Customer Onboarding Templates

Newsletter Templates That Subscribers Actually Read

The average newsletter open rate is 21%. These formats consistently beat that by focusing on value over volume.

Newsletters are the backbone of email marketing. They keep subscribers engaged between campaigns, build authority, and drive consistent traffic. But only if they're valuable, scannable, and consistent.

Below are 3 newsletter formats: a weekly digest, a company update, and a curated links edition. Pick the format that fits your content and audience.

Ready-to-Use Templates

Copy these templates and customize them for your needs. Each includes HTML and plain text versions.

The Weekly Digest
Summarize the week's best content in a scannable format
Weekly content publishers and curators
Subject Line

{{newsletterName}} #{{issueNumber}}: {{topHeadline}}

Preview Text

This week's top stories and insights...

Personalization Variables:
{{firstName}}{{newsletterName}}{{issueNumber}}{{story1Title}}{{story1Summary}}{{story2Title}}{{story2Summary}}{{story3Title}}{{story3Summary}}{{senderName}}{{companyName}}
Email Preview
The Company Update
Share company news, product updates, and team highlights
Monthly product or company updates
Subject Line

What's new at {{companyName}} — {{month}} update

Preview Text

New features, team news, and what's coming next...

Personalization Variables:
{{firstName}}{{month}}{{feature1}}{{feature1Description}}{{improvement1}}{{improvement1Description}}{{upcoming}}{{upcomingDescription}}{{companyName}}
Email Preview
The Curated Links
Share hand-picked resources, articles, and tools
Curators, thought leaders, and industry experts
Subject Line

5 links worth your time this week

Preview Text

Hand-picked reads on {{topic}}...

Personalization Variables:
{{firstName}}{{newsletterName}}{{link1Title}}{{link1Description}}{{link2Title}}{{link2Description}}{{link3Title}}{{link3Description}}{{senderName}}{{companyName}}
Email Preview

Best Practices

Be Consistent

Same day, same time, same format. Subscribers should know exactly when to expect your newsletter and what to find in it.

Lead with the Best Content

Put your most valuable or interesting item first. Many subscribers only read the top of the email.

Keep It Scannable

Use headers, bold text, and short paragraphs. Newsletters should be easy to skim and click through.

Write from a Person

Newsletters from "Sarah at Acme" outperform "The Acme Team." Personal voice builds connection.

Common Mistakes

Including too many topics with no focus

A newsletter about everything is a newsletter about nothing. Pick 3-5 items max.

Inconsistent sending schedule

Skipping weeks or changing days confuses subscribers and kills open rates.

Making it all about your company

The best newsletters provide value independent of your product. Share industry insights, not just product updates.

Subject Line Examples

Timing & Performance

Best Days
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Best Times
9:00 AM, 2:00 PM
Open Rate
25-35%
Click Rate
3-5%

Personalization Tips

The Three Newsletter Formats That Work

Every successful newsletter follows one of these formats — or combines elements from each:

  1. The Digest — Summarize 3-5 stories from the week with brief commentary
  2. The Update — Share what's new at your company with a forward-looking preview
  3. The Curator — Hand-pick the best resources from across the internet

Consistency Beats Perfection

A good newsletter sent every Tuesday beats a perfect newsletter sent whenever you get around to it. Pick a schedule and stick to it. Subscribers form habits around consistent delivery.

The Subject Line Formula for Newsletters

Use a consistent naming format subscribers recognize: "Newsletter Name #42: Top Headline." This builds brand recognition in the inbox and sets clear expectations for what's inside.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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