Illustratus is an innovative online newsletter publishing system that promises to change the way residential newsletters are produced nationwide. Our subscribers are able to edit and proof their newsletters online and have complete access to our interactive StoryFile and Banner libraries. In addition, Illustratus subscribers can use Illustratus.com to easily manage their newsletter accounts, verify delivery information or view an archive of their past issues.

Yes! And doing so is easy! When you log on to your newsletter account, you simply click on your "My Photos" section. There, you'll use the "Browse" button to navigate to the folder or desktop location of your photos on your computer. Select the photo you want to use and click the "Upload" button.

You can also Rename, Crop, Rotate or Delete the photos you add to your online Illustratus Photo Library by clicking on the preview image you'll see in your "My Photos" folder and making the change.

You can upload any image that is at least 500 dpi. That's the typical size of a high-res image that most digital cameras are set to shoot. However, it is NOT the size of images if you copy them from web sites. Those types of images are set for web-site quality to make them "load" faster when you open a web site. That "fast" size makes them of too low of a resolution (fuzzy) to work for your newsletter. (Plus, those images are likely copyrighted, making it illegal to use them without permission.)

The purpose of our service is to enable you to produce professional-quality newsletters quickly, easily and inexpensively. Each month, we take the information you supply and incorporate it onto the front and back pages of your four-page newsletter. We then complete the two inside pages with professionally written articles and features and full-color photos and artwork.

For most Illustratus subscribers, your information is due on the 15th or 25th of the month depending on which newsletter product you select. That means your newsletter must be electronically submitted by midnight (central time) on that day. Late fees may apply to submissions and revisions received after that date. We also offer an Early Ship deadline if you'd like to receive your newsletters even sooner. For specifics on Early Ship delivery, contact a member of our Customer Support Team at (866) 881-8900.

It depends on your due date and whether you choose our mailing service (first-class or standard delivery) or direct shipping. If you choose direct shipping, your box of newsletters will arrive on or before the 1st or 10th of each month (unless the 1st or 10th falls on a weekend or federal holiday, at which time your newsletters will be delivered on the following business day), depending on which newsletter product you select. For specifics on mailing service delivery, contact a member of our Customer Support Team at (866) 881-8900.

Your professionally designed monthly newsletters consist of four pages. Each month, you have complete editorial control over the front and back pages. To help you prepare your part of the newsletter quickly and easily, we have organized it into the following six categories:

Highlights (word limit: approximately 200 words)
A comprehensive category that establishes a direct, personal channel of communication between you and every reader--a key to profitable property management. With just a few words each month, you can remind your readers that they have a friend in the front office, avoid misunderstandings and encourage the kind of ongoing dialogue that keeps a community running smoothly.

Notes & News (word limit: approximately 135 words)
This column is used to pass along interesting news about life in your community and to announce special events such as parties, contests and other important gatherings. It is a valuable monthly tool to keep readers up-to-date about the activities and features that your community offers, and to help encourage the sense of neighborhood that is so vital to a successful property.

Important Information (office hours and important telephone numbers)
This listing displays your office hours and important telephone numbers, serving as a valuable reference that your residents will post and keep. The choice of listings is up to you. You may want to give the phone number of your leasing office, maintenance hotline, management group, local police department, etc.

Bulletin Board (word limit: 40 words)
This section is used for showcasing specific information or announcements that need to be emphasized. It is particularly useful for special contests, discounts and prizes.

Back Page Calendar (word limit: six words per date; 12 dates per month)
On the back page of your newsletter is a calendar for the upcoming month that permits you to note important dates and events. You can be sure that your readers will post and use it all month long, making your events a conspicuous part of their monthly planning.

Banner (choose from samples found in the Banner library)
This exclusive feature allows you to choose from scores of attractive, professionally designed messages or puzzlesand other columns. Your Banner selection appears on the back page of your newsletter--the perfect spot to advertise Early Bird Specials, resident referral programs and other important management tools.

Yes! Professional proofreading is included in your Illustratus subscription at no additional cost. Our proofers will ensure that typos, misspellings and obvious grammatical errors are corrected so that you'll look your best. In addition, should any questions or confusion arise during the proofing of your newsletter, we will contact you directly to resolve any issues.

As part of your Illustratus subscription, you are always assured of receiving a completed newsletter--even when you run out of time or inspiration to complete it by your deadline. If you can't fill the newsletter or are too busy, we'll do it for you, adding entertaining general-interest articles to every page. This free service guarantees you'll always receive a professionally produced newsletter in a timely fashion.

Our professional writers fill the two inside pages for you with bright, colorful articles that your residents will read and appreciate. From fascinating trivia to valuable consumer news, your newsletters will provide reading enjoyment month after month!

Yes. If you only have a small space to fill but want to include one of the professionally written articles from the Online Library of Articles, you can edit it down to fit the space you have available or make whatever other changes you'd like to the text. Top

At Illustratus, we're committed to providing you with the best training and customer support anywhere. Thus, while the Online Newsletter Editor is so easy to use that you probably won't need our help, we're available if you do. You're never on your own. We'll walk you through every step.

We offer a No-Risk Guarantee. If, for any reason, you are dissatisfied with your first newsletters, contact a member of our Customer Support Team at (866) 881-8900.

Not in most cases. The vast majority of Illustratus subscribers operate as at-will subscribers. In only a few cases do we ask subscribers to sign a longer-term contract.

Illustratus offers the highest quality at the most affordable price of any newsletter company in the industry. Prices vary according to the number of pages in your issue, your choice of mailing service or delivery and how much of the newsletter you want to customize. No matter what you pay, every Illustratus subscriber receives beautiful layouts, professionally written articles, expert proofreading and awesome customer support. Premium subscribers also enjoy the ability to add their own full-color photos–and access those in our Online Library of Photos–at no charge! Please contact a member of our Customer Support Team at (866) 881-8900 for more information.

Yes. Additional charges may apply for bi-monthly and quarterly subscriptions. Please contact a member of our Customer Support Team at (866) 881-8900.

We do offer discounts for groups of properties or entities. Please contact a member of our Customer Support Team at (866) 881-8900 for more information.

Illustratus automatically adds all official federal holidays to your calendar. You are free to include additional holidays or events (including non-federal holidays such as Mother's Day or St. Patrick's Day), in addition to the ones Illustratus adds. You also can always delete any that Illustratus has added.

The federal holidays that Illustratus will always automatically include are:
--New Year's Day (January)
--Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January)
--Presidents' Day (February)
--Memorial Day (May)
--Independence Day (July)
--Labor Day (September)
--Columbus Day (October)
--Veterans Day (November)
--Thanksgiving (November)
--Christmas (December)