Any suggestions? My spot in Authors Den will help you to put out a newsletter if you are a gold member. Since I am, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity. any words of advice for me?

Sherri

Advice for writing it? Or advice for content? Subscribers?

I would say first of all

1. What purpose is your newsletter going to serve, as far as your readers are concerned?

2. Have a theme

3. Brand yourself with the title of the newsletter so that whenever someone sees it, they relate it to YOU and your work.

4. DO NOT SEND THIS NEWSLETTER TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT IT. People who arbitrarially go and scoop up email addresses are sealing their fate. Even if some big name writer's tell you to steal email addresses and go for it, IT IS NOT acceptable and the best way I know of to get yourself branded as someone who cannot be trusted.

5. And because of #4, have an easy way for people to subscribe AND unsubscribe.

6. Nothing worse than having a newsletter that is sent MORE times than it is advertised. If you say it is weekly, then make it weekly and don't send other emails inbetween. If monthly, then send it monthly.

7. Give the reader MORE in USE value, than you would offer them in cash value. In other words, give them something in each issue. Maybe it's a link to an article you feel they would be interested in reading, a free e-book, or a quotations.

8. Make it short. Nobody has time to read pages and pages of a newsletter. And they won't. They may tell you they do, but you have to ask yourself, do you?

This sounds like a list of things NOT to do and I guess it is...but hope it helps a bit.

JJ

JJ, thanks so much for the tips, I am printing them out so I will have a guideline. I'm not a humorist, but I do believe I have valuable insight on some parts of the writing career. I'm thinking of having a contest, an article or two about writing. A chance for others to contribute and a section on questions for the editor. I'm not jumping in on this just yet, if I do it, it will be monthly. I do love yours, but mine would be totally different as I don't have your delightful sense of humor!

Thanks again,
Sherri

I would advertise my Editing and Ghost Writing Services in it if you do start one Sherri so let me know when you're ready....

Great Chatty! I'm waiting on Author's Den to help with my web page, they sent me some suggestions, and I sent back a picture they will put on my bio page. It seems they are more than happy to help members, especially Gold members! I'm seriously considering it, having a contest, advertising for people, and of course providing links to all my favorite sites!

Thanks for the encouragement. If I make one up, may I send it to you and JJ for a look see? I've never thought of doing this before, but just finished reading Carolyn Howard Johnson's book on Frugal Book Promoting, and believe it or not, I don't have one freelance job in the works! I have written a story about my little dog and submitted it to a contest, and I'm working on my Amazon site, and Author's Den.

Dotsie, that may be an idea for you, a place for each of us to place a web-page? I don't know what it involves, but I think that would be fun and I'm willing to pay for a web page attached to Boomer Women!

Thanks all,

Sherri

Sure thing Sherri send whatever whenever....

As usual, our Queen has excellent suggestions. If you can, come up with a catchy name, so when the email shows up, it's easily identifiable.

Be sure to put your lovely picture at the top to personalize it - if that's your intention.

I hope it takes off for you. I had a newsletter, and some readership and my laptop crashed. I lost my list of subscribers, and haven't tried to rebuild. Keep us updated on your progress, how we can subcribe, etc. I might try it again!

Donna

Thanks for the encouragement Donna. Since you have such a wonderful website, you should have a newsletter! I'm thinking I should have an outline and go with that format and make it a monthly things. I would like to have a scripture of the month, a quote of the month, spotlight a fellow reader, tell what is going on in my life, etc. Provide links for other web-sites. It's beginning to come together in my head. I will sleep on it tonight and work on the outline tomorrow.

Thanks again, I will let you know how things go!

Sherri

Sherri, be certain you have a big box on your site for women to sign up. It's the best way to capture email addresses.

thanks for the tip Dotsie, I worked on a sample today, but wasn't sure I really liked the format. I'm not busy with freelance work right now, so I have a little time for my own promoting.

Thanks for the help.

Sherri