her district/state with personal examples or  and local/state data.

Tell the Member what action you want him/her to take or support

Request a response. Ask what his/her position on the issue is or how s/he will vote on the bill.

Offer yourself as a resource. Make sure your Member knows s/he can call on you for more information on your issue or communities issue

Don’t forget to include your contact information.  They can not respond if they can not connect with you.