Ashok R Chandran : Editing

NEWSLETTER

LOBA News

Editing an alumni newsletter (2003-'04).

Role

Planning and writing content, editing submissions. Publishing.

The big picture

To improve the quality and appeal of the newsletter, by raising its credibility.

The small steps

Content planning: The idea was to provide more 'new'sy information regarding the school and alumni, and thereby make the newsletter interesting. Re-introduced 'alumni profile' story, and gave it a professional, journalistic look.
Writing style: The newsletter was traditionally written in a largely informal, rambling tone. The previous year, it had turned a bit newsy, but it still retained traces of 'feel good', self-praise writing. I changed it to fully newsy, and tried to give an independent flavour (e.g. where an alumni event or institution had weaknesses, we did not shy away from admitting these)
Production and distribution: Mobilised fresh alumni volunteers and involved them in the distribution process.