Newsletters are a frequently used tool for both internal company communication departments and consumer marketing teams; they’re not just for boring family updates at Christmas!  If you are struggling with how to create a dynamic, and powerful newsletter on a tight budget and with limited time, follow these steps.  By putting a few key rules into place anyone can create a professional and valuable color copies of their company newsletter.

1.Keep Your Stories Short, Simple and Clean. When selecting content for your newsletter focus on creating stories that are easy to read in a two to three minute sittings.  (Bathroom reading?) You need to ensure your copy is crisp.

Newsletter articles should take no longer than three minutes to read.

2. Choose the Right Format for Your Newsletter. Many publishing software programs offer a variety of newsletter templates to choose from and doing so will eliminate the need to spend time and money creating a new master publishing template.  You can go in and make the template your own by altering colors and fonts, and inserting your logo and set corporate images.

Also, be careful in choosing the template you will use.  Pick one that will be easy to incorporate into your corporate image.  Be sure it is one that will be cost effective for you to print.  For example if you are watching your bottom line, you may want to look for a two sided newsletter document versus a brochure like four page booklet style. 

Choose a newsletter format that fits your corporate image and your printing budget.

3.Learn from Your Favorite Newsletters Designs. Still having some issues selecting just the right template and style?  Take a look at some of your preferred newsletters from other companies.  You can also look online for samples that can provide you inspiration. http://www.grapevinecom.com/Newsletter+Samples

Check out other’s newsletters to get inspiration.

4.Don't Use Too Much Graphic. Be careful not to overload your newsletter with graphics.  A few, carefully selected images can make your newsletter enticing and professional looking.  Too many, or badly selected images can turn your newsletter into a bear to print and unprofessional to look at.

Select professional and crisp images, and make sure they add to the document rather than clutter the page.

5.Make It Worth Reading. Watch out for, “have to fill the template”, type stories, so drop that article about this month’s office hook-ups. Make your stories meaningful and beneficial to your readers.  If you want them to take the time to read and engage with you and your company newsletter in the future, you need to make sure the content has value to them.

Make sure the content is valuable to the reader.