Before you mail your letter to Santa (btw if you’re in Canada, you'd better check with your post office to see if that letter will make it past the picket lines to the North Pole 😬), I have a few tips that could increase your chances of getting what you want this year. (You're welcome.)

How to write a persuasive letter:

Whether you’re asking Santa for a new LEGO set or appealing for sponsorships for a holiday fundraising event, the principles of a persuasive letter (aka: sales letter) are basically the same.

Let's break them down...

✨Start with a hook

Santa gets millions of letters each year. The guy is busy. He has lists to check, a workshop to manage, and reindeer to prep, so your opening line has to hook him right away. 

Instead of starting your letter with a boring old “Dear Santa,” like everyone else, try something like…

Hey Santa, sorry to interrupt your slaying and sleighing 🔥 

That’s definitely going to get his attention.

🎅🏻Know your audience

After you get Santa's eyeballs on your letter by standing out among the others, you can keep him reading by making him feel like you know him and care about him. 

This is a letter to Santa Claus, not an Amazon order. Even though you're making a list of gifts you want, you can make it about him, so he doesn't feel like a present vending machine. 

I know you’re busy, especially this time of year, and I value your time, so I’ll keep this brief.

This makes Santa feel like you put some thought into what’s going on in his life when you wrote your letter, which will make him more likely to grant your wish.

🎄Be specific 

Asking Santa for "toys" or "stuff" is too generic. We’ve already established that Santa is busy, so don’t make him work any harder than he has to. For example...

This year, I would love The Birthdate Book that keeps popping up in my Facebook feed… the one Drew Barrymore keeps talking about.

Tell the jolly old elf exactly what you want.

🪄Add some magic

Santa is all about magic, so lean into it. You’ve already told Santa about the “what,” now tell him the “why.”

Say something like:

This book would help me understand myself and others better, which aligns with your whole mission of spreading joy and connection. 

The more we all understand ourselves and those around us, the more understanding and compassionate the world will be.

Now you’ve given Santa some context while pulling on his gigantic heartstrings and making your ask feel bigger than just stuff. 

🙏Express gratitude

Santa loves a grateful heart, so don’t forget to include a little appreciation in your letter. 

Thanks Santa! I appreciate you.

It can be as simple as that!

Now that we've looked at the different elements of a compelling persuasive letter, here's how it looks in action...

Hey Santa, sorry to interrupt your slaying and sleighing 🔥 

I know you’re a busy man, especially this time of year, and I value your time, so I’ll keep this brief.

This year, I would love The Birthdate Book that keeps popping up in my Facebook feed… the one Drew Barrymore keeps talking about.

This book would help me understand myself and others better, which aligns with your whole mission of spreading joy and connection. 

The more we all understand ourselves and those around us, the more understanding and compassionate the world will be.

Thank you for everything you do to make the world a brighter place.

Love JL xo

PS: What do you want for Christmas, Santa? If you write back and tell me, I’ll do my best to have it under the tree for you.

To recap:

Whether you’re writing a letter to Santa, a potential client, or a politician, the communication strategy is the same…

💌Know your reader

👀Grab their attention

💗Speak to their emotions

☝️Be specific in your ask

🙏Always, always say thank you

🙌Encourage engagement by giving your reader a reason to reply

Santa’s got a lot on his plate—but with a little charm, creativity, and strategy, your letter will be one that makes him smile and might just get you the item you’ve been wishing for.

Now, what’s on your wish list this year? 🎄

If it happens to be copy that converts, I have one spot left in December and three in January!

Don't ho-ho-hold out much longer if you want to talk about working together! This link will take you to my calendar.