How-To: Build A Newsletter Members Will Value

Tips for improving a newsletter are helpful. But, what are you to do without an example of what that looks like?

Only once you’ve thought about how to improve and what that will consist of will you then want to start building.

Print vs. Digital Newsletter

When it comes to identifying which option works best for your parent-teacher group, you should know 46 percent of email newsletter recipients will use a mobile device. You’ll also want to take the following into consideration:

1. How have newsletters traditionally been delivered/received? Did it work? Not seeing the engagement you expected?
2. What are costs vs rewards for one over the other? (i.e. cost of printing versus email building)
3. You can’t please everyone, so pick the one that the majority prefers.

Newsletter Best-Practices

1. Have fun with subject lines, but be clear with their purpose and value. Consistency with newsletter titles ensure members know what to expect.
2. Apply the “Inverted Pyramid” (otherwise known as journalism’s story structure) meaning, most important info goes at the top followed by supporting details in the middle and contact information and web/social links at the bottom.
3. Be cautious with the amount (and size) of imagery used as it may slow your recipient’s load times.
4. Image sizing should be uniform throughout (i.e. 1:1 ratio [square] or 16:9 ratio [rectangle]). Pick a size and stick to it.
5. Always include a calendar of events or schedule changes

How Does PTOffice Help Build Newsletters?

1. Save on printing costs and wasted paper.
2. Customize send dates and times, send a test email, or save for later.
3. Customize newsletter templates and in-app notifications.
4. Comprehensive analytics track sends, opens, and more.
5. Select groups such as classrooms, add external email addresses, and even save recipients as a new group.
6. Drag-n-drop message template building.