Copy This Newsletter Structure

A big mistake I see in email newsletters is having too many "sections" within each sent email.  There's the author's note, a feature article and then multiple other articles in a variety of sections. This is too much and overwhelms your reader.

Don't assume that your readers have the time or are so engrossed with what you write that they will set aside 10-20 minutes to read through your magazine-style newsletter (unless you're printing it and mailing it to their house). It's highly unlikely. I know this because I used to do this. It was only when I polled my readers did I find that all of my work was for naught as most people will eyeball your ezine and MAYBE pick one section to read.

The reality is your reader may allocate 2-3 minutes tops to read your ezine. So make it so easy to get the point you want to get across. If you're writing multiple sections, consider that each section could be a stand alone issue. This gives you the opportunity to send your newsletter twice per month instead of the anemic monthly issue.

So here's what I suggest, keep it simple and copy this easy, yet effective newsletter structure.

1. Author's short welcome note - one short paragraph or no more than three very short paragraphs sharing what you've been up too. This is like reality TV for your readers and they will often open up your email when you consistently share a bit about your life.

2. Promotion item - promote your product, upcoming event or invitation to a sample of your service

3. Feature article or tip - keep it short, sweet, get right to the point and make it really useful.

4. Action step (such as call me for XYZ) or Your contact info combined with an action step

5. Your official business mailing address and easy unsubscribe instructions (it's the law!)

That's it! Resist the urge to sharing so much in each newsletter. Break up all the those sections and share the goods by writing to your readers more frequently.

Hope this helps!

Karin

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