How to create e-Newsletters
Are you looking to create your department's very own eNews? Then you're in the right place.
Your department is part of the publishing policy of UMSU and you can only advertise your services.
This article will walk you through the step-by-step process of sending eNewsletters through the UMSU MSL system. Please ensure you are up to date on our policies about social media.
If you want graphics or templates created for your newsletter, create a ticket with the CME team by hitting "Submit a request" in the Help Desk menu at the top of this page.
We'll have to build you a template newsletter and you'll have to set up a subscriber list on your webpages. Privacy is non-negotiable. You absolutely must get explicit permission before adding anyone to your list.
You must also add the General Secretary email to your subscriber list! Secretary@union.unimelb.edu.au
Promote your newsletter subscription page like you're launching the next big thing. Use your social channels and campus bulletin boards wherever your target audience hangs out.
It may take a little while to build your subscriber base.
Now let's get into it!
STEP 1
Login to UMSU website with your union email and click on cog wheel in the top right corner.
STEP 2
Click on your department underneath the "Organisations" drop down menu (we will use Welfare Department as an example in this article). This will take you to the Admin Tools page for your department.
STEP 3
Click on the "Messages" icon to go to your Messaging Admin page.
STEP 4
Click on "Send email" to start a new eNewsletter draft.
TIP: If you would like to see drafts other people in your Department have been working on, uncheck the "Show my drafts only" box. Be mindful that any drafts you open and edit will become YOUR draft and others will only be able to find them again by also unchecking the "Show my drafts only" box.
STEP 5
Once you've created your blank eNewsletter draft, you'll want to start filling it with content. To streamline this process, CME can assist you by creating an eNews template that you can easily copy or write content into.
Once you've created your blank eNewsletter draft, you'll want to start filling it with content. To streamline this process, CME can assist you by creating an eNews template that you can easily copy or write content into.
First select your template from the dropdown list and hit apply. A pop-up will appear asking you if you want to change the template (this is referring to the template applied to your blank email draft, not the design of the template itself). Hit "OK" and wait for the template to appear
STEP 6
From here, you can add in content and build out your eNewsletter. There's a few handy buttons on the bottom left of the screen underneath your draft to help you save it to view later, or send it to team members for review.
Send a preview to communications@union.unimelb.edu.au so Comms can check over the copy for your department and double check the links.
Send a version to Secretary@union.unimelb.edu.au to ensure that the General Secretary has a copy.
STEP 7
Beyond the content of the eNewsletter, there will be a number of settings to change to make sure your eNews gets out there. The first one to tackle is the email tracking. This will allow you to receive data on how many people have opened it once it is out in the world.
All you have to do, is tick the "Track this email" box.
STEP 8
The final step before sending your email will be adding recipients. Doing this last means you will avoid accidentally sending out an unfinished email.
Simply click "Add recipients" then tick the box for your desired mailing list. Once ticked, hit the "Add Recipients" underneath the check list.
STEP 9
Hit send!
If ever you want to see the read receipts you can login and view the open rate via the Messages section! It's a really good idea to check how many recipients have opened up your newsletter for tracking and return on investment purposes. If the open rate is low (less than 20%) contact Comms and we can help you with increasing your open rate through different strategies.