How do I contact business people in a professional manner?

[Southern_Lenders]

How do I write a professional business letter?

I'm going to start a business blog that interviews business people, and post the Q&A's on my blog, but to do this, I need to solicit to these business people in a written letter (I think its more professional, and in the past, people have not responded to my emails) but I don't want to sound like an amature, even though I am to some degree. I'm quite nervous about doing this to be honest, as I've never done this before, and I don't know how to proceed. I have some idea of what I would say in the letter, but is there some type of standardized way of doing it, or just write whatever sounds good?

Thanks.

[AmbitionLab]

This is a hard question to answer... the only advice that I feel qualified to give is this: Stay within your comfort zone and branch out from there. Maybe first try contacting people that you're somehow associated with and feel comfortable approaching. Then try getting a bit more ambitious with each new solicitation, but don't get ahead of yourself. As you contact & interview more people, you'll get a better feel for what people generally respond positively to, and what they don't. Simultaneously, your blog will also grow and solidify your reputation (remember that oftentimes people are weighing you on your credentials & content. Your letter? Yeah, but not so much).

Good luck with it, and make sure to keep us updated!

(also always have your spell checker on!)

[party-fouls]

you can interview me . Best bet is to be short, polite, and straight to the point. Start with small entrepreneurs and work your way up. They aren't going to do it if you are a nobody site.

[Lambo]

i say go for the gusto...try and make a template of what you are going to say. Make it sound polite and professional. Then you should practice your approach and maybe record yourself so you can play back and see how you actually sound like.

Tweak your pitch and then start cold calling people. The worst that will happen is that they say no...big deal just keep on going to your next prospective client. With practice you will get better. Or like the post above said...start with ppl you know!

good luck

[ucavik]

As far as business letter is concerned there are certain dos and donts. it should be short and concise.with in starting three lines your client should completely know how it can benefit him.since people generally do not have patience to go through the entire letter.It should be completely addressed to him as 'you'.