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Entrepreneurship:  Newsletter Question  |
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 08:42:29 AM
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Hello Everyone;
I would like to create a newsletter but have never tried this. If anyone has done this,
1. What software programs do you like the best?
2. Do you know of any how to books on the subject to get me started?
3. How do you send them out
Thanks, Tina
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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gregs_lil_farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
219 Posts
birdi
hartford
me
USA
219 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 2:05:23 PM
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I did a newletter for a long time for the company I worked for. I used MS Publisher and I loved it. Everything was so simplified. I still have it on my computer and use it from time to time. As far a sending them out..I am at loss completly. I only had to take them from home to work. Sorry if I wasnt much help to you.
-Simple pleasures make my heart smile- |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 4:30:59 PM
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I am (at least in the computer world) very old-school with newsletters. I prefer to use good old Word, or if I'm being extra-ambitious and want to use lots of graphics, Broderbund's Print Shop (you can find these cd-roms for $10). A couple of things to remember when putting your newsletter together are the overall look-- it shouldn't be cluttered and the info should be easy to find. Anything longer than two pages, and you might want to have a small table of contents on the front page. Also, putting two-three columns per page instead of a big block of text gives it that "newsletter" look and makes it easier to read. I like to have the text justified (so that the text is an even block) because it looks neater. And put a little thought and love into your banner/headline, it's how your readers will know you. I don't know of any books or tutorials about putting together a newsletter, but I find that the trial and error of putting it together from scratch to be the fun part.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Opening in March 2007:
http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 5:22:41 PM
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These are very good suggestions. I have Microsoft Publisher and started today with one of their templates and I like it so far. I chose a three column style and I'm still trying to decide on the name of the newslettter. The newsletter will be about dogs, of course, and I hope to have some short helpful articles in it for pet owners. I just don't know how to send them out at once without revealing addresses. I'm still trying to find that information and I'm taking suggestions for naming my newsletter too. Thanks,
Tina
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 7:36:03 PM
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| Is your newsletter going out online or in the mail? If it's bulk mail, the P.O. has the guidelines. If it's online, can't you send it with a blind carbon copy? Hope I'm right on that, don't know for sure. |
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 8:15:50 PM
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Thanks, Owwlady. I will be sending this out online to those who have signed up for it. I'm not sure about the blind carbon copy but I'll check it out. I thought I heard once that you could put all of the addresses in a group and no one would see the addresses and send the newsletter out to everyone at once. Like a mass mailing. I just don't know enough on how to do this but I'll keep thinking about it.
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 8:42:08 PM
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I co-write a newsletter for a fiber arts oganization. I use Quark Express, an older version, and really like it because I prefer to do my own arranging rather than use a template. I also have more flexibility in bringing in graphics and photos.
The downside is that my Quark is in Windows form rather than MAC. If I used a MAC computer, I could take the disc to the printer and they could print from the disc. As it is now, I print a hard copy and have it printed.
You should be able to save your finished text as a PDF file and send it out that way. I receive an online newsletter from another guild. She sends the .pdf file as an attachment to an email.
I've tried to find a suitable exercise video for women my age...but they haven't made one called "Buns of Putty" |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2007 : 9:18:22 PM
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Great idea, and you can get contributors for getting plenty of material (I would love to contribute)A cute name would be Dog Bytes - A Newsletter for Dog Lovers! - I just got a great review book on animal ceremonies such as prayers, blessings etc for various events in a dog or cat's life - book reviews in it would be great too!
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2007 : 08:01:44 AM
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| I love the Dog Bytes. |
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 10:34:35 AM
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I think I have a name to call the Newsletter. Kennel Creation's "Dog Bones Newsletter". There was already one called Dog Bytes. I have the first draft completed but I have not figured out how to send it out without everyones address revealed and I need to do some linking on it. If anyone knows how to do the address, please let me know. I'll let everyone know when it's ready.
Tina
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2007 : 11:41:31 PM
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Tina - have you tried using the BCC field like was suggested above? I think that'll do it for you, but double-check just to make sure I'm not wrong! It sounds like your newsletter is going to be great!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2007 : 05:41:57 AM
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Thanks Libbie, I'll do a test and let you know if it works.
Tina
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2007 : 3:02:02 PM
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I do online newsletters for our office, along with our state employee association. Here are some "tips":
* Microsoft Online has some great templates to use. Go Here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/default.aspx and do a search for newsletter templates.
* I suggest Microsoft Publisher because it is easy to layout with photos, stories, etc as compared to Word.
* Photos make a HUGE difference. Use them. It adds "pizazz" to your articles.
* Set up a "group" on your email account. That way you don't have to sit and type every email each time.
* Use the BCC (blind carbon copy). If it isn't shown when you type an email, click on Other options on some programs. People are more comfortable of giving you their information if it is sent BCC and the whole world doesn't know what their email address.
* Try to save your newsletter as a PDF. You can go to Adobe's website to do it and find detailed directions.
* Be sure on your email to have a statement saying if they do not wish to receive the newsletter anymore, please reply to your email address (and include the email address).
* Keep the layout simple and with fonts that are common (arial, times new roman, etc.) Be sure that it is readable and large enough.
Jessica~Miss Wilma's Niece
Take a look at my country living photography & more at http://kydeere.etsy.com
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2007 : 06:45:15 AM
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Thanks Jessica,
I'm not sure how to set up a group in Microsoft Outlook. I've been looking, but so far, I have not figured it out yet. I did find the BCC part though.
Tina
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2007 : 1:06:09 PM
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Tina,
This would take you in a little different direction, but I've been using Constant Contact for sending out monthly business newsletters. You can use the free 90 day trial, and if I remember correctly, the service is completely free up to 100 e-mail addresses. I've gone over that 100 mark, but am still not paying much at all per month. You can send out as many newsletters or promotion letters in a month as you would like. To check it out go to www.constantcontact.com.
If you want to see a sample newsletter of mine, just e-mail me and I'll forward one over to you. What I like is that the letter is addressed personally to each recipient.
It is at least something new to check out.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
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Entrepreneurship: Newsletter Question |
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Newsletter Question
