Masters Lesson Series: Choosing Software, Part 1

Which software program is the best for your projects?

What software should you use to build your newsletter?  Is one software program better than another?  These are important questions and the answers to them are not as easy as you may think!  The sheer volume of software available is mind boggling.  This post will help you sort through the mess and make a few decisions.

The decision regarding what software to use to create your newsletter, whether you plan on creating a print newsletter or an email newsletter, is often loaded with emotion.  Computer use is a very polarizing topic.  Will you choose a PC or a Mac?  If you chose a PC, will you choose Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Libre Office, or OpenOffice?  If you chose a Mac will you choose the iWork Suite, Google Suite, Open Office, or Libre Office?  Trust me when I say that these are just a few examples of software productivity suites that you can choose from in either PC or Mac.

Nowhere else in the newsletter decision making process will opinions come into play that will cause a spike in blood pressure and arguments to erupt the way that choosing software will.  The choice of software is deeply personal.  Just like Mac users and PC users are immovable and will argue their computer choices passionately, the software that we use is equally mired in controversy. 

The very thought of having to change from our regular routines cause stress and panic in many of us.  In an age where choices abound and something new will be invented every 7 seconds, it is surprising that we become mired in repetition and routine.  The field of Psychology tells us that when we perform the same activities day after day and follow the same routines week in and week out, we begin to prefer to operate our lives in consistent, repetitive, and predictable ways.

The human brain, however, is not hardwired to perform repetitive tasks and follow the same routines for very long.  Crowder and Friess, in their extensive 2013 research on human performance and change, tell us that “people are good at change in order to master or improve their world or environment.  When people are agile they are better at being agile.”  The human brain, when allowed to rest and remain unchallenged, begins to prefer doing nothing and wants to remain unchanged and unchallenged.  This is known as Inertia.

When it comes to our software our choices may have been made for us without our knowledge.  Our education plays a large role in our choice of software preference.  What software we used as students often plays a significant role in how we use software later in life.  The same goes for our places of employment.  When schools and employers pay large sums of money to purchase computer systems and software we then, as Crowder and Friess has stated, begin to master our environment (software) through repetitive use of a single tool.  Once mastered, our brains then begin to rest and process daily activities unchallenged.  Inertia takes hold.

The decision to choose software may have already been made for you.  If your company, school, church, or organization has already purchased software then you may have to begin the process of mastering new software.  The good news is that there is no one single software program that is “the best” for creating newsletters.  There is benefit to choosing a program with which you are familiar.  Microsoft Publisher will be much easier to learn if you are already familiar with the Microsoft Suite of Programs. Luckily newsletters can be created on just about any word processing software with little trouble.  If you have had the opportunity to "test drive" different software, you will no doubt notice that most of them have similar features.  

If you have the option of choosing your software, then you are lucky.  But if the software decision is up to you, what questions do you ask to help you decide?  To begin making an informed decision for choosing your own software, here is are a few questions that will help you sort through the options:

1. Do you have productivity software installed on your computer already?  Is the version you own older or do you need to upgrade to a newer version?  Is the software cloud based?

• If you have Microsoft Office 365 you already have Publisher.  If you have an older version of Microsoft Office or the non-subscription version of Microsoft Office you may already have a copy of Publisher or you can purchase a standalone copy of Publisher.
• If you aren't interested in a Microsoft product there are several very good alternatives.  I have recently been playing around with an open source product called Scribus.  In the second half of this post I will be comparing several products including Publisher and Scribus.

2. Will you and your writers/contributors be using the same type of software or will you need software that is compatible with many types of programs?  Will the application software need to work with or function in the cloud?

• If you are going to use Microsoft Publisher to build your newsletter, you will need to make sure that all contributors have the option to export/save their materials in a Microsoft format.

3.  Will you need special training to utilize the productivity software or have you used a specific platform in the past (or currently) and will only need a refresher?

