Will readers know who sent the action alert?
Clearly identify your organization as the source of the action alert.
Will readers know how to contact your organization?
Include complete contact information: email address, postal address,
web site address, phone number and fax number. Whenever possible,
include the name, title, and phone number of the person to contact
with questions.
Will readers know if the action alert is timely?
Always include the date that your action alert is distributed and the
date by which action is requested. (And don't forget to include the
year!)
Will readers be compelled to read the action alert?
Communicate a sense of urgency with a provocative or compelling
subject line, so readers will open the alert and take action. Never
leave the subject line blank.
Will readers understand why action is important?
Include clear, concise background information, pointers to Web sites
with more information and the key points to communicate. Avoid jargon
and keep the format simple with short paragraphs, section headings,
and horizontal lines. Don't assume the reader is familiar with the
issue.
Will readers know what action to take?
Be specific about what you want the reader to do. Include the postal
address, fax number or phone number if you are asking readers to
write letters, send faxes or make phone calls. Include a pointer to
online information to help readers locate their elected
representatives.
Are you sure of the facts?
Electronic action alerts can literally go around the world in
minutes. Since you won't know exactly who sees your alert, factual
errors aren't easily corrected. Verify facts by checking with a
trusted organization or individual before you hit the "send" key.
Are you building your base of support?
Always include information on how readers can join your organization,
volunteer to help, subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) the action
alert list.
Visit the Virtual Activist at http://www.netaction.org/training for more tips.
This page located at: http://www.netaction.org/training/alerts.html. This guide is also available as a: Word 5.1 doc and as a pdf file.
NetAction
P.O. Box 6739 * Santa Barbara, CA 93160
Telephone: (415) 215-9392 * Fax: (805) 681-0941
Web: http://www.netaction.org