Why your employees don’t pay attention to your internal newsletters (and how to fix it)

Imagine you’re rushing between meetings; you get a new email on your phone, and it starts like this:

“Monthly Update and Upcoming events at Enterprise Ltd.”

You say, “I’ll deal with it later”. And because it’s the boring, sleep-inducing internal newsletter, your subconscious mind will protect you against it and forget it, so you can focus on more important things – like getting your job done.

Well, this might be how your employees feel when they receive the regular company newsletter.

I know it’s disheartening when your employees don’t pay attention to the company emails. That’s why, today, I’m sharing with you some useful tips to increase the open and engagement rates of your internal emails and newsletters, and get your messages across effectively.

The subject matter matters a lot

Your employee’s inbox might be flooded with emails from other team members, clients, suppliers… So, the first rule is that your internal email must stand out.

Merely sending an email from the company’s official account is not enough to capture their attention or make them care about it. If you want them to open your emails, the subject matter should be enticing and relevant.

Make them excited about it

Curiosity and urgency are two powerful tools you can use to generate excitement around your internal newsletter. I admit that there’s very little to be excited about in an internal memos detailing a change in regulations, but you can always write subject lines that pique their curiosity, leaving them eager to discover what’s inside. For example, instead of using a generic subject like “Monthly Newsletter,” try something more intriguing such as “Insider Tips for Boosting Your Productivity.”

Additionally, creating a sense of urgency, like “Limited Time Offer: Don’t Miss On These Exclusive Employee Benefits,” can motivate employees to open and read your newsletter promptly.

Make it readable

Once you’ve managed to entice employees to open your email, you have to encourage them to continue reading, by making the content easily digestible and engaging.

Keep your sentences and paragraphs short to improve readability. Break down complex information into bullet points or numbered lists, allowing for quick scanning and comprehension.

Highlight essential points or key takeaways in bold letters to draw attention, and ensure you don’t overlook important details.

And last but not least, avoid wasting their time and go straight to the point. They will really appreciate this.

Make it about them

One of the first thoughts of your employees when they receive an internal email is “What’s in it for me?”. So, to truly engage your employees, your newsletter content should be focused on their needs, interests, and desires.

Avoid making it a platform solely for company updates and announcements. Instead, address topics that resonate with them and provide value.

And even if you’re sharing content about the company, do it in a way that they feel part of it. This way, you’ll foster a stronger connection and increase their engagement.

Use a friendly yet professional tone

Nobody likes reading cold emails from organisations. We like reading friendly emails from people. And so do your employees.

While maintaining a professional approach, infuse your writing with friendliness and warmth, always aligned with your company culture and voice.

Use conversational language and avoid excessive formality. This approach helps employees feel more connected to the message and encourages them to engage with the content on a personal level.

Less is more

How many emails do you read every day? How many of those emails do you wish were shorter? Avoid long-winded sentences and unnecessary wordiness that can make your newsletter overwhelming and tiresome to read.

Stick to clear and concise language, getting straight to the point without sacrificing clarity. You’ll make it easier for employees to absorb the information and stay engaged throughout the newsletter.

Conclusion: Be empathetic

Before you even starting writing your internal email, remember to think about its readers.

Make your subject lines enticing, focus on their needs and interests, use a friendly yet professional tone, and keeping your content concise and readable. This will help you improve engagement and ensure your messages are heard.

Remember, it’s not just about what you want to say, but about what your employees want to hear.