Are you going to publish a newsletter

Are you going to publish a newsletter?: 

Are you going to publish a newsletter? We would like to offer a few insights, inspirations, and intuitions.

What are you going to use?: 

What are you going to use? Which program? What type of format? Color or black and white? Website? Pictures? Recipes? Hints? Calendars?

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What is available? What is the cost? Where is the newsletter going? Professional Printers On Line: Website/Email Snail Mail Personal Printer

A FEW Programs Available: 

A FEW Programs Available

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PROS Easy to edit Easy to format Easy to add pictures Many programs linked to aid in ease of use CONS Not everyone has this program More expensive Can’t send to printer unless exported as special file Command related program, don’t know the commands, cannot use as easily

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ONLY one negative to say, not everyone has this program Has exporting capabilities to go on line (Adobe Acrobat *.pdf files) Can separate colors for printing Has over 20 newsletter templates Complicated, but once learned, far excels Microsoft Word

Word For WindowsMicrosoft Word/Office: 

Word For Windows Microsoft Word/Office PROS Almost everyone has this program Can save via Acrobat for email/web use Easier to use Can change formatting to fit needs Easy to insert photos CONS Cannot export files to web without many steps If printer set up is not correct, can lose page endings or breaks

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VERY Important Decision Usually NOT your decision Cost prohibitive Pictures are much better in color Color Titles more visible

FIRST PAGE: 

FIRST PAGE What is the title of your newsletter? Do you have a logo? Want one? Attention is caught by first page Put most significant articles here Put the date of the issue here Do you want page numbers? The Yellow Ribbon Express Newsletter of the 136th Family Readiness Group September 2003

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LAST PAGE Disclaimer Calendar of Events w/UTA schedule Help Line Numbers POCs Addresses for Mail Merge Specific area for merge Do you have to address? Do you have to staple? Do you maintain mailing list?

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Write in a personal format Know your audience, family not military 14:00 vs. 2:00 PM No rank, except visitors No military “posed” pictures Try “themes”, ie Halloween, Back to School, 4th of July, for entire newsletter

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Family interest articles Tri-care Benefits Scholarships Freebies FRG’s Websites

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Guest Writers? Give by-line DO NOT over edit Explain changes “Church Lady” Give credit to contributors for articles, goodies, planned events

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FRG Bake Sale Called Off For Sept. Sorry Gang! The regularly scheduled FRG Bake Sale has been cancelled for the September UTA. The Homecoming Party preparations will completely fill our volunteers’ Saturday. So, save up your chocolate chip cookie and brownie money for the October UTA. We’ll see you there on the 25th of October with our FULL goody baskets. Ads that look like flyers, are more appealing than a simple article. Home Baked Goodies SALE OR

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Many Available Templates 1, 2, or 3 columns 1 column for basics Not very pretty Blends together Nothing looks important

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2 columns Easier on eyes Easier to work with Can arrange articles in order of importance

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3 columns Harder to use Too confusing to eyes Cannot change formatting as easily

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Fonts: Keep it simple to read Don’t use too many fonts Make sure fonts are available to everyone Stay consistent Check for printing compatibility

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Fonts: (cont.) Use same font & size Justify alignment text Spacing We use Arial 14-18 pts for titles, 10 pts for articles We use Arial because it’s easier to read when so small

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Articles: Pictures evenly spaced Sometimes a box around an article helps emphasize Our pictures are usually 3.25” wide, by necessary height

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Articles: (Cont.) Reoccurring articles Same title, different subtitle Try to keep in same location Try to use same amount of space Recipes Kids’ Articles Help Line Numbers FRGs POC Numbers ALWAYS Include Disclaimer The Yellow Ribbon Express is the official publication of the 136th Airlift Wing Family Readiness Group All submissions should be sent to: 136th FRG, 300 Hensley Ave., Carswell Field NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX 76127-1673 or e-mail to TX136Family@aol.com or Jo.Carter@txcars.ang.af.mil FAMILY HELP LINE: CALL 852-3456 or 852-3558 or or 817-915-0136 or send email to tx136family@aol.com or jo.carter@txcars.ang.af.mil

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Volunteerism: Article Just for Them Thank you to individuals Thank you to groups Create a Want Ad Let others know you need help: Kind of help needed When needed List continuous tasks

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Recipes: You can always use a new recipe If possible, add a picture Follow same format each newsletter Make the recipes “seasonal”, ie Holiday Specific

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Kids: Don’t forget the kids! Include something in every newsletter for kids Make crafts simple Add family websites During holidays, make sure kid stuff is seasonal Add pictures

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Put UTA schedule in calendar of events Add base related events Add holidays Add school holidays UPCOMING EVENTS

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Digital camera is preferred Easier to import pictures (no scanning) Can adjust resolution/size on camera Can delete images on camera Don’t waste time scanning pictures Can email images Can store images on CD for later use

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Pictures in articles should be same size Pictures should be clear enough to be visible in black and white printing Crop images, get rid of clutter in background Adjust contrast to allow for B&W Use lower resolution to keep files small

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(Cont.) Identify children only with first names Get written permission for children’s pictures (Keep forms with camera) Identify award winners with first and last names Put a subtitle below image, even if the picture relates to an article

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DO Publish/distribute 1 week before UTA Become a NAG! A Reporter A busy body Nosey Have someone else read your work Have PA or military POC do final edit DON’T Take ownership (By using I, instead of WE) Target Guard or Family Sweat It!