How to Write a Newsletter Article for Internal Communication

We’ve all been there. You open the company newsletter with a hopeful click, only to be greeted by walls of text and black-and-white stock photos. A wave of boredom washes over you, and you quickly scan for anything remotely interesting before moving on with your day.

But internal communication doesn’t have to be a snooze-fest. Engaging newsletters can be a powerful tool for keeping employees informed, motivated, and connected to the company’s mission. By crafting compelling articles that resonate with your audience, you can turn that ‘meh’ into a ‘must-read.’ About 93% of business leaders feel that effective internal communication translates to increased working capabilities.

We will equip you with the top 10 tips to transform your internal communication and create a newsletter article for internal comms that employees will read, remember, and act upon.

Understanding Your Audience & Goals: The Cornerstones of Engagement

Newsletters are a powerful tool for achieving this, but crafting compelling articles that resonate with your audience requires more than just typing out announcements.

Keeping your employees engaged with internal communications is crucial for fostering a strong company culture and information flow. After all, communication with workplace colleagues takes up 72% of the work week.

We will answer the following questions:

1. How to write an internal newsletter article?
2. How do you write a good newsletter article?
3. How do you format an internal newsletter?
4. What is an internal newsletter?

Before you dive headfirst into writing, take a step back and consider these two essential factors:

1. Know Your Audience

Who are you writing for? Are you targeting specific departments, teams with shared interests, or the entire company?

Understanding your audience’s demographics, roles, and interests allows you to tailor your content and language accordingly. For example, an article on a new software implementation can be more technical for the IT department. At the same time, a piece on upcoming wellness initiatives would benefit from a broader, more relatable approach.

2. Define Your Goals

What do you want your readers to gain from your article? Are you aiming to simply inform them of a new policy, inspire them with a company success story, or celebrate a team’s achievement?

Having clear goals helps you choose the right content, tone, and style for your piece. An informative article will benefit from a straightforward approach with clear instructions, while an inspirational piece could adopt a more motivational tone.

Also Read: ChatGPT, the Metaverse and the Future of Internal Communications

10 Tips for Writing Captivating Internal Newsletter Articles

Internal communication newsletters are powerful tools for keeping employees informed, engaged, and connected. However, crafting well-written articles that resonate with your audience requires more than relaying information.

It’s about captivating your readers and making them feel invested in the company’s success. So, how do you write internal comm newsletter articles that get clicked, read, and remembered? Here are 10 essential tips for writing effective employee newsletters:

1. Start Strong- Hook Them With the Headline

If you’re scrolling through your inbox – what makes you stop and click on an email? The answer lies in a captivating headline and opening sentence. Tease the article’s content in a way that piques your readers’ curiosity.

Craft a captivating headline and opening sentence that grabs attention. First impressions matter. Grab attention with a captivating headline and opening sentence that piques your reader’s curiosity.

Instead of ‘New Policy Update,’ try ‘Boosting Efficiency: How the New Policy Streamlines Your Workflow,’ or instead of ‘Company Update,’ try- ‘From Intern to Innovator: Meet Our Rising Star.’

2. Focus on Benefits: Why Should They Care?

People don’t care about information for information’s sake. Explain how the information in your article is relevant and useful to the reader. Focus on the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ to keep your audience engaged.

Employees are busy. Explain how the information in your article is relevant and useful to them by elaborating on how it will benefit them in their roles, contribute to their professional development, or simply make their workday more enjoyable.

For example, if you’re writing about a new training program, highlight the specific skills employees will gain and how those skills benefit their career development.

3. Keep It Concise and Clear: Readability Is Everything

Respect your readers’ time. Keep your writing concise and clear. Utilize short paragraphs, bullet points, and active voice for easy reading. Dense blocks of text are intimidating, so break up your content with clear headings and subheadings to guide readers through the information.

Avoid jargon and overly technical language. Empower your employees with the ability to provide and receive real-time feedback through the Employee App’s mobile-first solution. This fosters continuous improvement and strengthens relationships within teams.

4. Show, Don’t Tell: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Don’t just tell, show! Incorporate visuals like images, infographics, or videos to break up text and enhance understanding.

A well-placed image can instantly clarify a complex concept, while a compelling infographic can summarize key data points in a visually engaging way.

5. Positive Tone and Language: Create a Welcoming Environment

Internal communication isn’t a lecture. Maintain a professional yet friendly and approachable tone. Use language that resonates with your audience, avoiding overly technical jargon or a dry, formal style. Infuse your writing with a touch of personality to make it relatable and engaging.