• Mainstream productivity software packages have hundreds of free training videos and step-by-step guides for you to slog through trouble spots or learn a new program.  Software that has been around for a while and is used by many people or companies is better equipped to help you use the software through free or inexpensive training options.

4. Does the productivity software have PDF capabilities?

• The end result of every newsletter typically results in making your newsletter into a PDF for several reasons.  This is actually an important feature of productivity software.

The answers to these questions will go a long way to helping you determine the software to use.  However, the best way to find good, user friendly software with all of the bells and whistles that you need/want is to talk to someone that uses these programs.  For example, if you are a church contemplating starting a newsletter why don't you ask some of the other area churches how they create their newsletters.  (BTW-many churches upload their newsletters right along with their weekly bulletins so give their websites a look and see if they have the product and skill that you are looking for.)  If you are a business, why not do a Google search for businesses with newsletters?  Give them a call and ask them for advice.  What's the worst that can happen?

In the next half of this post I will be comparing features and pros/cons of productivity software that can be used to build a high quality newsletter.  

Take Away

Choosing the type of software to use to build your newsletter is confusing.  But taking it step by step is the best way to begin.  Knowing what you have available and how much training you will need is a great way to begin looking at the options.  Know what you have.  Know what you want to build.  Know your budget.

Try This!

1.     Begin by making a list of the productivity software on your computer or licensed through your organization.  Know the software version and year.  Find out if the software needs updates from its manufacturer. Most importantly, know if they software comes with support from the manufacturer.

2.     Once you have a list of available software to use for your newsletter, do a Google search for training videos for your software.  It is very important to have instant answers for how to utilize your software without have to wait to ask an expert or go to the library for a training book.  YouTube has millions of videos.  If your software has been around awhile, chances are that plenty of how-to videos are out there.  Most are free!

3.     Ask an expert.  Do you have a tech-guy at work?  Is there a local church or non-profit that publishes newsletters on a regular basis?  There are always people to ask and for the most part people like to be asked their opinion.  Just remember:  Everyone has an opinion and you have to figure out which one makes the most sense for your situation.

Resources

Crowder, J.A. and S.A. Friess.  Systems Engineering Agile Design Methodologies.  2013, IX, 78p.

Master Lesson Series (MLS): Welcome and How?

Master Lesson Series

I have been a teacher for a long time.  In all those years of teaching technology/software application courses, seminars, and workshops, the most regularly asked question is, “How?”  I would like to think I adequately explain the “Why?” during my lesson introductions.  But, no matter what I am teaching it seems that the project on the other end of the lesson is what causes the most confusion for students.  I firmly believe that it isn’t the software or the hardware that causes the most difficulty, or even my teaching that causes problems for students (because why would I think that?)  I think that the problem lies within a disconnect between the students learning and the doing.  I have found that some people are very good at learning and some are very good at doing but the successful students are those that are very good at putting learning and doing together.  The purpose of this Master Lesson Series will be to link learning and doing.  I intend on helping you build something awesome!  Not just once, but over and over again, at your own pace.

Luckily for you I have many years of using textbooks, being a student, and teaching under my belt.This experience has helped me to understand that the best way to create learners that “do” is to start the ball rolling for them and show the student how to begin.  By simply going through the motions of creating a project, I can push my students out of the nest, so to speak.  I build the project step-by-step until sooner or later the students begin to working on their own and at their own pace. 

 

Students that appear to grasp the lesson quickly have a skill that the slower students do not have. 

Frankly, their rapid successes are due to their ability to recall prior learning.  Depending on how much information that was picked up (or reactivated) in the instructional part of the lesson or, more importantly, how well the instruction has linked itself to prior learning will determine the amount of time it takes students to begin working on their own.  Rapid success students are those that have the ability to link past learning (perhaps in a similar setting, software, or subject matter) to the task at hand.  These students are not necessarily smarter than you, they are very talented at taking chunks of learning from the past and applying it to whatever they happen to be doing right now.  Think of this in terms of using MS Office.  Once you are familiar with any one of the programs in the MS Office suite, you are already familiar with the basics in all the other programs in the MS suite.  This is one of Microsoft’s greatest successes – the knowledge that familiarity across all the software in the MS Office Suite will keep bringing people back because of its ease of use.

