Print PageElectronic Newsletters - Step 3: Format your Newsletter
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IEEE publishes guidelines which maybe helpful in developing your newsletter, but an electronic newsletter by definition will be different from what you might choose to do on paper. Email: First, the table of contents must be the first thing in your emailed newsletter. It helps our busy members decide which articles they want to jump to. A bulleted list is generally accepted. If you have lengthy articles, you may wish to provide only a brief description with a link to where the document can be found on the web. On the Internet: provide plenty of links, don't make the member search all through the site for references to upcoming meetings or conferences. If you want to use graphics, great, but make sure the page does not have a long load time; too many members will give up and never check it again! Last, allow yourself some flexibility; do you have a monthly or a quarterly newsletter? Without the constraints of publishing deadlines, getting it to the mailing house, etc., you can send meeting announcements and other "hot" information via email in between hard copy newsletters. We have reports from some Sections that their electronic newsletter is not based on the hard copy but is an independent document. This can be an interesting approach for your members, and keep them watching for new information from both sources. Make certain, however, that you are providing consistent and complete information in both publications. |
