How to Create and Write the Best Newsletter Emails
An email newsletter is a type of electronic mailing that is sent to a group of subscribers on a regular basis, usually on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It contains a variety of information, such as news, articles, updates, promotions, events, and more. Email newsletters are used for a variety of purposes such as keeping subscribers informed about a particular topic, promoting a product or service, or building a relationship with subscribers. They are typically created and distributed using email marketing software, which allows the sender to easily manage and segment large lists of subscribers and track the performance of the newsletter.
The creation of the printing press accelerated the dissemination of knowledge and information and increased literacy rates. It paved the way for the mass manufacturing of flyers, brochures, periodicals, and newsletters aside from books. Publications like modern-day newsletters first appeared in the 16th and 17th centuries. One example is a newsletter distributed in England during the 17th century that included stories of colonial events and individuals. The Boston News-Letter, considered the first known newsletter in the United States, was published in 1704. It was a weekly sheet containing news from England of interest to Colonial Americans. These early newsletters grew into the newspapers we know today. The Boston News Letter has been published continuously for 72 years, making it the oldest newspaper in North America.
Newsletter emails are an important aspect of email marketing because they allow businesses and organizations to regularly engage with their subscribers and keep them informed about their products, services, and industry developments. Newsletters are used to promote new products or services, share company news, provide tips and advice, or simply keep subscribers informed about what's happening in the industry. Newsletters allow businesses to build a relationship with their subscribers by providing valuable and relevant content. Businesses are likely to establish themselves as reliable and trustworthy sources of information by delivering high-quality content on a regular basis. It is likely to lead to increased brand loyalty and trust, which ultimately lead to higher sales and revenue.
The 11 steps for creating an email newsletter are listed below.
- Determine the target audience: It enables firms and organizations to comprehend who their email recipients are and what they desire to view in their messages.
- Select a Newsletter Topic: Consider the audience's interests and needs while selecting a topic. Another consideration when selecting a topic is how it ties to the business's or organization's objectives.
- Choose Goals and Purposes for the Newsletter: Consider the general aims of the business or organization when determining the objectives and purposes of the email newsletters.
- Build an Email List for the Newsletter: Building a solid email list is a crucial component of any digital marketing plan and a potent tool for expanding a business or organization.
- Create a Newsletter Design and Template: It is essential to consider the visual identity of the brand and utilize consistent colors, fonts, and graphics when designing a newsletter. The template must be clean, simple, and user-friendly.
- Understand Bulk Email Sending Software: These forms of software are frequently utilized for the distribution of newsletters, promotional emails, and other forms of mass communication.
- Define Newsletter Content with Text, Image, and Video: The content must be well-written and simple to understand, and it must be arranged into distinct sections with headings and subheadings to facilitate scanning. Photographs and videos must be included in a newsletter in addition to text.
- Use Newsletter Analytics for Tracking: The newsletter statistics provide significant information about the performance of the emails, such as the number of people who open the emails, click the links, and unsubscribe.
- Choose a Newsletter Email Sending Frequency: The frequency at which businesses and brands send newsletter emails depends on the audience and the type of content you're sending.
- Use a Referral Program Newsletter: One must rapidly and easily expand its subscriber base by offering incentives to subscribers who refer others to the newsletter.
- Keep Email Newsletter Consistent: There are numerous types of referral systems, but the majority entail rewarding current newsletter subscribers for each new member they acquire.
1. Determine Target Audience
Determining the target audience for the newsletter emails is a crucial step in establishing effective and engaging content. It helps businesses and companies understand who their readers are and what they want to see in their emails. They are able to tailor their newsletter content to meet their exact needs and interests, which increases the chances of the newsletter being read and acted upon by identifying the target audience.
Begin by identifying the current client base to establish the target audience. Consider the demographics of the current clientele, including their age, gender, region, and income. These kinds of information are useful for gaining an idea of the current clientele and their requirements and interests. Additionally, organizations are able to evaluate consumer behavior by observing how customers interact with their business or organization, including the items or services they purchase, the frequency of their purchases, and how they interact with their content.
Creating buyer personas, which are fictitious representations of the actual buyers, is another useful step. Include details like demographics, pain points, goals, and preferred information consumption methods. Investigate the competition to determine who they are targeting. It provides insight into the likely composition of the intended audience. Lastly, perform customer surveys and collect customer feedback. It offers a deeper comprehension of their requirements, desires, and preferences. The email list must be segmented based on the characteristics of the target audience in order to send more specialized and targeted content once the target population is clearly understood. It increases the likelihood that the newsletter is read and acted upon by the intended audience by ensuring that it is relevant, appropriate, and exciting.
