Your E-zine 13 - A Formatting Checklist

While sending out a text e-zine may seem like a piece of cake, there's more to it than you may think. *Good formatting* is the name of the game. Here's a handy checklist I use to make sure each of my issues is in great shape BEFORE I send it out. Please be my guest and use it for yourself!

  • Are all lines 65 characters or less?
    More than that and your missive may come through looking messy to many subscribers. End each line with a hard return by pressing the "enter" key.


  • Have you made sure there's no auto-formatting, such as bolding, italics, or underlining?
    These features don't translate well in e-mail and can come out looking mighty strange on the other end. Instead, emphasize words or phrases with *asterisks,* "quotation marks," or ALL CAPS ... sparingly.


  • Are all sections neatly separated?
    Use underscores (_____), asterisks (******), another nifty symbol ($$$$$, %%%%, @@@@), or a combination thereof () to help define each area and help your readers skim your issue more easily.


  • Do all Web links include 'http://' before them?
    Some e-mail programs won't automatically hyperlink a URL in your text without this prefix. So don't take a chance - make it easy for your readers to click and link, especially to YOUR site!


  • Do all e-mail links include "mailto:" before them?
    Same idea here: Some e-mail programs won't automatically hyperlink an e-mail address in your text without it. Be sure to leave no space between the colon and the first character of the address.


  • Is your masthead at the very top?
    The masthead, or "nameplate," typically features your e-zine name, your name, your e-mail address, your Web address, and the correct date, volume number, and issue number. Make it the FIRST thing your readers see.


  • Have you reminded your readers right away that this is a *subscription* publication?
    Don't let them forget that they *asked* to receive this! Something like this right under your masthead will do: "You've received this e-zine because you subscribed to it! If you wish to unsubscribe, please scroll to the end for more information."


  • If you have a table of contents (TOC), do its listings match this issue's articles and features?
    For example, if your TOC says your second feature in this issue is an article on Web site marketing, make sure it's right!


  • Have you included a copyright notice?
    At the end of your content, before your contact info, post '(c)' immediately followed by the year and your name or your company's name. You should know that a copyright notice does not protect your ideas - instead, it protects the way you express them.


  • Are the correct advertisements in place?
    Keep track of all your ad swaps and purchases in one main document to make this easy to look up each time. I use an Excel spreadsheet, which works great for me.


  • Do you give clear subscribe and unsubscribe instructions at the bottom?
    Include subscribe instructions, because your e-zine will likely get passed on to others who'd like to sign up. The unsubscribe instructions are just BECAUSE - it's plain courtesy, and the law of the land. : )


  • Does your subject line include both the name of your e-zine and the issue topic?
    By seeing your e-zine title, your recipients will know the e-mail is not spam. And by seeing the issue topic, they will know what's in store for this issue. Example: "Sara's Cash Flow Tips: Increase Your Income Today!"


  • Have you sent a test of the issue to yourself or an associate?
    Make sure it comes through reading well and looking great! (Check for any strange symbols that magically appear, odd breaks in the copy, inactive links, etc.) And this is a GREAT time to give it a final proofread.
  • (c) 2000-2003 Alexandria K. Brown. All rights reserved.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award-winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/



    Explode Your Business

    You can make a decent income selling products and services... Read More

    How Many Articles Can An Author Write As An Expert In A Field?

    More and more smart business people are finding the value... Read More

    7 Ways to Self-Promote Within Your E-zine

    We all know that an e-zine won't attract and keep... Read More

    American OverDrive - LCDs in LDCs

    OverDrive - an e-commerce, software conversion and e-publishing applications leader... Read More

    I Finally Discovered The Secret To FREE Content No One Else Has!

    There are many tips and techniques to increase your search... Read More

    Getting Subscribers For Your Newsletter Is As Simple As This...

    Having a newsletter is one thing but how many subscribers... Read More

    5 Keys To A Successful Ezine

    There are 5 basic keys you need for your ezine... Read More

    The Sticky Issue of E-zine Schedules

    While many new e-zine publishers are anxious about developing good... Read More

    You Can Develop An E-zine Even If You Dont Enjoy Writing!

    Do you know that many business owners market their businesses... Read More

    9 Rock Solid Ways To Explode Your E-Zines Readership!

    Are you like most of us who created an E-Zine.... Read More

    EZines: Get from Adequate to Fabulous

    If my in-box is any indication, most of the business... Read More

    Are Your E-Mails Bouncing? Hard Bounces, Soft Bounces, and Everything in Between

    Are you doing "the bounce"? No, it's not a new... Read More

    Your E-zine Promotion Checklist

    While there are seemingly endless ways to promote your e-zine... Read More

    7 Ways You Can Make a Huge Impression With Your Ezine Welcome Message

    Many times I receive a Welcome Message from someone after... Read More

    What Makes An Ezine Worth Reading?

    What makes your ezine hot stuff? With literally thousands of... Read More

    Why Self-Publish Your Book?

    When I meet an author with a great book concept,... Read More

    Putting the YOU in Your E-zine

    I get many e-zines in my inbox every week, and... Read More

    10 Valuable Tips For Ezine Publishers

    1. Write your own articles.Your articles will give you an... Read More

    Finding the GOLD with Ezines and Google!

    HiHow'd you go with your product search?Here's another way to... Read More

    How to Build Your List ? 7 Powerful Strategies

    If you have been an internet marketer, or had any... Read More

    The Future of Email Newsletter

    The future of email Newsletter - Llando Ford 07.28.2004 What... Read More

    Want To Start a Publishing Revolution?

    Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time... Read More

    Writing Effective Newsletters

    It's obvious but true that your newsletter can only be... Read More

    Understanding Ezine Publishing!

    I can remember my first reaction to word "ezine". What... Read More

    A Blog, 5 Minutes a Week and These 5 Simple Steps Equals Your Own Online E_ZINE

    One of the fastest ways to gain "Guru" Status online... Read More

    If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
    please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
    to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

    * Your email address:
    * choes your language: