How to create a good newsletter or email to your members

• Add a good photo at the top. A strong image brings your newsletter to life and helps show who you are more quickly than words alone. Make sure anyone who is identifiable has given consent for their photo to be used and ideally choose an in-focus image that shows a mix of riders. 
   
• Use photos or a logo within the text to break up long sections and make the content more engaging. 
   
• Write a clear subject line. This is crucial for getting people to open your email and avoid it being deleted as spam. Make sure it clearly states who the email is from and what it’s about. 
   
• Use hyperlinks to direct people to websites, email addresses, or additional information. This looks more professional and keeps the text tidy. 
   
• Avoid using “click here”. Spam filters often flag this phrase. Instead, hyperlink descriptive text (e.g. Read more about our upcoming ride). 
   
• Check your spelling and punctuation carefully. If proof-reading isn’t your strength, ask someone else to read it through. A useful trick is to add commas where you naturally pause when reading aloud. 
   
• Keep emails concise. Instead of writing long blocks of text, attach a newsletter document or link to more information on your webpage using simple prompts like "Read more about...."
   
• Use short paragraphs with clear headings so readers can easily skim the content. 
   
• Include a friendly sign-off, ideally with a named individual to make it more personal. 
   
• Double-check attachments to ensure you’ve included the correct files. 
   
• Reuse your template. Once you’ve created a good format, save it so you can copy and adapt it for future newsletters. 

So have a go at creating your own newsletter. Once you have built your template, you will find the process quick and easy.