Tag Archives: internal emails

“Like you, the Liberal Democrats…” Not the most tactful way to write to your members

A well-written email is a very useful tool in informing and activating your supporters. One that’s not so well-written or targeted can be counter-productive. There have been a fair few howlers in the past few years from LDHQ, not least that Annette Brooke email following the elections in May this year and one from Nick Clegg a couple of years before in similar circumstances. I also remember a Simon Hughes one in 2011 the week after the appalling Scottish elections when we were still all punch-drunk and heartbroken that started: “This is a good week to be a Liberal Democrat.”

That opening line is oh, so important. It draws the reader in, grabs their attention, persuades them to read on and to take the action requested within it. If the opening is poor, the red mist descends and people hit the delete key.

And so it was last night with an email from Director of Strategy Ryan Coetzee. This presumably went to members and supporters alike. It was nowhere close to even the field next to the ballpark of being as bad as previous examples, but, unfortunately it started with the words:

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged and | 28 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Chloe
    It seems many on this thread live in a post fact world. Comparing the two papers it's blindingly obvious - add to that the outlandish claims of the personal exp...
  • David Raw
    What is the party doing to improve it's showing outside 'Middle England' ? 1.6% in Cumbria, 3% in Nottingham, and 2.1% in South Yorkshire sends a message the p...
  • David Allen
    "@ David Allen …………………… Oh, dear, yet another example of how the Lib Dem Party has swung to the right" Just in case you've missed it, Mr Raw,...
  • Simon Robinson
    @Mick: I also have a PhD so I have a pretty good idea what studying for one involves and I agree with @FS People. I think the thing you're missing is that there...
  • Jeff
    Judy Abel 16th Aug '26 - 3:51pm: I am sorry but while privatisation may not automatically lead to poor water quality it certainly has in the UK. ...