2. Select a Newsletter Topic
Selecting a newsletter topic is an important step in creating effective and engaging newsletter emails. The topic of the newsletter must be relevant and interesting to the target audience, and it must align with the business's or organization's goals. Consider the interests and needs of the target audience when choosing a topic. For example, if the target audience is interested in health and wellness, create a newsletter that focuses on topics such as healthy recipes, fitness tips, and wellness advice. On the other hand, if the target audience is interested in technology, choose to create a newsletter that focuses on topics such as the latest tech trends, product reviews, and how-to guides.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a topic is how it relates to the business's or organization's goals. For example, if the business or organization is trying to increase sales, choose to create a newsletter that focuses on topics such as new products, special offers, or customer testimonials. On the other hand, if the business or organization is trying to increase brand awareness, choose to create a newsletter that focuses on topics such as company news, industry updates, or thought leadership articles.
It's important to mix up the topics in the newsletters to keep the audience engaged. Sending out newsletters about the same topic over and over again must always be avoided. One must alternate between different types of topics such as product-related, industry-related, educational, and personal interest topics instead. Selecting a newsletter topic is an important step in creating effective and engaging newsletter emails. Always consider the interests and needs of the target audience and how they relate to the business or organization's goals when choosing a topic. Additionally, it's a good idea to mix up the topics to keep the audience engaged.
3. Choose Goals and Purposes for Newsletter
Choosing goals and purposes for the newsletter emails is an important step in creating effective and engaging content. Setting clear goals and purposes for the newsletter helps measure the success of the email marketing campaigns and make adjustments as needed to improve performance.
Consider the overall objectives of the business or organization when choosing goals and purposes for the newsletter emails. For example, if the goal is to increase sales, create a newsletter that focuses on promoting new products, offering special discounts, or featuring customer testimonials. On the other hand, if the goal is to increase brand awareness, choose to create a newsletter that focuses on sharing company news, industry updates, or thought leadership articles.
Another goal is to increase engagement with the audience. It is done by creating a newsletter that is interactive, such as by including polls, surveys, or quizzes, or by asking readers to share their opinions or feedback. It is a big help to build a deeper relationship with the audience and increase their engagement with the business or organization.
Another goal is to educate the audience about the products or services, or about the industry, in which one operates. It is done by creating a newsletter that includes educational content, such as how-to guides, tutorials, or best practices. It helps the audience understand the value of the products or services, and how they benefit from them. Lastly, have a goal of driving website traffic or getting the audience to take a specific action. It is done by including calls-to-action (CTA) in the newsletters, such as "Visit our website" or "Sign up for our service." It helps increase website traffic and encourages the audience to take a specific action.
Overall, choosing clear goals and purposes for the newsletter emails is an important step in creating effective and engaging content. Setting clear goals and purposes helps businesses and organizations measure the success of email marketing campaigns and make adjustments as needed to improve performance.
4. Build an Email List for Newsletter
Building an email list for newsletter emails is a practical way to remain in touch with the audience and create relationships with them. A newsletter is a regularly distributed email that contains information about the company or organization, such as updates, promotions, and new products or services. Use a variety of methods, such as adding a sign-up form to the website, offering a free resource or incentive for signing up, or collecting email addresses at events or in-person to build an email list.
Use email marketing software to send regular newsletters to the subscribers once there is a list of email addresses. It's important to not spam and be respectful of their inbox, and give them the option to unsubscribe if they want to. Additionally, one must segment the email lists based on different criteria, such as demographics, interests, or purchase history, to send more targeted and relevant newsletters to specific groups of subscribers. It helps increase engagement and leads to more conversions.
Businesses and companies use the data collected from the email newsletter to reasonably understand their audience and tailor their marketing efforts accordingly. Building a strong email list is an essential part of any digital marketing strategy, and it is a powerful tool for growing a business or organization.
5. Create a Newsletter Design and Template
Creating a newsletter design and template is an important step in building an effective email marketing campaign. A well-designed newsletter must be visually appealing, easy to read, and easy to navigate. It's essential to consider the brand's visual identity and use consistent colors, fonts, and imagery when creating a newsletter design.
The template must be clean, minimalistic, and easy to use. It's best to use a single-column layout for the main text, which makes it easy to read on both mobile and desktop devices. Additionally, use images, infographics, and videos to make the newsletter more engaging and interactive. Try to include calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout the newsletter to encourage subscribers to take action, such as visiting the website or making a purchase.
