Whether it’s a goal for this year or something you’ve just been meaning to work on, a newsletter is a great way to keep in touch with your customers/readers. It keeps them informed about your products, services, company news, etc. Here are ten ways to grow your newsletter and ensure that it reaches as many people as possible (in no particular order).

1. Make sure your newsletter is valuable.

The most important thing is to make sure that your newsletter provides value to your readers. This could include useful information, helpful tips, exclusive offers, or interesting content. If your newsletter is valuable, people will be more likely to read it and share it with others. Make it worth their time. I find that a lot of my readers don’t want to come to this blog every couple of days to see if anything is new. So collecting all the recent content into one email makes it way easier for them to catch up.

2. Use an eye-catching subject line.

The subject line is the first thing that people see when they receive your newsletter, so it’s important to make it attention-grabbing and compelling. Use action verbs, numbers, and keywords to grab people’s attention and entice them to open your newsletter. Make it fun. Show your personality. And use an emoji because life’s too short not to.

3. Optimize your email for mobile.

More and more people are reading their emails on their smartphones, so it’s important to make sure that your newsletter looks good on mobile. Use a responsive email design that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes, and make sure your text is easy to read on a small screen. This is something I forget to check constantly and is a goal for this year.

4. Include social sharing buttons.

Make it easy for your readers to share your newsletter with their friends and followers by including social sharing buttons. These buttons allow people to share your newsletter on social media with just one click, which can help you reach a wider audience. Plus make sure you give them a way to engage with you on other platforms. Include all of your various social links.

5. Segment your email list.

Not all of your subscribers are interested in the same things, so it’s important to segment your email list and send targeted newsletters to different groups of people. For example, you could send a newsletter with product updates to your customers, and a newsletter with industry news to your partners. I tend to write about a wide variety of subjects, so segmenting my list can help make sure people see what they actually want to see.

6. Make it easy to subscribe.

Make sure it’s clear and easy for people to subscribe to your newsletter. Include a sign-up form on your website and promote your newsletter on social media and in your email signature. I’ve put my sign-up for everywhere. Including a button at the bottom of this post.

7. Use eye-catching images and design.

A visually appealing newsletter is more likely to catch people’s attention and keep them engaged. Use high-quality images, compelling headlines, and an attractive layout to make your newsletter stand out. Take a look at the newsletters you find yourself opening and reading. What are they doing that you enjoy and what would you change?

8. Personalize your newsletters.

Use personalization techniques such as the recipient’s name and personalized recommendations to make your newsletters more relevant and engaging. Most importantly, share your story and voice. If someone has subscribed, they probably like you or what you have to say. Don’t shy away from being yourself or your brand in newsletters.

9. Be consistent.

Something I definitely struggle with, but is super important to maintain an engaged audience. Have a regular newsletter schedule that readers can come to expect.

10. Include a clear call to action.

Your newsletter should include a clear call to action, such as visiting your website, making a purchase, or signing up for a free trial. Make it easy for your audience to take the next step and follow through on your call to action. Oh look…a button…why don’t you click that and sign-up to my newsletter?

No matter what social media platform is currently popular, email won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. So create an engaging newsletter and work to continue to grow your audience. It’ll take time, but you’ll gather a list of people who are interested in your conent. Trust me.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by work, it can be easy to feel like you’re stuck in a rut. Trust me. I definitely get it. There have been too many days to count recently where I just stare at my computer, overwhelmed on what to work on next. There are some simple things you can do to help relieve the stress and get back on track. Here are five of the best things to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed by work:

Take a break.

It’s important to step away from your work and give yourself a mental break. This could be as simple as going for a walk, taking a quick nap, or spending some time with friends or family. Taking a break can help you clear your head and refocus, so you can tackle your work with renewed energy. Sometimes I just need a change of scenery. I drive myself to a coffee shop, get a drink, and set up a little office there. 

Prioritize your tasks.

It’s easy to feel like everything is urgent and important. However, not all tasks are created equal. Take a few minutes to prioritize your tasks and focus on the ones that are most important or urgent. This will help you feel more in control and make it easier to tackle your workload. If I’m not sure, I usually just ask myself, “which of these tasks will generate the most income/benefit before others?” That usually helps me weed out the unnecessary clutter and focus on what’s most important.

Ask for help.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to reach out to your coworkers, manager, or HR department for support. They may be able to offer you additional resources, such as training or assistance with certain tasks, to help you manage your workload. If you work for yourself like I do, expressing how I’m feeling to my partner Alex or my team helps them to see where they could assist me. If you don’t ask, most people won’t know.

Practice self-care.

Taking care of yourself is crucial when you’re feeling overwhelmed. This could include activities like exercising, meditating, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy. These activities can help you reduce stress and boost your mood, so you can approach your work with a positive attitude. This is more important than ever in the colder, darker months.

Set boundaries.

It’s important to set boundaries when you’re feeling overwhelmed. This could mean setting specific times for checking emails, turning off notifications outside of work hours, or saying no to additional tasks or projects. Setting boundaries can help you manage your workload and prevent burnout. I make sure I set aside time for myself every single day. I don’t let my emails ping my phone (this was a huge improvement for me). Find ways to give yourself a little space from work.

It’s easier said than done. Without a doubt. But you and I can keep working at it together!

Good things come to those who hustle, right? As someone who has “hustled” for nearly six years, I’m tired of it. Tired of the toxic mindset that if you just work a little bit harder, a little bit longer, you’ll be successful. That’s just not true. Sure you can’t just sit on your hands and expect things to happen, but at some point, hustle can only take you so far.

We as a culture glorify burnout. We glorify late nights, sacrifices, and entrepreneurship. But ONLY if those things breed success. Entrepreneurs are revered if and only if they have something to show for themselves. Work/life balance only seems to apply to people who aren’t “hustling” because if you’re not working 80 hours a week, are you even trying? 

There is value in taking a break. In stepping back. In letting something breathe and take its time to cultivate. Things very rarely happen overnight and there’s so much pressure to be that rare exception. If only you had hustled just a little bit harder your Etsy shop would have made it. A few more late nights or cancelled plans with friends and your company could have hit it big.

You’re not successful because you aren’t working hard enough. You aren’t laser focused on your children’s book because you’re too busy taking care of your kids. It doesn’t matter what the reason is…if  you aren’t hustling hard enough you won’t make it.

Why must good things only come to those who hustle? What about those who are thoughtful? Or those who know their limits, try, but don’t kill themselves in the process? I’ve spent countless years of my life with my head down, plowing through work and getting praised for the sacrifices I made in the process. Endless, “I can’t believe what you guys accomplish! You must never sleep!” or “You are really living the dream. I’m so envious.” Yet not a single one of the praisers would ever actually pursue this “hustle” lifestyle themselves. Because they know it’s not sustainable or healthy. It’s good for us, just not for them.

There is a time and place for hard work. Don’t get me wrong. There needs to be SOME hustle at SOME point. But there’s also a time where it needs to stop for your mental and physical health.  When your business is a little fledgling trying to get off the ground, everything is your responsibility. But that hustle and grind mentality is like having your foot on the gas at all times. Putting your foot on the gas to hit 60 is way different than trying to go to 150. The constant pushing to go faster will ultimately damage the metaphorical car. You have to identify at what point can you let your foot of the gas, hit cruise control, and take a much needed break, despite onlookers cheering you on to just drive a little bit faster.