34 tips to create a highly effective newsletter

It can be tough to get people to open and read your email newsletters. Most people receive dozens of emails a day, and it can be hard to stand out in the crowd.

I've compiled 34 tips to help you create, market, and run a successful email newsletter that will improve your open rates.

1. Set goals for your email newsletter

Without clear goals, it can be difficult to measure your success. What do you hope to achieve with your email newsletter? Increased open rates? More website visitors? More subscribers? Knowing what you want to achieve will help you create content that is more relevant and engaging to your audience.

2. Use a reliable email service provider

When it comes to sending out your newsletter, you want to make sure that you use a reliable service like Maildroppa that won’t spam your subscribers' inboxes.

3. Include a subscription form on your website

Adding a subscription form to your website is an easy way to collect email addresses from potential subscribers. You can also include a link to subscribe in your newsletters themselves.

4. Use double opt-ins for new subscribers

When someone subscribes to your newsletter, send them a confirmation email that they'll need to click on before they're added to your list. This helps reduce the chances of people signing up without their permission, so will improve the quality of your list.

Double opt-in is a legal requirement in the European Union under GDPR regulation, and if you're using Maildroppa to create your sign-up forms, double opt-in is already enabled and is a mandatory feature.

5. Understand your ideal customer profile and meet their needs

Knowing who your ideal customer is and what their needs are is essential for creating relevant content for your newsletter. If you can provide value to your readers, they are more likely to subscribe and keep reading.

6. Use a strong subject line

Your headline is the first thing people will see when they open your email, so it's important to make it count. Write headlines that are clear, and concise, and make use of powerful words to grab attention.

7. Offer a lead magnet/freebie

One of the best ways to get people to subscribe to your email newsletter is by offering something of value for free, such as an ebook, white paper, or toolkit.

8. Be human, avoid jargon

OWhen writing your newsletters, try to avoid using jargon or terms that only insiders would understand. Keep it simple and straightforward so that all of your readers can understand what you're saying.

9. Personalize your newsletters

Personalizing your newsletters shows your readers that you care about them as individuals. Include their name in the subject line or greet them by name at the beginning of the newsletter. It's a small touch that can make a big difference.

10. Keep your design simple and clean

Your newsletter design should be simple and clean, with plenty of white space. Avoid using too many images or complex designs, as this can make your newsletter look cluttered and be difficult to read.

11. Tell stories in your newsletters

Stories are a great way to engage readers and help them connect with you on a personal level. Share stories about yourself, your customers, or industry trends that relate to your field of expertise.

12. Show off your expertise

When it comes to being successful with email newsletters, one of the most important things is establishing yourself as an expert in your field. Share tips, advice, and insights that will help readers improve their lives or businesses.

13. Keep it short and sweet

When it comes to email newsletters, less is often more. Try to keep your newsletters short and sweet so that people don't get overwhelmed by too much information at once. This will help them stay engaged with your content.

14. Include clickable links

Including links in your newsletters is an easy way for readers to learn more about the topics you're discussing or visit the websites you're referencing. It also helps keep them engaged with the content you're providing.

15. Offer exclusive deals and discounts

Another great way to engage your email newsletter subscribers is by offering exclusive deals and discounts. This helps show them that they are valued members of your audience and encourages them to stick around.

16. Don't overload it with images

While images and videos can help break up the text, too many can make your newsletter seem cluttered. Plus many email services like Gmail will automatically send emails with images from unknown senders to spam or the promotions inbox, so be sure to keep images to a minimum.

17. Include infographics and data

Including infographics and data visualizations in your newsletters can help break up the text and make complex topics more understandable. They also add an element of visual interest that can help engage readers.

18. Share actionable tips

Your newsletter subscribers want to know how they can improve their lives or businesses, so be sure to share actionable tips that they can put into practice. It's one of the best ways to keep them engaged with your content.

19. Reference current events

When it comes to email newsletters, timeliness is key. Be sure to reference current events, trends, and news stories in your content to show that you're keeping up with the latest industry developments.

20. Quote industry experts and authors

Including quotes from industry experts and authors in your newsletters helps add credibility to your content. It also shows that you're keeping up with the latest thinking in your field.