One needs to consider the layout and structure of the newsletter. It must be easy to scan, with headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up the text. Use different font sizes and colors to make important information stand out. It's a good idea as well to include a clear and visible unsubscription link. Lastly, it's crucial to test the newsletter design and template before sending it to the subscribers. It lets email marketers figure out if there are any problems with the newsletter's design, layout, or functionality and fix them. Use them as a starting point for all future newsletters, making it easier to create and send new email campaigns once the design and template are finalized.
6. Understand Bulk Email Sending Software
Understanding Bulk email sending software used for sending Newsletters is helpful. Bulk Sending Email Software is a tool that allows users to send large volumes of emails to a list of recipients at once. These types of software are often used for sending newsletters, promotional emails, and other forms of mass communication. They usually have features like the ability to personalize emails, track how many people open and click on them, and handle unsubscribes and emails that don't get through.
Some popular bulk email-sending software options include MailChimp, Constant Contact, and Sendinblue. These software platforms are designed to handle the technical aspects of sending emails in bulk, such as managing bounces and unsubscribes, so that users are able to focus on creating effective and engaging content for their newsletters. Additionally, the software helps in segmenting the mailing list and targeting specific groups of people who are most likely to be interested in the content, which helps increase open and click-through rates. Overall, bulk email-sending software is a useful tool for businesses and organizations looking to send newsletters and other mass communications to a large number of people.
7. Define Newsletter Content with Text, Image and Video
It is important to include a variety of content types to make the email interesting and engaging for the reader when creating a newsletter email. One of the most important types of content to include is text. It includes information about upcoming events, company news, industry updates, and other relevant information. The text needs to be well-written and easy to read, and it must be organized into clear sections with headings and subheadings to make it easy to scan.
In addition to text, it is important to include images and videos in a newsletter.
Images are used to break up the text and make the email more visually appealing. They are used to highlight specific information or make the email more engaging. Videos are embedded in the email as well, and they are a great way to provide more in-depth information or showcase a product or service. Ensure that they are high-quality and properly optimized for email when including images and videos in a newsletter. It means that the images must be compressed so that they do not slow down the loading time of the email, and the videos must be hosted on a video platform like YouTube or Vimeo and embedded into the email.
Overall, a newsletter email must contain a combination of text, images, and videos to make it more engaging and interesting for the readers. The text must be well-written and easy to read, the images must be high-quality and properly optimized, and the videos need to be engaging and informative. Ensure that the newsletter email is effective at communicating the message and keeping the audience interested by including a variety of content types.
8. Use Newsletter Analytics for Tracking
Using newsletter analytics for tracking in order to measure success is vital in every campaign when creating newsletter emails. Newsletter analytics provide valuable insights into how the emails are performing, such as how many people are opening the emails, clicking on links, and unsubscribing. The information is then used to optimize future newsletters and improve their overall efficacy.
One of the most important metrics to track is the open rate, which measures the percentage of recipients who have opened the email. A high open rate indicates that the subject line and preheader text are effective at catching the recipient's attention. The click-through rate (CTR) is another important metric, which measures the percentage of recipients who have clicked on a link in the email. A high CTR signifies that the email is engaging and that the content is relevant to the recipient.
Unsubscribes and bounces are necessary metrics to track as well. Unsubscribes measure the number of people who have opted out of receiving the emails, which indicates that the content is not relevant or interesting to them. Bounces measure the number of emails that were returned as undeliverable, which indicates that the email address is invalid or that the recipient's inbox is full. One gets a clear picture of how their newsletter emails are performing and identifies areas that need improvement by tracking these metrics. Additionally, they are able to use the information to segment their mailing list and target specific groups of people who are most likely to be interested in their content, which helps to increase open and click-through rates. Overall, newsletter analytics is an important tool for measuring the success of a newsletter campaign and making data-driven decisions about how to improve it.
9. Choose a Newsletter Email Sending Frequency
Choose a newsletter email sending frequency that is appropriate for the audience or customers. The frequency at which businesses and brands send newsletter emails depends on the audience and the type of content you're sending. There are a few options to consider.
Sending newsletters on a daily basis works well for news-based newsletters, where the content is time-sensitive and readers expect to receive updates frequently.
A weekly schedule of sending newsletters is a good option for newsletters that focus on a specific topic or industry and provide a summary of the most important news and developments from the past week. Meanwhile, bi-weekly is a less frequent option. However, it is good for newsletters that provide in-depth analysis or feature longer-form content. Monthly sending works well for newsletters that focus on a specific topic or industry and provide a summary of the most important news and developments from the past month.
