Here’s how to start a newsletter (with examples)

Why a strong newsletter introduction matters

One of the essential aspects of an email newsletter is the introduction. In the same way the smell of a savory dish stimulates your senses and entices you to order, a powerful newsletter introduction makes your audience want more. Conversely, if a newsletter introduction is bland or uninteresting, the reader may exit after a few sentences.

While the introduction is a critical element of your newsletter design, it isn't the only essential feature. Studies show that 67% of newsletter recipients skip the introduction and go right to the main content. But the other 33% use the introduction to determine whether or not to keep reading, making it essential for capturing their attention.

Tips and examples on how to start a newsletter

Crafting an effective newsletter introduction is essential for engaging your audience and building relationships. With the right tips and examples, you can create an introduction that captures your reader's attention, drives engagement, and helps grow your business. Let’s look at some newsletter introduction examples below:

1. A picture paints…

We know it’s a cliché as old as time “a picture is worth a thousand words” but images are, truly, a compelling way to pique a subscriber’s interest. You can use a blend of visual elements and shortened text to preview the newsletter’s content and entice people to read on.

This example of a Easter newsletter from Tattly immediately captures readers attention

2. Open with a question

After coming across a question that piques your interest, what’s the first thing you want to do? Find the answer, right? The same is true for your readers.

So, by starting your newsletter introduction with a provocative question you can capture the subscriber's curiosity and oblige them to read on. The only way they’re going to be able to find the answer is by finishing reading the email.

By opening your newsletter introduction with a question, you create anticipation for the answer, which can only be found by pressing on with the email

3. Get to the point

As email marketers, sometimes we tend to waffle a bit. Instead, park that urge for a second and try providing readers with concise, tangible benefits that pique their interest and make them want to read on.

People are often busy and don’t want to get bogged down in an overly fluffy introduction without value. You risk your email heading straight to the bin. But a well-balanced intro with pertinent info and the right amount of charisma ensures readers keep going.

Carol Tice from The Freelance Writer's Den shows us how in this newsletter article example:

4. Keep it personal

We all know the power of personalized email marketing. With how crowded inboxes have become, competition is fierce for your subscribers’ attention. So, by taking a personal approach to your newsletter introductions tells your customers that you understand their needs and makes you more relatable. Generic introductions for the masses lack warmth and make you come across as a bit lazy.

Here are a couple of newsletter introduction examples that demonstrate a level of personalization:

This one from Kay Peacey’s weekly email marketing newsletter is also personalized, speaking directly to a subscriber’s needs (notice she also kicks thing off with a question).

5. Identify pain points

We’ve just talked about how impersonal email communication can earn you a one-way ticket to recycle bin. So, touching on a common interest or subscribers’ pain point in your newsletter introduction at least buys you a bit of time. Again, with how competitive inbox space has become you need to immediately demonstrate your newsletter’s value if it’s to have a consistent readership.

Below is an example of an introduction by Sarah Turner geared toward copywriters.

6. Data, Data, Data

Numbers, by nature, are inherently eye-catching when added to a newsletter introduction. They tend to highlight interesting or noteworthy points and set the stage for what’s come, piquing subscribers’ interest much like an opening question.

To prove just how effective data can be, LinkedIn performed an A/B test where they compared the use of statistics in newsletter headlines with click-through rates (CTRs).

The two headlines read:

• Headline A: 75% of B2B buyers rely more on content to make purchasing decisions than they did a year ago.

• Headline B: B2B buyers rely more on content to make purchasing decisions than ever before.

They discovered that statistics have a significant impact, with Headline A producing a 37% higher CTR and a 162% increase in impressions.

Try introducing data into your newsletter introduction. A surprising or stand-out statistic can immediately capture a reader’s attention

7. Make a bold statement

A practical email newsletter introduction is about drawing in the recipient and encouraging them to keep on reading. And making a bold statement in your intro does just that. Using a striking statement evokes a response from your target audience and captures readers' attention.

Here's an example from Sarah Peck's Startup Parent:

8. Try opening with a GIF

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many do you think a GIF could account for? Two thousand? Three thousand? Terrible dad-worthy jokes aside, GIF’s are an incredibly powerful tool in an email marketer’s arsenal. Its ability to quickly convey information in a somewhat non-orthodox way draws reader’s in, making them a great option for newsletter introductions.

Let’s take a look at this example from SeatGeek’s mother’s day email campaign. The GIF reveals a short message exchange between mom and daughter. It’s like you’re witnessing a story unfold, which draws you in and encourages you to watch until the end. Doing so means the newsletter has done its job!

The gradual introduction of the scrolling text makes reader’s stick around longer to find out how this mother’s day email pans out

9. A simple title will suffice

Sometimes brevity is King, and a well-crafted, shortened title can often effectively convey a newsletter's content and purpose. We love this example from Joe Pulizzi’s popular content newsletter, The Tilt:

It immediately defines the purpose of the newsletter and the target audience – content entrepreneurs. This means readers quickly understand if the newsletter is relevant to them.

Also, by stating that it's a "twice-weekly" newsletter, it sets the expectation for how often subscribers will receive updates. We like the fact they manage reader expectations from the get-go, too, which will encourage consistency in readership.

10. No intro at all!

A bit rogue, right? Considering this a post about newsletter introductions. However, sometimes, cutting out the middleman is just what’s needed. Now, we’d only recommend employing this tactic in certain situations. For example, in a weekly blog round up, where your audience already knows what to expect from your newsletter.

They’re interested in getting straight to the content and would likely skip over your introduction regardless. However, this is something you’d have to A/B test yourself before rolling out long term across your newsletter strategy.

We’ve found that our newsletter subscribers like to get to straight to the point. So, we did away with the intro instead opting for a clear, shortened title

How Sinch Mailjet makes email marketing easy

Coming up with an effective email marketing strategy takes effort. Most of us juggle several different duties and have a limited amount of time and resources. So, even if you read our internal newsletter introduction examples, you may still be wondering how to write a newsletter.

But Sinch Mailjet makes email easy. If you need help figuring out where to start, check out our 50 newsletter ideas to create engaging emails. Discover practical newsletter elements and find the best way to convey your brand persona.

To further hone your skills, we'll show you how to create a newsletter, optimize it, and provide real-world examples. Then, when you're ready to write your first newsletter, look no further than our free drag-and-drop Email Editor. It provides eye-catching newsletter templates, easy-to-use editing, and seamless sending and analysis.

FAQ – How to start a newsletter introduction

1. Why is the introduction of a newsletter so important?

The introduction sets the tone for your entire newsletter and is your first opportunity to hook the reader. A strong intro builds trust, previews the content, and encourages people to keep reading instead of clicking away.

2. What should you include in the first few lines of a newsletter?

The first few lines should include a friendly greeting, a brief summary of what the email will cover, and a clear reason why the content is valuable. This helps orient the reader quickly and boosts engagement from the start.

3. How do you write a newsletter intro that grabs attention?

To write an engaging newsletter intro, start with a compelling question, surprising fact, or bold statement that relates to your topic. Keep it conversational and concise, and make sure it leads naturally into the rest of the content.

4. Should you personalize the start of a newsletter?

Yes, personalization – like using the recipient’s name or referencing past behavior – can increase open rates and reader interest. Tailored intros make emails feel more relevant and improve the chances of engagement.

5. How long should a newsletter introduction be?

A good newsletter introduction should be 1–3 short sentences – just enough to create context and interest without overwhelming the reader. Keep it brief and scannable, especially for mobile users.