With every generation, youth voices are becoming more connected and a global youth newsletter can be a compelling platform. It can inform youth, inspire youth, and connect youth around the world. But how do you create a newsletter that has true meaning? Here is a simple, structured process to create your own global youth newsletter.
1. Establish the Purpose and Audience
Before you start designing or writing, take time to assess the purpose of your newsletter. Ask yourself:
What is the purpose of the newsletter? (Eg. to highlight youth stories, opportunities, activism or global trends)
Who are you speaking to? (Age range, interests, regional focus)
What is your unique approach? (How will your newsletter differentiate itself?)
Note: Make a one-sentence mission statement. For example:
"To connect and empower youth globally by sharing empowering stories, opportunities, and resources."
2. Form a Diverse Team
Prepare your newsletter by bringing together diverse global youth perspectives. Consider recruiting youth from different regions, backgrounds, and interests. You can utilize social media, youth forums, and schools to find them:
Writers and Editors
Designers
Translators (if you envision a multilingual newsletter)
Social media management team
Note: It's important to consider diversity outside of geography. Also consider gender, interests and experiences.
3. Pick Your Platform
Choose how you’re going to deliver your newsletter. Here are a few popular options:
Email platforms: Mailchimp, Substack, ConvertKit
Web-based newsletters: Medium, WordPress
Social media digests: Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram
Note: Email is the classic form, don't forget where your audience hangs out. A lot of younger people may access content through social media or a messaging app.
4. Curate Fun, Interesting Content
Make sure you include a variety of content to keep people interested and make your newsletters relevant. Here are some examples:
Personal stories from youth around the globe
Interviews with youth changemakers
Future events, scholarships, competitions
Tips on mental health, study, or careers
Creative corner: art, poetry, music
Explaining news around the world in simple terms
Note: Keep articles short and use visuals where you can. Be sure to include photos, infographics and bold headings.
5. Create a Consistent Schedule
You will need to decide how often you are going to publish (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly). Your audience has to become familiar with your production schedule as well as your content. Being consistent builds reliability, trust, and sets the stage for your audience to anticipate your next publication.
For those of you managing the newsletter…
Create an editorial calendar.
Establish deadlines and ensure you adhere to them.
Use tools such as Google Calendar or Trello to keep track of these tasks.
Note: If you are a small team, start with a monthly newsletter, and as you grow, you can increase the frequency of your newsletters.
6. Encourage Readers to Interact
You can start having your readers engage directly by:
Conducting polls or surveys
Allowing readers to submit (Stories, Art, stories)
Focusing on a “Youth of the Month” from different countries
Conduct a virtual (Zoom) event or Q&A
Note: The greater and more numerous you make your interactions the more likely you will end up with a readerbase that is invested.
7. Inclusive and Accessibility
A newsletter should be easy to read and accessible by:
Simple and clear language using short sentences
Provide the newsletter in translated versions/ summaries of major languages
Make sure it's mobile friendly
Always use Alt text for images
Note: Before you press send, test your newsletter on different devices, tablets, smartphones, laptops.
8. Increase your subscribers
Start with your network and expand:
Share links to sign up on social media
Partner with other youth organizations and/or schools
Consider providing incentives to subscribers such as exclusive content or giveaways
Encouraging readers to forward
Note: Keeping subscribing easy as in asking for a name and email is better than a long form.
9. Use Data to Measure & Improve
Use your analytics to determine what works:
Open & click through rates ( email platforms provide you this)
Top stories /most popular parts of your newsletter
Request feedback from readers on how they hear about your newsletter
Adjust content /improvement based on what the research/reader feedback tells you; Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and experiment!
Note: Use analytics and reader feedback to improve content and engagement with each edition.
10. Recognize and Maintain
Recognize the effort of your team and the support of your readers:
Celebrate milestones (for example, 1,000 subscribers, 1-year anniversary)
Highlight team members and contributors
Ask for feedback regularly and indicate you are listening
For sustainability:
Start as small sponsorships or crowdfunding to recoup expenses
Find new volunteers as you gain momentum
Remember to stay true to your mission
Note: Recognize milestones, show your contributors regard, and keep your team encouraged to ensure success for the long haul.
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