Jim Regan -- Site Reviews
iMakeNews
|
Newsletters are not the most glamorous undertakings in the world of publishing - a writer or photographer with work in National Geographic and the Acme Corporate Bulletin is more likely to place the former at the top of a resume than the latter. Nevertheless, these targeted journals are produced in the millions, and by every kind of organization, from multi-national corporation to local community association and one-man fan club - and they've thoroughly infiltrated the 'net as well, in both Web and e-mail variations.
Now, in another example of getting the Web to do all the hard work for you, iMakeNews is giving anyone with the need or desire all the tools necessary to become his or her own online newsletter publisher.
The site, officially launched July 31st, traces its origins to an attempt by founders Peter and Jeff Mesnik to create an online sports newsletter using existing Web-oriented software. It was enough of an ordeal that the two decided that there must be a better way - and when they couldn't find one, they created one.
The principal of iMakeNews is similar to that of 'do-it-yourself-Web-site' pages, which allow users to create their own online homes without such annoyances as buying software, learning HTML or maintaining a Web server. Similar to 'Wizards' employed in simplifying software installation, the iMakeNews site leads users, step-by-step through each phase of their new publication's production.
After registering, users are prompted to choose a Page Format (which will determine the number and location of columns on each page) and Title for their newsletter. Next, Topics are designated - under which articles will be listed. (An Elvis Presley fan site might file essays under such topics as Music, Movies, and 'Sightings.')
When content is ready, users can enter their articles online, or prepare them off-line in a word processor and simply paste the work into text windows. Images can also be added to complement the content, with large files represented by thumbnails (so as not to overwhelm the page) which link to the full size images. (Mac users take note: the iMakeNews system accepts any JPEG or GIF images, but they must have standard PC suffixes --.jpg and .gif-- on their filenames.)
As you complete each new article, the site moves to a kind of 'creator's home page,' from which the author can preview the newsletter before posting, and make necessary changes to any part of the publication - from editing content to adding or removing Topic categories. From this page you can also create surveys and questionnaires, and check your newsletter's success through such statistics as 'Page Views' and 'Subscribers Added' over the past day, week or month.
Each newsletter is categorized into a specific category (Non-Profits, Businesses, Personal Interests and Hobbies, etc...) and further divided by price. Price? Well, yes and no - depending on the nature of your publication. Like so much to do with the Internet today, you can sometimes get a free ride, if you agree to a bit of advertising, and certain categories hold the promise of a 'Sponsored' option. (Personal Interests and Hobbies does, Businesses doesn't.) Without sponsorship, monthly fees of $30 to $200 are charged, depending on the level of service desired. (More money brings such perks as custom domain names, more disk space on iMakeNews' server, and greater e-mail capacity.)
Like most pre-fabs, iMake newsletters aren't as flexible as a serious designer would want them to be, but if you don't have time to go to a Serious Designer School, or the money for Serious Designer Software, (or a serious designer) this is an option worth investigating. Sample newsletters (I noticed a few images overlapping text - but I've noticed that at the occasional high-end corporate site as well) and an across the board 30-day free trial should provide a good indication as to whether the service will fit each user's needs.
iMakeNews can be found at http://www.imakenews.com/.