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Before you begin to build your e-mail newsletter you need to answer the following
questions. For further information on creating an e-newsletter, see the reference library articles, Using E-mail to raise funds and Creating an e-Newsletter
Download our HTML e-newsletter template here by right-clicking on the link (or clicking and holding on a Mac), and choosing Save As or Save Target As, and save to your computer to edit as you like. You can find more e-newsletter
templates at the Sparklist website
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What type of information will you be including in your e-newsletter? Common items would include news about your program, success stories, staff changes,
official announcements, volunteer recognition, events (like what you would publicize
in a press release), changes to your website, holidays, parties, and donation
or volunteer opportunities. The key is to design the content with your subscribers
in mind, and send them information that will be of interest to them. | |
How often will you distribute your e-newsletter? Weekly? Monthly? Bi-Monthly? Whatever schedule you choose make sure that you stick to it. By delivering your
e-newsletter in a timely manner you present an official, professional image to
your prospective donors. Monthly will probably work for your program without putting
to much of a burden on staff, but don't promise a monthly edition if you can't
deliver. In that case you may want to make it periodic or occasional. | |
HTML formatted newsletter example
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What type of formatting will you use for your e-newsletter? Plain text, or HTML
formatted? Plain-text is easy to create and you are assured that everyone receiving the
e-newsletter will be able to read it. On the down side it isn't nearly as engaging
as the HTML formatted e-newsletters, which look very much like a web page with
color, formatting and can even include images. A plain-text e-newsletter is probably
the best place to start, and many organizations use both. If you include a text
versiona nd an HTML version most e-mail software programs will be able to view
one or the other. The other key is to test your HTML version on as many e-mail
software programs you can get ahold of. Send it to your office-mates and friends
first to preview it. |
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