Guest Author - Kristin Peoples
You have been working on your newsletter. You made sure that the content was relevant and interesting. You added the pictures and it’s ready to send out to your customers. Are you really sure it’s ready? Here are five things to do before you press send to make sure your product is in tip top shape:
1 Check the fonts and style of the words in your newsletter. Depending upon the program you are using, it may change depending on the section and not really be what you are looking for. Take a look at it in the print view and see if you can visually see some differences as well. Checking it out visually will help you see what your customer will see.
2 Run the words through spell check. Also go through the document for any editing problems that spell check may not have caught such as ‘to, two, or too’. Have you spelled names correctly? Double check for difference like Devon or Devin. If you have thought enough of them to add them to your newsletter, be certain that their name is correct. Check to make sure titles are reflected accurately as well.
3 If you have money or numbers stated in your newsletter like you saved 30% or 3% using a particular product that is a big difference. Double check your numbers to make sure they are accurate. If you are numbering a list and skip a number, the reader may loose faith in your accuracy and your product.
4 Read the newsletter to yourself and to someone else. Does it make sense when you hear it out loud? Remember that the person reading it is not as close to the information as you are. It’s best to have someone read over the document. Ask that person to provide feedback. In a time crunch? At the very least, make sure you read the newsletter three times before you send it.
5 Read the dates and make sure they are accurate. I would even check your newsletter number. If you are putting out volume 13 and last month was volume 13, someone will certainly catch it. Look for any items that you may have cut pasted from the old newsletter to the new.
It’s the little mistakes that you think won’t matter too much that really do matter. You want your readers to focus on your content and not the fact that you used the wrong tense on page two. Take the time to run through these items and you will be happy you did. If you catch one mistake, that is one that your readers will not catch.
