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« August 2006 | Main | October 2006 »

Show #38: Crafting compelling newsletters

Tips from the pros on how to create newsletters that people love to read.

Listen to writer Sue Horner, photographer Adiseshan Shankar and designer Joanna Turlej as they share their secrets in this 17-minute podcast recorded before a meeting of the Halton-Peel Communications Association.

You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes.

Here are the show notes:
00:01 Intro and welcome
01:30 Writer Sue Horner discusses looking at stories from the reader’s point of view; how to keep newsletters fresh; using Q&A and behind-the-scenes techniques; and more
06:29 Photographer Adiseshan Shankar likes to use photos to illustrate problems and solutions; techniques for dramatic lighting and angles
11:05 Graphic designer Joanna Turlej talks about using visuals and layout in different ways to catch the reader’s attention; she says it all starts with the writing [Donna likes this]
14:20 Donna’s tips for making a publication a must-read; captivating headlines, engaging leads and illustrations that tell the story; lots of work up front to accomplish this
15:10 Guest spots on three recent podcasts:
Employee communications from a Canadian perspective: Lee Hopkins interviews Donna for the Deakin University MediaPod podcast.
Allan Jenkins interviews Lee Hopkins and Donna for the Stibo Forum; we talk about the benefits of social media in general and podcasting in particular.
Anna Farmery interviews Donna for her Engaging Brand podcast; we talk about communicating visions, leadership communications and more.
16:00 Donna will be co-hosting her favourite Podcast, For Immediate Release, on October 2.
16:25 Where to send comments: email to trafcom AT gmail.com, call 646-403-8020 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog

Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com

Theme music is “Beneath Your Surface” by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Show #37: Tips for developing content for podcasts, newsletters and other projects

If we agree that content is king, how do we develop that content? In this 14-minute podcast, you’ll hear tips for creating content that people will want to listen to or read.

You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes.

Here are the show notes:
00:01 Intro and welcome
00:55 Where do you get content that people want to read or listen to? How can you keep your audience engaged?
01:25 Know your audience
02:11 What’s your goal?
02:33 Be interesting
03:00 Be concise
04:01 Be relevant, as Jeff Caylor says
04:45 Get out there
06:35 Ask your audience
06:52 Don’t be afraid to kill an idea
07:27 Recap
07:45 Listen to Shel Holtz’s rant on employee communications on For Immediate Release #171, minute 27
08:39 Donna’s own rant on photography in employee communications
09:25 Good things happening in employee communications: a senior leader who walks the talk
10:30 Listen to my June interview with Steve Crescenzo on the power of print in employee communications
10:44 Comments from Mark Blevis, Judy Gombita and Paull Young
13:11 Where to send comments: email to trafcom AT gmail.com, call 646-403-8020 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com
Theme music is “Beneath Your Surface” by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network