Letter to the Editor

Support Mayor Ballard by writing a letter to the editor to one of the publications listed below.

Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis Busness Journal
Indiana Herald
Indianapolis Recorder

Please keep in mind that most papers require a full name and phone number in order for the letter to be published (this allows them to validate the origin of the letter).

Tips for writing your letter to the editor

  1. Use e-mail whenever possible. Some publications are less likely to publish hard copy letters.
  2. Know the submission rules. Some newspapers won't accept e-mail attachments because of the chance ofviruses. It's best to type your letter directly into the e-mail message.
  3. Get to the point in the very first sentence.

  4. Keep your letter short. 200 words or less is best. 400 words is the maximum.

  5. Include your full name, address, e-mail address and daytime telephone number. The newspaper will not publish your street address or phone number, but editors often call letter writers to verify authorship.

  6. Improve your chance of being selected for publication by referring to a specific news story or editorial published in the paper. Letters that respond to something that was in the paper often get first priority.

  7. Keep trying. Most newspapers have a 30 or 45 day rule for frequent contributors.