E-newsletters and podcasts
E-newsletters
E-newsletters (or listservs) are a special email system
that lets you send broadcast emails to large numbers of people (generally 50
or more). These email lists can be populated with email addresses by you (using
a Web based program) or by subscribers through a Web site. e-newsletters make
emailing large groups of people simple — you can send an email using just
one email address.
Format text for 60 characters
Use the Format
Text/Articles tool to format text before
sending your email. Some email readers can only open messages
that are 60 characters or fewer wide. If you do not format for 60 characters,
your email could look like this:
Wisi nulla capto commoveo ea refero velit erat humo. Esse vicis opto
roto, consequat esse, augue valetudo os vel torqueo. Camur
eum probo paulatim vindico, accumsan fatua in. Facilisi plaga, in proprius
consequat causa. Appellatio suscipit dolore exerci plaga facilisi,
occuro abluo ex pertineo genitus plaga autem. Luctus eu gemino,
feugiat abico ne. Feugiat et os abluo reprobo loquor interdico voco.
Consequat blandit qui, causa quidem autem comis foras imputo, interdico ne cui te in.
Instructions: Copy and paste content
into the text box. If you have any formatting (such as colors and use of bold
or italics) that needs to be cleaned out before you send the email, enter "y" for
yes in the Re-Format Text option. Click the Format Text button and the tool will
reformat your text in a box below.
Make sure you choose a good subject line
Think about your subject line and make sure it tells, as simply as possble, what the reader can expect. Use words that carry action and weight. Example: CNN
Long URLs
Long Web address links can cause a problem: automatic
line returns will break links. Here are two examples of two long URLs:
Prayerfully consider asking Congress to improve safety and
justice for Native American and Alaska Native women
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.as
px?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=8458
www.amnestyusa.org/Womens_Human_Rights/Join_Voices_with_Nat
ive_American_and_Alaska_Native_Women/page.do?id=1021163&n1=
Join Voices with Native American and Alaska Native Women
3&n2=39&n3=1410
In the first URL the link will not work because it is wrapped.
There are two ways to fix this problem.
(1) When you format email for 60 characters with, go back
and make sure that all of the URLs are not wrapped. Then put a < at the beginning
and a > at the end of the URL. For example, the first link will appear like
this:
<http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhK
PIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=8458>
The email reader will automatically wrap the URL, but keep
the link working.
(2) You can also use the online utility TinyURL (http://tinyurl.com/)
where you can create a shorter URL from a long one.
As for your second URL on Native American and Alaska Native
Women — it won't work because a title breaks up the url — "Join
Voices with Native American..." The URL should be:
<http://www.amnestyusa.org/Womens_Human_Rights/Join_Voices_with
_Native_American_and_Alaska_Native_Women/page.do
?id=1021163&n1=3&n2=39&n3=1410>
We had it compressed to http://tinyurl.com/2tkwru
Sending Attachments
We advise against sending attachments because they can
cause problems for the reader:
- Attachments can be associated with viruses and are often
blocked. This may keep the reader from receiving the information.
- Large attachments (of a megabyte or more) can take a long
time to download. The slow delivery may cause readers to opt out of receiving
your messages. In addition some services such as AOL only allow a limited amount
of disk space that may block an attachment.
The best way to address this problem is by loading the file
(pdf, PowerPoint, etc) to your Web site and link to it in your newsletter so
the user can download the file directly from your site.
Keep the quality high
- Make the delivery schedule consistent.
This trains your readers to trust you.
- Keep the quality of the content high. If the information you provide is well writen and compelling, it will stir interest in the newsletter and your program.
- Link to the Web site. This gives your
reader the opportunity to find out more.
- Don't use attachements. Link to documents
on your Web site instead.
Promote your e-newsletter
- Sign people up for your e-newsletter at conferences or other meetings
- Include the URL of your e-newsletter subscribe page in publications, brochures, etc.
- On your Web site
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