School newsletters are an important medium to communicate with parents, students, and other faculty members. It helps them stay up-to-date with various information, including upcoming school events, programs, and student achievements.
However, creating an effective school newsletter requires time and thorough preparation since many factors are involved, from content creation to design. For that reason, this article will cover the 10 best tips for making a school newsletter. Let’s get started!
1. Determine the Newsletter’s Purpose
When creating a school newsletter, it is crucial to define your goals by identifying the target audience. It will help you to decide which content is suitable for readers, resulting in more effective newsletters.
For example, if your target audiences are students and parents, adding school programs, news, and upcoming events in your newsletter can be a great way to keep them informed about important dates.
2. Start a Blog
A blog is one of the best channels to build and promote content since it enables you to share newsletters via links across different platforms, such as social media. This can also lead to higher school website traffic and a broader audience reach.
Publishing original school-related content in a blog post format instead of physical copies can ease the production and distribution of newsletters. You can even create a blog in just a few simple steps. Some popular platforms for this include WordPress, Medium, and Blogger.
3. Create a Style Guide
Building a style guide for school newsletters can help you deliver information accurately and consistently. It also helps to improve readability, resulting in a better user experience.
To make an excellent style guide, consider these main aspects:
- Choose your baseline guide. Find the right publication style that suits your content type and audience. Some popular examples include the Modern Language Association (MLA), Associated Press (AP), and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS).
- Identify the tone. Choose a tone of voice to convey your message based on the intention. For example, use a friendly and cheerful tone if you want to send a school Christmas holiday newsletter.
- Add visual guidelines. Ensure a unified look for your newsletter by outlining elements such as color palettes, layout, and typography. For instance, placing the school name and logo at the top of the page can help improve recognition and reinforce the school's values.
4. Build a Content Plan
Creating a content plan will simplify your workflow and ensure that the newsletter stays up-to-date. It helps you prepare topics in advance and provide relevant and timely information to your audience.
To get started, decide how often you want to send your newsletter, what content and call-to-action (CTA) should be included, and what information needs to be highlighted in each edition. Doing so enables you to set priorities and differentiate each newsletter.
5. Write Various Content
Adding variations to school newsletter content can keep readers engaged. Besides school news and upcoming events, content ideas include sharing school activities and showcasing student accomplishments.
For example, you can write about an elementary school student winning a science competition or the school’s new community initiative. When creating content, remember to use a catchy and compelling subject line and provide data as needed.
Additionally, consider adding fun content to encourage audience interaction, such as including trivia questions or sharing inspiring quotes of the day.
6. Feature School Photos
Including photos in your school newsletter is one of the best ways to keep parents informed and build a sense of community. For instance, you can add pictures of extracurricular activities, school clubs, and the latest events.
Note that you should only publish pictures of community members who have consented to have their photos shared in the newsletter. In addition, make sure to use high-quality images and give a short description when featuring school photos.
7. Interview With a Teacher or Student
Conducting a short interview with teachers or students is one of the best school newsletter ideas. It allows readers to gain insight into the school community and see what's happening behind the scenes.
Prepare questions that you think readers will find interesting, like what students’ favorite cafeteria lunch items are or what their plans are after graduation.
Providing these opportunities for your community members can improve the sense of belonging among students, parents, and teachers and foster deeper connections.
8. Utilize a Newsletter Tool
To build a visually appealing school newsletter, use an email marketing tool such as Smore, Mailchimp, or Moosend. They provide an easy-to-use editor and pre-made newsletter templates to help you quickly build a compelling email campaign.
Furthermore, some tools offer a free trial so you can try out their features before purchasing. Alternatively, search for free school newsletter templates online, but note that this choice might lack customization options.
9. Share Local News
Sharing local news can positively impact students, teachers, and parents by encouraging social engagement with the local community. For example, highlight charity runs or family-friendly festivals in the area.
Mixing content with non-academic topics can make your newsletter more interesting and prompt audiences to keep reading. In addition, posting local news in your blog content and social media can be a great way to improve the school’s engagement.
10. Pick the Right Time to Send Newsletters
When creating a newsletter, one of the most vital aspects is choosing the best time to send it. You’ll need to determine when the audience will most likely read your school newsletter and ensure there is enough time for them to take action.
For example, announcing school prom ticket sales too close to the event’s date may result in not enough people purchasing them.
In general, avoid sending school newsletters after 9 PM since most people have ended their day. As a result, your email may not be read immediately and get pushed to the bottom of the inbox.
Conclusion
Creating an effective school newsletter is one of the best ways to announce events and keep your school community up-to-date. However, determining the right content, layout, and style can be challenging. That's why we have listed the top 10 school newsletter ideas in this article.
Here's a summary:
- Define the school newsletter's purpose.
- Build a blog.
- Make a style guide.
- Create a content plan.
- Add variety to the newsletter content.
- Include school photos.
- Share interviews with teachers or students.
- Use an email tool.
- Share local news.
- Choose the best time to send the school newsletter.
We hope this article helps you create an engaging and successful newsletter for your school. Good luck!
