Quick How-To: Create a Family Newsletter

Inbox Ideas | Email Marketing Tips by AWeber

Posted by Justin Premick

How else can you use an email newsletter besides marketing your business?

That question might not occur to most of our users — but AWeber user and goal-setting expert Brad Isaac contacted us recently to share how to put a more modern spin on the family newsletter.

Brad sprinkles in helpful hints with screenshots and a step-by-step walkthrough. Plus, he was kind enough to share the following family email newsletter tips:

11 Tips For a Happy Family Newsletter

Brad Isaac

Set ground rules AHEAD of time — not after the fact.

Put the ground rules in writing in the sidebar of the newsletter and remind people how the whole family, young and old, will get the newsletter.

Pick ahead of time how much foul language or adult content you’ll allow.

Limit jokes and other “stock” content (if your brother just loves jokes and sends 15 for each issue, you might want to limit the number of jokes per issue to one.)

Set a rule that family squabbles cannot be resolved through the newsletter. But if a 15 year feud ends it can be announced as long as both parties agree.

Similarly, although bad news sells major newspapers good news is the only thing that will keep yours alive. Be sensitive about announcing divorces, job layoffs, firings, jail time and other negative stories. Only announce something negative if the person it involves drops you the story himself or herself.

Put one or several requests in each newsletter. Ask for participation. Your newsletter’s survival depends on other family members participating.

Make it easy for people to contribute.

Family politics can be a pain so avoid stories involving feuds, disagreements or offensive topics.

10.

Edit spelling and grammar, but leave content alone. If someone feels they were misquoted in their own family newsletter, they’ll never participate again.

11.

Remember, it’s your family’s newsletter, not your newsletter. Let other family members edit newsletters too.

Cool and useful stuff. Thanks Brad!