About Newsletter
Templates
Newsletters are one of the most important means of communication for any organization, for profit or non-profit, huge, medium or small. Newsletters, especially those from organizations that don't put much effort into them, can be drab, uninspiring and unreadable, but they don't have to be. It doesn't take a design genius to make good looking, well-put-together and readable newsletters. It can be done simply with newsletter templates.
Function
Newsletter templates are based on the premise that, like any publication, newsletters essentially have finite limits. They are based on 8.5-by-11-inch or 11-by-17-inch sheets of paper, either with a standard letter-sized page. Templates simply make it easier to start because the design is started for you. Programs, such as Swift Publisher and Microsoft Word, have built-in newsletter templates that fulfill this function.
Features
Swift Publisher and Word both include clip art that instantly adds to the basics of the template. These programs, as well as others, allow the user to input text and graphics directly into the sections of the newsletter designed by the company. For example, in Swift Publisher, all you need to do to replace a graphic with clip art is select the graphic on the template, then select the clip art from the sidebar. The new art comes in at the same size and dimensions as the old piece. You can use the "handles" on the graphic to change the size or shape and the text will flow around it.
Considerations
Templates are a good place to start, but they aren't the end-all of the project. While they will take care of the basics, play around with the sizes and shapes of both pictures and text. Text can be changed to different fonts, sizes and colors. Photos can be manipulated to, say, an outline or a solid shape. Also consider that big and interesting photos will get more people to pay attention to the newsletter.
Benefits
Newsletter templates give you a fast start for what could be a tiresome project. With all the pieces already there, all you need to do is fill in the text and pictures. Since the colors and design already are balanced, you don't have to spend a lot of time worrying about design.
Potential
Starting with a good, imaginative template, a newsletter can be a statement of purpose, a good read, a window into activities of an organization and the first thing people see and "feel" about you.
