1. Professional Newsletters
Dawn Squires

2. Newsletters Usually created with desktop publishing software
Word has desktop publishing features and can be used.
We will create newsletters with Word and Publisher.

3. Newsletters . . . Usually target a specific audience
Usually prepared/printed periodically – weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.
We will create a 3 column, that includes images and wrap-around text.

4. Terminology . . . Nameplate/banner Issue information line Ruling line
Top part of newsletter that contains the title and information about issue
Issue information line
Specific information and the publication
Ruling line
Horizontal/vertical rule
Used to separate areas of the newsletter

5. Terminology . . . Subhead Pull-Quote
Heading contained in the body of the newsletter
Are usually a serif type font to stand out from body and gain reader’s attention
Pull-Quote
Text that is pulled – copied – from the body of the newsletter
Used to add visual interest – a type of graphic

6. Always Plan Ahead . . . Create the nameplate Determine body content
May be vertical or horizontal
Usually centered
May include text and/or graphics
Determine body content
Usually contains a couple of articles
Make sure articles are interest to audience
Provide visual interest with graphics, pull-quotes & ruling lines
Distribution
Will it be mailed? Put in public places? Posted on web?
Printed ones are usually folded & stapled.
If online, make sure it is in a format that most computer will recognize.
May need to convert it to a PDF document to protect its contents and ensure it can be read regardless of software.

7. A Note about Converting to PDF
With Office 2007, a conversion tool is freely available to convert document to a portable document format.
This helps combat the problem of which version of Word to save the document in.

8. Our newsletter . . . Will promote career & technical education
We will assume it will be printed for distribution.
We will create a logo for our CTAE program.
Logo will be used in nameplate.

9. Creating the Nameplate
Remember, it should
Be an attention grabber
Entice people to read the newsletter
Might want to put a slogan in it
May include a logo or graphic image
Should be short
May it stand out
Consider colors
No clutter
Rulings can be used

10. Determine the Newsletter’s body
Write the body content.
Should be interesting
Consider if it’s to share information or promote something.
Usually body is in columns
Include a jump to line and a jump from line if the article is contained on two pages.
Be consistent from one issue of the newsletter to the next. Always keep announcements, etc., in the same location in the newsletter.

11. Body Continued White Space Color Subheads Be generous with it.
It allows the readers eyes to rest while reading.
Text too close together looks crowded.
Color
Use colors that blend with the nameplate.
Too much color can be overwhelming.
Don’t use color for the text unless it is for emphasis.
Subheads
Use subheads with as few words as possible.
Use larger font, bold, etc.
Be consistent with subheads.

12. Body continued Vertical lines (rules) Visual Aids
Use them to guide the reader through the document.
Visual Aids
Give a newsletter vigor.
Add emphasis
Visual Aid Types
Graphics
Pull-quotes
Drop caps

13. Output/Distribution
When drafting a newsletter, one must consider output How the newsletter will be distributed?
If printed, it is best to use a serif font for the body.
Serif fonts allow the eye to scan the lines more easily.
If newsletter will be viewed over the computer, sans serif fonts are best for the body.
Resolutions on computer monitors vary.
Serif fonts appear “muddy” on computer monitors.
Sans Serif fonts are easier to read on computer monitors and should be used in the body.

14. Let’s Practice