Author: Michelle Troutman

For more than ten years, Michelle Troutman has crafted newsletters and other content for service providers. She has spent a decade creating attention-getting e-newsletters for law and economic development firms. Her marketing and business administration background and education enhance clear and persuasive copy. Through features in publications like "Attorney at Work" and "Law Fuel," and her e-newsletter and YouTube channel, she inspires professionals to create engaging content. She enjoys helping businesses who serve others reach their marketing goals.

newsletter advice, newsletter templates, newsletter tips, newsletters, online newsletters, professional services firms

Where Can I Download a Professional Services Newsletter Template for Free?

Michelle Troutman

The right professional services newsletter template shows your thought leadership and attracts clients. Based on my experience, my free professional services newsletter template can “wow” your subscribers and keep them reading.

What is a Professional Services Newsletter Template Example?

A professional newsletter template serves as a starting point. Combined with your overall marketing strategy, it lets you craft messages people want to read.

Professional Services E-Newsletter Best Practices

A clear structure – Regardless of your industry, a professional services firm e-newsletter template lets you organize your text and design elements for easy reading.
Attractive subject lines. Five essential elements:

News or timeliness
Relevance to the audience and the content (industry terms, targeted keywords, etc.)
Clarity
- active verbs
- conciseness
- strong syntax (word placement)
Personalization (e.g., “John, save 25% on widgets this week”) or an appeal to “you” or “your”
Power wo rds (including trigrams), psychological triggers, or other emotion-evoking specifics

A clear call to action – ask readers to contact you for a free consultation, download a guide, or visit your blog. Describe what they’ll get. Use formulas like V-O-U (verb-offer-urgency) for clickable frameworks.
A privacy-compliant footer: add information that complies with CAN-SPAM (U.S.), CASL (Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation), and GDPR laws (Europe). Per the CAN-SPAM Act, you must place your physical mailing address and unsubscribe options. To comply with regulations and avoid being marked as spam, HubSpot suggests your subscribers must “opt-in” or give their permission.
Compelling body copy – Informative content fosters engagement. Learn how to write a newsletter article for business. Once you’re familiar with the basics, you can handle writing a business newsletter or learn how to create a professional email newsletter. If you offer legal services, discover how to write a law firm newsletter.

A/B Testing: Compare different elements, like headlines or calls to action, to see what connects most with your audience. Test these and other elements through analyzing responses and click-through rates.

Research shows that people read emails left to right in an F-shape, focusing on the top and left side. To suit scanners and skimmers, place the most important content at the top.

Informative and useful content keeps clients reading and forms bonds with them over time. Effective newsletters can boost awareness and increase interest in your products or services.

“What makes e-newsletters unique is their ability to create bonds with clients. By providing ongoing content that reflects clients’ needs and lives, companies demonstrate their long-term commitment to well-being and professional development. As a result of this recurring touchpoint engagement loop, clients feel visible, heard, and valued.”
michael kiel, founder, boat planet

What is a Good Professional Services Newsletter Free Template?

A basic professional services firms newsletter template layout features one column throughout.

“Plug and play” formats help you add images, text, and links without programming or design knowledge. They also let you change colors, images, and text to suit your tastes and brand identity.

Responsive design is crucial for ensuring e-newsletters can accessed on small screens. As beehiiv reports, over 60 percent of emails are now opened on mobile devices. Non-responsive e-newsletters look smaller, making them harder to read on tablets and smartphones.

Customizing a professional services firms e-newsletter template blends it in with your existing branding, like your website and any print materials.

Platforms like MailChimp and Convertkit offer free accounts with customizable templates by audience, industry, or subject matter. They also offer mobile-friendly designs.

MailChimp is popular with many service providers, however, it’s not the most user-friendly for beginners. Convertkit (aka Kit) is a preferred alternative, especially with marketers. Web-based formats, like those beehiiv and Substack offer, are also easy to set up and send.

Free templates could have limited options for customization and the number of subscribers they will allow before you must upgrade to a paid platform.

