Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

An old book refreshes how to write to someone else.

I recently found an old book—old meaning 40 years old. “How to use the power of the printed word” was published in 1985. It comprises a dozen essays from famous folks of that day about writing and reading and such.

I am still early in the collection of essays. The first essay is from Malcolm Forbes. He writes about writing a business letter. His little bit of advice is:

Write the entire letter from his point of view

The letter is about the other person. It is from their point of view about their situation in their life and their business with their people. Instead of beginning with, “My name is Dwayne and I want a job working for you.” Begin with, “You have built an organization of folks who serve the public with your great public-serving things… I wish to work alongside your folks and serve the public…” Or something like that.

It is about the other person—not me. Sure, I come in later, but I come in later. The other person is first. Describe the other person’s situation. Describe the change that I can bring as if the change already exists. That means to write in the present tense. “Your folks know linear algebra and that allows them to do this and that to better serve the public.” Later, I wish to bring my background in linear algebra.

It is about the other person. Simple. Easy to forget. Let’s not forget.