How To Use Your Electronic Newsletter To Connect With Your SIG Keightley Amen Copy Editor Oncology Nursing Society

Thank You! Presenters usually save this for the end, but … Volunteers like you are the core of everything ONS does, so I’ll start by thanking you for your time and commitment.

Our Goals Today The switch from print to online publishing Avoid common pitfalls of online publishing. Keep the NEWS in newsletter. Connect with SIG members and get them to submit articles. Resources on the SIGs Virtual Community Questions and answers

From Print to Online Publishing Who? When? Why? How?

Avoid Common Pitfalls of Online Publishing The more things change, the more they stay the same. –Good writing is still good writing. –Accuracy is always vital. –Know your audience. –Understand why nurses read your newsletter. Just ask them.

Avoid Common Pitfalls of Online Publishing The 4,000-word limit People read online text differently. –More slowly –Scanning

Avoid Common Pitfalls of Online Publishing Always use –Shorter, more concise articles. –Shorter, more concise paragraphs. –Shorter, more concise sentences. –(You get the idea.)

Avoid Common Pitfalls of Online Publishing Use visual points of entry. –Subheads –Bulleted lists –Figures and tables –Bolded key phrases

Avoid Common Pitfalls of Online Publishing You can still run in-depth articles! Use links when possible. –Links keep your newsletter shorter and more manageable plus avoid sticky permission issues. Break long articles into parts. –Adopt this old trick from print publications and keep readers hungry for more.

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter Aim to make your SIG newsletter one of the first places nurses go to get news and information on your special topic. This will take time and effort, but it is a worthwhile goal.

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter You are surrounded by article ideas here and at home. Any time you see something NEW, that’s NEWS.

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter A new drug –Perform a literature search and write a summary of what you’ve found. A new device or tool –Try it in your practice and write about your experiences. A new trial –Write a short summary of the trial’s goals. A new journal article, book, CD-ROM, etc. –Write a review or summary.

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter –Feature new members of your SIG. –Highlight innovative programs at workplaces. –Write about other organizations related to your SIG. Publish tools they provide. Review their Web sites. Highlight their guidelines.

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter Complementary Care Corner Self-Care Corner Do-It-Yourself: How to search the literature, establish evidence-based practice, meditate, hold a journal club, etc. ______ Awareness Month: –

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter Conferences –Announce upcoming events of interest. –Review one or more sessions relevant to your audience. Start right now with this list of Congress sessions.

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter ONS values and how they relate to your SIG (a six-part series) Your experience using one of the ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice cards Grass-roots efforts by nurses in your field

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter Google it! Type your special interest into Google and see what comes up. Sign up for alerts –FDA: webforms/subscribe_ news.cfm –National Cancer Institute: alerts/ –American Cancer Society: NWS_0.asp –Alerts from other similar associations (e.g., APHON) Search clinical trials: The SIGnal, ONS Connect, and other ONS publications

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter One of your best resources is each other! Reprints –Where to find each other: SigListing.asp –The rules

Keep the NEWS in Newsletter Avoid writing with clichés, including articles that rely on seasonal or holiday themes. Put your best foot forward: Run your best article first. Don’t begin with the editor’s message just because you always have. It’s important to thank people and to review SIG business, but don’t make that the bulk of your content.

Connect With SIG Members Think about why you volunteer, then tell others what you gain from it. –Networking –Professional development –Building your resume –Extra oomph in your annual evaluation –Points toward certification renewal

Connect With SIG Members Don’t just ask for help. Instead, list a few specific story ideas in every issue and ask for volunteers. Tell people how many words you need (remember, short and concise) and how long it likely will take to write an article. They may be surprised at how easy it can be.

Connect With SIG Members Appoint “associate editors” to be responsible for one article per issue, perhaps a regular feature (e.g., Self-Care Corner, Member Spotlight). What do you do to motivate writers?

Resources SIGs Virtual Community: –Step-by-Step Guide for Publishing a SIG Newsletter –Oncology Publishing Division Style Guide –Tips for Formatting References –Best Article Award nomination form –SIG Leadership Benefits Your copy editor

Questions and Answers

Thanks Again! Keightley Amen