Newsletters help maintain positive perceptions, stability

Posted on January 23rd, 2009 by Marc Micheli | Filed under: Marketing in a Recession, Soap Box

Whether in a time of prosperity, a recession, or a tight labor market, never underestimate the power of a newsletter.

These days many successful companies are using a blog, sometimes thought of as modern version of the newsletter. However, a printed newsletter still achieves something the blog cannot: the perception of stability. It’s tangible, powerful, and influences purchasing decisions. That’s why Toyota Material Handling recently hired Ervin | Bell to redesign their newsletter.

In the example shown, Toyota Material Handling saluted the heroics of their employees and distributors during the 2008 Midwest floods. The affect of the printed piece is profound in ways a blog or online presentation cannot achieve.

Blogs, with the added dimensions of search optimization and immediacy, demand a different set of writing styles and conventions. While newsletter content is often usable as blog posts, your blog is generally best used for time-sensitive and more industry-wide relevant material with shorter story length.

Make sure your company is not simply migrating your newsletter content into your blog. They are different media and demand their own specialized style and practices.

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Tags: distributor relations, internal PR, manufacturing blogs, newsletters, public relations, toyota

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