Create Stylish Newsletters LLGI Diane M. Coyle Spring 2009

Introductions Diane M. Coyle ◦ Class Introductions © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Objectives Newsletter Components Design Tips Newsletter Templates © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Expectations What do YOU want to learn? © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Why a Newsletter? Easy to produce and distribute Economical Limited life – Good for dated material Narrow, focused scope, specific purpose or topic Eye appeal Integral to many marketing plans Good communication medium © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Newsletter Components Pagination – usually 2-4 pages First page ◦ Masthead ◦ Lead story in place of prominence Last page ◦ Typically contains contact information ◦ Blurb about organization ◦ Mailing address (if self-mailer) © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Newsletter Components Masthead ◦ Similar to letterhead for business stationery ◦ Boxes or sections containing:  Newsletter name  Publisher (company or organization)  Location  Volume  Date © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Newsletter Components Logo – Personal information component ◦ Logo or Logomark – Graphic element ◦ Logotype – Text element Sidebar ◦ Text set in text box or graphic ◦ Usually provides additional info or interest ◦ Examples: Table of contents, bullet points Pull Quote ◦ Excerpt from main article, set apart © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Basic Design Tips Plan your newsletter ◦ What is its purpose? ◦ Who is the intended audience? ◦ What information should be included? ◦ How will it be printed?  Paper type and color  B&W or Color  Single or double-sided  Quantity © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Basic Design Tips Text ◦ Don’t use full-justify if it causes awkward spacing ◦ No more than 3 hyphens in a row at end of lines Fonts ◦ Limit the number – 2 or 3 fonts is best ◦ Use size, bold, and italic as needed ◦ Be consistent © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Basic Design Tips White space ◦ Make good use of white space ◦ Don’t crowd the page ◦ White space allows the eye to rest ◦ Keep layout simple Color ◦ Make sure colors are compatible © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Basic Design Tips Graphics ◦ Don’t overuse ◦ Make sure they are appropriate for your message and audience ◦ Use correct resolution © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Basic Design Tips How many graphics are too many??? ◦ Hold publication at arm’s length ◦ Close your eyes ◦ How many do you remember? ◦ More than 5? Too much ◦ 2 or less? Not enough © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Newsletter Templates Many templates available Click the Office button > New © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Newsletter Templates In the New Document dialog box, under Templates – Microsoft Office Online, click Newsletters © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Newsletter Templates Select a style ◦ You may be asked to verify that you are using a valid copy of Office ◦ Click Continue to complete the download © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Newsletter Templates Templates may contain placeholder text Replace with your content Text is often set up within text boxes Newsletters may use columns or tables for layout purposes Templates can be modified ◦ Remove or resize text boxes ◦ Add new boxes, graphics, etc. ◦ Change colors, fonts, sizes © 2009 Diane M. Coyle

Design Your Own! © 2009 Diane M. Coyle