---
template_type: email
category: newsletter
use_case: Regular subscriber communication and relationship building
time_to_complete: 1-2 hours
difficulty: beginner
engagement_potential: high
best_for:
  - Relationship building
  - Consistent touchpoints
  - Community nurturing
  - Content distribution
tags:
  - newsletter
  - recurring
  - engagement
  - community
  - weekly
---

# Weekly Newsletter Template

## Email Subject Lines (A/B Test These)

**Option A**: [Week of Month Day]: [Intriguing teaser or question]  
**Option B**: [Emoji] [Number] things you need to know this week  
**Option C**: [Curiosity gap about main story]

**Best Practices**:
- Keep under 50 characters
- Use personalization: "{{FirstName}}, [subject]"
- Test with/without emojis
- Avoid spam triggers (FREE, !!!, ALL CAPS)

---

## Preview Text (50-100 characters)

[This appears after subject line in inbox. Make it compelling!]

**Example**: "Plus: [teaser 2], [teaser 3], and what I'm working on this week"

---

## Email Body

### Header

```
[Your Logo/Brand]
[Week of Month Day, Year]
Issue #[Number]
```

---

### Opening

**Hey {{FirstName}}**,

[Personal, conversational opening. Share a quick story, observation, or question that connects to this week's theme]

[Keep it to 2-3 sentences max]

---

### Main Content Section 1: [Featured Story/Article]

**📌 [Compelling Headline]**

[2-3 sentence summary of your main content piece]

**Why this matters**: [One sentence explaining relevance]

**Key takeaway**: [One actionable insight]

[CTA Button: "Read More" / "Get the Full Story"]

---

### Content Section 2: [Curated Links/Resources]

**🔗 What I'm Reading/Watching**

1. **[Title]** ([Source])  
   [One sentence on why it's valuable]  
   [Link]

2. **[Title]** ([Source])  
   [One sentence on why it's valuable]  
   [Link]

3. **[Title]** ([Source])  
   [One sentence on why it's valuable]  
   [Link]

---

### Content Section 3: [Quick Tip/Insight]

**💡 Quick Win of the Week**

[Share one actionable tip, hack, or insight readers can implement immediately]

**How to use it**:
- [Step 1]
- [Step 2]
- [Step 3]

---

### Content Section 4: [Community/Personal Update]

**📣 What's Happening**

[Share updates about your work, community, or upcoming events]

- **[Update 1]**: [Brief description with link if applicable]
- **[Update 2]**: [Brief description with link if applicable]
- **[Upcoming event/launch]**: [Details and CTA]

---

### Engagement Section

**💬 Your Turn**

[Ask a question or prompt discussion]

**This week's question**: [Specific, engaging question related to content]

[Reply to this email or [join the discussion here]]

---

### Closing

**Until next week**,

[Your Name]

P.S. [One more teaser, personal note, or call-to-action]

---

### Footer

**[Your Company/Brand Name]**

[Brief tagline or value proposition]

**Connect**: [Social links]  
**Website**: [URL]

---

**Preferences**: [Update your email preferences] | [Unsubscribe]

[Physical mailing address - required by CAN-SPAM]

---

## Newsletter Formatting Tips

### Structure
- **Scannable**: Use headers, bullets, and white space
- **Mobile-first**: 60%+ of emails opened on mobile
- **Single column**: Easier to read on all devices
- **Clear hierarchy**: Most important content first

### Length
- **Ideal**: 200-500 words
- **Max**: 1,000 words
- **Rule**: If it's longer, link to blog post instead

### Links
- **3-5 links** per email (not counting footer)
- **Clear CTAs**: Use buttons for primary actions
- **Link text**: Descriptive, not "click here"

### Personalization
- Use {{FirstName}} in greeting
- Segment by interests when possible
- Reference past interactions
- Conversational tone

---

## Email Checklist

### Before Sending
- [ ] Subject line under 50 characters
- [ ] Preview text optimized
- [ ] Personalization tokens working
- [ ] All links tested and working
- [ ] Mobile preview checked
- [ ] Images have alt text
- [ ] CTA buttons clear and prominent
- [ ] Unsubscribe link present
- [ ] Physical address in footer
- [ ] Proofread for typos
- [ ] Sent test email to yourself

### Content Quality
- [ ] Value-first (not just promotional)
- [ ] Conversational, authentic voice
- [ ] Scannable structure
- [ ] Clear takeaways
- [ ] Engagement prompt included
- [ ] Personal touch/story

### Technical
- [ ] Plain text version created
- [ ] Spam score checked (<5)
- [ ] Sender name recognizable
- [ ] From address consistent
- [ ] Reply-to address monitored

---

## Performance Metrics

### Track These
- **Open rate**: Target 20-30%
- **Click rate**: Target 2-5%
- **Reply rate**: Target 0.5-2%
- **Unsubscribe rate**: Keep under 0.5%
- **Spam complaints**: Keep under 0.1%

### Optimization
- **A/B test**: Subject lines, send times, content order
- **Segment**: By engagement, interests, behavior
- **Clean list**: Remove inactive subscribers quarterly
- **Consistency**: Same day/time each week

---

## Send Time Optimization

### Best Days
1. Tuesday (highest open rates)
2. Thursday
3. Wednesday

### Best Times
- **B2B**: 10 AM - 11 AM (local time)
- **B2C**: 8 PM - 9 PM (local time)
- **Test**: Your audience may differ

### Frequency
- **Weekly**: Most common and effective
- **Bi-weekly**: If you have less content
- **Daily**: Only if highly valuable and expected

---

## Content Calendar

### Week 1: [Theme]
- Main story: [Topic]
- Quick tip: [Topic]
- Community: [Update]

### Week 2: [Theme]
[Continue pattern]

### Week 3: [Theme]
[Continue pattern]

### Week 4: [Theme]
[Continue pattern]

---

## Engagement Boosters

### Interactive Elements
- **Polls**: "Which topic should I cover next?"
- **Questions**: "What's your biggest challenge with [topic]?"
- **Surveys**: Link to quick 1-2 question survey
- **Contests**: Monthly giveaway for engaged subscribers

### Personal Touch
- **Behind-the-scenes**: Share your process
- **Failures**: What didn't work this week
- **Wins**: Celebrate with your community
- **Ask for help**: "I need your input on..."

---

## Template Variations

### Minimal Version
- One main story
- One quick tip
- One question
- Total: <200 words

### Standard Version
- Featured article
- 3 curated links
- Quick tip
- Community update
- Total: 300-500 words

### Comprehensive Version
- Featured article
- Multiple curated sections
- Deep dive tip
- Community highlights
- Upcoming events
- Total: 500-800 words

---

**Template Version**: 1.0  
**Last Updated**: January 2026  
**Platform**: Email (All ESPs)