Getting the Ball Rolling

In this Master Lesson Series, I will use video to go step-by-step into the creation of a project such as a newsletter in Publisher, a brochure in Word, an Excel Spreadsheet, or a PowerPoint presentation.  Each module, or chunk,  within a project will cover only one topic or concept within that project.  For example, the use of kerning is a staple skill for creating a newsletter in MS Publisher.  This skill can be utilized in other software programs such as MS Word.  Once the module on kerning is available it can then be integrated into other lesson on creating a brochure, but after you have completed a   Remember, at the bottom of each lesson module, you can ask questions publicly or you can always email me at dr.daniel.robinson71@gmail.com.

module in a previous lesson you can either review the module or skip it.

Secondly, what I will do is to demonstrate the modules in comparable software (when applicable) so that you can utilize the software you have on hand.  For example, I will take you step-by step through how to build a newsletter in MS Publisher, MS Word, and Google Docs.  If you prefer different software for the project, request it in the comments below.  I will attempt to accommodate your needs as much as possible.

Finally, as the lesson modules grow in number, I will list them in the blog index and on my website.  I plan to group the modules by topic, by software, and by project.  As I have said repeatedly, the modules are free to use at your own pace.

Take Away

The Master Lesson Series (MLS) will guide readers through stages of building different projects.  Each lesson will consist of one chunk or piece of the lesson to master.  Those individual chunks can then be utilized together to create complete projects.  These MLS will constantly be adding new lessons that can be learned, reviewed, or skipped based on personal need.

Top 10 Expert Rules for Starting a Newsletter

Editor's Top 10 Expert Rules for Starting a Newsletter

The early days of developing an organizational newsletter is typically a stressful and confusing time.  Very little direction on how to develop and manage a newsletter, especially a print newsletter, is available online.  I have been teaching print and digital newsletter creation for over 20 years now and I guarantee that the process is much simpler than you think.  Let's start here by looking at the Top 10 Rules for Starting a Newsletter.  Each of these Top 10 Rules are then discussed in greater detail in their own blog post. Read them in the order that you need them!

1. Know How Much You Can Spend

Copy Machines today are very economical and the output is darn near professional.  If your organization has a copy machine then I would strongly suggest utilizing it.  You can probably figure out how much each copy of your newsletter will cost you.  Black & White will be cheaper but color will look so much better and your readers will react more positively towards a color edition than a B&W edition.  If you check around you may find copy services that will also print and fold the newsletter.  One word of caution:  always check the quality of the print rather than the cost.  A cheaper printing that looks terrible and is unreadable is not cheaper, it is a waste of time and materials.

2. Who is reading the newsletter?

Are you writing for a wide audience or subgroups within your organization?  Are you writing for new/potential readers? Are you writing for a wide audience while including subgroups and new readers?  Knowing the specific audiences will allow you to plan for content.  The Grass is Greener where you water it. Example: The primary focus of our parish newsletter is to reach out to our non-regular parishioners with the intention of letting them know we haven’t forgotten them.

3. What is the publishing schedule?

Monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or yearly?  The number of times you publish per year will determine the amount of material you need and if you will have enough time to acquire/write materials between publications.  The budget will also determine how many publications per year will occur.

4. The mission statement determines the materials

Materials for you newsletter are typically seasonally appropriate.  Articles need to be planned out to coincide with holidays like Christmas and Easter or need to announce special dates or activities. .  Readership may decrease during summer months.   The calendar plays a large role in planning themes and materials for each edition.  Some components of the newsletter will be the same in every edition, for example every edition should include: a greetings letter from the editor, minister, and/.or president/CEO; the publication information and deadline dates; seasonally recurring updates such as the summer picnic or the organizational Christmas party; and, recurring articles from feature writers or commentators.  Unless your newsletter is intended to be polarizing and cause disparity of emotion, never include materials that would be considered contentious without prior approval of administration.  They will be on the receiving end of complaints so make sure they are aware of the potential drama.

