Choosing an email newsletter format is an important decision that you need to make when creating a newsletter. First, you should know that there are three different email newsletter formats, which are text newsletters, HTML newsletters, and PDF newsletters. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages. A format can be perfect for one purpose but not for another. So it is important to consider your needs before making a choice.
Now we will briefly review each format focusing on the pros and cons that it has in contrast to the other formats.
Plain text newsletters are the most common and popular among all three formats. The reason could be that they are pretty easy and simple to create and format. Anyone with no technical background whatsoever can create a text newsletter using nothing but Microsoft Notepad, which comes free with Windows and is very simple and straightforward. Microsoft Word is another alternative. Text newsletter are compatible with all the different email service providers, they are also quick to load because they contain no graphics.
HTML newsletters appear to be rapidly growing. They are much more sophisticated than text newsletters. You can use graphics, hyperlinks, tables, colors, and fonts. The publisher can customize the newsletter as s/he wishes. You can add your logo to it. The downside is that not all newsletter publishers are capable of formatting HTML templates. Luckily, there are several websites giving away free HTML newsletter templates. Another issue with HTML newsletters is that they sometimes get blocked by email applications. To avoid getting your newsletter dismissed as spam, you need to test it beforehand in newsletter spam-check software.
The third email newsletter format is the PDF newsletter. It is probably the least common. It takes more time and effort to format PDF newsletter. PDF newsletters are usually published on a bi-weekly or even a monthly schedule. PrimoPDF is a good free PDF newsletter creation software program. Using this program, you can create your newsletter with MS Word and then save it as a PDF file.
Which email newsletter format to adopt depends mainly on what features you want your newsletter to have.