You know that place in magazines, usually on the same page as the table of contents or maybe the editor's contribution, that includes the publication's name, contact information, the editor(s)' name and information, etc.? This is the standard for many publications, but not always for church publications.

Make sure you have one consistent place for all the important information in your newsletter and on your website. Below is a checklist for things to include:

• Church name
• Address (include city, state and zip)
• Phone number
• Fax number (optional)
• General church e-mail (if applicable)
• Key players for the church (pastor(s), music director, Sunday school director, council president maybe, etc.) - on a website this is probably a separate page.
• YOUR information (this can be included with the above, but make sure it specifies that you're the editor and you probably want it to be near or duplicated by the following...) - I have included a "Questions about this website, contact..." bit on EVERY page of our website.
• Newsletter deadlines - good to have somewhere on a website.

The last two are the real inspiration for this post, though the others are really important too. I see many newsletters that don't tell me how to contact the person responsible for the content. Don't assume that your members know who should get the information or how you want to get it. And yes, you should repeat that every month.

While we're on the subject, you should consider adding footers to the bottom of every page (except the first page). Include the church's name and/or the publication's name and the page number. Especially if folding disorients the reader a little, this will help them know where they are. Including the church name helps them remember what they reading and where it came from if they should take a page out or copy it.

Happy editing!

This tip is for anyone who communicates by e-mail, not just those labeled "communicators." When you e-mail someone, make sure you identify yourself! I may just need to vent after several e-mails in the last few weeks violated this courtesy, but that does not diminish the importance of this simple act.

Remeber that if you're e-mailing someone you have never e-mailed or for whom that is the slightest change he or she may not immediately identify you, include your name and your connection to him or her in the BODY OF THE MESSAGE. I emphasize that because some people rely on their e-mail address to identify their name for them, but that does not suffice. The only time you can get away with not identifying your name is when replying to a message. You can also use your own judgement for close relationships.

The messages I have received recently that are particularly troublesome are the ones in which people ask their information to be published, but I don't know who they are, what their organization is (and how it would connect to the synod), or why I should publish their information. My inclination in these circumstances is to just hit "delete."

So remember:
Unless it's completed
You might get deleted!

As our minds turn to chocolates, flowers, and other forms of romance, let's think about applying the KISS principle to your communication:

Keep
It
Simple
S____ (stupid, silly, etc.)

When was the last time you sat down with a newsletter to really take your time and read it? Or when was the last time you read the full, four-page long story on the internet?

In an age where we're constantly rushing and millions of things are competing for our attention, getting your message across simply and unhindered by fancy designs is of the utmost importance.

We're also faced with fancy new technologies that allow us to use 87 different fonts in each newsletter and have amazing animated graphics on our websites. In reality, these things just distract from our message.

Say the message, cut out the fluff, use a simple, attractive design, and move on with life. It makes your job faster and more effective.