5 Newsletter Distribution Strategies - Which One is Right for You?
© Tracey Lawton, 2004

A newsletter is a great way to keep in touch with your clients and contacts and keep them up-to-date with your business, and it doesn't have to cost a fortune! Once you have decided on your content and who your audience is, the next crucial step is to decide how you are going to distribute your newsletter.

There are many different formats for distributing your newsletter, both online and offline, and it largely depends on who your audience is and how you communicate with them. Below is an outline of the pros and cons of using some of the more common formats.

Format	Pros	Cons
Plain Text Email	Easy to set up Easy to read Quick download time for your readers	Limited to text only Some ISPs will not let you send out mass emails, even if you have willing subscribers
HTML Email	Can make the layout look more appealing with the use of colours and graphics	Requires some knowledge of HTML to set up Some ISPs will not let you send out mass emails, even if you have willing subscribers File sizes can be quite big and take time to download for your readers Some people choose not to receive HTML emails
PDF	Can be sent either as an email attachment or as a link to your web page Allows for creativity Can contain as many pages as you want	PDF files can be very big and so will take time to download whether sent via email or as a link to a page on your website Some ISPs will not let you send out mass emails, even if you have willing subscribers Will need a pdf printer driver to convert documents into pdf
Online Newsletter Service	Allows for full creativity but without having to have HTML knowledge Subscriber list is managed via the online service Can check on stats to see how many times your newsletter has been opened and which articles have been read	Cost of using the online service
Print	Endless possibilities for design and layout The newsletter can be as big as you wish as there isn't an issue of downloading	Costly to print - even if it's only a black and white version Postage costs Takes time to put together for mailing i.e. addressing envelopes, stuffing envelopes etc.

These are just a few of the options open to you when it comes to newsletter production and distribution. If you would like more information or advice, then just contact me and I'll be happy to help out.

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About the author:  Online Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business.  Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com

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