Tested Telegrams and How to Write Them (Digital Copy)

THERE IS MORE TO WRITING A TELEGRAM THAN MEETS THE EYE

Often the twist of one word spells success or failure for the wire.
There is more to a diamond than meets the eye of the casual observer.
There is more to a fur coat than meets the eye of the too hasty bargain buyer.
There is more to an automobile than meets the eye of the prospect looking through the showroom windows.
And—there is more to writing a telegram than most people realize, who merely dash one off, trusting to gosh it will bring results.
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Written in 1941 and related to Wheelerpoint #2 “Don’t write – Telegraph!

Telegraph was the means of sending messages quickly, rather than waiting on the slow delivery of a letter. A letter by contrast could be a more fulsome communication but telegrams were charged for by the word. Consequently they were written to get the greatest impact with the fewest words and that’s what is meant with “Don’t write — Telegraph!”

“Your first ten words are more important than your next ten thousand.” Elmer Wheeler