electronic publishing – do’s & don’ts of e-zines

Dr. Michael Stachiw – FeedDealer.ComDr. Michael Stachiw – FeedDealer.Com 11

Electronic Publishing – Do’s & Don’ts of E-Zines

Dr. Michael StachiwDr. Michael Stachiw

FeedDealer.ComFeedDealer.Com

Jan. 4, 2008Jan. 4, 2008



What is an E-Zine?What is an E-Zine?

– An E-Zine is an electronic version of a An E-Zine is an electronic version of a magazine, and usually does not exist in print.magazine, and usually does not exist in print.

– An E-Zine is not a downloadable version of a An E-Zine is not a downloadable version of a print magazine.print magazine.

– HTML (or plain ASCII) email fileHTML (or plain ASCII) email file



Why do an E-ZineWhy do an E-Zine

– Inexpensive way to communicating with a large Inexpensive way to communicating with a large audienceaudience

– More timely than print media (i.e. delivery More timely than print media (i.e. delivery time)time)

– Increase customer loyalty and your business Increase customer loyalty and your business image (creates and maintains relationships)image (creates and maintains relationships)



Before you begin, you need to…Before you begin, you need to…

– On paper, layout the E-Zine’sOn paper, layout the E-Zine’s ContentContent FormatFormat Frequency of deliveryFrequency of delivery Who is going to deliver the E-ZineWho is going to deliver the E-Zine



Before you begin, you need to…Before you begin, you need to…

– Remember, the same amount of work, tasks and Remember, the same amount of work, tasks and steps are involved in developing a E-Zine as are steps are involved in developing a E-Zine as are required for a traditional paper publication.required for a traditional paper publication.



A must checklist for an E-ZineA must checklist for an E-Zine

– Only use “opt-in” email addressesOnly use “opt-in” email addresses– The sending email address must be “real”The sending email address must be “real”– The message subject must reflect the content of The message subject must reflect the content of

the messagethe message



A must checklist for an E-Zine (cont)A must checklist for an E-Zine (cont)

– You must provide your physical US mail You must provide your physical US mail address in the E-Zineaddress in the E-Zine

– You must indicate how to stop receiving the E-You must indicate how to stop receiving the E-ZineZine

– Should not have attached filesShould not have attached files



A must checklist for an E-Zine (cont)A must checklist for an E-Zine (cont)

– Minimize advertising in the E-ZineMinimize advertising in the E-Zine– Photos, PDFs, etc need to be linked to but not Photos, PDFs, etc need to be linked to but not

included in the messageincluded in the message– Do not use Java Script in the E-ZineDo not use Java Script in the E-Zine– On your website, provide an archiveOn your website, provide an archive



Where do I find “opt-in” E-Mail addresses Where do I find “opt-in” E-Mail addresses

– Fish-Bowl on the sales counterFish-Bowl on the sales counter– Self registration form on your websiteSelf registration form on your website– Customer E-mailsCustomer E-mails– Purchased from reliable source (I suggest not Purchased from reliable source (I suggest not

using!)using!)



How do I create the E-Zine How do I create the E-Zine

– If the E-Zine is going to be HTML then use a If the E-Zine is going to be HTML then use a web editor. I would not suggest using web editor. I would not suggest using Microsoft Word, as it includes items that are Microsoft Word, as it includes items that are email security unfriendlyemail security unfriendly

– If the E-Zine is going to be ASCII, then use a If the E-Zine is going to be ASCII, then use a word processor, but save the file as ASCIIword processor, but save the file as ASCII



What does an “ideal” E-Zine look What does an “ideal” E-Zine look like?like?


If you need help or have questions

Please feel free to contact us, and we will provide Please feel free to contact us, and we will provide what ever advice or assistance we can. Our what ever advice or assistance we can. Our contact information is:contact information is:

Dr. Mike Stachiw - [email protected]. Mike Stachiw - [email protected] Rita Fosse – [email protected] Fosse – [email protected] JoAnn Riggs – [email protected] Riggs – [email protected]

Phone:Phone: 314-428-3156 314-428-3156Fax:Fax: 314-428-4102 314-428-4102


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electronic publishing – do’s & don’ts of e-zines

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