Instructions for working with our Microsoft Word Newsletters:
- Working With Newsletters 1A and 1B
- Working With Newsletters 2A and 3A
About Newsletters:
- Using the MS Word Newsletters
- Using the Adobe PDF Newsletters
- Newsletter Publishing Options
- Newsletter Tips and Do's and Don'ts
What are the features/benefits of using the MS Word Newsletter?
- You can save your work to your computer even if you don't have Adobe Acrobat Pro. (Assuming you have Microsoft Word or similar program.)
- You can edit or add your own articles, clip art, and pictures.
- You can change font sizes and styles.
- If you are using any of the designs except Tabloid-2A and Tabloid-3A, you can type right in the table columns on the page.
- If you are using design Tabloid-2A or Tabloid-3A, the articles are in text boxes, which are arranged in columns. If you want to change an article, first delete our text. As you type in your new article, the text will automatically flow over into the next text box in the next column. Also with these designs, you can easily move and rearrange articles.
What are the limitations of the MS Word Newsletters?
- Because there are many different Microsoft Word editions, we cannot guarantee how the file will look when you open it. If you want to see how it was designed, open one of the completed Adobe newsletters.
What are the features/benefits of the Complete Adobe Newsletter?
- It is a complete 4-page, professional-looking newsletter, some designs with a mailing label on the last page. All the articles are done for you.
- Use as-is when you are in a rush. Just change the "letterhead" and the information line under the letterhead on the front page and the mailing information on the last page (if there is a mailer) and you are ready to print.
- Make it your own (by replacing selected text/sections) without disturbing the professional look of the newsletter.
- Customize one or more of the pages by replacing one selected article on the right-hand column of each page. Simply delete our text and type in your own text. You cannot change the other articles.
- Insert your monthly calendar by replacing the center pages.
- Print a one or two-page newsletter using selected pages.
How do I use the Completed Adobe Newsletters?
- Select one of the Adobe formats above (Tabloid-1A, Tabloid-1B, Letter-1A, or Letter-1B) and save it to your computer. When you are ready to do your newsletter ...
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On the front page:
- Replace the "Letterhead" with one of your own - "West Pine News," "Forum Focus," "Marysville Times," etc.
- Type the information about your community/company in the line below the header - address, phone number, etc.
- If the format has a mailer on the back page (Tabloid-1A , Tabloid-2A, and Letter-1A), replace our sample text with your return and mailing addresses. If you have bulk mail information, add it to the postage box.
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Optional - add your own articles:
- Click on the front page article and replace it with one of your own. Also, you can replace one of the articles on the right-hand column of each page. Replace our title and text with an article that meets your particular needs.
Note: To accommodate a variety of articles, not all the editable sections are the same size. The front-page text box is the largest.
- Replace just one article or the articles on all 4 pages.
- Print copies from your computer.
Tip: If your pages seem to shrink when you print them, make sure that the "shrink to fit" box on your print options is not checked.
What are the limitations of the Adobe format?
- Important! If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Pro on your computer, be prepared to print your newsletter before you close the file. Your computer WILL NOT SAVE your changes, and it will open again as the original newsletter.
- You cannot change the font style or make fonts bold or italic. We suggest you use ALL CAPITALS if you want to emphasize text.
- The font will automatically decrease to fit the box, which might make it too small. To avoid this, adjust your article or move the article to another editable box. Not all of the editable boxes are the same size.
- You cannot add clip art or images to the Adobe newsletters.
You can use the newsletters on this page to publish a:
- Four-page newsletter with a mailing label on the last page.
- Four-page newsletter without a mailer on the last page.
- Four-page newsletter/calendar combination with mailing label. Print pages 1 and 4 of the newsletter and replace pages 2 and 3 with your monthly calendar of events. (Calendars will help you build your calendar.)
- Four-page newsletter/calendar combination without the mailing label. (Select formats Tabloid-1B, Tabloid-3A, or Letter-1B).
- Two-page newsletter. Print page 1 of one of the letter style newsletters on the front and one of the other pages on the back of an 8.5" X 11" sheet of paper.
- One-page, 8.5" X 11" newsletter. Print page 1 of one of the letter style newsletters and add your monthly calendar on the back or leave blank.
Design Tips and Do's & Don'ts:
- Decide on a design and keep the same appearance and layout from issue to issue.
- Feature the name of your newsletter (letterhead) in large print across the top of the first page.
- Don't forget to include the name and address of your community in smaller font on the front page.
- For the most professional looking newsletter, use black ink on white, off-white, or cream colored paper. You can add color with graphics and pictures.
- Stick to just two or three font styles throughout the newsletter.
- Don't clutter your newsletter with too many graphics or clip art.
- Use clip art and graphics that are age appropriate.
- Put the most important features on the front page.
- Make the articles easy to read. Be clear in your writing. Don't try to write "fancy" - just stick to the basics.
- Keep your articles short or break them up with subheadings. Nobody likes to read a wall of words.
- If your newsletter is going to be distributed outside of your building, do not include articles that may not be of interest to the community at large - such as departmental communications (change in laundry schedule, reminders to sign-up for transportation, etc.).
Kinds of Articles
Include interesting, informative, human-interest articles, such as:
