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How to create an e-newsletter for a membership organization

PACT, the Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies, is a trade group that connects emerging growth companies in technology and life sciences with investors, advisors and technology-focused corporations. Each year, PACT offers more than 40 programs to facilitate member interaction and provide information and education.

Information and education also flow to members through PACT's email publication, imPACT Times. Produced for PACT by Hollister Creative, the branded digital publication includes feature articles, an interview with an accomplished CEO, and bylined columns by members who are experts in areas such as venture capital, business law and energy. Each issue of imPACT Times also promotes member companies by publishing their news releases.

When creating an email publication for a membership organization, these steps can elevate the product from good to great:

  1. Whenever possible, use members as your primary information sources for news and feature articles. Call them, interview them, quote them and publish photos of them. They will appreciate the opportunity to showcase their expertise. And the articles will be more interesting and relevant to readers than they would if the readers had no connection to the sources.
     
  2. Offer all members free publication of their news releases. They will appreciate the opportunity to promote their companies. Other members will use the releases to prospect for new clients, partners and vendors. Everybody wins.
     
  3. Promote your organization's coming events by making it easy for members to sign up. With each item, provide a link to the online registration page and a link to an automatically generated email request for additional information.