5. Be Accommodating

People within your organization are busy.  They will have deadlines and activities that they will need to deal with and newsletter deadlines may be way down on their “to do” list.  Prepare and plan for this eventuality.  Even if your publishing dates are the same year after year, there will always be people asking for extensions.  I have found that having a deadline for submissions three weeks ahead of my publish date (for a quarterly publishing schedule) and weekly email reminders of the submission dates will bring in 80-90% of the necessary materials for publication.  No matter what there will still be the same people every edition that will be late or completely oblivious of their obligations.  Be kind and adaptable.

6. Ask and ye shall receive

It has been my experience that there are plenty of writers, photographers, poets, mail sorters, and computer experts that would be glad to lend a hand.  They will never volunteer unless they are asked to help.  A blanket announcement for help is always assumed to be “for someone else.”  People want to be asked in person.  Skip the email or the handwritten letter.  People are less likely to say no when you are standing in front of them asking them for help.  Many hands make light work.

7. Beware of text laden pages

No matter whether your newsletter is in color or B&W you will need pictures, images, enhancements, and text boxes.  Nothing will kill a newsletter faster than a big case of boring.  Text is the backbone of the newsletter but pages of black text on white paper will cause readers to skim or skip.  Attention spans in the 21^st century are about 5-7 seconds (or less.)  Adding pictures or clip art to break up text will draw the readers eye through the text as well as help tell the story.  Quotes from the article in text boxes will help readers decide if they are interested in reading the article right then or save it for later.  I’ve been told by many of my readers that before they read a single word of my newsletters they skim every page and look at the pictures.  I suspect this practice is simply to find pictures of themselves or their family members! (Note:  Nothing will increase readership like a parent/grandparent looking for their kids’ pictures.)

8. Connect readers to digital resources

Use URL’s, YouTube channels, and social media to increase readership and further current readers participation with your newsletter.  Articles should include links to further reading or videos of events to reinforce what readers are reading.  An article about the summer picnic is interesting but can be much more “real” when combined with a link to the organizations YouTube channel to see and hear the excitement of the parish picnic first hand.  A picture (or video) is worth a thousand words!  Linking an exact copy of an article to an online digital copy enables readers to share the article or pictures with family or friends that do not receive a print copy.

9. Be firm in your resolve.

Just like being adamant regarding the topics and subject nature must be reinforced, so too must length of articles be stubbornly regulated.  Space in a newsletter is at a premium and with the addition of pictures, images, enhancements, and text boxes article size must be strictly enforced.  A good policy to have in effect is that the editor of the newsletter has final say on length and content of all submitted articles.  Not only will submissions be edited for grammar, spelling, and content, but articles can (and will) be edited for length.  As a rule of thumb I tell all would-be writers that 500 words is the maximum length.  All writers will think that they have produced “best-seller” articles and that cutting their prose is a travesty.  Having a policy about content and length will save you and your writers much grief.  Also, writers that are unhappy are unlikely to write again.

10 Showcase local

Organizational news should be given precedence over national or non-organizational news.  The focus of relevant local news must be given primary real estate in the newsletter over news that can be found on other resources.  To put it bluntly, you are focusing on your own business and not your neighbors.  A section of links to where outside topics can be found is one way to “show and tell” but not elaborate.  The mission statement should clearly define the topics and style of information offered in your newsletter. (For example:  a church newsletter could focus on religious topics, member news, mission events, or editorial style articles explaining church doctrine or dogma, or a combination of all these.)

