From: THC8650@TNTECH.BITNET ("Troy H. Cheek  The /|\tari Cowboy")
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv
Subject: SFA Network News Part 5
Date: 9 Apr 92 21:24:00 GMT


These are Bjo Trimble's rules on how to write effective letters...this has
worked before on some major efforts.  If you want to see us succeed, may I
suggest that you write both to the cable MSOs and to Atari encouraging them
to increase their involvement (looks very good right now, but it couldn't
hurt!).  I'm tired of being an orphan computerist!

HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE LETTERS:

1.  Write a short, sincere individual letter to EACH multi-system operator
    (MSO) saying that you want The Space, Fantasy & Adventure Network
    (SFAN) - When mail is counted, your letter will truly make a
    difference.

2.  THEN:  Ask 10 people to write letters.  They write letters and ask 10
    people to write letter.  They write letters and ask 10 people to...(get
    the idea?).  Don't be judgemental; there are many "closet" science
    fiction fans out there:  fellow workers, neighbors, church groups,
    classmates, civic & other clubs, etc.

3.  Don't address a V.I.P. (executive) familiarly, act smart, use insulting
    language or tell a corporation their business - you are asking a favor;
    the privelege of getting SFAN, your own special-genre network. The
    wrong attitude will nullify your letter.

4.  Be pleasant.  Corporations seldom get anything but complaints, so a
    cheerful, upbeat letter can make a CEO more receptive.

5.  Don't use form letters, mimeographed letters or multiple carbons - Such
    letters give the impression that only a small segment of fans are doing
    all the writing.  (But computer letters are okay.)

6.  Sign the letter - anonymous mail is sleazy & it is either thrown away
    or put in the "nut" file.

7.  Use company letterheads or club stationery if you have a right to it.
    Corporations are sensitive to potential "pressure" groups.

8.  Don't misrepresent yourself - Corporations are geared to ferret out
    spurious claims.  Such tricks will not help SFAN and someone may check
    it out for a news story.

9.  Don't barrage local cable companies with letters.  They aren't
    interested unless MSOs accept SFAN first.

10. Use petitions to get names from those who won't bother to write a
    letter.  Corporations understand that only a percentage of people will
    get off their fat apathy to write letters; signatures on a petition can
    show how many MORE people want SFAN on their cable.  The petition
    should have at least one contact address.

11. Keep letters on the subject of getting SFAN on cable everywhere.

12. Don't send your letters to SFAN; we'll just have to remail them.  Send
    letters directly to the five MSOs listed in this mailing.  SFAN would
    like to know about your mail campaign, however.

13. For this mail campaign, it's not necessary to use business-sized
    envelopes; personal stationery is fine.  Postcards may also be used.

14. Target:  Mid-to-late April, 1992.

Letters to Atari (which has donated equipment to SFAN):

Mr. Sam Tramiel, President
Atari Computer Corporation
P. O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 9408

Our address:

SFA Network, Suite 372
1807 Slaughter Lane, #200
Austin, TX 78748-6200

That's all...  Remember we'll be glad to send the printed version if you
request it.

Mike Kelly,
Founder of SFAN
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv