The Secret to an Engaging Newsletter Your Audience Will Actually Read

Want your newsletter to be as irresistible as this guy?

Let’s be honest, we’ve all opened a newsletter, skimmed the first line, and then hit delete faster than a toddler drops a vegetable. And yet, as business owners and nonprofit leaders, we know newsletters are supposed to be one of the best ways to stay top-of-mind with our audience. So… what gives?

Here’s the secret: the best newsletters don’t just inform, they connect.

A few years ago, I got an email from my vet clinic titled: “We caught Brody eating socks again.”

Naturally, I clicked it. Why? Because I had to know what happened next. Inside, they told a short story about a mischievous golden retriever, a sock-eating saga, and how to keep pets safe. It was cute, it was helpful, and it felt like a real human wrote it. You bet I read every word, and I even forwarded it to a friend.

That’s the power of a good newsletter. It doesn’t try too hard. It’s not shouting “SALE! SALE! SALE!” into the void. Instead, it makes you feel like you're part of something, like you belong to a community or a story worth following.

So, What Makes a Newsletter Actually Engaging?

Here’s what I’ve learned from writing newsletters that get opened, read, and clicked:

1. Start with a Hook

Your subject line is your first impression. Make it count. Be clever, be curious, or just be real. “3 Ways to Boost Your Marketing”…meh, but “What Your Marketing Strategy and My Neighbor’s Cat Have in Common”…open-worthy.

2. Make it Conversational

Write like you talk. Seriously! Your audience wants to hear from you, not some AI robot or a corporate policy manual. Use contractions, ask questions, throw in a side comment or two.

3. Offer Real Value

Teach something. Share a tip. Give your readers a takeaway they can actually use. If you’re always giving value, they’ll keep coming back, even if they’re not ready to buy yet.

4. Keep it Simple and Skimmable

Break up your text. Use bullet points, headers, bolded phrases…anything to avoid the dreaded wall of text. Everyone’s busy. Make it easy to digest.

5. Let Your Personality Shine

You’re not vanilla. Your newsletter shouldn’t be either. Whether you’re quirky, bold, heartfelt, or hilarious, your voice is your superpower. Use it!

Not Sure Where to Start?

That’s where Bamber Consulting comes in. I help small businesses and nonprofits take the guesswork out of newsletters. Whether you need a full newsletter strategy or just someone to bring your ideas to life in a way that feels you, I’ve got your back.

Because here’s the thing: your audience wants to hear from you. You just need to give them a reason to click.

Let’s make your next newsletter the one they actually read (and maybe even forward to a friend).

Reach out to Bamber Consulting, we'll help you make your words work harder, so you don't have to.