Format   The format of your newsletter takes on many issues. In the end, you want to use the format that meets the objective of your newsletter and the reader's personality.   Basically, there are two formats to choose from - - text or html. An html newsletter is graphical and looks much like a webpage. A text newsletter is simply a message sent with words and no graphics.   Text vs HTML   Currently, there is a raging debate about whether to send text-based newsletters or html (graphical) newsletters. Many e-mail systems still treat html newsletters in unpredictable ways.   It may arrive looking great and it may arrive looking like a scrambled egg. It's my opinion that in a couple of years, the debate will be over and every one will be sending html newsletters.   Why?   Because people like colors and graphics. Ads with colors and graphics generally outpull those that don't graphics. This is particularly true with consumer products.   If you do decide to develop an html newsletter, consider buying a professional newsletter template. Once that is specially designed to arrive intact. Visit http://www.DesignDoodles.com for a look at some templates.   Always test send your newsletter to see what it looks like using different e-mail programs such as hotmail, yahoo, MS Outlook, or Eudora.   Text Formatting   If you decide to send your newsletter using a text-based format there are a number of tricks you can use to make it readable and pleasing to the eye.   Most of these formatting tricks I've learned from receiving other newsletters. I've taken the best of what I've liked from other newsletters and use them in my own.   Here are few rules that I use when formatting my text-based newsletter:   Rule 1. Wrap your lines at between 55 to 60 characters long. This way other e-mail programs will read your line length correctly.   Rule 2. Use solid horizontal lines for headlines and subheadlines. It allows your reader to skim through your newsletter and find topics of interest.