Editor's note: Want your libertarian opinions to be read by thousands -- or hundreds of thousands -- of people? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Here, Virginia libertarian Jim Simpson gives some practical advice about how to get your next letter printed.

The first rule of writing is to always consider your audience. Don't try to argue with an editor or journalist. Instead, focus your efforts on swaying the opinion of readers to the libertarian perspective.

If you can work in the word "libertarian," by all means do so.

If possible, make the letter relevant to the community. If you can reference a previous article from the newspaper, you'll have a better chance of getting printed.

You don't have to address the issue from every perspective. Just make sure that you address one issue -- and make your letter concise and clear. Don't wander around the topic hitting one point here and jumping to another point over there. Stay on target.

Don't worry about waiting until you have the perfect letter before sending it. When you have finished writing, reviewing, and editing a letter you are fairly comfortable with -- just send it. Then keep an eye open for the next topic to write on.

If you are writing about an issue that is emotionally charged, remember that it is okay to be critical, but not hateful. Remarks that are degrading or derogatory will turn off readers, Also, the newspaper is not in the business of printing personal attacks.

Don't shoot only for the national papers like the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. In fact, you may want avoid those papers altogether and stick with regional or local publications. You will be competing against fewer writers, which will give your letter better odds of being selected.

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Always, always, always use a spell checker -- and a grammar checker, if possible. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to run your letter by a friend for a second set of eyes.

Some papers will edit for space. Don't let that discourage you. As long as the original idea is maintained, your views are "getting out there." If the newspaper lost the concept entirely, or completely changed the view you were presenting (by removing a critical sentence, for example), write to the editor and explain that you would appreciate a printed correction. Be polite. Clearly indicate how the editing of the original letter changed the nature of what you wrote.

Use facts and statistics that can be independently researched by readers.

Find out what the newspaper's requirements are and try and stick to them. If they have a maximum number of words for letters, use your word processor's word-count feature to stay within that policy.

Include your contact information (including a daytime phone number). Many papers will check to confirm you are the author and intend the letter for publication.

Remember that the baseball players with the most hits and runs are usually the players with the most strikeouts. If you don't get published once or twice, don't let that discourage you. Keep on sending in those letters!

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SUGGESTION: Want to become a more effective libertarian communicator? Read Michael Cloud's Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion. Praised as "the single best book ever written about effective political persuasion," it gives you the keys to opening people's hearts and minds to liberty.