Maximizing a Professional Services Firms Newsletter Template for Engagement

Research shows people read newsletters in an F-pattern, focusing mainly on the top left side. Place the most important elements (your logo and CTA, social links, etc.), near the top; repeating the social links at the bottom encourages clicks. Interesting content, with relevant calls to action, keeps focus throughout. Using these practices, I’ve secured newsletter click-through rates for my clients above industry standards.

Free templates sometimes offer fewer features than paid options. When you choose a free professional services e-newsletter template, ensure the provider has a strong security track record and clear data privacy policies.

Also, look beyond a fancy design. Choose templates with clean code, mobile-friendly design, and accessibility features for easy reading.

How Free Professional Services Newsletter Templates Simplify Email Creation

Templates save time creating messages that convert readers into buyers.

If you’re tired of the guesswork, consider using a free professional services newsletter template. The Easy 5-Step Business E-Newsletter Template shows what to add and where for maximum engagement. Use it to create e-newsletters your audience will love. It features customizable HTML templates, including one for MailChimp.

business, newsletter advice, newsletter templates, newsletter writing, newsletters, writing a newsletter

How Do You Write a Company Newsletter for Clients?

Michelle Troutman

Do your clients forget about you between projects? Your communication strategy could be the culprit. A company newsletter builds strong customer relationships and reminds them about your services.

For a decade, I’ve created effective company newsletters for service providers. My e-newsletter marketing packages help you publish a newsletter and a free audit shows how to improve one.

What is a Company Newsletter?

Company newsletters share news, events, and other items of interest with employees and clients. They help businesses:

1. Promote their brands and thought leadership
2. Share industry insights
3. Showcase company culture and values
4. Highlight client success stories
5. Nurture leads and sales

Internal vs. External Company Newsletters

An internal newsletter for employees contains information that will help them in and outside of work. News, events, employee initiatives, and profiles build teamwork and morale.

Business-to-consumer and business-to-business newsletters feature news, information, and offers to attract and retain clients.

How Do You Write a Company Newsletter?

Your content is the heart of your newsletter; the bones of its structure hold it together.

How to Write a Newsletter for a Company

To craft an effective company newsletter, follow AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action.

Attention: Place the most compelling elements, like a catchy subject line or headline, at the top. Use power words, numbers, emojis, news, or scarcity (“This Friday Only”) to spark curiosity. Add preview text that builds on the headline and hints at what’s inside.

Interest: When you’ve caught attention, the challenge is to sustain interest. As HubSpot suggests, build relevance by ensuring your content aligns with your newsletter’s purpose. Keep readers engaged with intriguing facts, quotes, or questions. Use relevant visuals and personalize your content to match subscribers’ interests.

Desire: Show the usefulness of your products or services. Highlight benefits and solutions, building desire for your offerings.

Action: This is your newsletter’s ultimate goal. Add a clear, persuasive, and eye-catching call-to-action (CTA), such as a sentence or button that links to your website or landing page. Use action verbs and focus on what readers will gain by clicking, like reading more, buying, or registering.

For more tips, learn how to write a newsletter article for business. It can prepare you for writing a business newsletter. It’s all part of how to write a company newsletter. Suitable writing styles can also vary by industry. Learn how to create a professional email newsletter or how to write a law firm newsletter (with company newsletter examples).

More Resources:

SendGrid’s 37 email marketing tips for 2024 highlight proper email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve deliverability.

Base your topics on your business goals and your content marketing strategy. Your subject matter may vary based on whether you want to raise awareness, gain leads, or engage customers.

Examples:

Brand awareness: “What is” articles that explain products or services. Example: “What is a good way to invest for retirement?”
Lead-generation: Events or offers that require a sign-up. Example: Income Tax Deduction Webinar.
Client engagement: Quizzes, feedback requests, or reviews.

Without interesting content, your e-newsletter could lose subscribers. But creating eye-catching content doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Effective company newsletters can increase brand awareness and keep customers loyal.

These strategies are adaptable to different business types or industries.

“Use content from your blog, whitepapers, or case studies. Summarize or update this content for your e-newsletters, saving time on creating new material from scratch.”
George Petropoulos, founder, Inoriseo

The Letterhead blog states that repurposing content into email newsletters provides “time-saving benefits” and helps get “more value from the content you’ve already created.”

