Every now and then a subscriber will ask how I create my newsletter. Fortunately, this request is done in conjunction with a complement I humbly accept. So, I decided to dedicate an entire issue to creation of an HTML (web page looking) ezine. This won’t serve as only technical guide you will ever need to read to create stunning HTML newsletters but, I hope it will serve as a mid-level introduction to ins and outs of this powerful tool.

It is my hope that past issues extolling virtues of an online newsletter or ezine as one of crucial marketing tools has already convinced you to pursue this vehicle – today’s lesson, then, will show you how to get most from your ezine.

What is an HTML Newsletter?

An HTML Newsletter is a newsletter delivered via email that looks very much like a web page. The reason for this is very simple – it’s created using same code language, HTML, as a web page.

The obvious advantage of this format over text is a stylish presentation. Of course, you know I’m not one to get too hung up on style alone. This presentation has proven over and over again to deliver much greater results in terms of readership, comprehension, interest and, ultimately, sales and clients.

How Do Your Create Them?

There really are two components to an HTML email newsletter. One is designed page and other is distribution of page as email. You can create pages yourself and use a distribution service (that is what I do) or you can use one of many all-in-one email newsletter services that use templates and distribute your email for you.

The pros of doing it yourself are that you get most custom look possible and it is generally much less expensive. The benefit of using a service is that you don’t need to know how to create an HTML page. You simply fill in templates. For this reason services are more expensive.

Creating an HTML newsletter is not really that difficult. (Obviously you’ve got to have something to say but for this lesson I’m concentrating on form alone.) If you already know how to create a web page and can use web page creation programs such as Microsoft FrontPage or Dreamweaver or HomeSite you are 90% home.

To create an HTML newsletter you simply create a web page and then upload code from that page to your distribution service.

Some crucial tips:

As webmasters, we are always looking to boost link popularity and get extra traffic to our websites. Here is an "outside box" method that will accomplish both of those goals at same time.

Most of you have seen those little award graphics on web sites. I know that I have seen a few of them. They are given to web site by another web site or award association to reward web site for a specific reason. They usually link right to site that has given award.

These award sites are drawing tons of traffic to their own web site. The reason is because all web sites who get awards are linking right back to them by posting award on their web site.