My clients often ask me for advice on writing cover letters when they are pursuing jobs or who want attention from someone they want to pursue, such as a VC or a CEO. Most do not know how to write letters that differentiate them from others because good letter writing is hard, requires imagination, research, and a point of view (PoV). The most common mistake writers of such letters make is that they spill too much ink on themselves and not enough on their target, basically touting their own greatness.
During my career coaching I’ve helped clients write letters to many luminaries, including Steve Jobs (who responded in kind and that letter is in my first book, (The 7 Keys, on page 295) and many others. Although not every letter I helped with got the desired outcome, but just going through the process of creating a compelling PoV and drafting something that demands reading is a skill that I have learned over the years as a career coach.
The reason for this blog is that we all struggle with writing good letters, especially when we want something from those who have what we seek. A few years back I came across this letter that the Nobel winner, John Steinbeck, wrote to one of the most famous Hollywood actresses of all times, Marilyn Monroe. She was adored all over the world as a sex goddess and men of all ages simply were mad about her. Although she was found dead at the young age of 35 in her Hollywood home in mysterious circumstances her fame has not dimmed. Even to this day there are conspiracy theories abound surrounding her death and her relationship with the then President JFK and his brother Robert Kennedy.
John Steinbeck met Marilyn Monroe ostensibly at one of the arty parties back in her heyday and they knew each other. John’s nephew, an adolescent, was madly infatuated with Marilyn Monroe and apparently idolized her. He wanted something personal from Marilyn as a token of his infatuation and John wanted to make that possible.
So, here is that letter from John Steinbeck to Marilyn Monroe. Although I do not know if John got what he asked for, I’m sure that Marilyn obliged. In this beautifully crafted letter, you can see the point I made above: If you can make the letter more about them and less about you, you stand a chance of getting what you request.
Good luck in your letter writing!
