This isn't you, is it?
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Someone has to say it, Reader... Ain't nobody reading a quarterly email newsletter.Editorial-style email newsletters have lost their steam. They push too much information at once and call your readers to take too many actions. In the midst of all ...this *frantically motions*, we are all overwhelmed AF. Cramming months' worth of updates into one email is the quickest way to get people to exit your email - or unsubscribe. Supporters don't want more things that demand their attention. They're already in decision fatigue. Don't give them more decisions to make. What your audience needs is simplicity. What your emails need for better open rates, click rates, and engagement (also see: donations) is a primary focus. Quarterly - even monthly - newsletters aren't simple. And they aren't making decisions easier. I recommend sending 1 email per week. Before you start throwing tomatoes at me and shouting about how you're stretched on time, hear me out: This requires the same amount of time from you, if not less. It's just broken up into smaller fragments. Instead of spending a few hours every month or 3 organizing a pile of links and information, you can spend an hour or less every week to send a simpler, more intentional email. You could even give your emails a weekly theme for consistency. This makes them easier for you to write, and it trains your supporters to know what to expect from you. For example, your weekly emails could follow this weekly cadence:
And repeat the themes for the following month. More frequent touchpoints keep your organization top-of-mind. You can also schedule weekly emails to coordinate with automated email sequences or CRM touchpoints, so that communications work together instead of adding to overwhelm. If you're: struggling to grow your email list... Seeing a lot of unsubscribes... Getting little to no engagement... Watching email analytics plummet... These may be signs that you need to simplify your emails by offering one primary focus and call-to-action. Settle on one focus per email, and I guarantee your email analytics and engagement will uptick. ICYMI... → My email marketing retainer is back by popular request! → Hannah and I want you to have an organized, impactful Giving Tuesday campaign using this free checklist. → Julia Campbell and I talk about all things email on Nonprofit Nation! → New on the blog: Key Elements Every Effective Donation Page Needs in 2025 |