What Are Some Good Company Newsletter Ideas?

What is a Company Newsletter Template?

A visually appealing newsletter layout features one or two columns or a mix of both.

For example, the Easy 5-Step Business E-Newsletter Template leaves room for your logo, your social icons, feature articles, and a call-to-action. It also guides you on creating a GDPR or CAN-SPAM-compliant footer (clear opt-out links, accurate sender information, etc.).

Structured to match how people read newsletters, it maintains interest from start to finish.

Whichever template you use, adapt it with your branding and content to attract and hold attention.

How Do You Write a Company Newsletter for Clients?

As shown, clear, specific, and unique details help your messages stand out. You don’t need to deliver lots of information; a simple, fluid design eases reading and scanning.

Save time, boost engagement, and gain business with a clear e-newsletter format. Get the Easy 5-Step Business E-Newsletter Template today!

newsletter advice, newsletter tips, newsletter writing, newsletters, professional services firms, professional writing, writing a newsletter

What is a Professional Newsletter Format?

Michelle Troutman

An attention-grabbing professional newsletter format goes beyond words. It reflects your image and holds interest effectively, building brand recognition and results.

If you struggle with writing and design, the Easy Five-Step Business E-Newsletter Template simplifies the process. The clear structure guides you to create polished, eye-catching newsletters quickly.

How Do You Make a Professional Newsletter?

Tailor the format to your content goals and target audience’s needs and interests. Integrate your e-newsletter content with social media, blog posts, or other existing material. Repurpose it with backlinks, takeaways, or infographics.

Especially for shorter content (500 words or fewer), as Fenwick suggests, a single-column layout eases reading and creation. Responsive design aids a seamless, user-friendly experience across devices, including smartphones. Optimize the layout, content hierarchy, and calls to action.

Well-designed newsletters enhance readability and brand recognition, boosting open and click-through rates.

Test different designs to see what clicks with your audience. For accessibility, structure headings and content logically, offer descriptive “alt text” for images and hyperlinks, and ensure enough color contrast. Indiegraf offers some helpful newsletter design best practices.

The key elements of a professional newsletter format include:

1. The Header: The top section with your branding.
2. The Body: Your main article, featured sections, and a call to action.
3. The Footer: A CAN-SPAM, CASL, or GDPR-compliant ending.

These principles can be adapted to different industries or business types.

Once you’ve decided on the basic layout and content, you can tackle writing a newsletter for business. Knowing how to write a newsletter article for business could also enrich your content.

“Professional services firms can write e-newsletters faster using templates and content calendars. For example, pre-designed templates streamline the layout process, while content calendars ensure timely and relevant topics are covered. This structured approach allows firms to focus on crafting compelling messages rather than formatting.

By consistently delivering valuable insights and industry updates, firms can engage clients effectively and demonstrate expertise. This efficiency not only saves time but also helps in building stronger client relationships and attracting new business through consistent communication.”
Brenton Thomas, Founder & CEO, Twibi Agency

What is a Free Professional Newsletter Format?

Free and paid email marketing platforms (ESPs) offer professional newsletter templates.

Regardless of your skills, their templates let you add text, links, and images to suit your taste. Many also let you choose industry-specific designs.

Assembling an attractive newsletter can be time-consuming. ESPs might not guide you step-by-step or show where to place the content to catch eyes. But as you learn, the process becomes easier.

Even with a template, it’s not always clear where to put the content. If you waste time guessing, the Easy 5-Step Business E-Newsletter Template shows you what to add and where.

Professional Newsletter Format Expertise Spotlight: Financial Brands

Ellevest’s What the Elle? Money Newsletter :”For Women, by Women”

This easy-to-read and scroll single-column newsletter’s copy, format, and design enhances engagement.

Short headlines draw readers in, starting with the warm welcome note that subtly highlights their financial plans.

The footer includes industry-appropriate disclaimers and complies with CAN-SPAM rules. It also reinforces trust, as does the company’s SEC designation.

The soothing earth tones augment the overall impact. Ellevest could add stronger CTAs near the top and bottom, with more descriptive text like “Learn why a financial plan helps every woman build wealth.”

