Q & A About Information
This week, you sent in fantastic requests! I wish there was space to answer them all. These were the three most-asked on sharing information in your newsletter.
Q: I want to add multimedia to my newsletter, but have no idea how to start. I want to make sure it’s really professional. Please help!
Audio is definitely something you can do yourself with just a microphone and some great software. However, if you’re nervous, or just want some extra help, I recommend my dear friend Penny Haynes at http://www.emediatouch.com/. She’s easy to work with, and just plain delightful. (And, as usual, that’s not an *affiliate* link–just a resource you might find helpful.)
Video can be more of a challenge, but there’s some great software out there that makes it much easier. For instance, Camtasia Studio from TechSmith makes it easy to create multimedia demos and presentations using screenshots. If you don’t need to include audio, you might also consider DebugMode’s Wink.
You might use these programs to create a slideshow of before and after shots (narrated or unnarrated), a tutorial or tour. (I got started with the software because I was creating an audio/visual tour of a community for a website.)
Q: Okay, so I think I get this “giving away your crown” thing, but I’m not sure. Is there a foolproof way I can figure out where the right balance of information is for my readers?
Of course! You’ll be able to tell based on the feedback you get from readers….
But, assuming you’d like to know *before* you send your newsletter, the answer is, not absolutely.
The problem is that your readers have a range of experience with your topic. Some know a little, some know a lot, and others know just enough to get themselves into trouble.
And all of that means that you simply *won’t* get it right for all your readers all the time. Sometimes, you’ll give too much information for part of your audience, and not enough for another part. Other times, you’ll get it just right for most of your readers.
To get it “just right” more often, consider these guidelines:
Keep a statistical record of each issue you send. What was the subject line? When was it sent (time, date, and day)? How many readers opened the issue? How many responded? What did they say?
Evaluate the feedback giver, not just the feedback. All feedback is valuable, just make sure to weigh it in a way that makes sense for you. If someone’s clearly outside your target reader base, that doesn’t mean you should automatically disregard what they say. But it does mean you should consider it carefully before using it to make adjustments.
Find five target readers and have them review each issue before it goes out. Make sure these readers are a match to your target audience. Ask them to tell you when something doesn’t make sense or when they feel uncomfortable applying advice you’ve given.
Trust your gut. What would happen if a reader followed your advice? Would they be able to recreate the same results you’d get for them? Where might they fall short? Remember, you’re the expert.You’ve seen what happens when people don’t have your guidance–you’ve seen where they stumble. Are you inadvertently leading them straight into those potholes?
Q: Help! I think I’m in over my head. Audio, video, crowns, oh my! I don’t know where to begin or how to proceed.
As an innately curious, confident reader, you’d love to learn more about this and that and apply it all instantly, right?
Well, that’s not always the easiest way to do things. Or the most comfortable.
Instead of trying to apply it all at once, decide which activities make the most sense for you at this time. Take a look at where your newsletter is currently weak, and where it’s strong. Analyze how you’ll get the most mileage (by fixing a weakness, or capitalizing on a strength).
These lessons are designed to help you take it slow, so you can see how even small changes can have a big impact on your newsletter. Make sure you’re taking it slow (and not reading three or four issues at once 
).
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, and want support in applying these lessons, you’re welcome to join us at the Newsletter Spa where you can get on-going help with your newsletter.
Your challenge: You get Q & A weeks off–take this time to catch up on old lessons, if you’re behind. Otherwise, keep up the good work!
Members: Talk about this topic in the forum.
Not yet a Newsletter Spa member? Would you like to find out more?
About the Author
Jessica helps independent professionals become Indispensable Experts through powerful publishing programs. She works with clients one-on-one as a newsletter designer and writer and in groups through the Newsletter Spa.
Email Jessica directly, to find out more.