Creating Newsletters

What is a newsletter?

• A printed report of information and ideas • Distributed regularly to a group of interested

people• Typically 2-8 pages long• Vary considerably in cost, quality, and

content

Why should you create a newsletter?

• To update and educate• To build cohesion• To increase interest and recognition • To provide a forum for information exchange• Announcements• For meeting summaries

When should you create a newsletter?

When you want to -- • Regularly provide information to groups• Educate the community• Attract new members• Motivate members• Get feedback • Increase recognition and credibility

Getting StartedDetermine:• Purpose• Audience• Frequency of publication• Number of copies• Cost & affordability• Designers, editors, and writers• Distribution• How to measure success

Development Steps • Decide on issue contents • Design the layout• Write the articles • Edit the articles• Have outsiders proofread • Take final copy to printer• Distribute• Get feedback

Encouraging Contribution

• Ask members to write and plan• Ask for announcements and stories • Reprint coalition news coverage• Borrow from other materials

The Masthead

• The title on the front page of a newsletter• Keep the title short and catchy• Include the organization's logo or symbol as

part of the title• Request a designers input for the logo

Font

• For text, use serif fonts• For the headlines, use sans serif fonts• Refrain from using multiple fonts on a single

page• Use italics sparingly• Justify type for two or more columns

Headline

• The short title or summary of the article's main ideas

• Print headlines in the same color as the article

• Set them like sentences without periods

Articles• Explain events, issues and plans • Write at about an 8th-grade reading level• Font size 10 - 12 points• Choose topics that are interesting and enjoyable• Determine audience• Begin by organizing ideas• Simplify• Use examples• Always proofread

Layout basics

• 2-3 columns per 8 1/2" x 11" page• 3-4 articles per page• Use white space effectively• Check the balance of pages• Use graphics, clip art, or photographs • 6 pages or less• Be consistent

Production

• Involve printer in all details• Choose paper with neutral colors • Consider a 2nd "spot color" • Ask for standard paper size • Learn printing vocabulary • The final decisions are yours

Cost saving tips

• Consider advertising• Non-profit status lowers postage rates • Bulk mailing and bar codes• Find mailing alternatives • Edit continuously • Publish sparingly• Ask how to cut costs