In the old days, a template was a piece of wood or metal cut into a particular shape. A cookie-cutter is a template, for example. These days, in printing and publishing, we use the word template to mean a defined format. You may have a template for your Word documents, with margins, font, line-spacing, headers, and graphics all determined in advance. Here are three good reasons for using a template to create your newsletter:

Reason #1: In creating your newsletter, you\’ll reduce stress and time by setting up a template, no matter what software you are using. If your newsletter is a simple one-page Word document you can, for example, choose your font style and size, your line spacing and margins, and save them as a file called \”newsletter template.\” Each time you get ready to produce an issue, open up your template document, fill it with your news, and print and send (or e-mail). If you prefer to send PDF files, just convert your newsletter Word document to PDF format.

An e-mail newsletter-that is, a newsletter sent as the body of an email-always needs a template. Most organizations and businesses now use e-mail newsletters. Unless you are sending only the bare bones, it\’s a mistake to use a regular email to send out your news, because even the minimum amount of graphics, font choices, photos, can get seriously garbled in the sending. Choose a good e-mail service provider, such as Constant Contact, and begin by selecting a template that suits your style.

Reason #2: A template allows for consistency, and consistency lets your readers know that you are organized, focused, and reliable. If you insist on coming up with a different style for every issue, you will bewilder your readers. \”Who is this person, or group?\” they will ask. \”Why are they all over the map with their design? Maybe they aren\’t quite sure what they are doing, or where they are headed. Maybe I can\’t rely on them.\” People can be irritated by unexpected changes in publications they look forward to on a regular basis.

And, by the way, if you do decide to change your template, be sure and alert your readers. Tell them why you are making the changes, and let them know an issue or two in advance. In the first issue with the new template, include a note that says something like \”To our readers: You\’ll notice some changes to our monthly newsletter, changes that we hope you\’ll like. We\’ve changed the fonts and layout for easier reading and we\’ve inserted live links to help you check out the materials we list. Let us know what you think!\”

Reason #3: With a template you can say more about who you are and what you are like than with just words. Your template can contain colors, fonts, columns and boxes, graphic designs, photographs-you name it! And once you\’ve done all the work of laying out your beautiful design, you\’ll have it saved in a template and ready to use next time.

Copyright (c) 2011 Jane Sherwin. You may reprint this entire article and you must include the copyright info and the following statement: \”Jane Sherwin is a writer who helps hospitals and other healthcare facilities communicate their strengths and connect with their readers.\”

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6257202

Author Bio: Learn more about Jane at http://worddrivecommunications.com/index.htm. Subscribe to Jane\’s free monthly e-newsletter at http://tinyurl.com/2enrdqx for practical tips on communicating effectively with customers, clients, employees and the public. Visit Jane’s blog, “Marketing with Newsletters,” at ht

Category: Marketing
Keywords: tips for using newsletter templates,guidelines for newsletter design