I just love it when people in my community send out their first newsletter. And I’ve seen a lot of them over the past month.
(If you’re one of them - congratulations! 🎉)
What’s even better is when they experience “newsletter magic.”
Like copywriter and consultant, Deidre Rienzo, who’s landed a flurry of clients over the years through her newsletter. In an article on my site, she writes:
Start a newsletter now. Why? Because in 8 years, you might be making 10k a month from a subscriber.
She goes on to explain:
Apparently I met this creative director 8 years ago at a conference. She had been receiving my emails all that time. (Because when I met her, I most likely said, “Would you mind if I stay in touch by signing you up for my email newsletter.”) I didn’t really remember her, but evidently my newsletters kept me fresh in her mind. What an honor, right?
The result? A super-cool relationship, a fun variety of projects, and cha-ching!
(Read about other clients she’s landed through her newsletter here.)
Recently more “newsletter magic” landed in my LinkedIn comments:
If you’re ready for your own “newsletter magic,” here are my…
3 Hallmarks of an Effective Newsletter:
Treat these tips as a checklist each time you write an issue to keep readers engaged without overthinking it.
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An effective newsletter is simple and easy-to-read.
Keep it simple, whether it’s short or long. (Short tends to be better, but long is ok, as long as you entice the reader!)
The best way to keep it simple is to pick one idea and stick to it. Don’t feel like you have to pack it full of information. People can only process so much at once.
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It’s useful and relevant to the people you want to work with.
Choose topics that will interest your ideal clients. They don’t have to be earth-shattering. Small things you’re learning, trends, and simple tips are all good choices.
And feel free to share personal stories or projects you’re working on - as long as they relate back to a useful tip or idea for the people you want to work with.
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It’s “more letter than news,” as coined by content expert Ann Handley.
Your newsletter should be personal. It should come from you, not from “a company.” It should address the reader as an individual, as if you’re writing directly to them. And it should feel like a note from a friend.
As Deidre mentions in her article, clients who found her through her newsletter felt like they already knew her. That goes a long way to make a client pick you out of a sea of others.
For an “excellent example” of a newsletter that does all of the above incredibly well…
Check out Deidre’s “Un-Newsletter” - subscribe or catch up on her blog at her website here.
Watch my “3 Hallmarks of an Effective Newsletter” YouTube Short for a little reminder from me when you sit down to write your next issue: