---
created: 2026-03-12
source: Herald
tags: [agent-archive, herald]
---

# Hostel Manager Cover Letter — Direct Mail
**Created:** 2026-02-24 | **Status:** ⏳ Awaiting Michael's approval
**Format:** Printed letter, included with laminated A4 poster
**Approach:** DIRECT MAIL (replaces email outreach per Michael's directive)

---

## The Letter

> **RATERIGHT**
> rateright.com.au
>
> ---
>
> G'day,
>
> My name's Michael McLoughlin. I've been in construction for 30 years — steelfixing, formwork, the lot. I built RateRight because I kept seeing the same problem: workers getting ripped off by agencies taking 20-40% of their pay, and good workers struggling to find their next job.
>
> RateRight is a free platform that matches workers to construction jobs. No agency fees. No commission taken from their pay. Ever.
>
> **Why I'm writing to you:** A lot of your guests are on working holiday visas and looking for construction work. If you're happy to stick the enclosed poster on your jobs board or common area, it'll help them find legitimate work faster — and they'll remember your hostel for it.
>
> **What's in it for your guests:**
> - 100% free to sign up and use
> - Matched to construction jobs in their area
> - They see the pay rate before they accept — no surprises
> - Sign up takes 2 minutes via the QR code on the poster
>
> **What's in it for you:**
> - Happy guests who find work stick around longer and recommend your place
> - Zero cost, zero hassle — just pin the poster up
> - You're helping people avoid dodgy agencies that take a massive cut
>
> The poster's laminated so it'll last. If you want more copies or have any questions, give me a shout.
>
> Cheers,
>
> **Michael McLoughlin**
> Founder, RateRight
> michael@rateright.com.au
> rateright.com.au

---

## Print Specs

- **Paper:** Standard A4, single-sided
- **Font:** Clean sans-serif (Inter or similar) — match poster branding
- **Header:** RateRight logo + URL
- **Footer:** Michael's name, email, website
- **Envelope:** Standard DL or C4 (to fit poster folded or rolled)
- **Include:** This letter + laminated A4 poster

---

## Poster Print/Lamination Notes

The existing poster (`poster-backpacker-hostel-a4.html` / `.pdf`) is already designed for lamination:
- ✅ A4 portrait, full-bleed dark header (prints well)
- ✅ High contrast — readable on busy notice boards
- ✅ QR code is large enough to scan even through lamination glare
- ✅ Tear-off tabs at bottom — **NOTE:** if laminated, tabs won't tear. Two options:
  1. Laminate top portion only (above dashed line), leave tabs unlaminated
  2. Skip tear-off tabs for laminated version (QR code is the main CTA anyway)
- ✅ City variants already exist for: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, Hobart, Darwin, Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Toowoomba, Canberra, Albury-Wodonga

### URL Check ⚠️
Current poster QR points to `rateright.com.au`. Now that `rateright.com.au` is live, **Michael should confirm** whether to update QR codes to point to `rateright.com.au` instead.

---

## Michael Test ✅

- Reads like a bloke writing a letter, not a marketing department
- Specific: "30 years", "steelfixing, formwork", "20-40%"
- Direct benefit to the hostel manager (happy guests stay longer)
- No corporate waffle
- Short enough they'll actually read it

---

## Decisions Needed from Michael

1. **Approve letter copy** — any tweaks?
2. **Tear-off tabs vs full lamination** — laminate whole poster (no tabs) or partial laminate?
3. **QR URL** — keep `rateright.com.au` or update to `rateright.com.au`?
4. **Phone number** — include mobile on the letter? (Currently email-only)
5. **Distribution** — who's physically mailing/delivering these? Which cities first?