Continued from page 1
When you choose one thing to really focus on about yourself--one characteristic, one hobby, one passion--your readers will start to associate that with you. So, now, when they see your name in their inbox they'll think, "That's
guy who tells such great stories about camping."
...................................... Supporting your label ...................................... Once you've chosen your label, you'll need to support it in every issue. Even slight inconsistencies will bother your readers and reduce their trust in you. So, if you're positioning yourself to be an expert on keeping your grocery bill low, revealing that your family eats out six days a week probably doesn't belong in your newsletter.
Start by making a list. At
top of
page, write your label--whether it's "outdoor enthusiast" or "intelligent." Then list all
words that, for you, back this up. You can list activities that fit in with your label, phrases that define your label, or other people who fit your label.
For instance, for Newsletters in Focus (http://www.designdoodles.com/free_newsletter.htm), I've chosen
label, "bright." For me this means I work to project intelligence and enthusiasm. That means I focus on areas where I have
most experience within newsletter production--the activities I enjoy
most, like subscriber interaction and overall perception.
...................................... All successful newsletters have one ...................................... Take a look for yourself--review some of your favorite newsletters and see if you can't categorize each. Chances are,
newsletters you like
most of all are ones that consistently live up to your expectations for them. And in
end, that's what your label's all about.
Just as I know when I take Izzy to puppy class that he's going to be
class clown, your readers need to know what's going to happen when they read your newsletter.

Want more tips on making your newsletter personable? Subscribe to Newsletters in Focus for free tips every two weeks on creating wonderful newsletters. Visit http://www.designdoodles.com/free_newsletter.htm to sign up and receive your free copy of "Do You Make These Six Mistakes in Your Company Newsletter?"