Tell us what you want in a Kiva newsletter!

[Guest]

.

[Fiona Ramsey]

Hi guys!

We're focusing on creating a regular, high quality newsletter that gives lenders what they want, so we want you to give us your opinions on:

1 - What do you want in a newsletter?  What type of information do you want to read about?
2 - How often do you want a newsletter?
3 - What length would be appropriate for you?  How much is too much and would put you off reading it?
4 - Anything else you want to tell us!

Also, if there are some newsletters you get from other orgs/companies, feel free to post that as well so that we can learn what you like that you already receive.

In short, we just want to hear your thoughts, so feel free to tell us anything you think would be helpful for us.

We'll be meeting internally shortly to brainstorm, and we'll be reading this thread to consider all of your opinions.

Thanks for your continued support, and helping us out in ways like this that are super valuable to us.

Fiona

[Buchanan Family]

Hi Fiona -

1 - I would like to read about new MFIs and countries to loan to that are in the pipeline so I can look forward to them.  Also, new developments with the website such as introductions of new features.  As a recent example, it could discuss the idea behind having a larger number of loans available (I do realize that it's already mentioned on the site but not in a place that most people would likely see).  In general, it's nice to have an idea of things being developed (things to look forward to and the future direction of Kiva).

2 - I think a monthly newsletter could be informative without seeming too frequent.

3 - I love lots of information and the more transparency the better.  That said, people here aren't typically your average Kiva lenders.  Perhaps a page and a half or so.  One thing that could be done to include more information without overwhelming people is to give short summaries of information and then links to an article or a more descriptive section so everyone can get an overview and those specifically interested can get more detailed information.

Becky

[Evelyn Yvonne Theriault]

Hello Fiona,

1. The number 1 thing I would look for in a KIVA newsletter would be a few entrepreneur success stories; whether it's as simple as focusing on a few of the best JOURNALS, or even better something that gives a few more details of the aftermath of the loan. Maybe it's my bias as an English teacher but people love a good story and it would be great to have a few with a beginning, middle and end   In addition to inspiring me, this would be the single, most-powerful tool I would have in discussing KIVA with others. I can just imagine walking into my staffroom and saying "You'll never believe what happened when this teacher in (         ) got a loan to (     ) etc."

The second thing - which should be pretty easy to do, is have a section of before/after pictures. This wouldn't have to have people in it if we think that would be insensitive. Thinking again of the education example, I could just imagine before/after pictures of classrooms or school uniforms or educational supplies that were bought with a KIVA loan - and - holding up such a picture to launch a discussion of the difference that simple things can make in a person's life.

The third thing I would like in a newsletter is more of the Inside KIVA type of thing. This is happening in places like the KIVA blogs but some of us aren't using to reading a lot of blogs and so I'd love you to feature just one story a month.  Perhaps one from the staff side and one from the KIVA fellows.  

A fourth thing might be [b]contests[/b] - like cartoon/funny contests (You know you're a KIVA addict when ...) I've noticed some of that happening in KIVAfriends boards already  

Lastly, maybe there could be a Dear Fiona section where we write in about our experiences as KIVA investors.

2. Frequency - monthly would be fine

3. There is no thing as too much if it's set up so that there's a front page with links. That's what I get in my National Genographic Newsletter.

http://love-bird-news.blogspot.com/2007/12/genographic-newsletter-volume-2-issue-3.html

I find it is important to have an archive box (of past issues) on the front page.

4. You're doing a good job. Keep it up!

[charity]

Well, the things I was going to say were said by the Buchanan family already.   Information about new MFIs and/or countries or other news on the  website/kiva functions would be of interest.  Maybe an intro and link to a poignant journal entry and fellow blog.  
I think 2 pages would be the max length, but ~ 1 page would be best (and this is already assuming things are sized and spaced well, and a picture is thrown in).  

And I think the format of having a headline and 4-8 lines of intro text, and then a link to the rest of the story is a good format.  TerraPass and the ASPCA send out newsletters that are like that - short and sweet - and they are the ones I am probably most likely to click on and read something from.

And monthly might be a good aim for frequency - weekly is definitely too much.  

I know I would love to get a Kiva Newsletter, so thank you for all your work!!

[wthepoo]

Hi Fiona,

thanks for involving us.

1 - What do you want in a newsletter?  What type of information do you want to read about?

Basically what Becky wrote:
a) obviously: News to kiva.org - new features, refinements, procedures (like releasing credits from partly repaid loans   - don't know why this came to my mind), announcements of new MFIs/countries already featured on Kiva, problems with MFIs
b) possibly: Preview of features to await on Kiva, requests of feedback/polls regarding certain possible features
c) maybe: previews of new MFIs (maybe with a short introduction/interviews with their staff?) and new countries (maybe with links to some country-related information)
d) maybe: one or two featured journal updates / reports from KivaFellows showing success stories as well as typical problems...
e) maybe: introduction of KivaStaffers (what do they do, what do they like about Kiva, do they lend on Kiva, too, what are their criteria...)
f) maybe: interviews of featured/expert lenders (again: what are their criteria, what are they looking for in a loan, best stories [from journals...], why do they lend, how do they keep track of their loans...)
g) maybe: a "101-course on Microfinance" or links to new online resources / reading tips
h) maybe: puzzles / competitions [prize - if any - could be one free $25-loan, for example, or a $25-GC]

2 - How often do you want a newsletter?

Monthly or bi-monthly would be fine with me regarding 1 b - g; with 1a) I suggest newsflashes even between regular newsletters.

