by Scott F. Geld
http://www.MarketingBlaster.com

How do you decide what to put in your newsletter?

First and foremost, your target audience should be the determining factor. Next, the content of your newsletter should be newsworthy and appropriate in terms of timing. If there's a hot new product just out, or a medical breakthrough that may affect your audience, include these types of stories. Try and make your content informational, rather than a 'hard sell' of your wares. Remember you are distributing a newsletter not an advertisement.

Where do you get the material for your newsletter?

If you write the newsletter yourself keep abreast of news within your industry. This should provide lots of editorial possibilities.

Do some research about the products or services you sell. Readers love 'how to' pieces.

You can interview industry experts, customers and other knowledgeable people and then report useful information to your audience.

Encourage submissions from other writers.

When you start publishing a newsletter, submit it to Ezine directories. Many of these directories ask you if you accept newsletter content. If you answer yes, other writers can submit their articles and you can use them in your newsletter. Some sites you can submit your newsletter to are Ezine-Universe.com, BestEzines.com, EzineMarketing.com.

Read other newsletters and Ezines that target the same or similar markets. When you spot an article that you'd like to use, contact the newsletter editor and request permission to reprint the piece. Most editors appreciate knowing that others are reading their publications. It's considered good etiquette to provide the writer/editor with a copy of the newsletter their article appears in. Ask to be added to their mailing list. You may find other appropriate articles in future issues.

Some Web sites offer articles as newsletter content. Check out Marketing-Seek.com, EzineArticles.com, WebSource's Article Announce and AuthorConnection.com.

Other content ideas to include in a newsletter are:

Testimonials
Profiles of your clients or contacts,
Book Reviews
A calendar of Industry events
Helpful links to other Web sites
Educational resources such as training course

You will find that some ideas for your newsletter will arrive in your inbox. Create a folder in your email program for newsletter content. Then when you are ready to put a newsletter together, you can check your folder for material.

As you surf the net, add to your Favourites list anything that might be suitable for future newsletter content.

It's OK to do some obvious advertising in your newsletter, but remember you don't want to turn your readers off...so don't overdo it.

For a newsletter to be effective, it must be sent regularly to your readers. It is a form of promotion after all, and must be repeated to be remembered.

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Scott F. Geld is the Director of Marketing for MarketingBlaster.com, a company providing targeted traffic and direct links starting at just $5. For more info: http://www.MarketingBlaster.com
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