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pros and Cons of Newsletters

Types of Newsletter Formats:  Print, Email, & Digital

Let's begin learning about the creation of newsletters by discussing what type of newsletters are

available.  This is an important step because it helps us think about the end result of our work.  In a sense, we need to build a newsletter backwards.  We have to begin by asking ourselves 1) who is going to look at our newsletter and 2) how they are going to read it.  Think about the answers to these questions and then, as you read this blog post, begin to think about how you are going to produce a well-written document that your readers will want to read. 

Microsoft Office offers hundreds
of ready made templates for
print newsletters like this one.

When we talk about newsletters we frame our discussions within three types of output:  1) printed newsletters, 2) email newsletters, and 3) digital newsletters.   Print newsletters are, according to Miriam-Webster, “a small publication (such as a leaflet or newspaper) containing news of interest chiefly to a special group.” This type of publication, like the example to the right, is almost certainly printed on paper and delivered by hand (either through USPS mail service or by handing them out in person.)

This is a typical example of an email type
newsletter.  It allows the readers to click on
the materials that they find to be the most
interesting.  The click takes the reader away
from the newsletter.

In distinct contrast to the printed newsletter, the email newsletter is not different because of the printing method and the mode of delivery but   Dictionary.com defines an email newsletter as “a type of email sent out by companies/organizations to a subscriber list that contains valuable content that allows businesses to nurture their contacts by sharing insights and highlighting products/services available for purchase.”  Typically, email newsletters are used for business purposes to build relationships with their clients, however email newsletters can be used by organizations such as non-profits to keep their members aware of upcoming events or activities.  Contrary to belief, the fundamental differences between print and email newsletters are so significant that they are not interchangeable. 

because of its focus.

I have pieced together a quick comparison to illustrate the differences between a Print Newsletter and an Email Newsletter.  After creating my own SWOT analysis for each, I was able to see these differences with relative ease.  Notice how each box of the Print  SWOT is the exact opposite of the Email SWOT.  The differences are almost black & white.  It is pretty plain that the purpose for each of these types of newsletters are very specific to the intended goal or mission of the newsletter.

Print Newsletters

Print Strengths Tangible, physical, real-world presence Can be read at a leisurely pace when time permits Can be shared repeatedly Believable Contains multiple topics Is not a multi-page sales pitch Joy of receiving mail Seen as “formal” Established method of communication	Print Weaknesses Lack of interactive relationship with client Production, paper, and postage costs Labor and personnel costs Competition for audience attention is high
Print Opportunities Increase client interactions by directing readers to website or social media New productivity equipment drives down cost Movement towards paper-less society has lessened competition in print market	Print Threats “Going Green” movement Postage and material costs Lack of immediacy from production to clients hands Social and digital media displacing “eyes” on established media

Email Newsletters

Email Strengths Incurs no production, paper, or postage costs Email is personalizable and can be tailored to the recipients interests Email is trackable, including time spent, clicks out, and link tracing Can drive sales and lead production Offers clients a direct to website and/or product catalog Offers value to the customer	Email Weaknesses Bulk email may incur costs Customers are overwhelmed with hundreds of emails daily Time starved recipients may delete without opening SPAM filters may divert the email Too salesy?  Too high-pressure? Poor design? Confusing? Time consuming Not seen as personal communication
Email Opportunities Email newsletters are still new and interesting Customers sign-up for the newsletters so they may be interested in receiving it Increase email list exponentially without added expense through referrals Not collecting data	Email Threats Email boxes are already crammed with unread emails Bulk email can be seen as SPAM by some filters and fines can be incurred Too much email can lead to ruin an organization/business reputation Email is viewed as impersonal; unwanted email is junk mail

So how do the Print and Email Newsletters look in a side-by-side comparison?  No surprises here. Lets look at the chart:

