Any Ideas, Tips, or Thoughts for My First Newsletter?

[Kitchen Diva]

Hi guys...

I'm in the process of playing with Publisher tonight in an attempt to make my very first newsletter for January. Does anyone have any ideas, tips, or thoughts on what I should include in the newsletter, and should it be one page, or two, and should it be snail mailed, or emailed?

What works for you? This will be my first newsletter, so I want it to be memorable- and not in a bad way.

Thanks in advanced

 

[stefani2]

I just do a Monthly Newsletter by email (to save money). I put in the monthly host and guest specials (for the month that i am trying to get bookings for), a product spotlight, sometimes a 'Did You Know?', recipe of the month, and then any incentives/promotions that I am running.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I just do a Monthly Newsletter by email (to save money). I put in the monthly host and guest specials (for the month that i am trying to get bookings for), a product spotlight, sometimes a 'Did You Know?', recipe of the month, and then any incentives/promotions that I am running.

What types of incentives and promotions do you run? I've been with PC for about 3.5 months so I'm new at everything. Especially newsletters!

 

[PChefPEI]

If you have a website, make sure to put it on your newsletter. I would suggest doing something to get them to your site. For example, I am doing a scavenger hunt on my site. It's a fun way for people to look around.

 

[chefjeanine]

If you use Publisher, can you put the newsletter in the body of an email or will you have to include it as an attachment?

If you have to include it as an attachement, you'll probably have a lot of clients who are unable to open it (not everyone has Publisher).

Publisher is great for a snail mail newsletter. If you can, keep this type of newletter to one page (both sides) with the "articles" well spaced so people aren't overwhelmed.

Make yourself a list of what you are trying to accomplish with this newsletter and then create those articles. A few ideas:
-- Happy New Year, thank you for your business in 2007
-- January bookings/Stoneware sale (Host and guest specials)
-- recruiting
-- sales
-- promote your website
-- February bookings (don't talk about these if your January is not booked yet)

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Ooo these are all such good ideas! Thank you guys for the help. I started making one last night, and it is much harder than I thought. It took my 3 hours just to come up with a name for the dang thing, and I'm not sure I even like the one I think I am going to go with...

 

[chefann]

I only send an email newsletter. I don't have the extra money to send hard copies out. I do mine through Constant Contact, although I used to do the newsletter in Word and then use Mail Merge to address it to my mailing list, so that each person got their own copy addressed to only them.

Sections I usually include are:
Current guest special
Current host special (if I need more shows this month, including catalog shows)
Next month's host special
Host Hall of Fame - that month's top host, plus top hosts for catalog, cooking, and fundraiser shows
Recruiting blurb
Recipe (usually a link to my PWS)
Upcoming events - list of upcoming shows and craft/vendor shows
News from HO (like the consumer study that was sent out, etc.)

Many of the items in my newsletter are just a sentence or two, and actually direct people to my PWS to get more info.

 

[acdugger]

I just signed up for Custom Newsletter Designs For Consultants It is only $18 a year and it is very professional. I am a graphic and web designer but thought that the expense is well worth it and will save me time. Check it out--you can get a sample newsletter sent to you.
Andrea Dugger