I‘m all for putting photos in your newsletter. In fact, it’s one of the early lessons for Newsletter Spa members–digging in and looking for ways they can make their newsletters more visual.

You’ve noticed I even share photos of my own from time to time, no doubt.

But, when it comes to sharing photos in your newsletter or on your blog, there’s one big mistake you’re probably making.

I‘ve never been one for jigsaw puzzles. I simply don’t enjoy them. But, there is a part of puzzle-putting-together that I do enjoy: putting the last piece into place.

That’s because no other piece in the whole puzzle makes such a difference–once that final piece is clicked into place, the puzzle is complete, and not one moment before.

I had a lot of time to think about my jigsaw puzzle skills (or lack thereof) over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend when I corralled some very lovely volunteers (thank you again!) to help me install a new floor in my kitchen and dining room. Unlike a jigsaw puzzle, those first few pieces did not go together very easily as we were learning how to get it all in place.

See the Full Size image.

Quote by Proust, photo by yours truly, Jessica Albon.

When your community seems especially troubled–as it did for many with the recent California wildfires–it can be hard to figure out just what to write about in your newsletter. How do you connect with readers in a way that’s authentic and not condescending? In a way that’s professional, but not heartless?

After Oceanside resident Grace Judson wrote a lovely email to her list last week, I thought it was time to reprint an email I’d originally written following Hurricane Katrina. I hope it helps you find your voice, even when community events make writing your newsletter a challenge.

Let’s get one thing straight before we begin: I believe YOU can publish a thriving, profitable, FUN newsletter. In fact, I believe ANYONE can publish a thriving, profitable, fun newsletter.

If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t bother publishing Newsletters in Focus. I would just continue to privately work with the people who could publish successfully. I don’t believe in giving people false hope, so when I share stories of stunning newsletter success, I’m sharing them because they’re almost always possible for YOU, too.

Because I believe you have what it takes to publish a successful newsletter, it really upsets me that you might have been lead to believe one or more of these lies are true. Especially because you may believe these lies because of hype-filled marketing mumbo-jumbo that’s disillusioning because it sounds so preposterous–so you believe the reverse is actually true.