Set up the LTE Alert Message

On the Alert Message page of a Letter to the Editor (LTE) alert, set up the outline of the letter that advocates will write and send to media targets. You cannot create a sample letter for advocates to send. They must compose the message themselves in the space provided on the Take Action page of the alert.

Tip: Letters to media organizations should be as unique as possible, since the goal is often publication of the letter itself. This is why advocates taking action on an LTE alert are asked to create their own content for each letter. Instead of providing default content, you provide "talking points" for them to use as guidelines when composing their letters. For this reason, pay special attention to developing both the content of the Take Action page and the Talking Points that you provide here.

To set up an LTE Alert Message

  1. Open the Alert Message process page of your LTE alert.

  2. (Optional) Enter the Message Subject (such as Our bay is in danger) to appear in the Email header or Fax subject line of the letter that advocates send. If you leave the field blank, the Subject becomes a required field that each advocate must complete.

  3. Enter the Message Greeting, such as Dear or To. When the letter is generated, the name of the Organization or Individual target recipient is inserted automatically (Dear Boston Globe or Dear Jane Smith).

  4. Provide suggested Talking Points for advocates to use as they compose their letters, such as the most important issues associated with this alert. The Talking Points display on the Take Action page next to the Message area where advocates compose the letter.

  5. You can provide additional writing tips as well. For instance, it is generally recommended that no more than three talking points be included in any one letter. Click here to view sample Talking Points.

  6. Enter a Message Signature such as Sincerely, to appear above the advocate's name in the signature. Remember to include punctuation as appropriate. Advocates cannot edit this text.

  7. (Optional) Enter a Word Limit, the maximum number of words allowed in the body of the letter. The recommended maximum is usually 200 or 250. If the advocate exceeds the limit, a polite warning displays. If you clear this field or leave it blank, the number of words is unlimited.

  8. Click Next to save and go to the next process page: Select Targets.