Print Newsletter	Email Newsletter
Physical (tangible) presence Production, paper, and postage cost Direct Delivery to addressee Lacks interactive relationship with reader Not sure reader has opened the document Multi-topic information Generalized topics and information Established form of communication Considered “formal” communication	Internet Based (Intangible) No production  or postage costs SPAM filters may divert email  Offers a direct links to outside sources. Trackable (time spent,  link tracing) Focused topic (typically single focus) Personalizable to recipients interests Email not utilized by everyone Considered “informal” communication

Here is why knowing the purpose or mission of the newsletter is important right from the start.  There is, in the 21st Century, a higher value placed on a print newsletter because of its permanence,

Example of a famous newspaper.
Note the layout and amount of information
within a small space.

formality, and "slow-world" pace.  The Print Newsletter is a direct relative to the traditional newspaper style of reporting and its success has always been in its design - clear, crisp articles in their entirety while have the newspaper in hand to flip-flop around between points of interest without the danger of unwanted distraction.  Email newsletters tend to have a feeling of business about them and can be automatically sent to a Spam folder.  I am not trying to diminish the importance of the Email Newsletter because it does have a valuable use in the world of business.  However, for non-profits organizations, religious institutions, private organizations, etc. that are not trying to sell products or quickly pull in potential customers, print newsletters are the way to go.  I can hear many of you right now, "...but the expense!"  Be calm.  I can hear your whine from here.

The third type of newsletter is the Digital Newsletter.  The digital newsletter is a great combination of the other two types of newsletters.  The overall feel of the digital newsletter is comparable to that of the Print Newsletter with an adapted delivery method similar to the Digital Newsletter style.  What that means is that a Print Newsletter is created but rather than (or in addition to) hand delivery to the readers, the newsletter is made into a digital delivery format (typically a PDF) and sent out via email.  Check out the comparison of the Email newsletter and the Digital Newsletter in the images above.  The differences are huge!

Take Away

The three types of newsletter are 1) print, 2) email, and 3) digital.  Print newsletters are tangible and hand delivered to readers.  Email newsletters are primarily for sales or product information.  Digital newsletters are print style newsletters converted to a digital format (PDF) and delivered electronically to readers.

Try This

• How are your readers are going to receive their newsletters? (Email? Postal Service? by hand? in a stack in the reception area?  Other?  Be clear how you expect this to be carried out.)
• How are your readers going to read the newsletter?  (On a computer screen or tablet?  On paper?  Think about your demographics before you give this one serious thought.)
• What do you want your readers to do with their newsletters?  (Save it for later reference?  Delete once finished?  Share with others?)
• What is your budget for your newsletter?  (Perhaps the single most determination of how the newsletter will be distributed.)

Welcome!

Welcome!

I came across a website that claimed it could guide me through the process of creating a newsletter in 10 easy steps.  I set my sights on building a newsletter by following those 10 easy steps and the finished product turned out to be a mess.  My nephew created a far superior newsletter without these “easy” directions when he was in second grade.  His newsletter hung in my university office for years so I am positive that it was far superior (no bias here!)  My name is Dr. Robinson and been an instructor of higher education, specifically Instructional Technology for the better part of twenty years.  I taught newsletter creation in MS Publisher and Word, along with projects from all the MS Office Suite, and I consider myself to be an expert.  So why was I, an expert, looking for directions/ideas on how to create a newsletter?  Because, suddenly, I needed to create a newsletter of my very own and it needed to be amazing!

After eight years of working as church webmaster and unofficial parish historian, I was surprised when a parishioner asked if all the old newsletters from the 70’s through the 90’s were available online.  They weren’t, but I was determined to correct that!  Searching for copies of all the old editions was a test of patience.  Scanning them into PDF documents was a test of emotional stability.  Creating a new web-page in our extensive and heavily used website and then uploading old newsletters was a test of skill. And finally, receiving requests (more like demands) for a new third edition of the newsletter was a test of courage.  

