Why You Need an Email Newsletter?

Have you questioned whether to send out email newsletters? If so, you are not alone. To some, email newsletters might seem archaic and unnecessary. This is especially easy to believe in our social media-filled world. After all, we can reach hundreds, thousands, or millions with a quick post. Why send an email when you can post an abbreviated version of the same information on say, LinkedIn or Instagram?

But before continuing, let’s first get clear on what an email newsletter is and does.

Email Newsletters Defined

“An email newsletter is basically an email used in a marketing campaign. It contains important news and updates to make your audience aware of your brand or products and other significant information.” Email newsletters are content that you or your business sends directly to your subscribers. Those subscribers might include clients, potential clients, donors, potential donors, activists who are interested in a specific cause, individuals who have submitted contact information via your website, people who attended past events, etc.

Five Reasons You Need an Email Newsletter

You can connect with subscribers.

Email newsletters are sent directly to your subscribers. Those subscribers will not have to scroll through other content to find yours. Instead, you can directly remind them of your business and its services or products. You can (and should) also reach out to them consistently through these newsletters. This keeps you and your business present in their minds.

You can send targeted emails.

You can send targeted emails to your subscribers, “based on your subscriber’s past actions and preferences.” For instance, you can reach out to people who donated to your nonprofit or attended a fundraising event and purchased an auction item. Similarly, you could send targeted emails to organizations or individuals who partnered with your business in some fashion. The possibilities are endless. This is quite different from posting content on social media platforms, where the content will simply be tailored for the platform.

Newsletters boost website and social media traffic.

Newsletters are yet another avenue to help drive traffic to your website and social media platforms. Make sure your email contains all the necessary links!

“Email newsletters are highly effective for building your online community. By starting a conversation in the inbox, where engagement is more focused, and then finishing it in the social media arena, which has more reach, you’ll generate more activity on Facebook feeds and beyond.”

Email newsletters are cost effective.

Email newsletters are a cost-effective way to share information and promote your business.

“Issuing newsletters by email to all of your customers and prospects is a low-cost method of communication, leaving more in your market budget for advertising or other promotional activities.”

You can inform, raise awareness, or encourage subscribers to act.

Email newsletters should either share important information (for instance, about a new service offering, an important win for your business, or a critical social justice issue that your business is addressing) or include a call to action (for instance, to buy a product or service, donate money, or vote a certain way). Because your email newsletter contains targeted information that is sent to a targeted audience, you can craft the message so it will really resonate with the audience.