Smart’s Newsletter FAQs
Q. How frequently is each newsletter published?
Q. Can I order a newsletter for only bi-monthly or quarterly delivery even if it’s published monthly?
Q. Can I mix and match newsletters?
Q. What are the options for ordering print, electronic or both?
Q. What is HTML+?
Q. Why is Business Class your most popular package?
Q. Why do I need print newsletters if I can send an electronic version?
Q. What customization options do I have?
Q. Do you provide mailing service for your print newsletters?
Q. What are Business Reply Cards and should I order them?
Q. Do I need to sign a contract? What if I want to cancel?
Q. Do you offer any discounts?
Q. Is there a set-up fee?
Q. How do I start a subscription?
Q. How frequently is each newsletter published?
A. The publishing frequency of each newsletter is also indicated on the order form:
- Employee Benefits Report – monthly
- Life & Health Insurance Advisor – monthly
- Voluntary Benefits Solutions – bi-monthly
- Insurance Buyer’s News – bi-monthly
- Worker’s Compensation & Safety News – bi-monthly
- Employee Benefits & Workers’ Comp News – bi-monthly
- Managing Risk – quarterly
- Personal Lines – quarterly
Q. Can I order a newsletter for only bi-monthly or quarterly delivery even if it’s published monthly?
A. Yes, but there is a non-standard frequency charge of $25 per issue for bi-monthly service and $35 for quarterly service. These charges apply only to Employee Benefits Report and Life & Health Insurance Advisor. A non-standard frequency charge of $35 per issue will also apply to quarterly service of bi-monthly publications (Insurance Buyers’ News, Workers’ Compensation & Safety News and Employee Benefits & Workers’ Comp News)
Q. Can I mix and match newsletters?
A. Yes, you can switch monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly service between any newsletters at no additional charge. If you choose to switch bi-monthly between newsletters that include a newsletter that’s published monthly (Employee Benefits Report and Life & Health Insurance Advisor), there will be a non-standard frequency fee charged for the monthly newsletter.
Q. What are the options for ordering print, electronic or both?
A. There are three basic service packages:
- Economy: Your newsletter printed in full color with your nameplate (including logo, address and photo) also in full color. For an additional charge, you may also purchase a PDF version of your print newsletter.
- Business: Our most popular package — includes your newsletter and your nameplate (including logo, address and photo) also in full color, free shipping & handling and one free “quick custom” articles every six issues. PLUS: Your newsletter is formatted in our exclusive HTML+ format for easy email delivery and tracking.
- Electronic: You choose between a PDF version of a print newsletter or delivery of your newsletter to your email list in our HTML+ format, featuring built-in email provider service and analytics. For an additional charge, HTML+ clients may also purchase a PDF version of their newsletter.
Q.What is HTML+?
A. HTML+ is an exclusive email format that lets you see who gets your newsletter, who opens it, which articles they open and when. HTML+ makes it easy to tailor your marketing approach and keep your lists clean.
Q. Why is Business Class your most popular package?
A. Shipping and handling are free, saving you typically $13.50 or more per issue. You also get HTML+, and a free “quick custom” article for every six issues valued at $100 each. You’ll also save $20 off the price of a reader-friendly PDF version of your newsletter. We bundle these services for our best clients because the agents who take advantage of both print and electronic marketing are the ones who’ll get the best results from their newsletter marketing program and stick with it.
Q. Why do I need print newsletters if I can send an electronic version?
A. Print newsletters have far more impact than emails. When your newsletter comes in the mail, recipients will see your branding—whether they read the contents or not. It can get passed around, stored, and has greater shelf life. We recommend print newsletters for your “A” client list. Electronic newsletters, particularly our HTML+ version, also have their uses, especially for individuals who have opted in to your email newsletter list, and prospect lists that you might not want to invest as much on as your “A” list.
Please read our blog posts, Print vs. Electronic Insurance Newsletters — Tortoise vs. Hare? and The Economics of Email Insurance Newsletter Distribution.” They’re short but they’ll give you a good idea of the pros and cons of print vs. electronic.
The Business Class package offers the best of both worlds — print for some contacts, electronic for the rest — at an affordable cost.
Q. What customization options do I have?
A. All our newsletter packages let you customize the nameplate or banner area of the newsletter with your name, logo and even photos. Take full advantage by using color to make your identity stand out even more —it won’t cost you a dime more to do so.
