I could use a mentor for successful newsletter creation & distribution

Charita, I wish I could be as helpful to you as you have been to me (Clipart Sensei). Although I have not discovered the newsletter solution for my business, I will be watching eagerly to see what advice your request may garner.

Hi Charita, that's a good one!  Hope you find someone.  Kristine :)

Charita - I'd be happy to help you with picking the best tools for your needs when it comes to an email newsletter -- I've built one and used all of the others.  Before you pick out your tool, here are a couple of things to consider before you get started.

• Format - Most people get wrapped up in what it will look like, format, clip art and so on.  This really doesn't matter.  If you send something consistently that has content that people care about they'll read it and appreciate you sent it.
• Consistency - This is where most people fail.  It's hard to deliver something month in and month out.  If you are going to get results, you have to be reliable.
• Content - You need to send relevant information that is interesting.  I don't mean relevant to you and your needs for new clients.  I mean relevant to the reader.  This isn't necessarily market stats, reminders about changing your air filters, or interest rate charts.  It's information that will make them smile.  An announcement for a local event that they may not know about.  An inspiration story that they will share with their co-workers.  A recommendation for a great new restaurant.

Get these 3 things right and you can deliver you newsletter on a used napkin.  People will read, respond, and remember you.

Charita, i popped over here because i too have the same issue!! I do use Happy Grasshopped to touch base and share cool stories too...if you don't use it you should look at it....i use it to complement my newsletter that i try to sent out every other month.