Drawing a Blank? Create Newsletter Content Ahead of Time!
October 5th, 2009 , Piotr KrupaWe’re going to focus on content for a post or 2, as many of you have been sharing your frustration with that torture rack we call the “e-newsletter”. Not because it’s difficult to do with GetResponse, but because you’re running out of fresh ideas. Or maybe you’re sending them out too often?
We’ll discuss that possibility and many others in the next few posts, but for now, let’s focus on helping you come up with ideas…like an “idea account” you can draw from on short notice. The only trick is your ideas MUST be relevant to your target audience (s), however you define them.
So, let’s begin: some of these tips are no-brainers, others require a bit of discipline, but pay off in a big way, especially when it’s 10AM and your newsletter needed to go out at 7. Remember that lunch-time reading break? So, let’s pretend you’re starting from scratch…no ideas.
· Do a retrospective review of most successful newsletters and create topic list.
· Do your research! Browse industry blogs, competitor sites (sign up for newsletters), online news and discussion forums, social networking sites, etc. Create another topic list, with sources and dates. BTW: organize your folders and files NOW.
· Compare the 2 lists and cull for “hot” topics from last few months. Do they fall into categories that you should separate and track, like:
- Case studies
- Tips and tricks.
- Opinions, reviews
- Expert articles.
- Surveys
- Contests
- Event info
- Interviews
· Keep separate folders for each category, and populate with ideas, articles, blurbs and snippets as you progress through your busy day. Make it a habit. You may even use a “rating” system, from best to not-so-great, so you can balance quality and desperation.
· Supplement these easy steps with regular online surveys, either polling on a list of topics or requesting open-ended feedback on any topics of interest. File this valuable information away in your category files and you’re on your way.
Easy, huh! We’re probably talking about 5-10 minutes every day, or 15-20 every other day. But do this religiously, and you’ll have a treasure trove of content to draw from for that midnight composition! And it’s “pre-qualified” by you, so you know it’s good.
Stay tuned for very specific tips about making your content more exciting, relevant and timely!
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
[...] Drawing a Blank? Create Newsletter Content Ahead of Time! Drawing a Blank? Part 2: Content That Delivers Value [...]