A company internal newsletter isn’t just a simple and traditional means to communicate with employees. The said platform is a proven way to educate, entertain and inspire staff members. Through the years, companies have consistently looked for ways to make newsletters more appealing, dynamic and interactive – with a good number of them creating versions for their intranet, and integrating the use of attractive visuals, audio and video.
Aside from content that informs employees about the activities in the company, new products and services being offered, and policies, newsletters can also feature stories and anecdotes that they can give them a sense of togetherness and belonging. Inspiring stories about their colleagues, as well as commendations given to others in the company can boost morale and inspire.
Here are some of the things to keep in mind when creating an internal newsletter that is engaging to staff members:
1. Create relatable content.
A company internal newsletter should revolve around employees and the issues they can relate to and are interested in. It shouldn’t be about issues that managers want employees to care about even if they don’t find these relevant to their lives or work. After all, management should realize that newsletters aren’t propaganda tools. It is not about the leaders in the company, but rather about the employees that work in the organization.
Content regarding hiring and promotions, as well as news features about new offerings in the company that would affect employees are good additions to newsletters. Featuring stories about employees are also interesting to the audience.
2. Write content that is conversational.
Instead of sounding preachy, content for a company internal newsletter should be conversational. This makes it more approachable and enjoyable, and employees are more likely to be interested to read what is written.
What writers need to be aware of is that employees are busy and are unlikely to read content that are too technical or long. Instead, make sure that content is written in plain English and is understandable to everybody.
3. Shorten and simplify content.
Keep newsletters to around only four to eight pages long. Remember that newsletters that are more than eight pages long could be left unread and thrown in the trash. Because employees are more likely to read newsletters during their breaks or during moments wherein they are more likely to be interrupted quite a bit, make sure that articles are short and succinct.
4. Keep content consistent.
When a company internal newsletter is consistent, people know what to expect when it comes to the design and content. When employees likes the design and content of a newsletter and they know that these two elements are kept consistent, they are more likely to have a habit of reading it.
Ideally, a newsletter should look like a newspaper, with sections employees can flip through to find their favorite ones. Frequency should also be consistent, with monthly being the recommended choice so that people aren’t overwhelmed with information.
5. Create content that can also be used in other platforms.
Another method to make a company internal newsletter more engaging is to create content that is sharable and can be distributed through other platforms, such as desktop alert systems. Experiments can be made with particular sections that can be utilized as corporate desktop backgrounds so as to entice employees to read the upcoming newsletter.
Remember that a company internal newsletter should leave employees feeling good, valued and inspired. It shouldn’t be seen as the management’s way of spreading propaganda and making people lean towards ideals that they can’t relate to.