Write Newsletters That Get Read: Engaging Content Guide

Staring at a blank page? Learn how to write newsletters people love to read with our guide. Features writing examples, subject line tips, and more.

Cover image featuring a stylized fountain pen with a vibrant flow of creative energy including hearts and lightbulbs—coming from its nib and forming a newsletter.

Imagine you’re staring at a blinking cursor on a blank screen. You know you need to send a newsletter for your business, but the words just aren't coming. Or maybe you've written something, but as you get ready to hit 'send,' a single thought takes over: "What if no one even opens this?"

If you’ve ever felt this way, you are not alone. It’s the single biggest hurdle for most business owners and marketers. But here’s the secret: you don’t need to be a professional copywriter to write an email that people genuinely love to read. You just need to be human, helpful, and have a simple framework to follow.

This guide is your toolkit. We'll give you concrete newsletter writing examples and simple tips to craft effective newsletter content that builds trust and grows your business.

New to newsletters? For a complete overview of strategy from start to finish, be sure to read our below blog first.
The Ultimate Guide to Business Newsletters
What is a newsletter and why is it essential for growth? Explore our complete guide on corporate newsletters, from strategy and types to tools that drive results.

The Golden Rule: Serve, Don't Just Sell

Before we write a single word, let's remember the goal. A great newsletter is a gift to your reader. To be a welcome guest in their crowded inbox, you need to bring something of value—a helpful tip, an inspiring story, or an exclusive offer. When you focus on serving your audience first, you build a foundation of trust that is more powerful than any sales pitch.


The Gateway: Crafting Irresistible Subject Lines

Your subject line has one job: to get the email opened. It’s the first impression and the ultimate gatekeeper. Here’s how to make yours stand out.

1. Spark Curiosity: Hint at valuable information without giving it all away.

  • Examples: "This one mistake is costing you sales...", "The marketing tool we can't live without"

2. State the Benefit: Tell the reader exactly what they will get by opening.

  • Examples: "3 templates to save you 2 hours this week", "Our guide to planning your marketing calendar"

3. Get Personal: A personal touch is hard to ignore. This is where a great tool makes a difference. With a platform like AdsEra, you can easily use personalization tags to add a subscriber's name or city directly into the subject line, making it feel like a one-on-one message.

  • Examples: "{{FirstName}}, have you tried this?", "A special offer for our customers in {{City}}"
A screenshot of AdsEra's subject line editor showing a personalized subject line with a {{FirstName}} merge tag.

4. Create Urgency (When It's Real): If you have a time-sensitive offer, a gentle nudge can work wonders.

  • Examples: "Last chance: 25% off ends tonight", "Your cart expires in 3 hours"

The Heart of the Matter: Writing Body Copy That Connects

They opened it! Now, your body copy needs to deliver on the promise of your subject line and keep them engaged.

1. Write Like You Talk: Forget corporate jargon. Use simple, conversational language. A great tip is to read your draft out loud. If it doesn't sound like something you'd say to a friend, rewrite it until it does.

2. Tell a Tiny Story: Humans connect with stories. You don’t need an epic—just a simple narrative. Frame your content around a relatable problem, your solution, and the benefit to the reader.

3. Make It Scannable: No one reads a wall of text on a screen. Guide your reader's eye and make your content easy to digest by using:

  • Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max).
  • Bold text for key phrases.
  • Bullet points and numbered lists.

This is another area where your tools should make your life easier. Instead of fighting with formatting, AdsEra’s drag-and-drop template builder lets you create these beautiful, scannable layouts in minutes. You can focus on your words, not on complex design tools.

A screenshot of the Adsera email template builder, showing a user dragging a text block into a clean, well-formatted email layout.

The Final Handshake: A Clear Call to Action (CTA)

Every newsletter should have a purpose. What is the one thing you want your reader to do next? That’s your Call to Action. Make it obvious, compelling, and easy to act on.

Avoid vague phrases like "Click Here." Use strong, action-oriented language that states the benefit.

  • To Drive Sales: "Shop the New Collection" or "Claim Your 25% Off"
  • To Share Content: "Read the Full Guide" or "Watch the Tutorial"
  • To Build Community: "Reserve Your Spot" or "Share Your Feedback"
📌
Your CTA should ideally be a brightly colored button. It stands out and is much easier to tap on a mobile phone.

Putting It All Together: Complete Newsletter Writing Examples

Let's see how these principles combine to create a compelling message.

Example 1: The E-commerce Store

Subject: Psst... your new favorite sweater is here 👀

Hi {{FirstName}},

Chilly mornings are just around the corner, and we've got something to make them a whole lot cozier.

Our brand-new Merino Wool Crewneck just landed in the shop. It’s the perfect blend of comfy and chic that you can throw on for a coffee run or dress up for a night out.

It’s available in three beautiful colors: Charcoal, Oatmeal, and Forest Green.

Ready to get cozy?

[Shop the New Arrival] (This would be a button)

Example 2: The B2B Consultant

Subject: Quick Tip: Save hours on your monthly books!

Hi {{FirstName}},

As a small business owner, every minute counts. That's why I'm sharing one simple strategy today that can cut down your monthly accounting time by 30%.

The trick? Organize your receipts digitally right away, avoiding that messy end-of-month pile. My clients who use this method tell me it's a complete game-changer!

I wrote a more detailed guide on how to set this up in just 5 minutes.

[Read the 5-Minute Guide] (This would be a button)

Example 3: The Local Cafe

Subject: A new pastry + live music this Saturday! ☕️

Hi {{FirstName}},

We hope you're having a great week! We're getting ready for a fun weekend here at the cafe and wanted you to be the first to know what's new:

  • New Treat: We're trying out a delicious Almond Croissant for a limited time!
  • Live Music: Our friend Sarah is playing her amazing acoustic set this Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm.

Come by and say hi. We'd love to see you!

[See Our Weekend Menu] (This would be a button)


You Have Everything You Need

You don't need to be a professional writer to create a newsletter that connects. You just need to be authentic, generous, and consistent. Your audience wants to hear from you.

The blinking cursor doesn't have to be scary. By focusing on giving value, telling simple stories, and guiding your reader to a clear next step, you have everything you need to write a newsletter people will not only open but actually look forward to receiving.

Ready to put these tips into practice?AdsEra’s simple editor and personalization tools make it easy to write newsletters that get results. Explore the platform and see for yourself.