Are you looking to learn how to design an effective email newsletters? This is a comprehensive guide for you.
Marketers use email to build customer relationships and nurture leads beyond simple advertising and promotion. Newsletters are an effective way to achieve this. They can promote new content, announce products, or keep subscribers updated with company news.
To create a successful marketing campaign, it’s essential to ensure quality, consistency, and completeness. Using templates can help. Templates save time and help maintain consistency by providing a standard format for newsletters. You can also reuse and improve existing content with a template.
What Is Newsletter Design And Its Purpose?
Newsletter design involves arranging the parts of your email to make it both functional and attractive. The purpose of newsletter design is to:
- Provide information
- Promote your company and products
- Engage with customers
- Spark interest by showcasing product offers
READ ALSO: Understanding and Implementing A/B Testing: Know All
How to Create Great Email Newsletters Templates
1. Size and Format
Presentation is crucial for email marketing success. Consider how your newsletter will look on different browsers and devices when designing it. According to HubSpot, 41% of people open emails on their phones, 39% on desktops, and 19% on tablets. This means your email’s performance on mobile devices is just as crucial as on desktops.
Here are some tips for creating an email newsletter that looks good on any screen size:
- Width: Keep your newsletter width between 500-600 pixels to ensure images and text display well on all devices.
- Buttons and Links: Make buttons and links easy to see and click on mobile devices by using contrasting colors and making buttons around 44px in size.
- Content Layout: Separate content into sections with headers and use white space to improve readability. Larger fonts for headings can also help.
2. Choose the Right Tool
There are many tools available to help you create attractive newsletter layouts:
- Templates and Customization: Email newsletter software often comes with customizable templates. You can adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to suit your needs.
- Testing: These tools allow you to see how your email will look on different screens and email providers.
- Performance Analysis: Email marketing tools can track key performance indicators like open and click-through rates to help you improve future campaigns.
Popular email newsletter software includes SendInBlue and GetResponse. Alternatively, you can create your template using HTML and CSS or hire a developer.
3. Create an Attention-Grabbing Subject Line
A compelling subject line is crucial because many people have short attention spans. Here are some tips:
- Power Words: Use words that evoke emotion, urgency, curiosity, or excitement.
- Avoid Spammy Words: Words like “free” and “win” can trigger spam filters. Use more intriguing words instead.
- Keep It Short: Aim for subject lines under 50 characters to ensure they display fully on mobile devices.
4. Gather Content and Images
Use the slippery slide strategy to make your newsletter engaging. This means seamlessly blending content to create an immersive experience. Start with a strong introduction and follow with well-structured content and visuals. Know your audience and tailor your content to their interests.
5. Customize Design Features
Brand consistency is essential. Use a consistent design and color scheme that represents your brand. Your header should grab attention, and your font should be easy to read. Consistent branding helps build trust and loyalty.
6. Personalize for the Receiver
Personalization shows customers you care. Use their names in the subject line and greeting. Use the sender’s actual name to make your email feel more personal. Test the timing and frequency of your emails to find what works best for your audience.
7. Include a Call-to-Action (CTA)
A CTA encourages readers to take specific actions, like clicking a link or signing up for a webinar. Make your CTA clear and direct. Use contrasting colors and images to make it stand out, and ensure the button is easy to click.
8. Add Links and a Footer
Your footer should include contact information, links to social media pages, and an unsubscribe link. Including a CTA in your footer can also attract attention.
9. Test Functionality and Proofread Content
Before sending your newsletter, check for typos and ensure it displays correctly on all devices. Use tools like Grammarly to catch errors and Hemingway to assess readability. Conduct A/B testing to compare different versions and choose the best one.
How can I improve my email newsletters?
1. Review your newsletter’s history of opens, clicks, and unsubscribes. This will show you how interested people are in your content. If many people are unsubscribing or not opening your emails, consider changing your content.
2. Try different types of content or headlines to catch people’s attention. If you usually send articles, add videos, images, or infographics. Test different headlines to see which ones get more engagement.
3. Ask your subscribers for content ideas. For example, you could say, “I’d like to dedicate an issue of {{your newsletter name}} to solving a problem with {{your newsletter topic}}. Can you take 30 seconds to let me know what that is? Hit reply and tell me.” Then, address their problems.
4. Improve your opt-in page with more explicit language about who you can help and how. Use this information in your content to make it more helpful for your readers.
READ ALSO: Boosting Engagement with Interactive Content Marketing: Know All
How do I increase email newsletters engagement?
Boosting email engagement takes time and effort. Here are some essential tips to help you improve:
Craft a Great Subject Line
A simple, clear, and direct subject line can work wonders. You don’t need to be overly clever or funny. Just make a clear promise.
Optimize Your Preheader Text
The preheader text supports your subject line. Use it to entice the subscriber further to open your email.
Personalize Your Emails
Write emails that make subscribers feel they were written just for them. Personalized content grabs attention.
Write Engaging Email Copy
Make your emails enjoyable to read. Keep them fun, engaging, and relatable.
Remove Distractions
Use a clean, minimalist design to keep the focus on your message. Avoid unnecessary elements that could distract the reader.
Maintain List Quality
Regularly clean your email list to remove invalid or undeliverable addresses. This helps improve your deliverability rates.
Provide Social Proof
Include testimonials or examples of customers talking about your product. This builds trust and enhances your brand image.
Conclusion:
Creating an effective email newsletters involves careful design and strategic content planning. You can significantly boost email engagement by focusing on essential elements like a compelling subject line, clear preheader text, personalized messages, and engaging copy.
Consistent branding, regular list maintenance, and the inclusion of social proof further enhance the impact of your newsletters. Though improving email engagement takes time and effort, the results in terms of better campaign ROI, increased loyalty, and business growth are well worth it.