Newsletters are becoming ever more popular. Not surprising
– since all editors know that they are a tried and tested
method for both disseminating information and subtly (and
quite frequently blatantly) promoting any product or
service. In short, newsletters work for their owners.
IT’S A CROWDED WORLD OUT THERE.
But the Internet and Email (as well as lower print
production costs) have meant that the number of newsletter
Titles is growing at breakneck speed!
And with new Titles being published by the hour - covering
just about every subject under the sun - the market is
getting pretty jam-packed out there.
So how are you going to ensure that your newsletter doesn’t
get crowded-out? How will you guarantee that your
publication gains and develops a truly loyal readership,
when they could so easily be distracted by your
competitors’ newsletter offerings?
The answer?
YOU’VE GOT TO GIVE YOUR PUBLICATION A TON OF
"NEWSLETTER PERSONALITY."
Or to put it more accurately, you actually need to allow
your own personality the space to shine through and
dominate your written publication.
You see, when somebody meets you face-to-face they are
quickly presented with (and pick up on) your personality
traits and this makes you instantly memorable. Even when
you have a conversation on the phone, you naturally give
over a whole range of characteristics that mean that
you’ll likely be remembered in the future.
But once you’re in writing, particularly if it’s in the
form of a plain text email, then you’ve got to fight
harder to have your personality shine through.
And the stakes couldn’t be higher. If you fail to
impress your readers, then they will quickly forget all
about you and move onto your competition. But the *best*
way to distinguish yourself is to let your personality
leap at the reader, right off the page or screen!
Now many newsletter editors face a problem that they are
more accustomed to writing somber business documents
than publishing a lively and memorable read.
HERE IS A TIP TO HELP YOU GET YOUR
"NEWSLETTER PERSONALITY" RIGHT OUT THERE.
Think about your favorite newspaper. Maybe it’s the New
York Times, USA Today or some local paper that you buy
weekly. Somewhere in that paper there will be a
columnist that you probably turn to and read week-in
week-out. Why? Because you feel you know the
characteristics of the writer. You understand where
they’re coming from, on a whole range of issues. You
either empathize with their views or read the column
because it makes you angry and you enjoy the controversy.
No matter. What that journalist has achieved is to make
their own personality leap from the paper. And you need
to emulate precisely that approach in your entire
newsletter!
HOW TO HAVE COMPLETE STRANGERS FEEL THEY KNOW YOU.
If you don’t do it already, start telling your readership
a little bit about yourself. People like to feel they
know you and understand where you’re coming from. Here
are some handy pointers. Just pull out and use the ones
that best apply for your own newsletter readership.
- ENSURE THAT YOUR READERS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE FROM.
People automatically start to think they know you and
build a picture just from a place name, State or Country.
You may not have been there for years, but it’ll start to
build an image picture in your readers’ minds!
- ESTABLISH WHETHER YOU ARE STRAIGHT-LACED OR A
BIT OF A JOKER.
Humor can work wonders, but if you’re not a natural funny
man (or woman) then don’t try and fake it.
Just beyourself.
- BE FORTHRIGHT ABOUT YOUR VIEWS.
Don’t sit on the fence worrying about whether your
readership will agree or not. Establish where you are
coming from straight-away and celebrate the fact. Either
your readers will agree or if they disagree, it will
create some interest and soon you’ll get readers letters,
etc...you get the idea.
Whether you’re new to the newsletter editing game or
already established, remember that your readers have a
choice. If your publication comes across as faceless and
lacking in personality, the chances are your readers will
jump ship, right across to the nearest competition.
Good luck,
Michael Green
© How To Corporation. All rights reserved.
The author Michael Green has developed a TOOLKIT for
Newsletter Editors called "How To Write A Newsletter."
The Toolkit comes packed with hundreds of excellent ways
to enhance your newsletter publication.
But there's more! Michael provides the would be newsletter
editor with Copyright Free Articles, DTP Templates and
a much more. A absolute must for all Newsletter Editors!
Check out ===> http://www.howtowriteanewsletter.com
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