Ultimately, the best frequency for the newsletter depends on the audience's preferences and the type of content you're sending. Do not be afraid to always experiment with different frequencies and see which works best for the audience. Choosing how often to send newsletter emails is important because it affects how engaged and loyal subscribers are. Companies and businesses that send out too many emails risk overwhelming their subscribers, causing them to unsubscribe or mark the emails as spam. On the other hand, if brands and companies send emails infrequently, the subscribers tend to forget about the newsletter and lose interest.
Having a consistent frequency helps the subscribers know when to expect the email and makes it easier to fit reading the newsletter into their schedule. It allows companies to plan and create content that aligns with the sending schedule, which helps ensure that one is providing valuable and relevant information to the subscribers on a regular basis. Setting a regular time for the newsletter helps measure how well the email campaigns are doing as well. It makes it easier to track open and click-through rates, as well as to monitor the growth and engagement of the subscriber list over time.
10. Use a Referral Program for Newsletter
A referral program is a great way to get somebody who already gets the newsletter to tell their friends and coworkers about it. One is able to quickly and easily grow its subscriber list by offering incentives to subscribers who refer others to the newsletter.
There are many kinds of referral programs, but most of them involve giving a reward to current newsletter subscribers for each new subscriber they bring in. The reward is likely to be something as simple as a small discount on a product or service, or something more substantial like a free trial or access to exclusive content.
Put a unique referral link in the newsletter that people are likely to share with others to start a referral program. The link is tracked, so when someone clicks on it and subscribes to the newsletter, the referral is credited to the subscriber who shared the link. Others set a referral goal, which is the number of referrals that are needed for the subscriber to get the reward. Additionally, they include a referral page on their website that displays the progress of their referral program and the number of subscribers referred by each subscriber. It creates a sense of competition and encourages them to refer more people to the newsletter.
A referral program is a win-win for both the current subscribers and the business. It helps to increase the number of subscribers and strengthens the relationship between the business and its current subscribers.
11. Keep Email Newsletter Consistent
Keeping the email newsletter consistent is crucial for building trust and engagement with the subscribers. Consistency helps establish a recognizable brand image, and it lets subscribers know what to expect from the newsletter.
One way to keep the newsletter consistent is to maintain a regular schedule for sending emails. It helps to ensure that the subscribers receive the newsletter at the same time each week or month, which makes it easier for them to fit reading the newsletter into their schedule.
Another way to keep the newsletter consistent is to maintain a consistent design and format. It includes using the same template, layout, and branding elements in every newsletter. It helps establish a recognizable brand image that subscribers come to associate with the newsletter. Additionally, maintaining a consistent tone and voice in the writing is important as well. It means using the same language, tone, and writing style in every newsletter. It helps create a consistent voice for the brand that people come to recognize and associate with the newsletter.
Consistency even applies to the content of the newsletter. Make sure to consistently provide information and updates on that topic or industry in every newsletter to start a referral program. It helps ensure that the subscribers are receiving valuable and relevant information on a regular basis. Consistency in the email newsletter helps to build trust and engagement with the subscribers, making them more likely to continue reading the newsletter and more likely to recommend it to others.
How to Optimize Email Newsletters?
Businesses and corporations improve the effectiveness of their email newsletters and drive more conversions by implementing these optimization strategies.
Listed below are several ways to optimize Email Newsletters.
- Segment the audience. Divide the subscriber list into smaller groups based on demographics, behavior, or interests. The process allows one to send targeted and personalized content that resonates with specific segments of their audience.
- Test and optimize subject lines. Subject lines are the first thing subscribers see and greatly impact open rates. Test different subject lines to see which ones perform the best and optimize accordingly.
- Use a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA). A clear and compelling CTA encourages subscribers to take the next step, whether that be visiting the website, making a purchase, or signing up for a service.
- Optimize for mobile. Many people read emails on their mobile devices, so it is important to optimize the newsletter for mobile viewing. It includes using a responsive design and keeping the email simple and easy to read on a small screen.
- Track and analyze metrics. Use email marketing software to track key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use the data to make informed decisions about what works and what doesn't and continuously improve the newsletter.
- Personalize the emails. Add the subscriber's name and segment content as per their interests. It makes the email feel more personal and increases the chances of the subscriber engaging with the content.
- Optimize for inbox delivery. Ensure that the emails are reaching the inbox of the subscribers. It is achieved by following the best practices of email deliverability, such as maintaining a clean list, avoiding spam words, and authenticating the sending domains.
What are the Successful Email Newsletters?
Below is the list of Successful Email Newsletters.
