The key to writing a newsletter that people will really want to read is to make it interesting and relevant. So how do you do that? Here are six tips:
#1 Planning and structuring your newsletter
One of the most important aspects of writing an effective newsletter is planning. Think about what you want to achieve with your newsletter. Do you want to increase sales or just keep your customers informed? Once you know the objective, you can start planning the content. A well-designed newsletter is structured to make readers want to keep reading until the very end. With good call-to-action buttons, you might have them take particular actions like subscribing to your online courses or downloading your white paper. In order to familiarize your audience with your style and offers, make sure that any subsequent emails that you send follow the same structure.
#2 Keep it simple
Write your newsletter as if you were writing to an acquaintance or a friend. The closer you get to the reader, the more likely they will be interested in the content. An excellent way to do this is to keep the language simple and avoid jargon. Write in a way that is easy to understand, even for people unfamiliar with your industry. Make sure that the message is relevant and offers value to your readers. Give them advice and help to solve their problems or answer their questions. And don't forget to include a call to action!
#3 Make your newsletter attractive
Your newsletter must be visually appealing to encourage people to read it to the end. The layout should be simple, visually pleasing and easy to read. Make sure your call to action is visible and use colours with sufficient contrast. Find a balanced image/text ratio that will encourage the reader to click or read more. Favour dynamic visuals that adapt to all screen sizes and devices (responsive). Finally, use only a few colours and fonts to minimize distractions.
#4 The email subject line matter
The email subject line is the first thing your readers will see in their inboxes. It must therefore be clear, concise and relevant. It should also be consistent with the content of your message. The goal is to make the reader want to open your message, so choose a catchy title that sets the tone for what they will find next. Readers will be more inclined to open your message if you can spark their curiosity.
#5 Keep it readable and enjoyable for all screen sizes
Optimizing your newsletter for all screen sizes is essential with the wide range of electronic devices available to access our emails. It means that your message should be easy to read on smaller screens like phones, for example. So keep your paragraphs short, use clear and concise sentences and highlight the most crucial information with images, headings or bullets.
#6 Don't forget to comply with Canada's anti-spam legislation
If you plan to send commercial emails, you must comply with Canada's anti-spam legislation. Federal law requires you to obtain the recipient's consent before sending them a commercial message. You must also allow people to opt out of your mailing list and include your contact information in each email. Visit
Canada's anti-spam legislation to learn more about it.
Now that you know the basics, it's time to start planning your next newsletter!
Keep these tips in mind as you plan the content for your next newsletter. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to write newsletters that will engage your readers. Happy writing! :)
