How to Write a Good Newsletter
Creating a newsletter doesn't have to be difficult when you know who your audience is and the message you're trying to communicate. Sounds easy enough, but many companies get bogged down by including too many articles that divert from the intended message and even go off base from the target audience.
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Things You'll Need
- Word processing software Publishing software if you plan to create your newsletter in house Access to a good local print company if you plan to print your newsletter HTML software or an IT in-house expert if you plan to create an e-newsletter A list or series of topics you want to include Access to the Internet for research Experts to interview for your topics
Instructions
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Figure out what you want to say. If you work for a promotional pen company, for example, your newsletter should focus on your promotional pen products and how they can help your customers. Drill down from just the overall message and determine if you have a subcategory of meaning you want to convey. Perhaps you want to promote your holiday pen collection that month. If that's the case, the majority of your articles should focus on holiday pens.
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Consider your audience. To engage your audience, you need to consider who will be reading your newsletter. If it's teens, you should infuse your articles with teen lingo and address topics that concern teenagers. For a broader audience, such as when a bank needs to mail a newsletter to its entire customer base, take into consideration the vast audience demographic but consider your topic, too. You should write your newsletter for the average consumer who banks with you and not get as specific in terms of demographic targets.
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Determine the newsletter size and layout. Are you sending a two-page or an eight-page newsletter? Or will the newsletter be delivered electronically (via email) to your customers? The layout and delivery should be considered before you actually write the stories so you can calculate the article length. If you are sending an electronic newsletter, you will have to be sure that write articles that are easy to read on a computer screen.
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Create a topic outline along with the important article points. Generate an outline that will allow you to view which stories will be included in each issue and some general information about what will be included in each article. An outline will also help you decide article placement. Your strongest stories should always appear on the front page or as one of the first links for an electronic newsletter.
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Write your stories. Be sure that you quote any experts and do your research! Never plagiarize, and be sure to use references if you include information from other sources. Make your stories interesting and lively. Be sure your first sentence, or the lead, clearly states the intention of your story.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to always keep your audience in mind when writing. Articles should be direct and clearly state your intention. Add graphics or illustrations to highlight your stories.