- Airbnb: Airbnb newsletter is a regular publication sent to the registered users of the Airbnb platform. It typically includes information about new features, promotions, and tips for using the platform, as well as personalized recommendations for places to stay based on the user's search history and preferences. The newsletter includes information about local events and experiences, as well as stories and testimonials from other Airbnb users. The newsletter is usually delivered via email and is designed to keep users engaged with the platform and encourage them to book more stays on the site. Generally, Airbnb's marketing emails are graphically beautiful and personalized. However, the tempo and subtle upselling contribute to their excellence.
- Buzzfeed: Buzzfeed newsletter is a regular publication sent by Buzzfeed, a news and entertainment website that covers a wide range of topics such as pop culture, politics, lifestyle, and more. The newsletter includes a selection of the most popular or trending stories from the website, along with exclusive content that is not available on the site. It even includes quizzes, videos, and other interactive elements. The newsletter is typically delivered via email to subscribers, and is designed to keep readers engaged with the website and encourage them to visit it regularly.
- Morning Brew: Excellent content is what Morning Brew delivers, if the newsletter company's email list is not expanding on autopilot, then it has a significant problem. Morning Brew is aware of it and uses the power of high-quality content to make its newsletter exciting and fascinating to its audience, hence encouraging word-of-mouth. Morning Brew is one of the most rapidly expanding media organizations due to its creative email marketing techniques. Morning Brew generates 90% (13 million) of its sales from email marketing alone.
- The Skimm: The newsletter covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, technology, and entertainment. It was founded in 2012 by two friends, Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin. They are headquartered in New York City. It seeks to make the news more accessible and simple to comprehend for a predominantly female audience. The Skimm had become a thriving media empire in 2018. Having established its empire on a content-based foundation, theSkimm set out to diversify the material even further.
- The Hustle: The Hustle is a daily newsletter that provides a curated selection of the most important and interesting business news. It covers a wide range of topics including technology, startups, finance, and more. The newsletter is known for its concise and easy-to-understand writing style, and its focus on actionable insights and takeaways. The Hustle is known for its strong focus on entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem. It is a paid newsletter that started in 2015.
What are the Successful Email Newsletter Referral Programs?
Successful email newsletter referral systems incentivize existing subscribers to recommend that their friends and coworkers sign up for the newsletter. One common feature of these schemes is that existing customers receive advantages or bonuses for each new user they refer. The Skimm, a daily news digest newsletter, features an effective referral system.
It is a good example of a referral program for an email newsletter. People who already receive the email are eligible for a $5 Amazon gift card for each new subscriber they bring in. Current subscribers are rewarded for sharing the newsletter with their social networks, which results in a continual influx of new subscribers.
Another example is the Product Manager HQ newsletter's referral program. A free book on product management is given to any current client who refers to a new subscription. The referral campaign not only attracts new readers, but it even helps establish the newsletter as a useful source of product management-related information.
Effective email newsletter referral systems demonstrate to current subscribers why they need to tell their friends and family about the newsletter. It increases the number of newsletter subscribers and broadens the readership for the newsletter.
What are the Best Email Newsletter Analysis Programs?
There are a number of email newsletter analysis programs available, depending on an individual’s specific needs and budget. These are some of the most popular and widely used email newsletter analysis programs.
Below are the Best Email Newsletters Analysis Programs.
- Mailchimp: Mailchimp is one of the leading email marketing and automation brands. Mailchimp offers a centralized set of resources to simplify every business’s marketing and sales efforts. It offers detailed reporting and analytics for email campaigns, including information on open and click-through rates, subscriber engagement, and more.
- Constant Contact: The platform offers a variety of email analytics and reporting tools to help users track the success of their email campaigns, including data on open and click-through rates, bounce rates, and more.
- AWeber: AWeber offers marketing solutions for faster success using uncomplicated tools for an affordable price. The platform offers ready-made, unique landing pages, and sign-up forms readily available to add to a website, and links businesses or brands to other tools to expand their list automatically.
- GetResponse: GetResponse provides lifetime free plans designed for brands and businesses to grow. It is a global marketing software provider that equips an organization with the necessary internet marketing tools.
- Campaign Monitor: Campaign monitor uses a simple drag-and-drop method to utilize professional and intricately-designed email marketing. The platform provides a variety of statistics and reporting tools for users to track the success of their email marketing campaigns, such as data on open and click-through rates, bounce rates, and more.
- Klaviyo: Klaviyo is a multinational technology business that offers a marketing automation platform mostly utilized for email and SMS marketing. It offers a range of analytics and reporting tools to help users track the success of their email campaigns, including data on open and click-through rates, bounce rates, and more.
