Email Newsletter Content Ideas for Nonprofits
There are 2 types of problems you may have. In the first case, you may have no idea where to start or what to write and feel that you are struggling to come up with content. In the second case – you may feel like you have too MUCH to say and don’t know where to start.
Here are some ideas to help you organize and prepare content for your email newsletter.
Plan your year
It’s good to take a long-term approach to your email newsletters. This will help you develop a communication approach that meets the needs of your various target audiences and fulfills your goals of building relationships and getting your message across.
First, get a calendar and mark holidays and occasions. This will help you plan and also identify specific times of the year to connect your message. For example, Christmas and Thanksgiving are times when people think about giving. Then add your organization’s key dates and any upcoming events that are scheduled to the calendar. You may have a fundraiser or open house planned, or you may need volunteers for a specific activity.
Also look at your target audience and see if there are specific dates you should add to the calendar. Perhaps your community has a volunteer banquet or other community events that you would like to advertise in your newsletter.
Plan the structure of the newsletter
Decide on your main topics or sections of the newsletter. For example, one section could be history, another about volunteer activities, upcoming events, how donations are used, news. You might have a links or resources section.
Next, decide on the layout of the newsletter. Depending on the email management program you use, you may have templates that will help you choose a design idea that will be suitable for the structure you have chosen.
Content sources
Now that you have your plan and structure, look at the existing content you have available. These will include your print newsletter if you have one, your website, any articles you may have written, stories from your clients, volunteers and staff.
Choose from them and see what new writing is needed and how you can use existing content and what requires new writing. Look for images and photos that you can use for some of the articles.
Another article will go into more detail about Calls to Action and the writing process.
Constant contact
An email management program that I recommend is Constant Contact. Constant Contact has excellent customizable templates and many other features to help you get started. I have been using this for many years and have set up many clients who have successfully used it to build their networks and relationships with their target audiences, clients, donors and partners. Constant Contact has a free trial period that allows you to use the full features of the program to determine if it is right for you.
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