Table of Contents >
Chapter 6. Promoting Interest in Community Issues >
Section 10. Creating Newsletters >
Creating Newsletters |
Tools & Checklists | Contributed by Jenette Nagy |
Checklist
Here, you'll find checklists that summarize the major points contained in the text.
This might be a good time to start a newsletter because:
____ You need to get a lot of information to a lot of people on a regular basis.
____ You want to educate or inform the community on important issues.
____ You want to attract new members.
____ You want to build a sense of common purpose, or motivation--or both -- among members.
____ You want to get feedback from your members.
____ You want to increase recognition for your organization or belief in its cause.
____ You want the public to see you as a credible and significant group.
You have asked yourself the following questions:
____What is the primary purpose of the newsletter?
____What are the other purposes?
____Who is the audience?
____How frequently do you want the newsletter to appear?
____How many copies do you want to produce for each issue?
____How much will this cost?
____How much can you afford?
____Who will design and edit the newsletter?
____Who will write the articles?
____How will you distribute the newsletter to its audience?
____How will you know if you have been successful?
Before you start working on your newsletter:
____Decide whether you will publish the newsletter yourself or use professionals
If you want to produce the newsletter yourself, make sure you have the necessary tools at your disposal:
____A typewriter and access to a copier;
If you are using a computer:
____Software that includes a capacity for word processing, page design, and graphics;
____A high quality printer
If you are having the newsletter done by a professional:
____Get your copy shop, professional printer, or graphic artist involved before going beyond the planning stage. Don't be afraid to talk to professionals; they may be willing to contribute their services or offer them at a reduced rate.
____You might use a copy shop if you are cutting and pasting from typewritten material.
____Computers that make layout and printing easier can be found there, too.
____Graphic artists can make layout and printing more attractive and interesting, and help convey information better.
____You can take camera-ready copy (you do everything but print it) to a professional for final printing.
____Confirm every aspect of the printing process at this time, including cost, time, what color is to be used, grade of paper, etc.
Steps for all newsletters:
____Decide what will be in the issue and how much of each will be included -- for example, articles, features, news notes, and opinion pieces.
____Design the layout for the newsletter.
____Write the articles for the newsletter -- or have them written.
____Edit the articles -- for content, for style, and for space.
____Edit them again. Ask someone else to help you with proofreading.
____If you are having your newsletter professionally printed, take the final copy to the printer.
____Check the final copy one last time for any errors in printing or editing.
____Mail or otherwise distribute the newsletter.
____Get as much feedback as you can about the issue.
If you want to get others to contribute to your newsletter, try the following:
____Find some other members to help plan the newsletter with you.
____Invite member articles, features, and columns; an occasional guest columnist can add luster.
____Pass around a sheet for written announcements and story ideas at your group meetings.
____Replace minutes with task force summaries in the newsletter.
____Reprint news coverage of the coalition.
____Borrow from other materials people send to you.
Words and graphics
____You understand that the masthead is the title on the front page of every newsletter.
____Keep the name of your newsletter short and catchy.
____Consider using your organization's logo or symbol as part of the title.
____Consider having a professional design this part of the newsletter, even if the rest is done in-house.
____You understand that the font is the style of typeface you use.
____For the text of your articles, you're using serif fonts instead of sans serif fonts.
____For the headlines, you're using sans serif fonts.
____You're using fonts consistently and refraining from using many different fonts on a single page.
____You use italics sparingly -- words in italics are difficult to read.
____When you have two or more columns, you justify your type to make it more readable.
____You understand that the headline is the short title or introduction summarizing the main ideas of an article.
____Print headlines in the same color as the article for easier reading.
____Set them like sentences without periods (i.e., capitalize only the first letter of each word).
____You understand that the articles are the stories and text that explain the different events, issues and plans that are important to your group.
____Unless it's a technical newsletter, your articles are written at approximately an eighth-grade reading level.
____The font size in articles is at 10 to 12 points.
____Choose a topic that's interesting to you and that others might enjoy.
____You've asked yourself, "Who is my audience?"
____You've asked yourself, "What main ideas do I want them to understand? "
____Organize your ideas before you begin; consider making an outline.
____Avoid complicated words and lengthy sentences.
____Use examples to back up your ideas.
____Always proofread your article for spelling and grammar errors as well as overall understanding.
____Whenever possible, have another person look over it before you turn in your final draft.
Layout basics
____Use two to three columns per 8 1/2" x 11" page for easy reading.
____Limit each page to no more than three or four articles.
____Make effective use of white space.
____Examine the page at arms-length to check balance.
____Use graphics, clip art, or photographs to break up the text and give your newsletter a more polished appearance.
____Consider keeping your newsletter at six pages or under (four is often ideal).
____Consider using a consistent layout that will make your newsletter more familiar to your readers.
Production
____Involve the printer from the very beginning.
____Talk to the printer about every detail of your goals, your dreams, your budget, and your timeline.
____When choosing paper, stick with neutral colors such as white, tan, or light gray that are not jarring to the eye.
____Request a second "spot color" to add life to your newsletter without adding too much cost.
____Ask for the standard paper size that the print shop typically uses for other orders; it's usually the cheapest.
____Learn some of the vocabulary of printing so there will be no confusion when you speak with your printer.
____Listen carefully to the printer's advice, but remember, it's your newsletter, so it's up to you to make the final decisions.
Cost saving tips
____Consider selling "advertising" to help cover the cost of your newsletter.
____Determine if you qualify for non-profit status to lower your postage rates.
____Check into bulk mailing and bar codes.
____Consider other means of distributing your newsletter besides using the mail. Be creative!
____Decide how often you really need the newsletter to go out.
____Move through every step of the process of creating your newsletter carefully, and make sure to edit as you go along.
____Have another person take a final look with you.
____Ask your printer or other newsletter editors how your newsletter can be done for less.