Hi all:

I've agreed to write a no-cost sales letter for a not-for-profit, pitching people to buy ad space in the non-profit's national newspaper.

The newspaper goes out to a large cross-section of the Vietnamese communities in the U.S., and is written exclusively for that community.

The non-profit wants the letter to go out to the following audiences:

- realtors

- banks

- credit card companies

- grocery stores

- phone cards

- cell phones


Seems reasonable. After all, based on the background the marketing director gave me, I myself would probably buy an ad in the publication, if a) I had a product of national interest, b) I thought an ethnic niche market would respond to what I was selling, c) the price was right and d) I thought I had a good chance of getting a decent ROI on ad.

I don't know if I can write a 'buy ad space' ad which would appeal to all of the above potential customers. But I do believe I can write a good pitch that will highlight the good return one can get from this sort of highly committed niche market. (I'm thinking of suggesting a niche letter to each.)

Anyway, does anyone have an example of a letter that has worked to sell newspaper ad space? or advice on whether I've isolated the key points in making a sale?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts..

Anne Zieger