Newsletters are quickly emerging as a great tool for communicating messages and information with customers and other readers. They are a part of the greater picture and play an important role in creating an all-encompassing CRM system for your business.

This article will give you some quick things to keep in mind when creating and editing your article to increase the value it adds to your readers.

Strategic audience. When writing a newsletter you must keep your targeted audience in mind, asking questions such as what is relevant to them and what do they think is important? This will assure a newsletter that is relevant to the particular mailing list.

Sustainable newsletter. When creating a new newsletter series for publication, keep in mind the sustainability of the newsletter. Often companies will create newsletters containing mass amounts of content, and then find themselves strapped for content when it’s time for the next publication. Be realistic with the amount of content you need and should publish.

Keep it ‘clean’ and ‘simple’. When it comes to email newsletters, long and complex newsletters just don’t do it. Be sure to keep your newsletter clean and simple. Outline a box at the top for what this issue contains along with the ‘subscribe’ an ‘unsubscribe’ boxes at the bottom.

Building the basics. When writing your newsletter, be sure to remember the basics that should be included. Your newsletter should comprise of lead stories, short news items, and a message from your leader or company. Remember that your lead stories will help draw in customers.

The right writing-the right editing. Your newsletter should come together like an orchestra, speaking to your readers. Writing in the active voice often helps. Editing should accomplish clarity, conciseness, length and correctness. Remember your readers are the bottom line.

Schedules and deadlines. When writing and editing newsletters be aware of the release schedule and deadlines for submission. It is also good to allow a safety window for any unexpected shortcomings.

Give credit when possible.Try and incorporate a credit or acknowledgement box somewhere in your newsletter. This has a twofold effect; it rewards those that have contributed and helped, and encourages others to contribute in the future, thus expanding your resources and content available.

Feedback is king. Reader feedback can shape the success of your newsletter. Be sure to understand how readers scan through your newsletters. This can be done by talking to a sample of the readers or by conducting a readership survey.