Anatomy of a Compelling Email Newsletter
Email newsletters can undoubtedly boost your business. But not just any newsletter will do. To make the most of your efforts, you'll need specific elements in place to make sure your audience reads and remembers what you send. After all, people on your contact list are probably receiving over 100 emails a day. How will you make yours stand out?
Here are five essential parts to include in all your email newsletters:
A Catchy Subject Line
The subject line is one of the most important parts of your email newsletter. What good is any of the content you're sending if your readers send it to the trash without opening it? We could write an entire blog about subject lines (oh wait, we did!), but for now, here's a quick rundown. To convey your main message effectively:
Keep subject lines clear and concise; Mailchimp suggests using no more than 9 words and 60 characters
Use personalization, like names or familiar locations, for a unique touch that enhances engagement
Don't be afraid to experiment with different styles, such as curiosity, humor, or urgency, to pique subscribers' interest
Remember, a well-crafted subject line sets the tone and expectations for your newsletter content — consider it the perfect opportunity to make a great first impression.
Personalized Greeting
Once you've crafted an irresistible subject line, it's time to consider your greeting. Make your subscribers feel special by making it personal. Addressing your subscribers by their first name adds a tailored, individual touch and shows that you value their relationship. This small gesture not only captures your readers' attention but sets a positive tone for the rest of the newsletter, increasing engagement and fostering stronger connections with your audience. Furthermore, email newsletter marketing sites make this task fast and stress-free. All you need is your mailing list and a greeting tag placeholder; the rest is done for you.
High-Quality Content
With a personal greeting in place, the next step is to provide your subscribers with something valuable and unique. Keep the content informative, engaging, and relevant to your audience's interests.
Your audience is more likely to read a newsletter that's easy to digest, meaning you should make it short, keep it authentic, and use an engaging and easy-to-read writing style. Ensure that your content is well-researched, accurate, and up-to-date, making it a reliable source of information for your subscribers, and enhance it with helpful visuals like graphics and images. By delivering high-quality content consistently, you can establish yourself as a trusted resource in your industry.
No quality content this cycle? No problem. DO NOT SEND AN EMAIL. It’s true! It’s better to skip a send than craft something your audience is not interested in. In fact, sending fluffy filler content is a great way to get folks to unsubscribe.
Strong Call-To-Action
At the end of your newsletter, encourage subscribers to take action by using compelling CTAs that clearly state what you want them to do, such as visiting your website or making a purchase. Make your CTAs more effective with concise, catchy, and persuasive text. Adding a time element creates a sense of urgency and prompts immediate action; just make sure not to overuse this tactic and always keep it genuine or it will lose effectiveness.
It's important to test different CTAs to find the most effective ones for your audience. Look into your marketing tool's analytics to determine how often your CTAs are viewed and clicked on, and note which ones your readers respond to.
Contact Information
Lastly, make it easy for your subscribers to get in touch with you by including your contact information in every newsletter. Cater to different preferences by providing multiple channels, such as email, phone, and social media. Remember to regularly update your contact details to ensure accuracy. By prioritizing accessible contact information, you can foster seamless communication and build strong relationships with your audience.
With these components in place, you'll ensure your email newsletters will be read. Best of all, you'll help your brand stand out as valuable, trustworthy, and memorable, creating long-term clients and hopefully even bringing in new ones.
Have a question? Wish you had someone who could just write your newsletter for you? We can help. Schedule a call today!