Newsletters - 10 ideas to Creating Interesting Content

Newsletters are an effective marketing tool. It is a professional and non-threatening way to keep in contact with both potential and current clients. By sending useful information to your prospects and clients on a regular basis, you can maintain constant contact without being annoying.

But how do you create newsletters that are useful, interesting and profitable?

Keep it Short

Internet users are flooded with lots of distracting options. Twitter, Facebook, blogs, RSS readers... the list goes on. Dozens of different channels compete for our short attention span. Make your newsletter short, relevant, and interesting to show your readers you value their time.

Use Humour

The fact you're running a business doesn't mean your newsletter has to be stiff and proper. Use humour where it's appropriate. It will both delight the reader and make you appear more like a human being rather than a cold business owner.

Encourage Feedback

When you write newsletters, encourage readers to reply with any comments, suggestions or criticisms. That will provide you insight into which content hits the spot and what material may be suitable for future newsletters.

Make it Interactive

Both quick polls and longer surveys can be a great way to stimulate interaction with readers. Ask one or more relevant questions, collect feedback, and analyse them in the following newsletter. People like to read what others think, especially on issues they care about.

Discuss New Trends

No matter which business you're in, chances are new trends crop up constantly. Discuss new trends and predict their impact on your niche. This is an area where you should aim to be controversial and thought-provoking in order to stimulate debate, keeping your newsletter fun and lively.

Sell Sparingly

Newsletters should not solely be a vehicle for placing endless sales pitches of barely relevant products. That strategy is the best way to alienate readers and make them leave in droves. When you offer high-quality, free content, you can offer products and services that complement your copy so readers recognise it as useful. That way you will keep the readers happy and your business profitable.

Use Shorter Paragraphs

Long paragraphs are a sure way of losing readers. They are harder to scan for information and easy to get lost in. To improve readability, a useful rule of thumb is to explain one important idea per paragraph.

Simplify Your Language

Recent research demonstrated that people who use long, academic words don't appear smarter. It may sound odd, but if people don't understand you, they'll think you're unintelligent. Use simpler words whenever you can.

Tell Stories

Theories and principles are fine, but a good story is better. Listen to your clients carefully and they'll provide material for success stories and case studies.

Feature Guest Experts

Keep in touch with other experts in your area. Feature their knowledge and expertise in your newsletters to provide customers with different viewpoints and advice.