Email newsletters remain one of the most effective ways of getting information to your target audiences. Despite being given a strong run for their money by the immediate and urgent nature of social media, a well constructed newsletter can really make you stand out from the crowd and drive your messages home. The key, however, is in the presentation. Due to our affordable pricing and high standards, a number of high profile voluntary and private sector organisations have chosen to outsource their newsletters to Social Vision.
Here are a few tips to help you get started with your own newsletter:
- Be useful – don’t just broadcast about yourself and all the great things you’re doing. Give people practical actions they can take. Don’t become just ‘another newsletter’ – being useful will create loyalty and engagement.
- Look good – third party software, such as MailChimp, allows you to inherit customisable templates which you can align with your house style. Include photos and videos to retain the reader’s interest.
- Proof, proof and proof again – spelling mistakes are a big turn off. Make sure you proof your work before it goes out. This should include editorial (are all your facts right?) and spelling.
- Choose your time – find out when your audience are most likely to read your newsletter, and make sure you co-ordinate. Traditionally Monday’s and Friday’s are busy days for professionals; whereas evenings and weekends are often best for the general public.
- Stick to the point – too often I see newsletters waffling and providing tons of context. Your busy readers will want to know the whole story within ten seconds. Stick to the point; presenting the key facts and a prominent call to action.
I spent ten years building a newsletter from an organic base of 100 to over 10,000 loyal and very engaged subscribers – making it one of the most popular reads in the UK Criminal Justice System.
If you’d like to send out a regular newsletter but don’t know where to start or don’t have the time, drop us a line and we will be happy to discuss your needs.
