3 Basic Newsletter Formats with Samples to Choose From

“A newsletter is a publication that is distributed over regular intervals of time to a group of defined individuals. It is an effective communication tool utilized mostly to teach, inform, announce events, and promote new products and services all together.”

Newsletter formats differ from one another in their design, functionality and use. In today’s post we will give you a brief review the three majorly used newsletter formats and their advantages and disadvantages along with examples of sample newsletter formats.

HTML
Plain Text
PDF
HTML Newsletter Format
1. Flexibility with Customization

HTML based newsletters give you more flexibility than any other format. You can play around with fonts, change background colors, add headers etc. These features give your newsletter a lively feel and make them more engaging. Vast options of customization allow you to design your newsletters in many ways.
2. Extensive Options with Graphics

HTML format allows extensive use of graphics. If you plan to promote a product through your newsletter, use of graphics and product pictures can really help you get more customers. Moreover, graphics and pictures make your newsletter more appealing and attractive.
3. Hyperlinks

You can use hyperlinks with HTML format unlike plain text where the links appear broken while in the case of a PDF newsletter, they render browser security issues.
4. Difficulty Level with HTML Knowledge

The main problem people face with this format is that their HTML knowledge is not enough for them to develop their own newsletters. It is possible to acquire sample newsletter formats and tweak them according to your needs, but you might not find one good enough to your liking. If you are serious towards using this format, you can hire a coder who can do the work for you.
5. Compatibility Issues with Various Email Clients

One of the key disadvantages of this format is its compatibility issue with email clients. Not all email clients support this format. Therefore, if your subscriber is using an email client that does not support this format, they will not receive your newsletter.

PDF Newsletter Format
1. Extensive Customization Options

Just like HTML, PDF format allows extensive use of graphics and formatting. This makes it easier for you to add any kind any number of images along with playing with the fonts and layout.
2. Easy to Download

PDF newsletter format can be downloaded on your PC, it can also be directly published on your website, or sent as an email attachment. Subscribers can download and read the newsletter with ease and print it as well.
3. Word to PDF Converter

To create a PDF newsletter, you need to have special software, or if you are using Microsoft word, you can download and install an extension that lets you save y our documents in PDF format. A few online services help you convert your documents online without any installation. After you have your PDF newsletter ready, you will have to download it to your server hosting the website or auto responder.
4. Minimal Compatibility Issues

The PDF newsletter could be viewed in browser or downloaded hence it makes it compatible across the majority of browsers. Some readers however would not have PDF installed hence they might have issues in reading it.

So now, I hope that after looking at the pros and cons of each newsletter format, it will be easier for you to decide which one to choose.