How to Produce a Newsletter

Correct Layout and Glossary of Terms Used – Nameplate, Folio etc

Nov 17, 2009 Janice Hally

Anyone writing or producing a newsletter will benefit from knowing the best way to lay it out and the correct terms used to describe its parts.

All sorts of organizations produce newsletters: charities, businesses, schools, clubs and societies. Some are purely informational for the members of the organization, others are used as marketing tools, but many are commissioned professionally from freelance writers.

It is imperative that any freelance writer contemplating applying for writing jobs producing a newsletter should understand what is expected, and be able to discuss the content in a professional manner with the person commissioning the newsletter.

Freelance writers tackling a newsletter must learn the glossary of terms used, and have an understanding of the generally accepted layout of newsletters.

Glossary of Terms

The following are terms that writers should be acquainted with

Nameplate
Folio
Masthead
Headlines
Sub Headers
Pull Quotes
Body Copy
Sidebar
Bylines
Captions
Jumplines
Table of Contents
Layout

Nameplate

The nameplate contains the title of the newsletter and is usually set in a large type on the front page. The Nameplate also contains any slogan or sub-header. It may incorporate artwork and should be designed to create and reflect an image of the organization producing the newsletter. It should be the first thing which catches the eye of the reader. The font, style and position of the nameplate on the page should be the same in every issue, helping to create a brand image for the newsletter.

Folio

Along with the nameplate comes the folio. it may be incorporated within the artwork or aligned next to it. The folio is the basic information about the edition of the newsletter: the date, the volume number, and the issue number. The style and position of this information should be considered when creating a brand image with the nameplate.

Masthead

The masthead contains the basic information about the organization which is producing the newsletter: name, address, telephone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail address, website address. It should also give names, positions and contact details for the principal people involved in the organization and the production of the newsletter. Details about how to subscribe to the newsletter should also be in this section.

Headlines

Like any newspaper or magazine, headlines are the titles of the articles, they should be appealing and brief.

Sub Headers

Sub-headers or sub-heads break up a long article by highlighting the content of the text which follows.

Pull Quotes

Pull quotes are controversial or eye-catching statements from within the article which are brought out and placed in an eye-catching position on the page, hopefully to draw in a casual reader who may simply be scanning the pages.

Body Copy

The body copy is the main text of each article.

Sidebar

A sidebar contains additional information, such as survey results, charts, graphs, or lists of facts which relate to, and shed light on the main article.

Bylines

The byline is the credit given to the writer of the article.

Captions

Captions are the descriptions of photographs which are printed below them.

Jumplines

Jumplines are normally used for front page articles, where the article is to be continued on a page later in the newsletter. The jumpline contains the details of the page number on which the article is continued.

Headers and Footers

It is important to incorporate headers and footers on each page, which should include page numbers, the title of the newsletter and the date or edition number.

The table of contents is a list, with appropriate page numbers, of featured articles and regular items in the newsletter.

Layout

The layout refers to the composition of the entire newsletter, including articles, photographs, advertising, and artwork. If a writer is responsible for the production of the newsletter, then decisions must be taken about font sizes and styles, the look of text on the page, the positioning of photographs, and any artwork.

Page One

The first page of the newsletter should contain the nameplate and folio as well as the front page articles with their associated jumplines. It will often include a table of contents to draw readers to articles on the inside.

Page Two

The second page of the newsletter should always have the masthead.

Back Page

If the newsletter is being mailed out, then it may be necessary to incorporate space for a mail label to be placed on the newsletter.

Read more about producing newsletters, or starting out as a freelance writer.

The copyright of the article How to Produce a Newsletter in Freelance Writing is owned by Janice Hally. Permission to republish How to Produce a Newsletter in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Janice Hally – The Basics of Freelance Writing

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