Double-Sided Newsletter

Important Note:
Please be sure to save the template to your hard drive; then open the file from within Word before making your own changes.

The best newsletters contain real news: well researched, verifiable reports of recent events or previously unknown information. No matter what type of organization you are marketing, a well designed, newsworthy letter focused on a specific topic is a compelling way to attract and keep an audience.

The example shows how a financial planner might use the template to present news and information to its clients. It includes space for one or two articles on the front (a total of roughly 450 words) and as many as four articles on the back (roughly 175 words each). Both front and back include space for "sidebar" articles (the solid green areas) used to either support the main articles or to add other, standout, points of interest.

Above the title on the front is space for a subtitle. It should clearly state the benefit of letter to the reader. For example, the subtitle "Up-to-the-minute money-making moves in Austin's over-the-counter market," states with a minimum of words, the when, why, where, and what of the letter.

To the left of the title is space for the name of your organization and the date of publication. At the bottom left is a spot for an illustration or to repeat the name of your organization and provide a street and web address, phone numbers, and other contact information.

When it comes to content, take this to heart: few of us appreciate "busy-reading" anymore than we do "busywork." Fill your newsletter with articles that intersect your organization's mission and your client's interests. With two short pages to fill, be sure to include only the best, most interesting material.

To do it you'll need to begin compiling information as far in advance as possible. Stuck for high quality content? Ask yourself and your colleagues these questions:

1. What type of information does your organization sell? Is it possible to provide enough information on a particular topic to be of value without giving away the farm?

2. Are there product rumors that you can confirm and report on?

3. Is there an interesting figure in your field you can interview or a supplier you can profile?

4. Do you have an expert who can provide how-to information?

5. Can you supply a calendar of upcoming industry events?

Still stuck? Get permission to reprint an article from a trade association or a series of excerpts from a new book.

The Details This design does not require that you fill all the columns with text. If you only have 125 words for a space that holds 175 words, leave the extra space blank or add a photograph or clip art illustration.

When it comes to content, take this to heart: few of us appreciate "busy-reading" anymore than we do "busywork." Fill your newsletter with articles that intersect your organization's mission and your client's interests. With two short pages to fill, be sure to include only the best, most interesting material.

To do it you'll need to begin compiling information as far in advance as possible. Stuck for high quality content? Ask yourself and your colleagues these questions:

1. What type of information does your organization sell? Is it possible to provide enough information on a particular topic to be of value without giving away the farm?

2. Are there product rumors that you can confirm and report on?

3. Is there an interesting figure in your field you can interview or a supplier you can profile?

4. Do you have an expert who can provide how-to information?

5. Can you supply a calendar of upcoming industry events?

Still stuck? Get permission to reprint an article from a trade association or a series of excerpts from a new book.

The Details This design does not require that you fill all the columns with text. If you only have 125 words for a space that holds 175 words, leave the extra space blank or add a photograph or clip art illustration.

Fold the finished piece in thirds (below) so the headline faces the outside and mail it in a #10 commercial envelope.

You might even include a personalized cover letter that makes a specific product or service offer. You can print this color template on your monochrome printer from OKI Printing Solutions, too - the colors are automatically converted to black, white, and shades of gray.

All templates are compatible with the C5000 Series, C7000 Series and C9000 Series digital color printers from OKI^® Printing Solutions.

Template design by: Chuck Green, Logic Arts (804-266-7996, www.ideabook.com);
Headline font: Impact, Adobe Systems (800-68-ADOBE, www.adobe.com);
Photograph of woman: from Corporate Motion, Volume 1, Rubberball Productions(1-888-224-DISC, www.rubberball.com);
Money pile illustration: from Task Force Clip Art (NVTech, 800-387-0732, www.nvtech.com)