Easy Steps for Creating Your Email Newsletter

Feb. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- So, you have decided to create your own online newsletter to send via email to customers, members, donors, clients, volunteers, patients or prospects? Bravo, great idea! The cost of reaching folks through email is very minimal when compared to other options, such as traditional print. And there are no handling or postage costs either, which really add up over time. But how do you create your own E-newsletter?

The first step in the creation of your E-newsletter is in the graphic design. A simple search engine inquiry will uncover various templates that can be found online, though many individuals and companies would probably prefer a customized design.

When you have your newsletter template created from the ground up, you can follow your own branding standards, include your preferred color schemes and logo, and have whatever layout or functionality that you desire. Some folks choose a newsletter design that resembles their website, while other people prefer something completely unique.

The next step in the process is finding an email vendor, a company that can help you manage your email list(s) and the distribution of your issues. Be sure to do your homework - there are different options to choose from, and each service has a different cost and billing structure.

The final step is actually writing your newsletter each month, and getting it delivered to your list. Obviously, this is the hardest part. (Many individuals or companies would ALREADY be sending something if they had the writing expertise and the time, but they don’t!) Finding a consistent writer is critical, since the last thing you want is to introduce your email newsletter, and then only send one or two issues.

Your options range from: finding the time to write the newsletters yourself; hiring a web marketing/development firm or ad agency to create your articles, or hiring a freelancer to assist you with the writing.

Many marketing and PR agencies can offer assistance in this area, but beware of the costs! Some agencies charge as much as $150 or more per hour for their services, or require a large monthly retainer to make the work profitable to them.

There aren’t many freelancers that specialize in the entire E-news process, but there are a few of us out there if you look hard enough. Whoever you hire to help you out, just be sure that they have the services of a graphic designer, a programmer, and someone who knows how to write for any audience.

Follow these tips and you can create a great online publication, one that you’ll be proud to share and that contributes to your organization’s success!

Joel Converse is a founding partner of Hat Trick Associates, which specializes in the creation of online content - such as E-newsletters, blogging services and social networking accounts for businesses. You can visit their website at http://www.hattrickassociates.com.

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About Hat Trick Associates: We are a firm that specializes in the creation of online content, including email newsletter design, writing and distribution, as well as company blogs and social networking accounts for business.