In January 2007, Plain Language Commission (PLC) launched a free monthly e-newsletter, Pikestaff. By the time of the conference, we had published over 40 issues, distributed to around 2,000 customers, colleagues and others.
This session described our experiences of producing Pikestaff, using as a framework the PROCESS method (PLC’s five-stage approach to writing).
2. Introducing Pikestaff
• Free e-newsletter of 2,000–2,500 words
• Written by me, edited by Martin Cutts
• Started January 2007
• Have now published 41 issues
• Emailed to 2,000 customers and colleagues
• Reader survey completed summer 2010
3. PROCESS method
PLC’s five-stage approach to writing:
• Purpose
• Content
• Structure
• Style and language
• Revision of everything
4. Purpose
• What you want to achieve
• Target readers
• Title and logo
• Frequency and timing
• Method of distribution
• Promoting the publication
9. For more information
• To subscribe to Pikestaff, visit
www.clearest.co.uk and click on ‘Newsletter’.
• To contact me, email
sarahcarr@carrconsultancy.co.uk.
• For further reading, try Producing Successful
Magazines, Newsletters and e-Zines, by Carol
Harris, How To Books, 2004.