What to Write About in Your Email Newsletter

Now that you're convinced you need a newsletter and have chosen a provider, it's time to write! You may be thinking,"I already write blog posts. I don't have time to write a newsletter!" Don't worry, this will be painless.

What to write about + newsletter tips:

• First, keep it short and sweet.
• You must have a compelling headline. Make sure you stand out in the inbox.
• Already have a blog? Great! Use your newest blog post. Use a great opening paragraph and then have a "read more" link sending readers to your blog post. Your blog post titles need to be attention grabbing, too, so this will help your newsletters.
• Write a little about your newest feature. Marie Forleo, inspiring woman + founder of B-School, writes a few sentences about her newest "Q&A Tuesday" with a picture and link to the newest video.

An example from Marie Forleo:

• Use frequently asked questions or quick tips. Again, keep it short, simple + engaging. You can re-use this tip or FAQ for a blog post down the line.
• Which emails do you open and which emails do you find compelling? Which do you click through to websites? Pay attention and test that method in your own newsletters!

What do you write in your newsletters?

Why You Need an Email Newsletter

I hear questions like this all the time, "I already have a blog. Do I really need a newsletter?" The answer is YES you need a newsletter. Here are some reasons why:

Why you need a newsletter:

+Everyone has email, but not everyone uses social media. It may be hard to believe, but it's true. My fiance refuses to join any social network.

+Social media channels are over-saturated. You have a better chance of reaching people through email. People are more selective about the emails they opt-in to receive, but they're more engaged with the ones they do. "It’s much easier to ignore a status update than a new inbox item."

+People won't check your website for new updates as often as they check their email (24/7 these days).

+"According to Experian, $1 spent on email marketing typically provides a return of $45 to $50."

+Your email list is your best tool. These people took the time to sign-up for your newsletter, so you know they're interested in your product or service. Plus, it's already targeted to your market. -OR- maybe you'll discover your market is different than you thought. The statistics from your email newsletter will tell you a lot.

How to get sign-ups/opt-ins:

+Offer an incentive. Make it a valuable piece of your work. Use an e-book, bundle of recipes, training videos, etc. This is a great way to demonstrate that you really are an expert in your field.

+Add opt-in forms to the following places: top of your side menu bar (so it's above the fold), in your header and/or on your "About Page." --Tried and true locations from socialtriggers.com.

+Social Triggers also warns that clutter on a website is the number one conversion killer. I couldn't agree more. Embrace the white space!

Recommended newsletter providers:

Aweber - Highly recommended by others, but have no personal experience Mailchimp - My personal favorite. Free up to 2000 subscribers, professional looking templates and connects easily to your website, social networks, etc.

Action step: Dedicate an hour this week to choosing your provider and getting your newsletter set up on your website. Schedule it in!