Originally Posted by quiltingshorttimer

Welcome aboard as a guild newsletter editor--I was asked to do ours a year ago (one of those "if you don't do it we may not have one") and am still at it. I was fortunate that the lady doing it before was willing to do one with me the first month (then she moved). But she left me with several digital files so I didn't start from scratch: the logo template; a file of all the mailing addresses for those that don't get them via email; etc. unfortunately, we could not figure out how to set up all the email addresses into my computer, so I had to type in the email addresses--about130! (our guild is about 160 people with about 100 being active members). here's some advice that I got that sure helped.

1) make sure there is a "drop dead" deadline for people getting information to you after the meetings--and be ready to send it out shortly after.
2) work ahead--I use a mock-up format- on the next one--you'll find that there are many things that can just stay in the letter with slight modifications for the next month (or 3!) That way you aren't stuck trying to get the whole thing done in a couple of nights.
3) if the person that does a Block of the Month can do it digitally on EQ7 or a similar program, it will make it easier to be transferring it back and forth without problems.
4) if you have a large number of members that get it via email, set it up in several distribution groups--I have about 100 and have 3 groups--otherwise the files get too large and may not go through.
5) You will likely have to teach your members that get it via email that they need to be sure to have YOUR email address in their address book--otherwise the newsletter goes to spam/junk and you will never know (it won't bounce back) and they will complain that you forgot them! you may have to explain also how to open up a pdf file, etc as some members may only be able to email with family and not be real familiar with their computer programs.
6) I go through my quilt mags and this blog site and hang on to tips to fill the newsletter gaps
7) if you do some via print and post office--develop a good relationship with your print shop--mine is great and she'll call me without delay if she sees something that won't likely work--she's my best editor!
And Lastly--have fun with this! If you do work ahead, you'll find that once you get all set up, that you really can make it what you want (at the most they will "fire" you--I've decided in my guild that won't happen until I agree to take on another job!).