Chris Olson of Chris Olson & Associates informed me about her online newsletter called, "Marketing Treasures." The current issue includes tips on writing newsletters, working with an embroidery company and a lot of other very helpful tips and advice. (This resource is now listed under "Resource Links"). Thanks, Chris! On a related note, a 2000 Marketing Library Services article discusses promoting library services through e-mail alerts.
These articles got me thinking about newsletters and a quick Internet search reveals that a lot of you out there are writing them! A couple of randomly-chosen library newsletters I found come from Haverford College and Duke University's Medical Center Library.
Would anyone like to share their library's newsletter and/or tips for those of us considering creating one?
Monday, April 25, 2005
Found a treasure!
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Libraries are more than just collections of books and other materials. Libraries are dynamic forces in their communities with the power to improve lives. Modern marketing demands that librarians look beyond their traditional roles ("outside the book") to find new ways to connect with people and further their success.
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Lansing Public Library, Lansing, Illinois has a newsletter called Limited Edition
Here's the link to the newsletter: http://www.lansing.lib.il.us/limited_edition.htm
Tips: Be Prepared. Make sure staff on the front lines can answer the onslaught of questions that will come up just after patrons receive the newsletter. Give staff all the details they'll need! When our last issue went out announcing computer classes, the phone rang constantly! We've also seen an increase (for a few days) in new card applications following each issue.
Design tip: watch your line breaks, and use of hyphens. Check out books by Robin Williams (this one is a woman, not Mork!) She writes some great books on typography & design for non-designers. Some of the basic design concepts can be the difference between a professional looking newsletter, and one that is too busy.
Have several people proofread the newsletter before it goes to print!
Be friendly with your printer! Convert your pictures to CMYK, if you're using publishing software that links your pictures (as opposed to inserting as MS Publisher does) make sure you include all of them on the disk with the newsletter document. Include any unsual fonts. Work with the printer on tints ("screens" to the printer), margins, etc. If they know you're making the effort, they often won't charge you for minor adjustments. Get a printer's proof before they run your job!
Limited Edition looks great and your tips are very helpful. Thanks for the contribution!
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