- MailerLite: Mailerlite meets the needs of its customers by developing solutions with complex capability, but guarantees that tier tools are easy to use. They provide email surveys, simple analytics, sales monitoring, graphic click maps, and more. Businesses are able to know precisely how to make their next campaign even more successful.
- Omnisend: Omnisend has a lot to offer whether a business is looking to automate its SMS, email, or both. Users are able to track the effectiveness of their email campaigns using the platform's analytics and reporting capabilities, which include information on open and click-through rates, bounce rates, and other metrics.
How to Create a Proper Email List?
Here are some tips for creating a proper email list:
- Use opt-in forms. Make it easy for people to sign up for the email list by including opt-in forms on the website, social media pages, and blog.
- Be transparent. Be clear about what people expect to receive when they sign up for the email list. Provide a clear description of the content and frequency of the emails.
- Get explicit consent. Always get explicit consent from people before adding them to the email list. It is established by including a checkbox on the opt-in form or by having people confirm their subscriptions via email.
- Keep it clean. Regularly remove inactive or unengaged subscribers from the list to keep it clean and relevant.
- Segment the list. Segment the list into different groups based on the information collected from the subscribers. It helps to send more targeted and personalized emails.
- Follow laws and regulations. Make sure to comply with all laws and regulations related to sending emails, such as the CAN-SPAM Act in the US or GDPR in Europe.
- Provide an unsubscribe link. Always include an unsubscribe link in the emails to make it easy for people to unsubscribe if they no longer wish to receive the emails.
- Keep it updated: Make sure to update the email list regularly, by removing bounced emails or invalid email addresses.
What is the Best Frequency for Email Newsletters?
The ideal frequency for newsletters is no more than twice per week and no less than once per month on average. However, the best frequency for email newsletters still depends on the type of content and audience that the newsletter serves.
It is essential to consider how often an audience likes to receive a newsletter and how often it provides valuable and relevant content in general. It is likely to be appropriate to send a newsletter every day for daily news digests or news-related newsletters. For example, The Skimm and The New York Times Morning Briefing are sent on a daily basis. A weekly schedule is more appropriate for a more general interest or lifestyle newsletter. For example, Tim Ferriss' 5-Bullet Friday newsletter is sent once a week.
A monthly or bi-monthly schedule is more appropriate for a newsletter that focuses on a specific industry or field. For example, the Product Manager HQ newsletter is sent on a weekly basis.
It's important to consider the audience’s preferences and how often they are likely to engage with the newsletter. For example, if the target audience is busy professionals, they do not have time to read a daily newsletter, so a weekly or bi-weekly schedule might be more appropriate. How often an email newsletter must be sent depends on the audience, the type of content a brand or company is offering, and their own schedule for making content.
It's a good idea to A/B test the frequency and make adjustments based on the audience's engagement and feedback. The frequency of email newsletters has an impact on both click-through rate (CTR) and spam filtration. Sending the newsletter too frequently leads to a decrease in engagement as the subscribers are likely to feel overwhelmed with the number of emails they receive in terms of CTR. It is likely to lead them to unsubscribe or mark the emails as spam. On the other hand, if the newsletters are sent too infrequently, it leads to the subscribers forgetting about the newsletter, resulting in a decrease in engagement and CTR.
Sending newsletters too frequently increases the likelihood that the emails are likely to be flagged as spam. It is because some spam filters interpret a high volume of emails from the same sender as spam. Additionally, if a large number of recipients mark the emails as spam, it increases the likelihood that future emails are likely to be flagged as spam. It's important to find a balance between giving subscribers useful and relevant content and taking into account how they want their email inboxes to look. One way to achieve it is by testing different frequencies and monitoring the engagement and feedback of the subscribers. It's essential to always include an unsubscribe link in the newsletters, it helps to keep the list clean and avoid spam complaints.
How to Determine Email Newsletter Topic?
There are several ways to determine the topic of an email newsletter:
- Look at the interests and needs of the audience. Consider what the subscribers are interested in and what they need to know. Tailor the newsletter content to meet those needs.
- Analyze past newsletter performance. Look at the engagement and click-through rates of past newsletters. Use data to determine which topics resonated with the audience and which didn't.
- Monitor industry trends. Keep an eye on current events and trends in the industry. Use the information to create timely and relevant newsletter content.
- Use feedback and surveys. Ask the subscribers for feedback on past newsletters and what they would like to see in future editions. Use feedback to inform the newsletter content.
- Use A/B testing. Try different topics and formats for the newsletter and measure the results. Use the data to determine which topics and formats work best.
How to Choose Email Newsletter Design, and Colors?
