Paragraph One: Attracting Attention
The first sentence must get the reader's attention. Asking a question in which the answer is guaranteed to be "yes" is a good way to start. "Would you like to improve your life?" The opening paragraph, in fact the first sentence, should excite curiosity or attract the attention in some way that will make the reader continue to read the letter.
The most difficult paragraph to write in a sales letter is the first one. You have just a few seconds to get the reader's attention.
Would you like to see your factory's production increase by 15% or more?
Wouldn't you prefer to have your wedding pictures taken by the leader in the field?
Another way to start a sales letter is to write a sentence that will surprise or shock the reader.
In 1996 we helped over 250 small businesses like yours to increase their productivity.
Example A:
Located in Moscow, we produce a wide variety of socks and hosiery items in a cotton-woolen-nylon blend for men, women, and children. These socks are of good quality, are popular with customers, and sell well. Our total production averages 10 million pairs per year, 70% for export and 30% for the domestic market.
Example B:
We are happy to announce that we are now offering this same service to American importcompanies like yours. From our office in New Deli, the heart of low cost and good quality ready- to-wear garments, we can supply your company with whatever kind of apparel you would like.
Paragraph Three: Convincing the Reader
If you have done your work well to this point, the reader is already interested and is partially convinced. You must convince readers that it is to their advantage to buy your product or use your service.
If the reader has read your letter to this point then he/she is interested in your product. Paragraph three convinces him/her to buy it. It is here that you show what buying your product would mean to the reader.
Example B:
The wide range of Indian export companies that we work with insure you of getting just the items that you are looking for. Whether it be baby wear, children's wear, ladies and men's outer and underwear, leather wear, socks, belts, bags, shoes, or household items such as bed linen, towels, bathrobes, or table clothes we can make sure that you get the quantity you need at the best possible price. And our staff of quality controllers insure that the garments are well made.
Other Examples:
The machine that we sell is called the Safehouse. It turns the lights on at your house at night when you're coming home. And you can reverse the process when you leave, turning off the lights when you have locked the door, gone down the steps, and left the yard. Amazingly, the Safehouse weighs only 150 grams and fits easily in your pocket or purse.
Paragraph Four: Directing Favorable Action
You have now reached the point where if your letter was successful, you must move the reader to act. The fourth paragraph must tell the reader what to do to get the product. Tell the reader exactly what you what him/her to do and make it easy to do. The desired action is go to your web site to get more information and, hopefully contact you for specifics or to place an order. Even the most highly motivated and excited customer will not act if the action you are requesting is too difficult
Example A:
Our company is expanding its market to include the United States and we would like very much to do business with your company. Enclosed is our price list (brochure) describing our wide range of products. I would welcome the opportunity to introduce you to our line socks and hosiery. For more information or to place an order, please visit our web site at www.nicesocks.com.
Example B:
If you would like to take advantage of the services that Floppy Textile Buying Agency has to offer your company, please log on to our web site at www.floppytextile.com or contact us by fax at (56/324) 785 48 96. Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you.
Other Examples:
To order, please go to our web site at www.swimsuit.com, or fill out the enclosed order form and send it by fax or post to our office in Washington. Before you know it, you will be wearing this beautiful men's business swim suit - and feeling like royalty.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Typical Well Written Letter for An Agent
Star Textile Exports, established in 1987, is one of the fastest growing agents in Turkey. We currently represent a number of major European importers, such as Blue Cloud Mail Order of France and others.
We are happy to announce that we are now offering this same service to American import companies like yours. From our office in Istanbul, the heart of low cost and good quality ready-to-wear garments, we can supply your company with whatever kind of apparel you would like.
The wide range of Turkish export companies that we work with insure you of getting just the items that you are looking for. Whether it be baby wear, children's wear, ladies and men's outer and underwear, leather wear, socks, belts, bags, shoes, or household items such as bed linen, towels, bathrobes, or table clothes we can make sure that you get the quantity you need at the best possible price. And our staff of quality controllers insure that the garments are well made.
If you would like to take advantage of the services that Star Textile Buying Agency has to offer your company, please go to our web site at www.startextile.com, or contact us by fax at (90/212) 123 45 67.
Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you.
