Be sure that the machine is turned on and that the telephone cord is securely in place before sending a document. You may wish to check the receiver for a dial tone to ensure that the connection is secure. A cover sheet is a great way to guarantee that your document gets to the correct person. This is particularly helpful when sending faxes to a business where several employees may be using the same device. A cover sheet should include the name of the recipient, their fax number and yours, your contact information, and the number of pages the recipient should expect to receive in the fax. Including the page count on the cover sheet is useful for the recipient so they will know if they received all the necessary pages. Be sure to add page numbers and to put the document's pages in the order that you wish for them to be received. You do not want the recipient to puzzle the pages together. This can cause confusion and may interfere with the intended meaning behind the document. Ordering the pages and numbering them will ensure an efficient transfer of information. Most fax machines will require that you place the document either face-up or face-down into the scanner portion of the fax machine. There is no standard method across all devices. Most fax machines will indicate which method to use with an easy-to-read symbol on the front of the device. Using the key pad on the front of the fax, dial the recipient's fax number, including the area code. If you are faxing a document internationally, you must insert the country code. If there is a corporate number that is used for dialing externally (often "7" or "9"), be sure to hit that digit prior the area or country code and the fax number. Once you have dialed the number, most fax machines will require that you hit a "send" or "start" button to transmit the document. Watch as the document is transmitting in case there is an error or a paper jam. When the document transfer has been successful, the fax with print out a progress report or confirmation page. If you receive an error message, try sending the document again.

Summary: Turn on the machine. Use a cover sheet. Order the documents properly. Insert the documents in the scanner. Dial the recipient's fax number. Send the documents.

Start with a coarse square (around 100-grit) and go over the pine using a wide, looping circular motion. This first pass is to wear down the small contours, ridges, and knotholes characteristic of softwoods and leave you with a more even surface to work with. A sanding block will allow you to apply more consistent pressure than a handheld sheet of sandpaper. Sanding helps open up the pores in natural wood surfaces, which will allow the stain to set in better. After taking off the rough outer layer, switch to a finer grain (150 to 200-grit) and sand the pine a second time. An additional sanding will ensure that the wood is properly blended and prepared for staining. If you're working with raw pine boards, don't forget to go over the cut ends, as well. Wet the sponge, then give it a squeeze to wring out the excess water. Run the damp sponge over the outer surface of the pine from end to end with heavy, sweeping strokes in one direction. This will not only restore the grain, but also pick up loose dust and debris. Wood grain becomes compressed after sanding. A little bit of moisture cause the surface fibers to swell, returning them to their natural position. Spread the sealant over every exposed area of the piece, including the ends, if you're staining boards. The first coat will soak into the pine instantly. Following the second coat, you should be able to notice the sealant just beginning to pool on the grain. If you're staining a larger piece, touch up the sections you conditioned first periodically to keep them wet as you work. Pre-sealing your pine essentially evens out the empty space inside the grain, allowing the stain to stand out boldly on top without simply absorbing too deep into the wood. Use a clean cloth to remove as much of the watery sealant as you can. There should be no wet spots or standing moisture visible when you're finished. Be sure to thoroughly wipe down every part of the pine that you treated. Too much sealant will fill the pores in the wood, preventing the stain from setting in at all. Find a cool, clean place with low humidity to stash it as it dries. Once the sealant has set up inside the pores, you'll be able to stain successfully without worrying about saturating the pine and creating a blotchy mess.

Summary: Sand the wood with a low-grit sandpaper to remove inconsistencies. Use a higher grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. Scrub the wood with a soft sponge to raise the grain. Brush on two coats of wood conditioner. Wipe off the excess conditioner. Leave the wood to dry for 2-3 hours.

Look for simple spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. It can help to have someone else proofread the letter too. Fix any mistakes from proofreading and then proofread again. You may catch something else as you read it another time. To make your letter look as professional as possible, only use black ink and print in a legible font and size, such as Times New Roman 12 point. Stick the stamp on the top right corner of the envelope. Be sure to use enough postage, or your letter will be returned to you. After mailing your letter, you should receive some response from the mayor or their office. If you don't hear anything back after a few weeks of mailing the letter, call the office to make sure it was received.
Summary: Proofread your letter. Make any proofreading corrections. Print your letter. Get or buy a stamp. Mail your letter.