“Yes” or “no” questions aren’t always effective in CTAs. The bottom CTA lead-in copy could work better as a statement.

The CTAs, links, and requests for replies encourage clicks while letting Ellevest learn more about its readers.

“What the Elle?” exemplifies the essentials of a lead-converting e-newsletter tailored to audience interests and pain points.

Fin (published by Plaid)

The Fin newsletter exemplifies a captivating newsletter design. With minimal elements, namely the header and bold headings, every statement stands out. Though it’s sent by Plaid, no colors clash. The dark blue header bar conveys cool professionalism and trust.

A single concept works throughout: one column, one header, an article, one CTA, and one footer. The CTA rhymes (a favorite technique of mine). It echoes the subject line effectively. The bottom trio of links adds interest, while the simple footer design is appealing.

Fin could add contact and social media icons to the top and bottom. More details about their expertise could also boost their credibility.

This e-newsletter shows how a little clear content goes a long way in keeping readers focused and informed.

How to Make a Professional Newsletter

An effective professional newsletter format can be simple. A clear structure guides readers through the content. Combined with clear writing and design, it forms an eye-catching e-newsletter.

Knowing how to create a professional email newsletter or how to write a law firm newsletter can enhance your emails. It’s all part of learning how to make a newsletter look professional.

Remove the guesswork from your e-newsletter writing, design, and formatting. Create a professional newsletter quickly that will wow your subscribers and keep them reading. Stop agonizing over your newsletters and start enjoying creating them faster.

Get the Easy 5-Step Business E-Newsletter Template.

business, email newsletters, enews, enewsletters, newsletter advice, newsletter tips, newsletters, online newsletters

What Should Be Included in a Business Newsletter?

Michelle Troutman

The question, “What should be included in a business newsletter?” can be hard to answer. The many possibilities toughen decision-making. But it’s possible to save time while you create engaging content that shows your expertise.

If you struggle to make newsletters that set your business apart, consider my email marketing packages or get a free audit.

What Business Newsletter Content Should You Include?

Good topics suit your business and content goals. You can inform potential clients about your products or services. You may also reuse or reframe social media posts, blog posts, or press releases.

Newsletter Ideas for Business Based on Your Goals

What are your customers’ problems? What keeps them awake? Relieve their pain through stories, quotes, or advice.

Brand awareness: Share your company culture through a video or a personal story. Promote a grand opening or an annual sale.
Lead-generation: Offer resources like ebooks, checklists or guides, free trials, or webinars; add “how-to”s or tips.
Planning: Creating a content calendar maintains consistency, aligning your content with your marketing goals.

How Do You Make a Company Newsletter Interesting?

Match your content to each buyer’s journey stage (awareness, consideration, decision-making).

Eye-tracking studies show people read online in an F-shaped pattern, focusing on the top and left side. A good outline for informational text follows the AIDA format (attention-interest-desire-action). Another option is an inverted pyramid with a one-column layout, placing the most important information at the top. It aids skimming and scrolling on all devices.

Crafting Engaging Business Newsletter Topics

Enticing Headlines: Write headlines that spark interest. Refine them based on A/B tests in blog or social media posts first. Use strong verbs, numbers, and benefit-driven language.
Engaging Preview Text: Provide a concise, compelling content summary in 150 or fewer characters.
Visual Appeal: Add clear images, infographics, or videos to break up text and enhance readability.

What Should Be Included in a Business Newsletter – Content Examples

Maximize Trends: With Google’s AMP technology, you can make emails interactive through polls, games, or forms to boost engagement and gather data.

Predictive personalization lets businesses tailor emails based on reader behavior and preferences. You can promote products or services based on recent buying patterns.

Example: a coupon for a discount on investment planning after an initial consultation.

Content curation: using AI or other platforms helps you highlight topics efficiently. Personalize the content based on readers’ preferences.

“One effective strategy I’ve implemented is leveraging content repurposing. By repurposing existing blog posts, case studies, or industry insights into digestible newsletter formats, you can streamline the creation process while delivering valuable content to your audience.”
Gustav Nicholson, editor, Ampifire

How Do You Write a Business Newsletter?