If you don’t have a logo or have been using a typeface logo and you’re starting a newsletter, this may be a good time to consider adopting a logo design. Smart’s offers many affordable logo templates which we can customize to your specifications. You can check them out here. You might also find some of our blog postings on corporate identity and branding helpful.
Here are some additional customization options:
- Custom articles: For just $100 you can add a 200-word article to the front page of your newsletter – you get a FREE one with every six issues if you purchase Business Class or First Class service. You can insert a larger article, up to 500 words, for only $250. Custom article ideas include:
- Special programs your firm offers
- Introducing new producers and CSRs
- Information specific to your niche market
- Specialized expertise of key employees
- Local risk management concerns
- Accomplishments and accolades received by your firm or employees.
- Substitute an article from the Smart’s Article Warehouse: If there’s a subject that you think is really important to cover in the next edition of your newsletter, research the articles in our warehouse and we’ll make a substitution for you. We’ll charge you only $29 for the article plus the design time, which will usually cost between $65 and $100. To explore the articles in the Smart’s Article Warehouse, click here.
- Customize your newsletter’s highlight color: All our newsletters are printed primarily in black ink for easy reading and our graphics and photos are usually in color. But each newsletter has a highlight color; for instance, it’s blue for Employee Benefits Report, green for Insurance Buyers’ News and so on. If your firm has a “corporate color,” we can use it in place of our normal highlight color. Many firms use this technique to underscore their branding. The cost of this service is only $75 per issue.
- Variable Printing: At Smart’s Publishing, we use digital presses to print all our newsletters. This gives us the flexibility to personalize, if you wish, every single copy of your newsletter. For instance, if your newsletter is folded into a self-mailer, we can imprint a personalized greeting on the mailer panel of every newsletter. You could say something like: “Diane, Scott Insurance is pleased to provide your August issue of Insurance Buyers’ News. Give us a call if you have any questions about the articles in this month’s issue. And thanks for letting us serve you.” Please see our blog post: Five Ways Insurance Newsletters Can Help Build Your Brand.
Q. Do you provide mailing service for your print newsletters?
A. Yes, first class mailing services are provided with our First Class service. We can print your envelopes for newsletter insertion, you can ship them to us or we can print your newsletter as a self-mailer. First Class service gives you the same service as Business Class, with the addition of mailing service.
Q. What are Business Reply Cards and should I order them?
A. Smart’s business reply cards (BRCs) have your agency’s name and address on the front and typical questions readers might be prompted to ask based on the content of each individual issue (we change them every time). BRCs make it easy for clients to indicate what they want to discuss or get more information about.
It’s true that not many people return the BRCs, but they give readers a convenient way to contact you. And you will get some returns. Also, simply including them is a thoughtful gesture that reminds your customers you value their input and want to hear from them whenever they have questions — not just at renewal time.
And even if someone doesn’t return the card, it may prompt a phone call.
Q. Do I need to sign a contract? What if I want to cancel?
A. Our subscriptions are open-ended; we require only a 60-day notice of cancellation from you to stop
service. Please call us if you wish to cancel. If you send a notice of cancellation, send it via email to the person who has been servicing your account and to service@smartspublishing.com. You should receive a confirmation from us within 3 days. If you do not, please contact us by phone. If you cannot reach us by phone for any reason, please send notice by U.S, mail.
Q. Do you offer any discounts?
- We also offer a 10% discount to NAIFA-NYS members for these newsletters.Employee Benefits Report
- Life & Health Insurance Advisor
- Voluntary Benefits Solutions
Members of the Organic Growth Network may be eligible for a 7 1/2 % discount for any newsletter subscription. Please inquire.
Q. Is there a set-up fee?
A. The set-up fee is $150. However, we will waive fee if you prepay the first 3 issues of your newsletter. You’ll find this option in the Discounts section of the newsletter order form.
Q. How do I start a subscription?
A. Request an order form and complete it. You can mail, fax or send it as an email attachment to us at any of the addresses in the footer of order form. Please include a cover letter or email and tell us how you would like us to compose your masthead using your agency name and contact information. Also, include image files for your color logo and any photos you want to include (EPS or JPEG formats are preferred). We’ll layout your masthead and send you a proof. We won’t print your newsletter until we get your approval. Click here and choose the newsletter you’re interested in to have our sales team send you an order form.
