Writing Exceptional Missionary Newsletters: Essentials for Writing, Producing, and Sending Newsletters that Motivate Readers

by Sandra M. Weyeneth

Publisher:

William Carey Library

, 2013

Overview

Writing Exceptional Missionary Newsletters shows anyone who writes personal ministry newsletters how to captivate readers. This revised edition offers more ideas for better online communication like e-mail and Facebook. It shows how to increase your letter’s impact and provides tips for how often to send your newsletters, e-newsletters, and posts. It is for seasoned and new missionaries, church leaders, mission organizations, mission boards, and any person encouraging missionaries to communicate well. • The key secret to an exceptional newsletter • What not to do with a photo • Fresh topic ideas for newsletters • Tips for effective online communication—e-mail, Facebook, websites and more • What most missionaries miss in their newsletters and communication • Simple ways to dramatically take your writing to the next level • Tips for sending newsletters from overseas

Contents

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Definitions and Icons Used

Introduction

PART I – ESSENTIALS FOR WRITING NEWSLETTERS

Chapter One – Why Write a Newsletter?

1. Newsletters Generate Prayer

2. Newsletters Show What God Is Doing

3. Newsletters Illustrate the Ministry and Inspire Continued Financial Support

4. Newsletters Offer Ministry Ideas

5. Newsletters Broaden Exposure to Missions

6. Newsletters Communicate Thanks

Chapter Two – Tips for Excellent Writing

Tip 1: Include a Story

Tip 2: Begin With a Bang

Tip 3: Add a Picture and a Caption

Tip 4: Choose One Theme

Tip 5: Use Appealing Graphics, Design, and Layout

Tip 6: Write With Vitality

Tip 7: Personalize It

Tip 8: Get Feedback

PART II – Essentials for Producing and SENDING Newsletters

Chapter Three – Production and Strategy Essentials

1. How Many People Should I Have On My Mailing List?

2. How Often Should I Send A Newsletter?

3. Should I Write Personal Notes on Each Newsletter?

4. How Do I Avoid Last-minute Chaos?

5. Should I Mention Financial Needs?

6. How Can I Segment My Mailing List to Manage Communication Issues?

7. What Can I Write about While Serving in Administration or Leadership?

Chapter Four – Sending and Mailing Essentials

1. Should I Mail My Newsletter With First Class Postage?

2. How Can I Get Address Updates Quicker?

3. How Can I Save Time and Money?

4. What Should I Do If I Have Not Sent a Newsletter for Ten Months?

5. What If I Cannot Afford to Send a Newsletter?

Chapter Five – E-mail, Facebook, Websites, and More

1. E-mail

2. Social Media

3. Other

Chapter Six – Sending Newsletters While Living Overseas

1. How Do I Send Newsletters When I Live Outside of My Home Country?

2. What if I Am on Home Ministry Assignment (Furlough)?

Chapter Seven - Final Thoughts

APPENDIX

Checklist for Writing a Newsletter

Checklist for Editing and Proofing a Newsletter

Checklist for Keeping Donors Once You Get Them

Examples of Donor Letters

Fifty Ways of Saying “Thank You” to Your Giving Partners

Bible Study on How a Thankful Spirit Transforms Newsletters

REFERENCES

RESOURCES

Praise for Writing Exceptional Missionary Newsletters

Sandy hit a home run with her book. It fills a huge gap in missions. For over thirty years I have trained and coached missionaries to raise their support. I pound the table about how vital it is to not only communicate regularly with their partners who generously give and pray, but also how essential it is for their communications to be well written. “Writing Exceptional Missionary Newsletters” should be on the required reading list for any missionary who raises support.

-Ellis Goldstein, National Director of Ministry Partner Development for Cru

Sandy has done an outstanding job of telling us how to build a partnership relationship with donors through motivating newsletters in very specific and practical ways.

-Jerry Bridges, author of The Pursuit of Holiness and other bestsellers

Sandy has done the hard work of diving into the details to help mediocre writers become good and to help good writers become even better. You won’t be disappointed.

-Scott Morton, author of Funding Your Ministry

Product Details

• Title: Writing Exceptional Missionary Newsletters: Essentials for Writing, Producing, and Sending Newsletters that Motivate Readers
• Author: Sandra M. Weyeneth
• Publisher: William Carey Library
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 158
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781645080480, 9780878084883, 0878084886, 164508048X
• Resource ID: LLS:9781645080480
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T17:14:26Z

About the Author

Sandy Weyeneth started full time ministry with The Navigators in 1984.  The newsletter learning curve began after one of her prayer letters was "reopened" and subsequently rewritten!  She worked for The Navigators Staff Funding Department and coached hundreds of missionaries to create exceptional newsletters and communication pieces.