Your Newsletter: 30 Informal and Amusing Ideas

Newsletters keep subscribers informed about your business and brand while building a trusted relationship. Many companies produce and distribute newsletters either printed or thru email on a consistent basis. While people understand the importance of it, it’s not always easy to come up with content ideas for them.
Content that’s helpful to the subscriber
Your newsletter should contain content that’s valuable to its subscribers. Your newsletter is a way to communicate with your customers and build a relationship, so you don’t want to fill your newsletter with promotional material. However, once in a while it’s okay to add promotional messages.
To help you create customer-focused newsletters no matter how you distribute them, we’ve compiled a list of 30 ideas for your newsletter that you can use to inspire fresh and fun content. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. How-to articles
Create content that’s relevant to your audience and helps them accomplish something with step-by-step instructions. Try using content from the list of frequently asked questions your office gets from customers to solve routine challenges.
2. Product maintenance advice
Does your product require maintenance? If so, provide maintenance tips in your newsletter.
3. Top 10 lists
Top 10 lists are popular because they’re easy to read. Create a list of valuable tips, most popular articles on your blog or ideas that refer to your business.
4. Add an infographic
Use online tools to create an infographic for your newsletter. Turn industry numbers into an eye-catching chart, or provide customer satisfaction ratings in a visual way.
5. Roundup
Create a post that offers a roundup of your company’s best blog topics or most popular social posts. It’s a great way to repackage content that already exists.
6. Customer reviews
Collect a few customer reviews on a specific product and share them in your newsletter. Start out by explaining the product, offer a picture of it and show subscribers what others are saying about it.
7. Events
Use your newsletter to invite or remind subscribers about upcoming events.
8. Invitations
Tell customers about events, charity drives and exclusive sales. Create an event on Facebook so guests can RSVP and include the link in your newsletter.
9. Upcoming health fairs or community shows
Planning to attend a health fair or even a local craft show? Share the details in your newsletter. Explain why you’ll be there, what’s new this year, or provide valuable information like the most affordable place to park.
10. Business history
Tell customers a piece of your company’s history. You can add a tidbit in each newsletter, create a timeline or write a longer piece on the company’s anniversary that covers the big milestones.
11. A letter from the owner
Have the owner craft a letter for the newsletter. The letter could thank customers for their support, provide goals for the upcoming year or talk about a new product the company is about to offer. Customers need to hear from those in charge now and then; it helps maintain a trusted relationship.
12. Employee of the week/month/quarter
Pay tribute to a special employee by highlighting him or her in your newsletter. Keep it short and sweet, but provide enough information to show customers that your staff is top-notch. Always include a picture of the employee.
13. Frequently asked questions
What are the top five questions that your staff receives each week? Use the information to create a frequently asked questions post for your newsletter.
14. Updates on changes
If the company has a new boss, a renovation is taking place or the company is changing the way it does something, use your newsletter to update customers.
15. Business video tours
Break out a video camera and provide a short tour of your business for customers to check out in your newsletter.
16. Discuss partnerships
Whether you’re teaming up with a local charity of the business next door, tell customers how the partnership benefits them in your newsletter.
17. Behind-the-scenes photos
Give customers a look behind the scenes by posting pictures of employees moving massive inventory for the holiday season, or a shot of your team stocking shelves.
18. Be Social
You can promote social initiatives in your newsletters too. It’s a great opportunity to cross-promote your business and encourage subscribers to become part of your social family.
19. Tell subscribers about giveaways
Are you giving away something cool on Facebook? Remind your customers about it in your newsletter. Provide participation details and a link to enter.
20. Encourage subscribers to follow you
Add a brief “Follow Us” section to your newsletter that includes all of your social links.
21. Tell subscribers about a social competition
Ask subscribers to submit photos of them using your product, or submit a short essay about a loved one that should be considered for a special prize. Launch the competition in your newsletter and remind subscribers to participate. This creates a wealth of testimonials and positive reviews!
22. A special coupon
Offer a coupon just to your newsletter readers. Provide a coupon code to use online, or a printable coupon that can be used in-store.
23. Mention a new product launch
When you have a new product coming in, tell your customers about it. Build the hype by providing availability, release dates and options like sizes and colors that are available.
24. Refer-a-friend promotion
Allow subscribers to forward your newsletter to a friend, and if they subscribe to your list, send the customers a special thank you (gift, deal or discount) for helping you grow your list.
25. Make a connection to a unique holiday
When an odd holiday rolls around that’s connected to your business, use it to spark a small post in your article. For example, you can can write an article on Senior Citizen’s Day and offer a discount. Here’s a list of odd holidays to use.
26. Cute or wacky photos of your employees
Did your company host a Halloween custom party? Are you hosting an Evening with Santa? If so, use a few of the pictures in your newsletter to give subscribers an “insider’s look.” Be sure to get permission to use the photos first, and use good judgment. Pictures from the 11^th hour of the holiday party aren’t a good idea. Don’t overdo this one, it gets old fast!
27. What’s the deal with the weather?
At some point, the crazy weather will impact your area. Consider writing about it and how it impacted your business. Be careful, you don’t want to write about any storms or weather that hurt someone. Instead, stick to interesting weather topics like the lack of snow in cold weather spots.
28. Pictures of pets or mascots
Does your business have a pet or a mascot? Use a picture of your furry creature to liven up your newsletter. Put the company cat in a cute holiday sweater, or give it a birthday crown when the business hits its anniversary. Again, use your best judgment here, be careful not to let the content become the primary focus or a distraction from the important stuff.
29. Digital holiday card
Use online tools to create an e-card. You can create one for the holidays or the company’s birthday. ‘Punchbowl’ offers traditional options or try ‘JibJab’ for something a little more out of the ordinary.
30. Make a pop culture connection
Use pop culture references to spark an article about your company. For example, “5 things the hit show Scandal has taught us about business.” Make a connection to a hot TV show, a celebrity mishap or musical fads.
If you are interested in sending out a newsletter to your database, contact the marketing team to help you get started.