There is a great new resource on the internet called cover-letters.com. It has 1001+ sample letters and additional information for networking and job seeking. Here is an interesting article on cold-call letter writing from the site.
“Even if you have an extensive personal network, you may eventually need to introduce yourself to strangers. If you write a good letter—and all these qualify—most businesspeople will be courteous enough to talk to you on the phone, even if only briefly. Usually, a short conversation is enough.
The trick is to write a good letter. It must appeal to the audience. You’ll notice that the letters in this section are full of benefits for the reader. Some sell past accomplishments. Others appeal to the reader’s ego with compliments. Still others trade on industry knowledge. The last in the series is a blitz: three different letters to the same company. Not a bad idea, since most job hunters get discouraged and quit after one try.
Three things usually don’t work: force, arrogance, and humor. Force and arrogance put people off. Employers laugh at humor; they may even pass your funny letter around at staff meetings. Everyone may be howling, but that usually won’t get you interviewed—unless the field is PR, advertising, or marketing. In those fields where creativity reigns, almost anything goes.
Try several different approaches. Don’t get stuck doing one thing. Repetition can kill you. You’ll be bored with your campaign, and so will your readers!
But if you find one letter that always makes the phone ring, don’t change a word of it. Send it out by the bushel.”
For examples of cold-call letters and other information, please visit the cover-letters.com website.
