Re: newsletter

Shelley Watson wrote:

> Olav wrote:

[snip]

> > Is it *your* time and money that you're trying to
> > save, or the time and money
> > of those who will be receiving your newsletter? This
> > is not trying to push you
> > either way, but I honestly believe you should ask
> > yourself this question and
> > *then* make a choice that's workable.
>
> Definately "our" time - that's a big issue - we are all
> volunteers who hold down many other responsibilities.  As far as
> money is concerned, as with many non-profit ogranizations, we are
> extremely limited with regard to funds and at this time our
> financial resources rely strictly on membership fees.

I may initially have missed, or misunderstood, reference to the non-profit
nature of your organization.

If you were a commercial organization, would you not agree that my concern
would have been more valid with regard to your wish to simply save time and
money. Like if you were trying to make to make me pay for watching
commercials, or something like that (which is of course an al too common
practice).

Now, let me try to donate my two cents worth on the issues you are still
"struggling" with:

[snip]

> - how can we get our newsletter out using email/website and
> regular mail without adding (significantly) to the work load and
> time.

There will always be *some* work that will have to be done to adapt your
newsletters to those media. The best way to keep costs low, I think, I may
be repeating myself again ;), would be to KISS.

Keep It Stupid Simple.

This begins with very basic design. For example, the websites I like best
always have very simple, straighforward layout and minimalistic use of
graphics. Those pages look good even when printed. They depend more on
content then on design, but are nonetheless very pleasant to look at (it can
be done).

For email, personally I would *always* use just plain text. With so many
mail programs around for every platform you can think off, it would be a
logical choice. You can always in your mail provide links to a "better"
version of the newsletter on a website and/or a PDF for download.

For print, just use Word or any other low cost tool that you or your
colleagues already have. Again, keep it simple and try to seperate content
from layout.

> - can we accommodate everyone in the newsletter receipt of their
> choice.

I think I have answered that, more or less.

> The first two are yes - we are working on the last two.
>
> > Oh and I really wish you will find a
> > solution. Perhaps all your
> > members already have The Reader. I never said no
> > thing, then. ;)
>
> Laugh - ok Olav and thanks for your input.  I'm optimistic that
> we will find a solution that will meet ours and our members
> objectives.  I'm going to take a shot at doing up a template for
> the newsletter to post on our website (had to make sure that
> posting the newsletter was not a problem given "anyone" reading
> it as opposed to just members).  Hopefully I can then cut and
> paste text and format it so that it can be printed off by those
> who choose to do so.  We'll probably upload a pdf also.

Try to automate as much as possible. Design clever templates for HTML, mail
and Word documents (and use the latter to produce PDF or printed
newsletters - it really is the same in every way). Would be a good idea
indeed to let people download the PDF themselves and not distribute by mail
(pull instead of push: saves bandwidth, and let users choose themselves if
they need it, want it, or can do with just plain text).

>  We'll
> see, I have some real concerns about too much more of my time
> going to volunteer work as opposed to earning an income

Provide the tools, I mean the templates and such, and then educate the other
volunteers (perhaps there are some with more time on their hands?) to
copy&paste content into your well designed templates. The continuity of such
a newsletter should not be dependent of one technically skilled person.

> - I have
> two to put through university and that's giving me the shudders
> :)

Well, well, busy you. ;)
I can relate to your concerns, it's not so much different in my own
situation. But I have learned that if you KISS often enough, you get a lot
of work done and even have time to "waste" with family and friends.

>
> Thanks again
>
> Shelley

Hope I helped at all,

Olav Lavell
<mailto:olavell(at)xs4all.nl>

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