Donor Digital  
Home Spacer What We Do Spacer Clients Spacer Best Practices Spacer Workshops Spacer About Us Spacer Contact Us

Anatomy of an e-newsletter

By Madeline Stanionis

Sending e-mail to your supporters and constituents is one of the most effective ways to build relationships, keep interested people informed, and drive traffic to your Web site. So, what makes a good e-newsletter? Whether you use graphically-rich HTML or plain text, there are several elements that will make your e-newsletter professional and engaging.

Our client, the Massachusetts SPCA, sends a monthly e-newsletter that garners great feedback from recipients, and generates a healthy spike in Web traffic. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why.

 

From: "Phil, the super dog" <Phil@MSPCA.org)
To: madeline@donordigital.com
Subject: Baby, you're a star!
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 09:16:31 -0700
Custom, personalized "from" address

Inviting, fun subject
   
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MSPCA E-NEWS, OCTOBER 2001
Monthly news and information from the
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Clear header - reader knows who it's from
   
Thanks for checking out our October e-news, Madeline!
Personalization is a nice touch
   
You're receiving this e-news because you gave us your e-mail address on our Web site. If you'd prefer not to receive it, simply follow the instructions at the bottom of this e-mail.
Tells people why they're receiving the e-mail - and make it easy to unsubscribe.
   
In this issue:
> WHY WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST BREEDS
> SURVEY: DOES YOUR PET LOOK LIKE YOU?
> NOMINATE A HERO FOR OUR ANIMAL HALL OF FAME
> THE TRUTH ABOUT FERRETS AND OTHER EXOTIC PETS
> ABOUT THE MSPCA
Table of contents - great for a long-ish newsletter
   
-------------------------------------------------------------------
WHY WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST BREEDS
People with dogs often use breed characteristics as a way of
understanding their pet's behavior. When the family border collie runs
circles around the neighborhood children, we recognize normal herding
behavior that has been bred into the dog. But when breed characteristics are used to make laws or policies, things get tricky.

Find out why the MSPCA evaluates every dog individually instead of by
its breed.

http://www.mspca.org/news_events/enews/march_01.htm#discriminate
Provides information people are actually interested in…

...but not all the information.
Gives the reader a reason to click thru to the Web site to find out the answer.
   
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SURVEY: DOES YOUR PET LOOK LIKE YOU?
Do you look like your pet? Okay, so maybe your ears aren't as floppy as Jasper's or Jasper isn't quite as blond as you are, but do you resemble each other in some way? Click here and let us know!

https://www.securedonationform.com/Clients/VNSurvey.asp?
Surveys involve the reader
   
-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TRUTH ABOUT FERRETS AND OTHER EXOTIC PETS
Ferrets can make great pets, but caring for them entails just as much effort as caring for a dog or cat. And some exotic pets have very specific needs to keep them happy and healthy. Find out why:

http://www.mspca.org/news_events/enews/march_01.htm#ferrets
Speaks to a variety of constituents (not just the dog-lovers)
   
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THE MSPCA
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit organization which protects animals, relieves their
suffering, advances their health and welfare, prevents cruelty, and
works for a just and compassionate society. Learn more about us at
http://www.mspca.org.

JOIN US
Your support of the MSPCA will help us help more than 250,000 animals every year. Please, join us.
https://www.securedonationform.com/clients/VNDntnFrm.asp

YOUR PRIVACY
The MSPCA will never sell or trade your e-mail address to anyone. Read our privacy policy at:
http://www.mspca.org/miscframes/privacy_policy.htm#top
The footer includes clear information about the organization, how to join, and its privacy practices
   
PASS IT ALONG
Forward MSPCA NAME to your friends and colleagues. If you got this
message from a friend, sign up for your own subscription at
https://www.securedonationform.com/Clients/VNSurvey.asp?

QUESTIONS? FEEDBACK?
Do you have a pet care or animal welfare question? We may feature in Our newsletter or on our Web site. We love feedback, too. Drop us a line: mailto:webmaster@mspca.org
Asks people to pass your e-newsletter on to their friends - a great way to get new subscribers
   
TO "UNSUBSCRIBE"
If you received this message in error or you would like to be removed
from our mailing list, please click on Reply and type "unsubscribe" in
the message subject line.
The unsubscribe is clear and easy
   
-------------------------------------------------------------------
All contents
© 2001 by Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals / American Humane Education Society, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
Don't forget your address and copyright info
# # # #


Madeline Stanionis is a Senior Consultant at Donordigital. E-mail: madeline@donordigital.com.

Reprinted from Mal Warwick's Newsletter: Successful Direct Mail, Telephone & Online Fundraising, published every two months. For a free sample copy, go to www.malwarwick.com/subscribe.html.

Home Spacer What We Do Spacer Clients Spacer Best Practices Spacer Workshops Spacer About Us Spacer Contact Us

© 2002 - Donordigital - 182 Second Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, California 94105
Tel: (415) 278-9444 - Fax: (415) 901-0112 - E-mail: info@donordigital.com