If I get one, I probably get

a dozen e-mails each week from people asking how to get their "stuff"

into the paper. Whether it's a wedding, engagement, anniversary or

birth announcement, a church event or anything of interest to the religion

community, the procedure is the same and I thought I'd take a minute

to explain it. I hate form letters so I answer each e-mail personally

but it takes a lot of time.

First choice, e-mail. Man,

do I love e-mail! How did we ever get along without it? Zip, zap and you're

done. This, obviously, is the easiest and most efficient way to send your

announcements. You may also send photos this way, but we're sort

of picky about the format, so listen up.

First: type your announcement

into a regular e-mail document, address it to me, and send it! What could

be easier? There is no need to type your announcement into a word processing

program first. I think Bill Gates and his cronies brainwashed everybody

who had a PC into thinking they had to buy MS Word so they could communicate.

Not so! E-mail documents work

a lot better, are less time-consuming, and lessen the chance of spreading

viruses. You cannot get a virus from opening an e-mail, but you can get

one by downloading a document. The fewer downloads, the fewer chances.

Makes sense, huh?

Photos, however, must be sent

as an attachment in jpeg format. We prefer that these jpegs be saved at

a resolution of no less than 100 dpi (300 dpi preferred) and sent as single

attachments.

When you send photos, it is

very important that you identify all persons in the photo. If you don't,

we can't publish it. It's as simple as that.

Now, what information should

the announcement contain? Basically, the who, what, where, when and why

of the event. I also need a phone number or e-mail of a contact so I can

respond if there are questions about the information.

Wedding, engagement, anniversary

and birth announcements are pretty standard fare. Find one in our paper,

substitute your own information and names, and there you go. Just remember,

everything is edited for content, length and style and it may not come

out reading exactly as you wrote it. If you want it in your own words,

unedited, with information we usually don't include, then you will

have to pay for the space. If this is your choice, call 770-719-1880 and

ask for an advertising representative who will be happy to help you. I

said, "Information we usually don't include." Would you

believe one couple wanted the name of their dog in their engagement announcement?

Sorry. The announcements are free and we decide what should be included.

It is all done properly. Trust me.

Also, as much as we would like

to run a photo of your little bundle of joy, we do not include baby pictures

in birth announcements. Again, if this is what you want, it will have

to be done in a paid announcement.

I also get many announcements

and church bulletins via regular mail and fax. These are great too. I

am just glad to get your information, no matter how it comes. And I will

return your photos if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Here's where to send your stuff:

Send e-mail to: [email protected].

Send regular mail to: The Citizen,

P.O. Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

Or fax to: 770-719-1976

Okay. You have no excuse. I

expect to receive your announcements next week!

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