Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a relationship with every one of your subscribers? If you’re sending an email newsletter, you already do.
According to the Nielsen Norman Group’s Email Newsletter Usability Report (based on 270 email newsletters across six 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 report.
Did you know that 72 percent of U.S. adults prefer that companies communicate with them through email? It’s clear that when someone signs up for your email newsletter, they like you and want to know more about you.
To keep these relationships going strong, plan to provide readers with consistent and engaging newsletter content. Short on topics? We totally understand. Below, we’ve brainstormed 75 email newsletter content topics you can use now or in the near future:
An upcoming event, trade show, workshop or festival you’re hosting, participating in, attending or sponsoring
An educational blog post you’ve written, chock-full of advice
An interesting and relevant 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 organization 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 a fantastic job with theirs a few years ago.)
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, or an early bird coupon for that sale
Pictures and mini-bios of new employees and team members
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 or customer photos — Include pictures of customers enjoying, using or purchasing your products or services, or an event of yours they attended
Signup information for your customer loyalty or rewards program(s)
A contest or giveaway
Winner announcement for your contest or giveaway
Press mentions your business may have received
Sneak peeks of upcoming products or services
A livestream or webinar you’re hosting
A nonprofit or cause you’re supporting
An announcement and information about a new class, product or service you’re now offering
Recent and exciting 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 do’s and 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 Boomerang or Hyperlapse video you’ve created
Your latest 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 and Pinterest
A notice about a refill on a popular product or service, or additional classes or dates added
A book, art exhibit, painting, movie, song, TV show or play your business recommends (or has created or participated in)
A speech or talk you’re giving or attending
Motivational or funny quote(s)
A crowdfunded campaign you’re running or supporting
Information about a new partnership or merchant you’re working with
A meme you’ve made
A joke (but don’t be offensive)
Career information 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 or 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 a customer, employee, merchant, industry-related expert or yourself, of course
A request for readers to review your business or products on various local listing sites
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 or shipping guidelines
Season’s greetings
Customer support and service information
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 or 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 and they 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.