Avoid negativity or overly formal language that might create a distance between you and the reader. Strive for a voice that feels informative and engaging, like you’re having a conversation with colleagues.

Also Read: How to Create an Employee Newsletter People Actually Read

6. Highlight Success Stories: Let Victories Inspire

Internal newsletters are the perfect platform to celebrate employee and team accomplishments. Don’t just announce achievements – showcase them.

Did a team achieve a record-breaking sales target? Did an individual go above and beyond to solve a complex customer issue?

Sharing these success stories not only recognizes exceptional work but also inspires others to strive for excellence. Include details that humanize the achievement – the challenges overcome, the innovative solutions implemented, or the positive impact on the company.

7. Incorporate Employee Voices: Humanize Your Content

The internal newsletter process can often feel one-sided—management delivers information to employees. Break down this barrier by featuring quotes or short stories from colleagues. This personalizes your content and makes it more relatable.

Did a new policy positively impact someone’s workflow? Did a recent training program equip an employee with new skills? Sharing these firsthand experiences adds authenticity and demonstrates the practical benefits of company initiatives.

For example, if you’re writing about a new company initiative, feature an employee who has already benefited from it and share their positive experience. This personal touch makes the information more engaging and helps readers connect with the message on a deeper level.

8. Call to Action: Spark Engagement Beyond Reading

Don’t let your article be a passive experience. End with a clear call to action (CTA) that encourages readers to take the next step. This could be anything from providing feedback on the article through a quick survey to registering for an upcoming event related to the topic. A strong CTA increases engagement and fosters a two-way dialogue between employees and management.

This could be anything from inviting them to attend an upcoming training session or workshop to providing feedback on a new policy or visiting a resource for more detailed information.

9. Proofread & Edit: Meticulous Attention to Detail

Polished writing is essential for professional communication. Typos and grammatical errors can quickly damage your credibility. Thorough proofreading and editing ensure a flawless presentation and demonstrate respect for your audience. Consider using online grammar checkers or having a colleague review your work before publishing.

First impressions matter, and typos or grammatical errors can seriously undermine your credibility. Proofread your work meticulously before hitting send. A polished article not only demonstrates professionalism but also shows respect for your audience.

10. Track & Analyze: Continuous Improvement Through Data

The best way to refine your approach is to understand what resonates with your audience. Track key metrics like open rates, click-throughs on CTAs, and employee feedback.

Are certain topics consistently generating higher engagement? Do specific writing styles seem to resonate more with readers? By analyzing data, you can identify areas for improvement and tailor your future content to better connect with your audience.

Analyze how many employees open your newsletter and engage with the links within your articles. Pay attention to any comments or questions employees share via email, surveys, or internal communication platforms. Try different headline styles and content formats to see what captures the reader’s attention most effectively.

Also Read: Best Practices for Internal Company Newsletters in 2024

In Conclusion

Following these tips will help you turn your internal newsletter examples into a captivating and valuable resource for your employees. Nurturing a sense of community and connection within your organization starts with clear, engaging communication.

By prioritizing captivating content that informs, inspires, and motivates, you can transform your internal newsletter into a powerful tool for driving employee engagement and contributing to the overall success of your company.

Are you ready to create internal newsletters that truly engage your team?

Take a look at our resources for internal communication best practices and newsletter design. Consider using a user-friendly platform like theEMPLOYEEapp to streamline the process and facilitate collaboration. Explore our features like drag-and-drop editing, email marketing tools, and analytics to track your newsletter’s success.

Request a free demo today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are examples of a call-to-action in a newsletter article for internal communications?

Invite readers to share their thoughts on a new policy or program through a survey or online forum. Encourage participation in an upcoming company event, training session, or social gathering with clear instructions on how to register. Direct readers to a company portal, website section, or additional reading material for further information on the topic at hand.

Q2. How can you personalize your content for a newsletter article?

Feature a brief quote from an employee directly involved in the topic you’re highlighting. You can also add a Q&A with a company leader, allowing employees to ask questions and connect with leadership on a more personal level.

Q3. What’s the easiest way to write a highly engaging newsletter article for internal communication?

Here’s the magic formula: the more your content resonates with your audience and aligns with your goals, the higher the engagement you’ll see.

1. Targeted content for higher readership
2. Goal-focused writing for impact