Newsletters - A few Do's and Don'ts

Our Do's

• Review the intention and content of your e-mail newsletter. It needs to provide useful information - not a pure promotion of your product or service.
• Have content of real value for your target market, such as tips, new ideas or industry articles.
• Consider the length of your newsletter. Aim for it to be read in max 10 minutes.
• Build your mailing list. Have easy sign up options in all your communications and encourage people to join your list. Remember they have to opt in to receive.
• Send it in the simplest format so that your readers, who have a wide variety of e-mail software and computers, will hopefully receive it in an easy to read style.
• Keep it short. For lengthy points use a URL link pointing to further information on your web site.
• Use hyperlinks to your web site or related articles.
• Ensure that you include easy unsubscribe information in each of your e-mail newsletters.
• manage your newsletters and understand the type of articles that engage your readers.
• Keep your title and timing consistent, as people and spam software will recall previous copy.

The Don'ts

• Send attachments or special formatting, unless you know that this is what your entire audience can and wants to receive. Also a risk of going straight to spam boxes.
• Send unsolicited e-mail (spam). You could permanently damage your reputation.
• Send an e-mail newsletter out to often.
• Use too many images.
• Use technical or slang wording.