Tips

Here’s a place to share those hints that you've learned as you went... perhaps the hard way.

If you have specific questions, I'll post them here along with the answers from the group.

You've probably all found that the title "editor" is a misnomer -- it implies that people send you information and you, as editor, put it together. Somehow, it doesn't happen that way - you end up gathering information, writing, editing, proofing and printing the newsletter yourself. How about some hints as to how to make any part of the job easier?

For some great how-tos on desktop publishing, check out About.com's Desktop publishing section.

I've found that sending a regular "nag note" to everyone from whom I'd like input does help. I generally send it out about 10 days before my deadline and request information via Email (so I don't have to retype.) If I'm still short nearer deadline, I'll repeat the request. I call them "Nag Note 1, 2, etc". I've set up an mailing list with all the names and Email addresses, so that I only have to enter the names once and post one message to reach all on the list. I use eGroups and have been happy with them, but I'm sure that there are others as well.

From J. A. "Though I have only been an editor for a short time here are some suggestions for the beginning Society Editor (below).

1. Allow at least 3/4 inch on each side margin of your newsletter. Some libraries put them in groups
and then place them in hard backed book form.

2. Remember the readers of your newsletter are either interested in genealogy, your area's resources
or their family surnames. Try to include some of each in your newsletter, this helps to keep them interested.

3. Include page numbers, volume numbers and dates on every page if possible.

4. Vary the number of columns you use on the pages of your newsletter.
Having them all one way tends to get boring after a while.

5. It is not good to have a lot of empty (white) space. Fill it with graphics, humor or genealogical tips.

6. Suggestions for topics of genealogical society newsletters: featured articles including area history and biographies; church, marriage, census, cemetery and court records; old newspaper gleanings including obituaries; library resources; area vital record addresses; queries; web sites; success stories; interviews; and future meetings.

I've found that having a "style sheet" - even a very informal one - helps with putting the newsletter together. For example, in a 12 page monthly newsletter, I always have:

The mast, headers & footers are stored as separate files and reused each month. Remember to change them for each issue (I forgot and the footer said March for 3 straight months...)
on page 1 - announcement of upcoming meetings, a table of contents and the beginning of a featured article if the meeting announcements don't take the whole space. I box the meeting announcements and add a catchy graphic.
page 2 - president's column; report on recent meetings, general society news
page 3 - feature article - or whatever is most important in the newsletter - which may run for 1-2 pages and occasionally more..
pages 4-8 editors column, articles, committee reports, internet news, etc.
pages 9-10 or as much as it takes - new books in the local library genealogy section
page 11 - new members, changes of addresses, etc on half; filler on other half [things that can be cut out without ruining what's on the back of the page.]
page 12 - calendar of upcoming events; mailer section.

    For the content, I use Word Perfect, Times Roman 11 point type (but will go down to 10.5 to keep an article on a page)
    For web addresses, I use Arial 10 point.
    I like to vary the type for titles of articles - comic sans or technical, etc - but with no more than one "fancy" type on a page.
    I try to have a least one graphic per page... but never more than two.
    Most pages are in two columns, with header & footer. Depending on content, columns may be the length of the page - or varied. [Our group has a separate quarterly which gets the historical data, how-to articles, etc.
so these are not included in the newsletter]