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Learn how to communicate for the best results and how to write persuasive letters to the editor that get published.  Hone your skills, learn which words and phrases convey impact; and construct messages and letters that get noticed.

Messaging 101 and How to write letters to the editor
Thursday, July 13, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Virtual on Zoom
Register here

Ok, for very selfish reasons you should be clicking on TCP posts on our Facebook page, particularly those that have COCHISEPROJECT.COM in the heading.  Why?

Because directing traffic to an outside website, this one, or a candidate's, group, or organization, will raise the site in search results as well as feeds inside of Facebook.  The goal is to amplify messages to as many people as possible with no cost and very little effort.  Each click helps build "credibility" within the search engines and Facebook itself allowing for higher ranking.

Social media is still one of the best and least expensive ways for candidates to get their message out to voters.  You can help by clicking.

However, before you click, make sure you want to go to that site.  That it is not some way to get your user information for bad purposes. (All those polls and surveys on Facebook are bad news, harvesting your personal data to be sold to third parties.) Once you feel it is a trusted site and click, it would be nice if you read whatever the content is.  For example many of the TCP posts have links for additional action or information.

Let's start by agreeing that we don't want to support Elon Musk.  However, Twitter is used by millions of people every day.  Here are a few reasons to take the time to build a Twitter following and use it to communicate with a small portion of voters and the public.  For activists:

1. Twitter is still a trend setter.  You are part of the conversation.
2. Many reporters that are covering Cochise County are on Twitter.  Following them will gain their attention.
3. Compared to Facebook, Twitter makes it relatively easy to put out a reaction, event, statement in real time.
4. You can do it with no cost.  (A big no to the blue checkmark or premium offer.)
5. You can amplify candidates your support other opinions and events by retweeting.  (Follow opinion makers & candidates)
6. Twitter reaches an audience that may not be easy to reach other ways.  (See below)

The Washington Post recently had some interesting stats on who uses Twitter.  Twitter leans younger than Facebook and certainly more Democratic Party than other platforms.  Click on the graphic to see a clearer picture.

From the Washington Post

A large portion of the Twitter universe of left-leaners is under 50, and about 40% are under 30!  If you want to reach a younger, left-leaning audience, Twitter may be one tool you want to use.  Now on to the bad stuff.

1. Indirectly you are helping Elon Musk by being on the platform. Ugh.
2. Who knows if Twitter will be around by November 2024.  Pay attention.
3. You will get lots of nasty feedback from "Twitter trolls".  You can block them if you want.
4. It is very hard to build followers.  Don't be discouraged.  Some suggestions in an upcoming TCP Newsletter.
5. Getting on is easy, it's a bit harder to understand how Twitter works and the best way to include video, photos, graphics or retweet.

Twitter is not for everyone and may not be right for you based on many factors including time involved using the platform and the negative feedback you may get.  But don't write it off without giving some thought on how you can reach a different group of potential voters.

Read our post Letters to the Editor for information on why writing a LTE help get your message out to voters.

• Keep it short.  Print newspapers have limited space, shorter is better.  Yes, longer content often lands on their website.  But focus on print first.  Readers like shorter and will tend to scan longer content.

• Break it up with lots of paragraphs.  Not one sentence paragraphs.  More than three or four sentences is harder to read.  Have a single idea or argument in one paragraph and then move on.

• Stay on topic.  A recent LTE that I commented on started off on election procedures and ended talking about socialism and inflation.  It got published, but don't push your luck.  Make your topic specific, a candidate, office holder, or an issue such as water rights in Cochise County.

• Always include your name and city.  Most publications require it.  Be willing to have your name published.  Anonymous LTE do not have impact with readers.

• Pay attention to publication restrictions on how often you can appear.  Many have a restriction that you cannot appear more than once every 30 days to allow different voices to get published.  Know what the restriction is and then hold your powder for a really important moment.

•  Send your LTE to various publications and websites.  This is difficult in Cochise County where we have only one print newspaper publisher Heard/Review media.  But try going through there various online website to get your LTE published.

• Keep a copy for yourself in text form (Word or Google Docs).  Not every LTE gets published but your ideas, arguments, and comments can be shared with others.  Use email to share with people in your club or group.  Get feedback and start a conversation.  Look for other online platforms, such as CochiseProject.com to get your thoughts published.

• Proof read.  We all make typos, misspellings or "it's" instead of "its".  Editors don't want to spend time cleaning up your text.

• Don't use profanity (it won't make it in), and avoid name-calling.

Does anyone read print newspapers anymore?  Why write a LTE?  To answer the second question think about the first question.  (Print) newspaper readership mirrors the change in demographics.  It used to be that I would say no one under 40 reads a newspaper anymore.  Now it's probably 50 and maybe even higher.  Look in any residential neighborhood in Sierra Vista in the morning.  How many driveways have a newspaper on them?  Yes, people buy newspapers at Frys or Safeway, or maybe at a minimart.  One just needs to be realistic about whom you are reaching.

Ok, so who is that?  Older, engaged in their community, readers of longer content, educated - most likely some or all of these attributes.   What don't we know about them?  Their politics.  Does it matter?  No.  They vote in greater numbers than any other group.

Answering the why write question - because reaching any voter in Cochise County is a good thing that you want to do when you are making a political statement, argument for or against a candidate or office holder.  A LTE reaches voters without any cost.  Free advertising!

Read our post How to get your Letter to the Editor published for more information