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Newsletters

Newsletters are used by many industries, businesses, and associations for the purpose of communicating within the organization (organizational communication) and outside the organization (public relations and advertising). This concise communication method enables readers to connect with the organization and its newsletter writers. Newsletters are typically released on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis to readers who are interested in a common topic. As a social network mechanism, newsletters provide opportunities for readers to remain abreast of new ideas, innovative techniques, changes in an organization, and other types of pertinent information. These social networking mechanisms enable members of organizations (industries, businesses, and associations) to maintain a strong level of communication with one another. Whether in print or electronic format, newsletters are an essential social networking tool for organizations.

History of Newsletters

The first newsletters appeared in 1538 and served as the standard medium for news stories. Long before the creation of newspapers, newsletters were used to keep members of the community informed of pertinent news. The first documented newsletter, The Continuation of Our Weekly News was distributed in England in 1631. This newspaper featured news from locals who were living overseas. The first documented newsletter in the United States was the Boston Newsletter, distributed in 1704. This newsletter, like many others, eventually become newspapers.

Newsletters are used by many industries, businesses, and organizations to disperse specialized information. This type of media is appealing to readers because it offers concise information to readers and provides resources that may be used as references in the future. Some newsletters are distributed within businesses and organizations to disperse pertinent information to employees. Other newsletters are industry based and provide information to companies and small businesses. One of the mostly widely distributed newsletters is the Kiplinger Letter, which was created in 1923. Other types of business and industrial newsletters range from farming, ranching, and education to entrepreneurship and fashion.

Recently, many newsletters have adopted an electronic format to become electronic newsletters (e-news-letters). These e-newsletters can be accessed on certain Websites or are sent via e-mail to subscribers. Some of these newsletters require a paid subscription, while others are open-access newsletters. Most newsletters that existed before the Internet required users to pay for their print and electronic versions. E-newsletters usually contain hyperlinks to related Websites and pictures. When Websites choose to digitally archive old e-newsletters, they provide opportunities for new subscribers to bring themselves up to date.

Newsletter Content and Categories

Newsletter writers usually focus their content on issues most relevant to their readers. Typical content for company and organizational announcements ranges from formal announcement, such as training notices, upcoming holidays, and interviews with recent hires, to informal announcements, including employee family events, recipes, and personal tips. Some newsletters provide opportunities for readers to submit constructive feedback through surveys and postcards. These response methods can help writers focus on issues that interest their readers.

Some newsletters have adopted the approach of recruiting people from the community of newsletter readers to write content for the newsletter. Typically, these community writers contribute content based on their current position and their experience in the field. Through this approach, readers usually feel a sense of ownership over the material produced in the newsletter.

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