21. Add social proof and testimonials

Adding social proof, such as testimonials from satisfied customers, is a great way to build trust with your newsletter subscribers. It helps show that you're an authority in your field and that you can be trusted.

22. Invite readers to engage with you

Make it easy for readers to connect with you on social media by including links to your profiles in your newsletter. This helps build a relationship with them and keeps them engaged with your content.

23. Spotlight books, podcasts, and videos that relate to your niche

Mentioning books, podcasts, and videos that relate to your niche is a great way to keep your subscribers engaged with your content. It helps show that you're keeping up with the latest developments in your field and that you're willing to share resources that will help them improve their lives or businesses.

24. Ask for feedback from your subscribers

Asking for feedback from your readers is a great way to engage them with your newsletter. It shows that you're interested in their opinions and that you value their input. Plus, it can help you improve the quality of your content.

25. Include an email signature

Including an email signature is a simple way to make your newsletter more personal. It also helps promote your brand and you can include links to your social media profiles or website.

In addition to including your email signature, you should also place your sender address in the footer. It's required under GDPR and with Maildroppa it's automatically placed in the footer. For extra security, we also verify the address using your IP location.

26. Survey your subscribers

Asking your subscribers to take a survey is a great way to understand their pain points and desires as well as more information about their demographics. Sending out a survey regularly helps you understand what they're looking for so that you can create better, more targeted content in the future.

27. Hire a copywriter or batch create the content to save time

If you're short on time, hiring a copywriter can help you quickly create high-quality content for your newsletter. This way you can focus on other aspects of running your business. If you aren't able to hire a copywriter then consider creating regular time blocks in your calendar to batch create your newsletter content.

28. Automate your newsletter

There are several different automation tools that you can use to send out your email newsletter, like Maildroppa. This can help save you time by automating the process of sending out your newsletter. Plus, you can use automation tools to segment your subscribers and send them more targeted content.

29. Promote affiliate offers

If you have an affiliate program for your product or service, promoting it in your newsletter is a great way to generate sales. You can also promote other products and services that you think would be valuable to your subscribers. Just be sure to disclose any affiliations in your email.

30. Sell advertising space

If you have a large subscriber base, you can sell advertising space in your newsletter to generate revenue. This is a great way to monetize your newsletter and it can help you offset the costs of running it. Just be sure to disclose that the ads are paid for and keep them relevant to your subscribers.

31. Take advantage of A/B testing

A/B testing allows you to test different elements of your newsletter to see what works best with your audience. This could include things like the subject line, headline, layout, or even the type of content you include.

32. Keep an eye on your analytics

Monitoring your newsletter's analytics will help you understand what's working and what's not. This information can be used to improve your newsletter and make sure that it's reaching your target audience.

33. Make it easy to unsubscribe

While you want people to stay subscribed to your newsletter, you also want to make it easy for them to unsubscribe if they choose to do so. Include an unsubscribe link in every email, and make sure it's prominently displayed. If you're using Maildroppa, your unsubscribes are automatically taken care of, so you don't have to worry.

34. Stay consistent

When it comes to email newsletters, consistency is key. Use a consistent format for each issue so that your subscribers know what to expect. This could include features like a welcome message, a featured article, a tips section, and a call-to-action.

Staying consistent also means sending out your newsletter on a regular schedule and including high-quality content that your subscribers will find valuable. This helps build trust and keeps them coming back for more.

Summary

Creating a successful email newsletter takes time and effort, but the payoff can be worth it. When done right, your newsletter can help you build relationships with your subscribers, increase brand awareness, and generate sales.

Start by understanding your ideal subscriber's needs and desires. Then use that information to create content that is relevant and interesting to them. You should also consider using automation tools to save time and A/B testing to optimize your content for better results. Lastly, make sure to stay consistent with your formatting and send out your newsletter on a regular schedule.

Following these 34 tips will help make the process a little bit easier. From offering a lead magnet to A/B testing different elements, there are plenty of ways to improve your newsletter and increase open rates. So get started today and see the results for yourself.