LETTER: A retro way to open doors

Steve Bayliff, Las Vegas – September 12, 2026, 9:03 p.m. In a letter to the editor, Bayliff explains that after months of unsuccessful attempts to reach company principals via email, he has reverted to traditional business correspondence. He cites syndicated columnist Tom Purcell’s September 3 Review‑Journal piece, “The handwritten missive makes a comeback,” as inspiration for his approach. Bayliff notes that although virtually everyone possesses an email address, obtaining the correct contact for a decision‑maker remains difficult due to layers of “gatekeepers” who screen incoming messages. Even when an address is secured, it often “bounces back” because the sender is not listed in the recipient’s approved‑contact database. Consequently, Bayliff has begun sending professionally formatted letters rather than relying on cursive notes. He observes that while an email may go unopened, a physical letter is more likely to be opened and read. Responses vary, but he maintains that without initiating the correspondence, the recipient would never have learned his identity.