How to create a text ezine
In this tutorial you will learn how to:
So you’ve decided to create and send a plain text ezine? This is really the best format to send your ezine in. Ever received an HTML newsletter in outlook express and all the graphics are missing and the text format is off? With plain text ezines you don’t have this problem because they are basic non formatted text that any email program can read. |
- Most everyone will be able to read it.
- Saves on bandwidth.
Cons:
- No formatting except for ASCII characters.
- Can be unpleasant to the eyes
Opt-In vs. Double Opt-In
Alway maintain either a Opt-In or Double Opt-In mailing list. They are the only legitimate way to send email.
Opt-In - An Opt-In list refers to an email list which users must deliberately signup for. An example of this is when you visit a site and enter your email to signup for a newsletter.
Double Opt-In - Double Opt-In gives you an extra layer of security and is what I recommend everyone to use. An example of a double opt-in sign up is like the opt-in a user must enter there information on your website to signup for your ezine and an email request is then sent to the email address to be verified before the ezine delivery can take place. This insures that they are the ones who signed up and helps prevent Spam.
Text Editor
Your selection of a text editor is extremely important when creating your ezine. Since we want unformatted text programs such as ms word or other popular word processors are out of the question since they usually format all of there text. If you have an HTML Editor that you use for your website that should be sufficient to create your ezine. If you are using any version of windows you should have "Notepad" (Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Notepad). Since notepad doesn’t format text it will also work as an editor.
To download a Free Editor try:
Crimson Editor - Freeware
Easy HTML - Freeware
Character Length
Have you ever noticed when you send an email how your lines scroll all the way across the screen? This is fine for general contact but when your creating an ezine it can get hard to read. That’s why most ezines and newsletters are formatted to 65 characters per line. If you are doing this by hand every line must be ended with a hard return (Pressing Enter). This makes your ezine easier to read.
URL Format
Formatting of your URLs is important when using a 65 character line limit. The shorter the URL the better. You may also need to give your URLs a new line so they wont break your format. Be sure to include the http:// portion of the URL as this may be required in order for some readers to interpret your URLs as web addresses.
Using a Template
Like HTML Ezines you can use a template for your layout. You can find a free ASCII Template under publishing tools on your left. Download it and input you information there or you can just use the automated script and have the site do it for you.
It is easy to create your own text template. You can add all sorts of ASCII symbols to make your newsletter unique to your site.
For Free Templates Try Our: Text Ezine Template Generator.
Unsubscribe Information
This is very important and sometimes overlooked. At the bottom of every ezine should be an unsubscribe link or information on how to unsubscribe. It is the law that this information be there so please be sure to include it. Make sure you read over "The CAN-SPAM Act" before you send out your ezine and follow its guidelines to the letter.
FTC.gov: The CAN-SPAM Act
Proof Read
Always proofread your finished product. I find it best to read it aloud or have someone else read it to you. I always seem to catch something I’ve missed earlier.
How to Send Your Ezine
If your subscriber base is small, say less then 20, many people send there newsletters using outlook express or a similar program using your ISP provided email account. It saves website bandwidth but the downside is that it may not look very professional because everyone that receives the letter will also see everyone else on your list. This should be a bad thing if one of your subscribers happens to be in the business of harvesting email addresses. Also, may sure your ISP will allow this if you choose this method, the major ISP's will not to prevent spammers from abusing there mail server.
If you plan on sending it through your domain there are many scripts out there that you can install on your server. Make sure that your website host will allow sending email and see how many they will allow. Some allow you to only send 10 per day whale others may allow 100. Also, when choosing a script make sure your server can run it. If you are using a free server it’s almost certain that you won’t be able to execute scripts of this nature. If you happen to be on a paid Linux server then you will have access to CGI and PHP. There and many open source PHP scripts available for you to use.
Send it Before You Send it
Redundant? Even if your ezine looks perfect it’s a good idea to send a test copy to yourself to see it exactly how your subscribers will. This will allow you to make any final changes before the real thing goes out.
If you are dead set on HTML consider sending in both formats. Most ezine scripts will allow your visitors to sign up for either text or HTML formatted versions. This way everyone gets what they want.
