Sketch the layout of the newsletter

     a.     Header
     b.     Content section breaks
     c.     Footer

Before beginning the design of my newsletter, I decided that my purpose is to generate traffic to my Web site. Of course I want to get more than one shot at my readers, so I also have to make the newsletter enjoyable so they will accept future editions. To do this, I have decided to use three elements: humor, interesting facts and stories.

With those decisions made, I then made a pencil sketch of my newsletter--obviously you do not have to be an artist as you can see from my work!

Notice that I have developed a sense of the format I will use from now on. The same header will always be there, with the date and the quip changed in each edition. Each block of text that together form the body of the newsletter will alternate in color so they are identifiable as separate blocks and the same footer will appear in all the future editions. By establishing a fixed footer, I will be less likely to leave out important information--like how to contact us!

Okay. Now I know what I want to accomplish, I am off to write the content.