How To Make Sending A Newsletter Push Button Easy

Consistency is key when it comes to effective content marketing. One of the simplest ways to stay consistent is to share what you’re already doing. As I settle into my new role at the South Six in Iowa City, I’m putting this principle into practice by redesigning our newsletter template. If you’re in the Iowa City area, feel free to drop by the South District Market, grab a coffee at Dodge Street, or enjoy dinner at Roy Sands, and don’t miss out on the sweet treats at Alcapoco Bakery (their tres leches cake is a must-try).

Why a Newsletter Template Matters When you’re looking to maintain a steady flow of content, reinventing the wheel each time can be a time sink. By creating one solid newsletter template, you can quickly duplicate, adjust, and publish your updates month after month. This approach helps you become more aware of what you need to produce and makes it easier to seize opportunities as they come.

I’ve seen numerous newsletter designs over the course of my career. Typically, I start with a title story: a concise summary of the main highlight or event, plus a link or button leading to more details. The goal isn’t to cram everything into the newsletter; it’s to communicate the essentials and guide readers toward any deeper content available on your website or social platforms.

Refining Your Template Over Time

Don’t worry about perfection from the start. The version of the newsletter I’m testing this month likely won’t be my final design. Over time, I’ll refine it for clarity, skimmability, and reader engagement. For instance, if I were announcing a community cleanup, I might condense the text, put important dates in bold, and provide a direct “Click here for more information” link. These small adjustments make the newsletter more approachable and reader-friendly.

Key Sections to Include

Aside from the main story, consider adding:

• Upcoming Events: Highlight three events relevant to your audience. These might be your events or those hosted by partners or community members. You'll easily fill this section each month by staying aware of what’s happening around you.
• Other News: Include links to articles, blog posts, or announcements published over the past few weeks. If you post one article a week on LinkedIn or your business page, you’ll naturally have content ready to share. These articles don’t have to be yours; they can be from partners or community sources. This strategy ensures that you're simply compiling when newsletter time rolls around, not creating from scratch.

The goal is to add a section that will add value to your newsletter for you and your audience.

Building Content Throughout the Month

The best way to avoid last-minute stress is to gather content continuously. Keep an eye on upcoming events and jot down interesting tidbits as the month progresses. By the time you sit down to assemble your newsletter, much of the heavy lifting is already done.

For example, if I know there’s an event on the 17th and another on the 19th, plus a couple of interesting community announcements, I already have enough content for my events section. Similarly, if I’ve kept up with writing weekly articles, I have material ready for my “Other News” section. This approach turns the newsletter into a curated snapshot of everything that’s been happening, rather than something I have to write from scratch.

Establishing a Consistent Schedule

Choosing a consistent publication day for your newsletter helps set expectations for both you and your audience. Even if you don’t have it down perfectly yet, moving toward a monthly or bi-weekly schedule will make it easier to plan ahead. Over time, you’ll refine not just what you include but also when you send it out.

Turning Live Content into Articles

Another efficiency trick is repurposing content. For instance, I can take a live video session—like the one I recorded discussing this template—and turn it into a blog post. Then, I can add a link to this post in the “Other News” section of the newsletter. By creating multiple formats for the same content, I expand reach and maximize the value of my efforts.

Overcoming Time Constraints

If you’re pressed for time, consider leveraging tools and automation. There are numerous platforms and apps that can help you quickly draft articles, design newsletters, and schedule content. If you’re interested in learning more about automating your content creation process, let me know. I may even host a virtual training session to walk through my methods step-by-step.

Final Thoughts

The key takeaway is that consistency and preparation make newsletter creation far easier. By standardizing your template, continuously collecting content, and repurposing material you’ve already created, you can maintain a steady publishing schedule without feeling overwhelmed. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that your audience stays informed, engaged, and connected with what’s happening in your community or organization.