Protect Your Newsletter

If you are concerned about protecting the content of your newsletter, there is an easy format you can save it in. By saving your newsletter with Adobe Acrobat, you produce a.pdf email newsletter that can be opened and read, but not tampered with. The best part is that even if your readers don't have Acrobat, they can download the latest version of the Reader software for free.

Is HTML Right For your Newsletter?

The difference between email HTML newsletters and text or print newsletters is that HTML newsletters have the same look and feel as a web page. This means that what you see appears much like any web page you'd encounter on the Internet. Graphics, different fonts and formatting can be used. Some even feature flash animation. Not all computers are advanced enough to handle this format, however, so keep that in mind when designing your newsletter.

To Write or Not to Write

You can either write your newsletter content yourself or you pay a writer to do it for you. Keep your newsletters short, especially if you hire a professional writer. That way, he/she can do the job at an affordable cost. You need to have some idea of your subscribers and what they would find interesting so that you can brief the writer. Subscribe to some email newsletters and see what other people are putting into them.

Be Sure You or the Copywriter Knows E-Mail Writing

I mentioned earlier a designer who understands online is essential. This expertise is less critical (although desirable) for copywriters if you have a firm grasp of writing for an online medium and can work closely with them as an editor. It's easier to teach great copywriters how to modify their work for online than it is to teach those who understand online how to write great copy.

Readers' Contributions

Don't be afraid to ask for help. In fact, some readers will enjoy contributing to your newsletter! Suggestions for content can include creating a competition, offering ideas for articles, poems, personal stories, etc. Contributors are likely to email their friends and family to let them know they have been published, which can expand your reader base as well.

Good Email Newsletter Content

What goes into a good email newsletter? Anything you want. But keep it relevant to your subscribers' interests as well as the theme of your newsletter. Keep the content fresh. Try some unusual internet links, computer tips, summaries of relevant news stories, new product reviews, etc.

Opt-Ins

All email newsletters should use an opt-in approach. Subscribers enter their email addresses and then have to validate the address after receiving a link to click in their email. This prevents your list being abused with fake sign-ups and makes sure your readers really want to receive the newsletter. Make it easy for readers to unsubscribe to your newsletter, preferably by having a link in each email newsletter you send them.