Effective Lay-outing for NewslettersIf you’re thinking that plotting a plan for something as simple as a newsletter is very elementary then you’re dead wrong. It takes more than just your basic ABC’s to create a truly effective newsletter that can stir a response from your target readers.
The making of an effective newsletter takes careful planning. Writing, designing and printing a piece would take time and effort since these can’t be done in an instant. But your effort may all be put to waste if you do not have an appealing layout. Mind you, some readers are very particular with layout presentation in order to get them interested in browsing on.
Newsletters may be judged by content design and layout. No matter how good your content may be, if your layout is not appealing enough for reader, they might not look on another moment. Everyone is not born with talent of creative, high quality layouts that are pleasing to eye. But there are several important and basic things to know in order to improve your newsletter layout.
Keep it simple but eye-catching. Use basic but noticeable graphics. PC Software and hardware may be utilized to achieve a desired effect that will not border into hopeless complicated graphics. You can create and derive graphics from a variety of programs like Illustrator, Photoshop and others. You can get some stock illustrations from Dynamic Graphics and subscribe to two monthly services: Electronic Clipper and Designer’s Club. Regarding stock photos you can get very good ones from Photodisc and Digital Stock. For better assistance in your newsletter layouts, Pagemaker may be used, while for small, fancy design projects, use QuarkXpress.
Have visually appealing texts. Whenever possible, break articles up by using subheads or by separating self-contained portions of articles into sidebars. But do not succumb to temptation nowadays of screening back clipart behind text. You may fancy that users would get interested by this complex artistic display. But, this style would make for uncomfortable reading. And don’t think this adds to visual value of your newsletter…More often than not, it adds to readers’ disgust.