Cover Letters, Follow-Ups, Queries & Book Proposals

Once your cover letter is positioned first to be noticed, then how do you position the letters to be noticed for the longest time in a number of situations? What kind of thank-you letters work best?

How do you ask for help in finding a job from a letter to a stranger, acquaintance, or business networking contact? How do you write a cover letter that will never be misinterpreted as a sales pitch or ...