June 30, 2008

Steal these techniques to enhance your employee newsletter

Looking to improve your newsletter so that employees read it more often and have a better understanding of key issues? You can find great ideas—free!—as close by as your web browser or local magazine rack. Here are a few to try:

Info-graphics
The New York Times is just one web site that uses info-graphics, such as bar charts and maps, to help readers understand data. The graphics are designed so readers can easily print and share them with others.

How to apply it:
The next time you share the results of an employee survey, try using an info-graphic to illustrate where improvements need to be made. Make sure the image is printable.

Quick, snappy headlines
Newsweek’s headlines are short (4-6 words) and designed to entice people to read the whole story. Examples: “Songs in the Key of Cheese” or “How Many Friends is Too Many?”

How to apply it:
Instead of writing a long headline, try a short one that asks employees a question or calls them to action: “Help Your Coworkers Go Green” or “Are You Ready for Retirement?”

Eye-catching photo spreads
Us Weekly features two-page photo spreads of celebrities with (very) short captions. The spreads focus on a theme—like charity events or vacations—and include different photos relating to that theme.

How to apply it:
Instead of writing about one company event, pick a theme and create a collage of photos and quotes from different events. For example, a “product launch” theme can include pictures of several new products.