GUIDELINES
- When you contact a prospective customer through a mutual acquaintance, you should use a less formal tone. Use this opportunity to refer to your mutual friend. Tell the reader what he/she liked about your product or service. Also, list the benefits the reader can get by purchasing your product or service.
- State the name of the person who told you about the reader. Also, mention why you wrote this letter.
- Promote your products by giving some information that will interest the reader. Either you can give a few details to spark the prospective client's interest, or you can choose to provide detailed information.
- Discuss what the mutual acquaintance liked about your product or service.
- Ask the reader to contact you or offer to communicate with him/her yourself. Also, invite to answer any questions.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
I was happy that we got the chance to meet at last year's teaching convention. I was equally impressed with the paper that you presented to the participants on the second day. I was happy that you obliged with my request to send me a copy.
I am not sure if you have heard, but the financial situation at the university I am teaching in is in quite dire straits, and they are looking to make massive cuts in the faculty to cover for losses. It comes as a sudden and equally sad thought to realize that my department will be significantly affected. And so I am now actively looking for employment elsewhere. I believe that my credentials and years of teaching will make me an excellent addition to any faculty department. I would, however, at this point like to put forward my great interest in being given the opportunity to work with you.
I have enclosed my curriculum vitae. If there are any open positions at your university, I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know. My personal number is 333-3333. Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Sample letter asking help for a finding a job.
Further things to consider when writing cover letters to friends
Cover Letters
Cover letters are letters written to explain the contents of other documents. In most cases, cover letters are sent together with resumes to provide additional information on the applicant's' skills and experience. They explain in detail why the applicants are qualified for the job they are applying for. A cover letter creates a critical first impression as it is often the earliest contact you will have with a potential employer. Employees use cover letters to screen applicants for available positions and to determine the ones that they would like to interview.
Cover letters are an essential part of every job application. You, therefore, need to make sure that your cover letter sells your abilities and skills to recruiters. Do not just repeat what is on your resume, rather, explain in details why you feel that you are the best match for the applied job. Do this clearly and concisely, and in such a way that the recipient would want to meet you. Mention the employment position that you are applying for, how you learnt about it and how you are qualified for it. Request the recipient to contact you at the end of the letter.
Letters to Friends
Letters to friends are letters you write to people with whom you have a bond of mutual affection. These letters are like conversations and can be just about anything. They could be thank-you letters to thank your friends, congratulation letters to congratulate them, apology letters to say sorry, condolence letters to comfort the bereaved, etc. You could also write to your friends to share general information such as school and family news, what has been happening in your town, or just tell funny stories. Letters are special and show the other person that you are thinking about him/her. The recipient can keep the letters for years and read them over and over again.
Letters to friends are personal and are usually addressed to specific individuals. Since the recipient is a person with whom you have a close relationship, the salutation is more personal and less formal. Greet the recipient warmly and proceed to stating the reason for your letter. Share some information about yourself. Maintain a polite and friendly tone. End your letter on a note of anticipation to seeing the recipient soon or reading from him/her. You can also add a postscript for something you forgot to say.
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