by Jennifer Marah

E-Newsletters can be an inexpensive and convenient way to keep current clients up-to-date with your business, or easily convert potential customers to new ones.

Format Options

There are several different formats that you can use to send your newsletter.

Text

This format is the good ol’ reliable method. Many individuals prefer to send their publications in this format. Why? Some see it as more personal. Text newsletters will look like a personal email specifically targeted to an individual person.

Unfortunately, some of the bonuses of the following two formats are not available (i.e. photos, video & logo insertion).

PDF

Do you send your newsletter via mail and email? PDF may be a viable option for your company. Design the newsletter in desktop publishing software and then create a PDF version of the file, and send as an attachment. You can include pictures, and links in your PDF for your sited resources.

Remember to create a subject line that will remind individuals you are sending your newsletter, or you risk your PDF being deleted.

HTML

This format is growing in popularity, when once considered taboo. HTML newsletters can be designed to look as graphically enticing as some websites. When using this format, it makes it very easy to include photos, video streaming, and link potential clients to your website to find out more information about your business, (which increases your website traffic).

Your Content

When developing content for your current and potential clients, make sure to have fun and maybe learn a little yourself!

Value

There should always be content that is valuable to readers. Many companies pack their newsletters with promotions and self-serving company information. However, by making sure your education and offering your readers information that they find interesting you are sure to have them coming back for more.

Spamming

How can your content affect anti-spam software? You would be surprised at what certain words and phrases will set off that magic trigger. Some third party email newsletter and promotion companies have a spam checker built into their programs. If you decide to develop your own newsletter by not using on of these companies, there are other programs available to you.

One of these programs is available from Spam Assassin. This company is an email filter company and has lists of tests on their website that you can access to run checks against your newsletter. You may not be able to conquer the full battle, but you can definitely wage a war. This information is available at http://www.spamassassin.org/tests.html.

Readership

Directory Listings

Ezine and article directories are one simple way to increase your subscriber lists, and give the opportunity for others to use your articles, with permission. This will increase your readership by peaking interest in your newsletters, and other articles you have produced. It will also redirect more traffic to your website, and may increase your sales, (another added bonus of these directories). If you would like to include an article that is listed in one of these sites in your newsletter you can. This can help speed up your publication process!

Frequency

Remember to keep your communications frequent. Many companies send their newsletters weekly, monthly or bi-monthly. The more frequent, the more the chance to eliminate the possibility of subscribers forgetting that the subscribed to your publication and sending it to the junk mail file.

Increase Conversion

One very important tip for securing that wavering subscriber on your website…have a privacy policy. Include this policy or a link to where they can find it on your website, in clear view on the subscription page. This will help eliminate any worries the reader may have of giving you personal information.

Most importantly…always adhere to your policy!

Third Party Sources

There are several things to look for when finding an outside source to host your e-newsletter. Constant Contact is a company that is everywhere these days advertising. A company like this offers it all, offering a trial period of 60 days or 100 subscribers. Once you hit 100 subscribers, they then charge amounts in increments of how many you have, (i.e. $5 per every 50 subscribers after 100). They manage your lists, opt-outs and “bounces.” You can store photos on these sites, logos, and several documents at one time. Reports are also provided on who opens your email, and who clicks on links.

In conclusion, you should consider several things before creating your E-Newsletter. The format, the frequency, and the content are several of the main elements. This may take some time to achieve this. You will also have to get a subscriber list ready for your first issue. You will have so much fun developing your newsletter, and if you would like to publish one, but don’t have the time, remember, “Your Projects…My Time.”™

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Marah
http://EzineArticles.com/?Email-Marketing-101:-Creating-an-Effective-Newsletter&id=358433

Tags: LK article challenge, suzanne lieurance, kristen king, article marketing, monetization, information products, email newsletters