When you start writing a newsletter it can be hard to know where to start. When I work with a client we first figure out what all they want included in their newsletter each month. For me – you know that I always have 3 things and a picture of Norm. (If you didn’t know that you can fix it here.) If you have a system in place for your newsletter each month it’s way easier to keep up on it. Here’s 10 things I’ve seen in newsletters that I think are great:
- Previous Blog Posts – if you have a blog and are updating it regularly there’s your content for the newsletter! You can also feature a topic and pick a few blog posts that go together
- Featured Employee – Have a team? Let’s meet them!
- Tips – Your Newsletter is not about getting people to buy something (always anyway) – it’s about educating them. Give them helpful information that makes them want to work with you.
- Feature Another Business – Do you often partner with another company or small business owner? Feature them!
- Specials & Promotions – is it your slow season? Great – how about if I sign up by X I get Y as a bonus!
- And You Are? – If you’re often updating your list or it’s been a while since you sent out a newsletter it might be helpful to feature your boiler plate or a quick feature of a specific service.
- Events! – Duh – are you speaking or holding a workshop or webinar? Make sure we know!
- Promote Yourself – if you’ve been featured on a blog or podcast or radio show – make sure to include a link to it! I was featured on a podcast last month and made sure to share that with my network.
- Pictures! – Please oh Please include images and graphics! My newsletter always includes a picture of Norm so you are guaranteed a cute puppy photo at the very least!
- Something Fun – Are you enjoying something right now you want to tell your network about? It doesn’t have to be all about work – feature a picture from your recent vacation or a short book review or a recipe you’re enjoying this summer (this would be weird for an IT company but great for a personal trainer or body work practitioner…)
Okay – that’s a good start right? Juices flowing? What else do you like to see in a newsletter? What else do you have in yours that I forgot to mention?