I am not certain why with all the stress of creating and maintaining a website, several social media channels, and managing several blogs, I would take on the madness of publishing a newsletter.   Past editors thought me mad and the pastor looked at me as if I had farted in church.  But I saw something in those old print editions as I digitized them for inclusion in our 21st century website.  I saw things that are difficult to find in a digital world, things such as: history, permanence, and a physical connection to our past.  I loved the smell and feel of the archived editions.  I loved seeing the images of people that I hadn’t even thought about, since I was very young.  Let’s face it, the Internet is a wonderful and convenient tool, but it lacks the emotion and weight that a document or picture in print can offer.  Being in a newspaper, magazine, or book is exciting and worthy of attention and no one ever says, “Wow!  I’m on the Internet!”

So I decided to create a new, updated version of the newsletter for church.  I began by sifting through Google to find out how to create a newsletter for a non-profit organization or for a religious institution.  I found next to nothing on HOW to create a newsletter.  I found plenty of blather on WHY I should create a newsletter and even more nonsense on how much money my organization can make by offering digital/email newsletters with special "hooks" and "incentives."  I truly found zilch.  So I took what I already knew from teaching newsletter creation to pre-service teachers and learned it on my own.  I was appalled that I could not find a simple set of instructions to explain how newsletters are developed and why they are needed.  I was disgusted that information on the Internet was only available for sale.  This blog is going to change that and put others out of business.  Not only am going to help you create newsletters but I am also going to give away all the materials and lessons that I created as a college professor.  And no, you do not have to give me your email address to "unlock" special features.  

I plan to address topics related to the creation of a quality newsletter.  “The best newsletters have short, lively articles that provide information without making the reader work to get it.  Poorly designed or badly written newsletters generally will be ignored.” (Marv Balousek, 2017)  If you are going to spend a great deal of time and effort to create a newsletter then you certainly want people to read it.  Any good, well written, and properly formatted newsletter will take time.  It will take time to plan, write, edit, proof, and print because neither an e-newsletter nor a print newsletters can be dreamt up and distributed quickly and easily.  Anyone telling you otherwise is trying to sell you something (and they will still be wrong.)  If you want customers/members to read and look forward to further editions then you must convey the importance of the document by making it as perfect as possible.

Over the coming weeks and months, I will offer posts on topics such as: newsletter layout, production methods, using color wisely, choosing articles, and keeping too much white on the page.  I will use examples from newsletters sent to me over the years.  In addition, I will be answering questions from readers sent to me via email:  dr.daniel.robinson@gmail.com or in the comments section at the end of this blog post.  I have been teaching newsletter creation for almost 20 years and I have a slew of information, tips, and examples for you to use.   Let’s create something amazing!

The Takeaway

This is a do-it blog with guides explaining the why or why not of creating usable and amazing product (especially newsletters.)  Basic information about creating useful projects (newsletters, spreadsheets, posters, brochures, etc.) will be offered here but it will also include tips and tricks, survival tips, and step-by-step guides to create many different types of projects.

Try This

1. Do an Internet search for print newsletters.  You will find plenty of ads/info about printing services and, probably, more templates than you could ever hope to slog through.  Click on the Images tab at the top of the search page.  You will see hundreds of examples of newsletters in print.  Do you see two or three that catch your eye?  Jot down why you like those particular ones and save it for when we start creating your newsletter together.  We can incorporate those elements to make your newsletter amazing!
2. Ask yourself why you are creating a newsletter?  List all the reasons you are going to spend hundreds of hours creating multi-page, informational literature to distribute.  Then list all the ideas you have for information, articles, pictures, contests, games, cartoons, etc. that you are planning on putting into your newsletter.  The more you think about this now the easier it will be to assemble your newsletter later.  Use as much detail as you can for both lists.
3. Take a deep breath.  All the choices and lists can be overwhelming.  Let’s examine all of this in chunks.  A well-written quality newsletter will take time to create.  Expect to take three to four weeks to do the first edition (subsequent editions can be published in a much shorter period of time).  So plan to clear some space to create your first newsletter.  It will be amazing!