Trying to get a gig, convince an employer or snag an opportunity? There are a lot of rules to follow when it comes to query letters, but is it okay to just be yourself?
Breaking the query letter rules is supposed to be a big no-no in the world of self employment. Most books and articles on the subject will tell professionals to follow a very strict formula, to include certain key elements and to never, ever deviate from the accepted format. At the same time, most experts say it’s important to stand out from the crowd, to be different and interesting. Is it okay to be yourself when writing a query letter to obtain a job, a publisher or a chance? Or is it a mistake to very simply write what you want?
The Rules of Writing Query Letters
The query letter is crucial. For self employed professionals who want to obtain an agent, a new job or another type of opportunity, this letter is the most important device at hand. The query letter is the first thing they see, and that’s why making a good impression is so important. After all, the query letter is there to do one thing: sell them. Because this letter is so very important, it comes with its own little set of rules.
The accepted format for most query letters is very simple, and the shorter the better. Start with a one-paragraph introduction and state the purpose for writing the letter (for example, to obtain an agent, to win a job opportunity, to introduce services to a potential client). In the next paragraph, very concisely explain acquired skills and experience. The third paragraph is generally a re-cap of why the letter was written and what the letter-writer has to offer, closing remarks, etc. Don’t make a mistake and get too personal, too full of ego (or too lacking in ego) and don’t include lots of art or cute add-ons. These are the rules of writing query letters.
Breaking the Query Letter Rules
So, what happens when professionals don’t play by the rules? Here’s the thing: no employer, agent, publisher or other bigshot wants to read a stale, dry letter that does little more than follow the rules. If they’re falling asleep, what good does it do to follow the rules of writing a perfect query letter?
The perfect query letter isn’t necessarily the one with the right paragraph construction, with all the key phrases and polite closings. The perfect query letter is arresting, entertaining, provocative in its own way. A really great letter gets other people excited about a possibility, too. The best query letters don’t just follow the rules but show off the distinct personality of the letter writer. It isn’t breaking the query letter rules to just be yourself, to show a little bit of what makes the query-writer unique…to perhaps bend the accepted format a little bit. If nothing else, it will make the query letter a little bit different, and in self employment it’s always a plus to stand out in the crowd.
