This PDF is an excerpt from my basic book on church communications. It consists of both overview materials and then a collection of sample newsletter layouts.
In this PDF, the instruction section reminds us, newsletters are made up of primarily two parts:
1. News 2. Letter
News: no lengthy, fluffy writing, all the facts, dates, times, locations. People read church newsletters to find out information, not for recreational reading.
Letter: letters are personal, be yourself, let the personality of your church or ministry come through.
The most important thing about newsletters, whether you ultimately mail them out, post them as a PDF on your website or use an online newsletter to create them, is the CONTENT in the newsletter. People do not read church newsletters to check out the great graphic design skills of the church—they read them to find out connecting facts and inspirational updates:
- when and where the youth group is meeting
- if the church event has a cost and/or childcare
- how to become part of a small group
- they read the pastor's column to learn more about him or her as a person
- they scan the updates that head of the ministry in which they serve to see has to share this month that affects them
Bottom line: if your newsletter provides relevant, timely, useful content for the people of your church it is effective and successful.
Please share your thoughts, comments, questions!