Choosing the design and colors for the email newsletter is an important step in creating an engaging and visually appealing email that encourages subscribers to read and interact with the content. Ultimately, the design and colors one chooses for the email newsletter need to align with the brand and be visually appealing to the target audience. Create an email newsletter that is both visually engaging and effective in driving conversions by following these tips and testing different designs and colors.
Here are a few tips to help choose the right design and colors for the email newsletter:
- Keep it simple. A simple and clean design is often more effective than a cluttered and busy one. Use a clear and easy-to-read font, and keep the layout clean and uncluttered.
- Use the brand colors. Use the brand colors to create consistency and recognition for the newsletter. It helps to establish a recognizable brand image that subscribers come to relate to the newsletter.
- Use contrasting colors. Use contrasting colors to create visual interest and make it easy for subscribers to scan and read the email. For example, use a dark background with light text, or vice versa.
- Use images and graphics. Use images and graphics to add visual interest and make the newsletter more engaging. However, ensure that the images are optimized and do not slow down the loading of the email.
- Test different designs and colors. Test different designs and color schemes to see which ones perform the best. Use A/B testing to determine which design and colors result in the highest open and click-through rates.
- Be mindful of accessibility. Make sure the color contrast meets accessibility standards, and provide alternative text for images. It ensures that the newsletter is accessible to all subscribers, including those with visual impairments.
How to Track CTR for Email Newsletters?
CTR, or click-through rate, is a metric used to measure the success of an email newsletter campaign. It is calculated by dividing the number of clicks on a link in the email by the number of times the email was delivered (not opened). Utilize a few different methods to track CTR for email newsletters. Overall, tracking CTR for email newsletters is an important step in measuring the success of email marketing campaigns. One is able to gain valuable insights into how the email campaigns are performing and make adjustments as needed to improve the performance by using these methods.
- Use an Email Marketing Platform. Many email marketing platforms, such as MailChimp, Constant Contact, and Campaign Monitor, have built-in analytics that allows businesses to track CTR. These platforms automatically track clicks on links in the email and provide them with a CTR percentage.
- Use Google Analytics. Use Google Analytics to track CTR for the email newsletter. Users are able to track clicks on those links in Google Analytics by adding a UTM parameter to the links in their email. Create a custom campaign in Google Analytics and then add the UTM parameter to the links in the email to do this.
- Use a Link Shortener. A link shortener such as Bitly is used to track clicks on links in the email. Track clicks on that link and get a CTR percentage by creating a shortened link with a link shortener.
- Track Unique clicks. Track the unique clicks on the email newsletter by using a unique link for each subscriber. It helps businesses to understand the actual number of people who have clicked on the links in the email.
What are the Best Email Newsletter Examples?
Some examples of successful email newsletters include:
- The Skimm: Skimm is a daily newsletter that provides a digest of the top news stories in a conversational and easy-to-read format. The newsletter is known for its conversational tone and use of humor, as well as its focus on providing a curated selection of news stories that are relevant to its readers. The Skimm covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, technology, and entertainment. Additionally, to the newsletter, The Skimm offers a subscription-based audio news brief, events, and merchandise. Skimm has 7 million subscribers.
- The Hustle: The Hustle is a daily newsletter that covers business and technology news with a focus on startups and innovation. The newsletter is known for its concise, easy-to-read format and its focus on providing readers with actionable insights and information that help them stay informed about the latest developments in the business world. The Hustle targets young professionals and entrepreneurs, providing them with information and insights that help them navigate the business world and succeed in their careers. The Hustle newsletter was launched in 2015 by Sam Parr and John Havel. It is now a media company that offers events, podcasts, and merchandise. The Hustle has 1.5 million subscribers.
- The New York Times Morning Briefing: It is a daily newsletter that provides a summary of the top news stories from the New York Times. It is one of the most reputable and respected newspapers in the world. The newsletter is delivered to subscribers' inboxes every morning and provides a summary of the top news stories from the previous day, as well as a preview of the day's upcoming events. It covers a wide range of topics including politics, business, technology, and entertainment, with a focus on providing readers with the most important and relevant news stories of the day. The newsletter includes links to articles in The New York Times, so readers are able to easily access more detailed information on the topics covered. The newsletter is free to subscribe to, and the articles that it links to are free to read for a limited number of times per month for non-subscribing users. The New York Times Morning Briefing has 17 million subscribers.
- The New Yorker's Daily Shouts and Laughs: It is a daily newsletter that features a mix of humor, cartoons, and commentary from the New Yorker. The New Yorker's Daily Shouts and Laughs Newsletter is a daily newsletter that features a variety of comedic content, including cartoons, jokes, and humorous essays. It is published by The New Yorker, a weekly magazine, known for its coverage of politics, culture, and the arts. The newsletter is sent out to subscribers every morning and is designed to provide a little bit of levity and entertainment to start the day.
