AllWrite Ink Wins Best Service Newsletter

It’s not in my nature to brag, but I was surprised and pleased to receive an email today from the US Commerce Department informing me that the monthly e-newsletter I send out to just under a 1,000 generous souls has been recognized as the Best Service Newsletter for my community.

I’ve been writing Words People Read for just under five years.  Each month, faithfully on the first of the month I’ve produced an e-newsletter that shares one primary theme.  It isn’t a sales pitch – in fact until just recently I would forget to even include an invitation to call me.  I share tips and suggestions revolving around customer service, communications, social media and small business marketing.  Sometimes I’ll include a few side bars notes with links to cool resources I’ve discovered.  Not all 1,000 recipients open/read my newsletter but those who do are kind enough to send me thank you emails.   I’ve even heard one reader say that she uses the newsletter as the kick off point for her staff meetings. 

Many have poo-pooed newsletters as old hat – last year’s marketing tool – but if done correctly, a newsletter can be a great way of providing value and keeping your name in front of your target prospects. 

Just a few tips:

• Keep it short – one page – people are busy and don’t have time to read magazine-length newsletters
• Be focused – keep it to one primary theme
• Offer value – be thought provoking, cutting edge or informative
• Don’t sell – people will stop opening your newsletter if they expect it to be another sales pitch
• Be consistent – it takes a commitment to create a following – if you are going to start a newsletter, make sure you can commit to a schedule whether that is monthly or quarterly
• Be readable – just like with any marketing or communications content – use small words, short sentences and lots of white space – capture the attention with bold phrases and bullet-pointed lists like this one
• Be entertaining – the use of stories to get across your point is much more fun to read than dry, textbook content

I’m honored to have Words People Read and the efforts I’ve put forth recognized.  It’s pretty cool stuff! 

So do you have a newsletter?  What suggestions do you have for someone just starting out?  Care to share?

Have you thought about starting a newsletter but need help?  Call me 330-414-8792.  I offer newsletter writing as one of my services and would love to help.