The Newsletter Guy 1
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The Newsletter Guy 3Jeff Rubin
 
 

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If you're writing and designing your own newsletter, here are a few guidelines on getting the most out of your efforts.

KEEP YOUR STORIES SHORT, SIMPLE AND CLEAN
Good writing will sometimes command attention, even if your newsletter design is lacking in creativity.

USE A STYLE BOOK
The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, The Washington Post Deskbook on Style, The Chicago Manual of Style and The Elements of Style (Strunk & White) are excellent. Have someone double check your articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax and clarity.

AVOID CLICHES
Avoid expressions such as “a good time was had by all,” or “it goes without saying,” or “needless to say.”

LEARN ABOUT TYPEFACES
Also learn about leading (the space between each line of type), how to make your copy fit your newsletter design.

HAVE A GOOD MIX
Include photographs and artwork in your newsletter. Nothing is more boring than reading straight text.

DON'T GET TOO FANCY WITH PRINTING
The main object of your newsletter is that it gets read. Proper newsletter design is essential in providing a pleasant experience for your readers. If your newsletter design isn't well planned, then your readers may miss important sections of your newsletter, or even stop reading the newsletter if it's difficult to read because of a poor layout.

Stay away from colored ink for text — newsletter articles look best in black or dark blue. Use a second and/or third color sparingly — for screen tints, large drop caps at the beginning of an article, page numbers, and any other graphic that is repeated throughout the newsletter. Too much use of another color is distracting to the reader. Print your newsletter on an easy-to-read paper — white, off-white, light gray, beige, etc. Avoid red, green, blue, yellow, orange, etc. Glossy, uncoated or matte finishes are OK.

   
     
 
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