

I’ve subscribed to great newsletters over the past few years and today I look back on the reasons why I decided to subscribe to them in the first place.

There has to be some secret formula for writing catchy newsletters, right?



Let’s see what made me decide to want to receive these newsletters:

Was it the attractive layout? Yes.

Was it the snappy content? Yes

Was it the people behind the company? Yes.

As you can see, these are the same reasons why we love some blogs and websites. Writing catchy newsletters uses the same basic principles as writing great blog posts and effective web copies, but I believe there are 2 things that make newsletters unique: well thought-out subject lines and powerful introductory one liners.

In blogs and websites, you have the option to go to another post or page to read something else if you don’t like what you see. However, in the case of newsletters in inboxes, the subject line is king. It will determine whether or not a newsletter will be opened.

Every now and then we need to be reminded of the basics. So whether you’re just planning to launch a newsletter or thinking of giving your current one a makeover, here are some tips to guide you in writing catchy newsletters:

Tip #1- Pique your readers’ interest with a great subject line.

Make your recipient stop and notice. Email newsletters, just like any other email, get stuck in the inbox unless it’s opened and read. Thus, write a catchy subject line, no longer than 50 characters including spaces that will draw the recipient’s attention.

Make your recipient stop and notice. Email newsletters, just like any other email, get stuck in the inbox unless it’s opened and read. Thus, write a catchy subject line, no longer than 50 characters including spaces that will draw the recipient’s attention. Tip #2 – K.I.S.S.

Now that you have their attention, your next task is to give them a reason to linger and read some more. Keep your newsletter short and simple. (KISS) Be brief and direct to the point.

Now that you have their attention, your next task is to give them a reason to linger and read some more. Keep your newsletter short and simple. (KISS) Be brief and direct to the point. Tip #3 – Adjust writing style to your readers.

Get to know your readers well – their demographics, their profiles, their likes and dislikes and other preferences. Suit the tone of your writing to what they want.

Get to know your readers well – their demographics, their profiles, their likes and dislikes and other preferences. Suit the tone of your writing to what they want. Tip #4 – Lay it out in bullets.

All text, in paragraph form, is not ideal in email newsletters. Pique their interest over and over again by highlighting or emphasizing important points or enumerating basic points.

All text, in paragraph form, is not ideal in email newsletters. Pique their interest over and over again by highlighting or emphasizing important points or enumerating basic points. Tip #5 – Tell readers what to do next.

Would you like them to forward or share your newsletter or direct them to your website? Make sure you tell readers what to do at the end of your letter.

Like me, people today subscribe to several newsletters, not just one or two. So make sure yours gets opened. With these tips, writing catchy newsletters shouldn’t be too tricky. Good luck and happy newsletter writing!



To Your Success,

Elmar Sandyck

