Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a relationship with every one of your subscribers? If you’re sending an email newsletter, turns out you already do.
According to the Nielsen Norman Group’s Email Newsletter Usability report (based on 270 email newsletters across 6 countries), email newsletters create bonds.
“Newsletters feel personal because they arrive in users’ inboxes, and users have an ongoing relationship with them… The positive aspect of this emotional relationship is that newsletters can create much more of a bond between users and company than a website can,” says the Nielsen Norman Group.
Did you know that U.S. adults are twice as likely to sign up for emails to stay in touch with a company rather than interact with that company on Facebook? A report by Forrester makes that clear. It’s also clear is that when someone signs up for your email newsletter, they like you, they really like you.
To keep your relationships going strong, you should provide readers with consistent and interesting newsletter content. Short on topics? We feel you. This is where our relationship comes in. Below, we’ve brainstormed 75 email newsletter content topics you can use ASAP. Consider this a digital friendship bracelet of sorts to ensure lasting email newsletter success:
- An upcoming event, trade show, workshop, or festival you’re hosting, participating in, attending, and/or sponsoring
- An educational blog post you’ve written, chock-full of advice
- An interesting and related blog post written by a third-party
- A survey or poll
- Your survey or poll’s results
- Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs)
- A product/service demo or how-to video you’ve created
- A bulleted list of helpful, insider tips, or DIY instructions related to your products, service or industry
- A milestone or anniversary for your company
- An industry-related podcast (by you or someone else) that you recommend
- A summary of donations, funding or a small business grant your company/non-profit may have received recently
- Customer testimonials or spotlights
- A company recap of the year, or an annual report – How many pizzas did your business sell? How many cups of coffee did your employees drink? How many lives did you impact? Warby Parker did an amazing job with theirs, then shared this tool to create your own.
- A roundup of your most popular products (fan favorites), blog posts, infographics videos, or services from the week/month/year
- An interesting, industry-related infographic you came across
- An infographic you created (even better!)
- A gift guide
- A mention of an upcoming sale or offer, and/or an early bird coupon for that sale
- Pictures and/or mini bios of new employees
- Behind-the-scenes photos of your business and customers
- Your company’s story
- An award you’ve won, or an award you’re attempting to win
- A spotlight of a neighboring small business
- Small Business Saturday details, and how you’re participating
- Apps or tools you find useful
- A recipe (this doesn’t just apply to food)
- Fan/customer photos – Include pictures of customers enjoying/using/buying/wearing your products or services, or an event of yours they attended
- Info and a sign up for your customer loyalty or rewards program(s)
- A contest/giveaway
- Winners of your contest/giveaway
- Press mentions your business may have received
- Sneak peeks of products/services-to-come
- A live webcam, or webinar/demo you’re hosting
- A non-profit or cause you’re supporting
- An announcement and info about a new class, product, or service you’re now offering
- Recent and interesting statistics, studies, or surveys related to your business or directly from your business
- A new Pinterest board you’ve created
- Breaking, industry-related trends or news
- An announcement of your newly redesigned blog or website
- A list of faux pas or dos & don’ts related to your industry
- Company volunteer projects you’re participating in or supporting
- Save-the-dates for upcoming deadlines, registration dates, etc.
- Fun holidays (like National Puppy Day)
- Reviews you’ve written
- Reviews written about your business
- Local news that affects your neighborhood or business
- A Vine or Hyperlapse video you’ve created
- Your latest and/or most popular Instagram pictures from the month
- Free resources, like a downloadable guide
- A request to follow your business on various social sites, like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.
- A notice about a refill on a popular product/service, or additional classes or dates added
- A book, art exhibit, painting, movie, song, TV show, or play your business recommends (or has created/participated in)
- A speech/talk you’re giving or attending
- Motivational or funny quote(s)
- A crowdfunded campaign you’re running or supporting
- Info about a new partnership or merchant you’re working with
- A meme you’ve made
- A joke
- Career info or a list of open positions at your company
- A challenge you’re participating in, (like the Ice Bucket Challenge) or would like to encourage readers to participate in
- Staff/employee picks of products or services
- A spotlight of your mobile app, or new features added to your app
- A sponsorship you’re participating in, or just received
- An interview with customer, employee, merchant, industry-related expert, or yourself, of course
- A request (for readers) to review your business or products on various local listings
- Pictures of business merchandise you may have available
- A photo essay or collage (of products, employees, behind-the-scenes pictures, the neighborhood, your company story etc.)
- Business updates or changes, such as new hours of operation, privacy settings, holiday closures, shipping guidelines, etc.
- Season’s greetings
- Customer support/service info
- Pictures of employees’ pets
- Updates about where your product(s) or services can be found, such as a participating website or brick and mortar.
- A guest blog post you’ve written for another company or brand
- A spotlight/description of your YouTube Channel, and a link to your most recent video
- A “Thank You!” to donors, event attendees, or customers, just because
When creating your email newsletter, remember, your readers are your friends. They want (and should) hear from you on a regular basis. They also want to know what’s new in your business, appreciate advice, and if you can hook them up with an occasional deal, even better!
With these 75 content topics, you should be well on your way to creating a memorable email newsletter that keeps readers informed and intrigued. Have any other topics we may have missed? Be a pal and share them.