2. What We’ll Cover  Developing your newsletter  Components of a newsletter  Design tips  Tips for success

3. To Create or Not?  Determine if you should publish a newsletter o Interest? o Impact? If so, it is worth your time to create one

4. Development  Who is your audience? o Will determine what type of articles you produce o What articles will readers find useful?  How often to publish? o Monthly, every other month, quarterly o Don’t fill with fluff

5. Things to Remember  Audience o Older groups may need a larger font o Youth want something “fun”  Reading Level o 8 th grade reading level  Length o Keep articles and newsletter short and sweet o Most important information first

6. Things to Remember  OSU/OCES Requirements o Discrimination clause o Print cost

7. Components: Nameplate Nameplate Includes: o Newsletter Name o Graphic or Logo o Volume and Issue o Motto

8. Components: Masthead Masthead Also found in newspapers and magazines Includes: o Editors’ names o Contact information

9. Components: Table of Contents Table of Contents Includes: o Usually on the first page o Lists articles and their page numbers

10. Components Headline Title of each article Copy Main body text of the newsletter Subheads Divide the article into smaller sections.

11. Components Byline Name of the author Page Numbers

12. A Few Design Thoughts  Use 2 or 3 Column o Improves readability o Use shorter paragraphs  White Space is Good o Space not filled by copy or photos

13. A Few Design Thoughts  Photos o Take pictures to accompany your articles. o If you can’t use clip art or an online gallery photo  Fonts o Use a serif font o Sans serif fonts for online-only newsletters or websites

14. Tips for Success  Consistency and timing are essential o Stick to a consistent date  Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! o You and another person should read it

15. Tips for Success  Be Timely o Up-to-date your articles are best  Incorporate Social Media and Websites o Link back to your website and Facebook and twitter accounts A direct link to the OCES Staff Development Facebook page

16. This module was put together by Krista Anderson - March 2013 Contact her for more assistance at akrista@okstate.edu or 405-744-7760akrista@okstate.edu Sources: Imtips.co, www.k12.hi.us, Shelly Sitton via Layout and Design course,www.k12.hi.us and Gayle Hiner, Ag Communications Services