- Tim Ferriss' 5-Bullet Friday: One of the weekly email newsletter examples that share interesting articles, books, and tools that Tim Ferriss has come across during the week. The Tim Ferriss Show 5-Bullet Friday is a weekly newsletter that is distributed every Friday by Tim Ferriss, the author of The 4-Hour Work Week and host of the popular podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show." The newsletter includes a curated list of five things that Ferriss recommends, which include books, articles, products, or other items he has found interesting or useful. It includes a brief note or update from Ferriss himself. The newsletter is free to subscribe to and is aimed at helping people improve their productivity, health, and overall well-being. Tim Ferriss’ 5-Bullet Friday has 1.5 million subscribers.
- The Product Collective's Product Manager HQ: The Product Collective's Product Manager HQ is a weekly newsletter that focuses on the latest in product management, including interviews with industry leaders. Product Manager HQ newsletters are targeted at product managers and product leaders. They include a variety of content, such as articles, interviews, case studies, and resources related to product management and development. They are likely to include updates on upcoming events, webinars, or other training opportunities. These newsletters are aimed at helping product managers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, best practices, and tools in the field, as well as connecting with other product managers and industry experts. The Product Collective's Product Manager HQ has 40,000 plus subscribers.
- The Daily Upside: The Daily Upside is a daily newsletter that provides a summary of the most important business news and analysis from around the world. It covers a wide range of topics including finance, technology, economics, and politics. The newsletter is published by The Upside, a digital media company that provides news and insights on the most important business and economic stories of the day. The Daily Upside is designed to provide readers with a quick and easy way to stay informed about the latest developments in the business world. The Daily Upside has 300,000 subscribers.
- The Daily Good: The Daily Good is a daily, 30-second newsletter that contains calming soundtracks, sustainable recipes, inspiring articles, and more. Each edition of The Daily Good feels like hearing from a sister or a trusted friend, and contains self-care ideas, good news, sustainable shopping recommendations, and healthy recipes. The Daily Good is the ideal mindful coffee partner as someone begins the morning because of how serene each edition feels. Expect newsletters from the Daily Good five mornings every week, Monday through Friday. The Daily Good has 100,000 subscribers.
What types of Emails should be Used in Newsletters?
The most important thing for a newsletter to do well is to give subscribers information that is useful and interesting. One must ensure that subscribers stay engaged and interested in their business or organization by including a mix of these different types of emails in their newsletter.
Below are the different types of Emails that must be Used in Newsletters.
- Promotional Emails: These types of emails are used to promote a product or service. They include special offers, discounts, and other incentives to encourage subscribers to make a purchase.
- Informational Emails: These types of emails are used to share important information with subscribers. They include company news, industry updates, or educational content.
- Event Emails: These types of emails are used to promote upcoming events, such as webinars, conferences, or product launches. They include information about the event, such as the date, time, location, and registration details.
- Survey Emails: These types of emails are used to gather feedback from subscribers. They include surveys or polls that allow subscribers to share their opinions and preferences.
- Thank You Emails: These types of emails are used to thank subscribers for their support or loyalty. They include special offers or discounts as a way to show appreciation.
- Reminder Emails: These types of emails are used to remind subscribers of upcoming events or deadlines. They include information about the event and a call to action.
How to Use Mail Merge for Newsletters?
Mail merge enables the sending of tailored emails to a wide group of recipients. The mail merge segment in Gmail is used to send newsletters to subscribers. A list of email addresses and a template are required to use mail merge for newsletters in Gmail. Create a list of email addresses that must be added to the newsletter mailing list. It is done by creating a Google Sheets document and adding the email addresses to a column. Ensure that the email addresses are in the first column and that there are no blank rows.
Next, generate a newsletter template. Make a new email in Gmail and format it so that it looks like a newsletter to do it. Text, photos, and links are added to the newsletter template. Send the newsletter using a mail merge add-on for Gmail, such as "Yet Another Mail Merge," once the list of email addresses and newsletter template are available. The add-on lets users combine the data from Google Sheets with the template and send each email address on the list a customized email. It is usually a good idea to verify the mail merge by sending a test email to oneself to ensure that the merge was performed correctly and to review the final output before sending out the newsletter.
Overall, Gmail's mail merge for newsletters is a useful feature that makes it easy to send personalized newsletters to a lot of people. Users are able to quickly and easily send newsletters to subscribers that look like they were made by a professional with Gmail and a mail merge add-on.