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Holiday Newsletter Etiquette: Think Before You Write

04 Dec 2012 By: Diane Gottsman

Before you start writing your annual newsletter and neatly tuck it into your holiday card, there are a few pieces of Holiday newsletter etiquette  you may want to consider.

Less is always better.  Considering that most of the people on your holiday card list also receive your multiple Facebook updates on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis, it might be best to opt for a newsletter-free card. The chances of someone reading two pages of family news are slim at best (not even your mother is THAT interested!).

Keep it upbeat.  It may have been a very difficult year for your family and you want to share some of your life with those you haven’t seen in a while, but a holiday newsletter may not be the appropriate venue.  If you have to mention bad news, go ahead but try to keep the overall tone of your newsletter positive and uplifting.  Apply the glass half-full approach to your newsletter writing. Counting your blessings and wishing others much happiness never goes out of style.

Don’t overshare.  Including every detail about little Johnny’s milestones in his first year or divulging details about your spouse’s infidelity and the subsequent therapy sessions is a bit of overkill. The same goes for your chronic gout or multiple medical issues.  Before your write it down, ask yourself if it belongs in your holiday news.

Say it with photos.  If I can’t convince you to skip the holiday newsletter this year, bring it to life by inserting a few photos next to your text.  Your recipients are more likely to spend the time reading through it if they can be engaged with a few photos.

Don’t skimp on quality.  Opt for a quality paper and color photos printed on the page instead of copier paper and black and white print.  Most home printers can print off more than enough for the full run of your holiday card list with just one color cartridge. If you have to buy new ink, you are probably sending your newsletter out to too many people.

Be choosy. Not everyone should get a newsletter. Reserve the punishment, I mean, newsletter for those that you don’t see very often and share a friendly relationship with.  If you are sending a newsletter to a family member or friend and can’t remember his or her last name, or their family has moved and forgot to send you the new address, save your stamp.

The holidays are a time to catch up with those you haven’t seen throughout the year but more often than not, a telephone call or a beautiful greeting card with a handwritten note is much more appreciated than a mass produced newsletter.

Happy Holidays,

Signature

Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.