Newsletters

What is a newsletter?  A periodically published work containing news and announcements on some subjects, typically with a small circulation.  Newsletters often are distributed by or as an attachment.  Some organizations print their newsletters on paper and make them available to employees or members or them to homes.  E-newsletters usually reside on websites and a new edition is available a link to it usually is distributed by .

 Some newsletters are free; it is just a matter of signing up to be included in the distribution.  Some newsletters are membership based or subscribers based  Some organizations distribute free newsletters to extended audiences as an opportunity.  Most newsletters now carry their website addresses on the printed versions.

Criteria for successful Newsletters It must fill an unmet need. must convey information in some unique way must be distributed in an efficient way must be a person or a staff interested in it must be a serial publication issued with enough frequency

1- Filling Unmet Needs  A newsletter can be as large as necessary to carry all important information that should be shared.  It can focus on current information that is important to the target publics.  It provides the select, in-depth and sharply focused information.

2- uniqueness  Although information about the organizations is available from other sources, non can speak to your special interest as directly as a newsletter.  A successful newsletter is one that conveys information particularly useful and interesting to its audience.

3- Distribution  All of the effort and expense of putting together a newsletter is wasted unless the newsletter reaches your intended public.  You need to be aware that many people change their addresses frequently.  The organization can ask its members to update profile information through its website.  It takes a lot of time to build an database.  Distributing printed newspapers is quite expensive.

4- Knowledge and Skills  Producing a newsletter that earns the loyalty of its readers is time-consuming work. It needs specialized knowledge and a combination of skills at writing, editing and designing.  Small budgets may preclude hiring someone with the knowledge and skills needed.

5- Frequency  The frequency of a newsletter is governed by primary issues; budget, and timeliness. The budget may restrict the frequency as the number of pages. If timeliness is critical, you must publish more often, even if with fewer pages.

Types and Functions of Newsletters  The main purpose of newsletters is to communicate regularly with members of a special public.

1- Employee Newsletters: Why? The success of the company rests on the cooperation and support of employees. As an organization grows, it becomes difficult to communicate on a personal basis. Organizations need to maintain their employees and attract new members. Remind the members to participate in the organization's activities.

 Functions:

2- Special-Interest Subscriber Newsletters Why?  Special interest describes group relationships bound by a common interest.  The purpose of these newsletters is to communicate information about the special interest that behinds the group.  Information in it is: Highly targeted Related to the interests of the group Formal - informal

Reporting for Newsletters  Reporting deals with getting information.  Mistakes in newsletters are deadlier than they are in mass media because you are dealing with an audience with specialized knowledge so readers spot mistakes and they are not forgiving.

Writing for Newsletters  Writing deals with analyzing and packaging information.  Tips on writing: Keep your strategic audiences in mind ( what is relevant to them – what is important?) Develop a publication structure, an editorial calendar and written writers' guidelines) Begin with good basics. Lead with strong items. Successful newsletters depend on reliable resources. Look for reader feedback