by Scott F. Geld

 

How do you decide what to put in your newsletter?

 

First and foremost, your target audience should be the

determining factor. Next, the content of your newsletter

should be newsworthy and appropriate in terms of timing.

If there's a hot new product just out, or a medical

breakthrough that may affect your audience, include these

types of stories. Try and make your content informational,

rather than a 'hard sell' of your wares. Remember you are

distributing a newsletter not an advertisement.

 

Where do you get the material for your newsletter?

 

If you write the newsletter yourself keep abreast of news

within your industry. This should provide lots of

editorial possibilities.

 

Do some research about the products or services you sell.

Readers love 'how to' pieces.

 

You can interview industry experts, customers and other

knowledgeable people and then report useful information to

your audience.

 

Encourage submissions from other writers.

 

When you start publishing a newsletter, submit it to Ezine

directories. Many of these directories ask you if you

accept newsletter content. If you answer yes, other

writers can submit their articles and you can use them in

your newsletter. Some sites you can submit your newsletter

to are Ezine-Universe.com, BestEzines.com,

EzineMarketing.com.

 

Read other newsletters and Ezines that target the same or

similar markets. When you spot an article that you'd like

to use, contact the newsletter editor and request

permission to reprint the piece. Most editors appreciate

knowing that others are reading their publications. It's

considered good etiquette to provide the writer/editor

with a copy of the newsletter their article appears in.

Ask to be added to their mailing list. You may find other

appropriate articles in future issues.

 

Some Web sites offer articles as newsletter content. Check

out Marketing-Seek.com, EzineArticles.com, WebSource's

Article Announce and AuthorConnection.com.

 

Other content ideas to include in a newsletter are:

 

Testimonials

 

Profiles of your clients or contacts,

 

Book Reviews

 

A calendar of Industry events

 

Helpful links to other Web sites

 

Educational resources such as training course

 

You will find that some ideas for your newsletter will

arrive in your inbox. Create a folder in your email

program for newsletter content. Then when you are ready to

put a newsletter together, you can check your folder for

material.

 

As you surf the net, add to your Favourites list anything

that might be suitable for future newsletter content.

 

It's OK to do some obvious advertising in your newsletter,

but remember you don't want to turn your readers off...so

don't overdo it.

 

For a newsletter to be effective, it must be sent

regularly to your readers. It is a form of promotion after

all, and must be repeated to be remembered.

 

Scott F. Geld is the Director of Marketing for

MarketingBlaster.com, a company providing targeted traffic

and direct links starting at just $5.  For more info: