Letters to policy makers -- whether they be to Members of Congress or other officials -- can be an effective means of influencing public policy. Some letters, of course, are more effective than others. To follow are some tips on making your correspendence with policymakers as effective as possible:

Have a Specific Message. Make sure to have a specific action request before you write. If you want a decision changed, a vote cast a particular way or to communicate specific facts, be clear and concise. For legislative action, be sure to include the name and bill number of the legislation you are advocating (i.e., the America Loves Dogs Act, H.R. 1). Ask for a specific, detailed reply, and be prepared to write a second time if you receive a response that is vague.

Be Brief. Your letters are more likely to be read if they are brief and to the point. Include one or two arguments for your position -- presumably, those arguments in which your opinion would be given particular weight by virtual of your position or those that are simply powerful on their own merits.

Target Your Letters. Elected officials -- particularly federal office holders -- seldom read their own mail. This duty normally falls to a staffer -- often one with little influence over policy decisions. To increase the chances that your letters will have impact, make sure to direct them to staff members who have some responsibility for issue(s) in question. For letters to Congress, these individuals will most often be Legislative Assistants or Legislative Directors. You may also wish to consider sending letters to your Congressman's or Senators' district offices rather than their Washington, D.C. offices. Washington offices are inundated with mail, while district offices are not. As a result, a dozen letters in support of a particular position can be perceived as a ground swell of public support, while hundreds of letters to a Washington office would scarcely be noticed.

Personalize Your Letters. Although mass-produced postcards and letters can demonstrate to policy makers that a large group of people hold the same point of view, individually written postcards and letters are much more effective. A policy maker knows the letter-writer is genuinely concerned about an issue when he or she has taken the time to write a personal letter.

E-Mail Has Limitations: Policymakers know that emails are easier to send than letters, so many take them less seriously. If, however, email is all you have the time or inclination for, be sure to include your name, home address and phone number on the email. As with physical mail, personally-written, thoughtful and courteous messages will be more effective than mass-produced, superficial and/or hostile messages. Also, be aware that some officials, particularly on the federal level, receive so many emails that only those that come from constituents are reviewed.

Be Timely. If you wish to influence a policy maker's opinion on a specific issue, write early. Your letters will be most effective if sent before the official has developed an opinion.

Be Courteous. Rude comments in your letter will make it less effective. One can be firm while being courteous.

Follow-up. If you receive a vague response from an elected official, write again and request more specific information. And, should the policy maker do as you ask, make sure to send a thank you. Thank you letters are rare and thus most appreciated.

Utilize Letters-to-the-Editor and Op/Eds. If you get a letter-to-the-editor or an opinion editorial published, send a copy of it with your letters to elected officials. This will show policy makers that you are more than casually interested in the issue, that you have credibility, and, most important, that you have influence in the community.

Sign Your Letters. Include your name, address, telephone number and, if you have one, your email address in your letter, so policy makers can respond easily.

Type or Print. Make sure your letters are legible -- preferably typed. If that is not possible, they should be printed neatly.