Creating Newsletters

a part of the CA 4-H Computer Corps Workshop Series

Originally created by Ronne Senick and Kevin Wentzel, 2002
Revised by Steven, 2006

Goals

• Learn about the major differences between a hardcopy and online newsletter
• Learn about content ideas, distribution methods, and software to use in creating a newsletter
• Create a demonstration newsletter

Description

Need to get out information to your club members?  Learn how to create either a hardcopy or online newsletter!   Acquire computer know how and journalistic style, in learning how to get the news out and making it snazzy with clipart! You will learn how to create a newsletter and leave the workshop with a prototype!

Lesson Plan

• Overview Agenda
• Introductions
• Value of a Newsletter
  • Written vs. phone communication
  • News to all members and leaders
  • Archive of news and events
  • Remind members of meetings
  • Members can write articles
  • Information gets out accurately
  • Want ads
• Newsletter Overview
• Good newsletters, both online and hard copy, explain themselves clearly and are focused, well-written information sources.
• Online vs. Hardcopy
  • Online
    • Read on the computer = requires more attention to design for uniformity
    • Available formats: HTML, PDF, e-mail and blog
  • Hardcopy
    • Read in-person = generates waste and costly to produce.
    • Available formats: 20lb paper and newsprint
• Hardcopy Newsletter Basics
  • Banner - name of the newsletter
  • Body - bulk of the text and graphics
  • Header - on each page
  • Headlines and Titles
  • Page numbers
  • Photographs and graphics
  • Mailing panel - for mailed newsletters
• Online Newsletter Basics
  • Keep writing simple and to-the-point
  • Use links extensively
  • Use short human-generated summaries and tables of contents
  • Use bulleted lists
  • Keep design simple and easy to read
• 4-H Newsletter Content Ideas
  • Meeting times
  • Project reports- find out what projects are doing
  • Special sections for different interest groups (leaders, Hi-4H)
  • County information
  • Club business
  • Calendar of events
  • "Good Stuff" members have done
  • Community events
  • Fun stuff like crossword puzzles and want ads
  • PDR codes to help members keep track
  • Trivia question contest: ask about it at next meeting for prize
• Who Produces a Newsletter?
  • Leader
  • Committee
  • Project team
  • Individual members
• Distribution
  • Hardcopy
    • Print envelopes or labels
    • Use your club database
    • Word processor mail merge
    • Give it out at meetings
  • Online
    • Email
    • Webpage
• Hardware and Software
  • Hardware
    • Any computer (PC or Macintosh)
    • Hardcopy: Printer
  • Software
    • Word Processor
    • Graphics software
    • Hardcopy: Desktop publishing software
    • Microsoft Publisher, Adobe InDesign
    • Online: Notepad or HTML editor
• Group Activity
  • Design a newsletter!
• Share Newsletters
  • Provide feedback on newsletters.
• Wrap-Up
• Evaluate the workshop

Materials

Requirements

• Projector, screen, laptop, Microsoft Word or other word processor
• One of the following available: Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word
  

Resources on the Web

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