3 - What length would be appropriate for you?  How much is too much and would put you off reading it?

I don't mind length, really. But I do suggest that you preface each newsletter with a summary of contents and links to anchors so that hasty readers can easily navigate to the topics they want to know more about.

4 - Anything else you want to tell us!

Again, thanks for giving us the opportunity to share our opinions with you. Oh, and one more thing: I know that some lenders use a dial-up connection to surf the internet or have webhosted mail-accounts with size limitation - for them too big e-mails (particularly with embedded photos etc.) could be a problem. So maybe you will want to post the "photo/colour"-version of the newsletter on www.kiva.org (with an archive for earlier issues) and send-out a "text-only"-version or just a link to the latest newsletter?


Best wishes from Germany,
Wolfgang.

[Henry]

Everything mentioned in this thread:

Quarterly KIVA Newsletter  (just noticed - posted July 4, 2007 - a year later.....)

http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php/topic,512.0.html

[cpbailey]

Fiona,

I think once a month or 10 times a year (like many magazines) would be fine.  

I think what should be in the newsletter depends on who the audience is.  You have many possible audiences--the new user, the KF member and someone who may have been investing but hasn't the background of Kiva Friends.  If this will go on the Kiva site, I think you will need to hit something relevant for each group on a regular basis.

A second consideration is what goal(s) will the newsletter have?  Goals might be:

1.  To share official information in one fixed place, reducing staff time
2.  To keep people in touch so they continue investing
3.  To inspire by sharing the positive changes in lives of borrowers
4.  To recognize volunteers
5.  To inform about events
6.  To recruit volunteers
7.  To share organization investors' plans and successes, inspiring others to get groups involved
8.  To share information about microfinance

I personally would like to see Kiva Friends projects highlighted.  Recent accomplishments would be great, but current ones could bring more people on board.  I would like to get details on either a country or partner.  What makes a partner amazing?  Perhaps it is educating the women.  Perhaps it is affordability of healthcare.  Perhaps it is how far flung the borrowers are, so it is long rides to reach each one.  What are the effects of the tsunami, flood, or food crisis on a country?  What challenges does a country face politically, economically or socially as it relates to poverty?

Something to give an insider view.  What makes India a challenge to go into?  Why are the interest rates that seem high actually acceptable?  Why don't we see loans for a given partner any more?  (Like Moldova)

Announcing major changes ahead of time.

Maybe quarterly feature groups that are super stars.  How did they decide on Kiva?  How did they raise so much money and get so many people involved?  How did a teacher fit Kiva into her curriculum?

I think 2-4 pages, depending on what is put in there would be good.

I like when there are fixed places that you find the same type of information/article every time.  

This could be a major way to inspire others to reach out to new people.

Colette

[AccountAbility]

Fiona - Thanks for letting us share our thoughts on a newsletter.  The suggestions so far are pretty inclusive.  I personally find Colette's thoughts come closest to my own.

One item I would reiterate is a section on what is new on the website.  As the site gets bigger, it gets harder to spot new things, new Q&As, Blogs and so forth.  One sentence or comment and a link would be great.  (A direct link to the portion of a page which changes might involve some programming, but sure would help.)

One caution--while summary paragraphs with links to detail elsewhere are great, just don't make them so short that they are mere teasers without much content in and of themselves.

Like everything else on Kiva, just start doing it and it will evolve into the best newsletter as time goes on.   

Dan

[michael]

Fi -

First, thanks for asking.

Okay, to supplement the rest of the responses and perhaps echo a little...


- I'd also like to see profiles of Kiva staff, interns, short Q & A profiles with MFI leaders, that sort of thing.  Nothing that even approaches overly personal, no need to invite stalker types in your 'hood.  But I would love to read snippets about why you are at Kiva, what you are passionate about, and what chocolates you'd like me to send.  he he he

- Maybe enhanced profiles of lenders.  Maybe.  Or be a catalyst for lender gatherings in major cities / regions.  Promoting this does not necessarily mean Kiva would pay for anything other than promoting such.

- Success stories.  See Nature Conservancy newsletters for examples.  Remind the lender who has 250 loans out there - many recent ones perhaps as rollovers rather than new funds - exactly WHY they should get re-excited and stay involved.

- I guess a Hot Women of Kiva pictorial section is out of the question, so let's move on.

- If there are lending targets for a given period, set them out plainly.  Maybe there needs to be a "mutual fund" of committed lender money to meet the needs of borrowers whose loan applications have reached 30 days and are about to be denied.  Soliciting non-specific lender funds for such a fund could be a target you set each newsletter.

- Bitch and gripe topics come up here on KF more frequently perhaps than is warranted, but I haven't seen one yet that doesn't have at least SOME validity.  You may get other complaints from non-KF lenders as well.  A column explaining Kiva's position / rationale for decisions and policies as a DIRECT response to such items would go a long way toward solving the lack of communication complaint I have leveled against Kiva Prime in several threads.  Hey, it doesn't mean I don't love you.

Thanks for listening.  And thanks for all you folks do.

[Fiona Ramsey]

Thanks for this, keep it coming.  All super helpful. 

Our biggest difficulty here is going to be resources, but we can definitely use a "divide and conquer" approach to maximize what we can do. 

We really want to create better communication between Kiva HQ and lenders, so thanks for always pushing for that.  I hope that the newsletter is going to be the first step towards really doing a better job there.

Keep 'em coming, we're meeting tomorrow...

F