.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} E-mail newsletters are one of the fastest-growing communication and marketing tools today. But that sure doesn’t mean they’re all good. Avoid being filtered to the delete folder with a few of these tips.

• You have only a few seconds to catch the recipient’s attention. Consistently deliver valuable information without a lot of introductory fluff.

• Write short. Short means about 50 percent less than you write for a printed newsletter. Set a word-count maximum and stick to it. (Ours is 300 words)

• Make sure it sounds like you. Don’t make the newsletter formal if you aren’t … and don’t make it conversational and casual if your natural style is more formal. Remember, it’s an extension of you and your brand.

• Use lots of bullet points and lists. Think written sound bites.

• It’s going to be forwarded. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want the world to see.

• Newsletters are considered a news source. Do not spend so much time selling your services that readers have to dig for the helpful information.

• People like to scan first and then go back to read. So break up your copy with bullet points, illustrations, graphs or photography.

E-mail newsletters are a great way to start a conversation. Invite feedback, honor the above guidelines and have some fun. You’ll like the results.