Guide to Starting a Business - Letter Writing

Description of Job

• Prepare letters from individuals to businesses, government agencies, and others.
• Provide guidance and assistance in filling out forms and responding to inquiries.

The Need

We live in a highly verbal and visual world; much of what we do in life is accomplished with a conversation or a point-and-click computer function. However, sometimes you need to put it in writing, and that is not something that everyone feels comfortable doing.

How do you notify a credit card company that you want to dispute a charge?

What is the most gracious way to thank someone for a favor? How should you acknowledge condolences? What is the best way to outline your concerns or requests to a politician or a government agency?

A carefully composed letter to a neighbor or a business may help fend off the possibility of an expensive legal action. A properly written letter of return or complaint may result in a full refund for a faulty product or an unsuccessful service call.

The advantages of written communication include the ability to carefully hone your message to make it as clear and unambiguous as possible and the advantage of retaining a written record of your correspondence.

Challenges

You need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely in writing. Equally important is the ability to communicate clearly with your clients; you’ll need to understand their needs and get the exact details necessary for the letters you write.

Know the Territory

Your clientele may come from any walk of life—from the young and inexperienced to the overly busy professional to senior citizens who need an outside advocate.

Become familiar with forms of address and the proper style for written communication. There are a number of books that would be of help. One easy-to-use letter-writing book is 1001 Letters for All Occasions (Adams Media), by Corey Sandler and Janice Keefe, the authors of the book now in your hands.

You should be an accomplished user of a computer and word processor, and make full use of the spelling-and-grammar function. You should also be comfortable using the Internet to research information and to submit electronic mail and forms on behalf of your client.

How to Get Started

Place flyers and ads in community centers, schools, and senior centers. Place ads in newspapers and shopping guides.

Consider offering classes on letter writing at senior centers or community centers as a way of earning money and generating new clients.

Up-front Expenses

Invest in books on letter writing as well as reference books. You should have access to a capable computer with a word processor and access to the Internet.

Additional expenses include the costs of advertising and promotion.

How Much to Charge

Charge an hourly rate for your services, plus the cost of any special services you provide, including mailing.

Much of your work can be conducted over the telephone. If you must travel to a client’s home to perform work, you can charge a mileage rate.