Experts suggest e-newsletters should be 300 words or fewer to accommodate short attention spans. Many newsletters are slightly longer, at an average of 500 to 700 words.

How to Write a Business Newsletter

Key parts to write:

Headlines: Make a statement. Example: People are overdosing on coffee ☕️ (Touristy)
Compelling Body Copy: Write clear and informative articles, drawing on your experience; highlight a tip, a blog post, or an offer.
Clear calls-to-action: Tell readers what you want them to do and emphasize what they’ll get. Should they visit a link for more information, download a checklist, or register for a webinar? Example: “Teach yourself all the tools and techniques you need to support your mental health” (Calm; Calm Down e-newsletter)

For e-newsletter content writing tips, explore Writing a Business Newsletter. Learn How to Write a Newsletter Article for Business, How to Write a Professional Services Newsletter, or How to Write a Law Firm Newsletter.

What Are Corporate Newsletter Best Practices?

Keep a regular publishing schedule. Choose optimal sending times based on your audience demographics.

Set expectations on your “Subscribe” page. Tell potential subscribers what to expect in each issue and how often you will send it.
Use email platforms like MailChimp or Constant Contact for mobile-friendly designs.
Accessibility: Add clear “alt text” for images, text instead of graphics, and follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Use complementary colors and sans serif fonts (12 to 16 points).

Monitor and Analyze Results: Track open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribes. Use this data to refine your strategy and deliver interesting content. MailChimp reports that the average business e-newsletter open rate is about 37 percent.

A/B Testing: It’s sometimes limited in its scope. Consider factors like audience demographics and sample sizes when you assess the results. GetResponse suggests you follow data, not your gut feelings.

Permission-Based Marketing: Follow GDPR (Europe), CASL (Canadian Anti-Spam Law), and CAN-SPAM Act (U.S.) best practices. Under CAN-SPAM, ensure subscribers have opted to get your newsletter. Provide your company’s physical mailing address and clear unsubscribe options.
Segmentation: If you tailor content to different audiences (job role, industry, etc.) send it to separate lists.
Send from a recognized name rather than “ABC Widget Company” to avoid spam filters and foster trust.

These ideas can be adapted to different types of businesses and industries.

How to Make a Company Newsletter Interesting

A well-crafted newsletter is a long-term investment in your client relationships. Now that you know what should be included in a business newsletter, you can drive engagement, build trust, and reach your goals.

If you struggle to create standout newsletters, consider my email marketing packages or get a free audit.

law firms, legal, newsletter advice, newsletter tips, newsletter writing, newsletters, writing a newsletter

What Are Some Law Firm Newsletter Topics?

Michelle Troutman

While you search for law firm newsletter topics, do you feel stuck? Do you fear the well is running dry? With some inspiration, creating an idea bank or content calendar is easier than it seems.

Through my experience creating law firm e-newsletters, I’ve found content that engages clients. If you struggle with your law firm newsletter, consider my email marketing packages or get a free audit.

What Are Some Ideas for Effective Law Firm Newsletters?

Common Legal Newsletter Topics

News and Events: Share firm news (new hires, promotions, job listings, etc.); law changes; upcoming events
- Industry Updates and Trends: Summarize and give insights on practice area news.
- Community Involvement: Show your values: highlight your firm’s community initiatives or charitable causes.
- Curate Content: Link to industry news with short write-ups. I search reputable sources like Google News to find up-to-date content that suits my client’s audience’s needs. Credible sources have a long-term reputation for reliable reporting practices (e.g., The Wall Street Journal).
Client Success Stories (with permission): Show successful case outcomes (anonymize them, if necessary) to build trust and highlight your expertise.
FAQs and Legal Q&A: Answer common questions to establish yourself as a knowledgeable resource.
Legal Tips and Quick Guides: Offer practical takeaways and downloadable resources to increase engagement.
Behind-the-Scenes/Human Interest Stories: Feature client accounts or for a personal touch, your public-facing team members.
Facts and Statistics: A Heritage Law Firm e-newsletter featured facts about how ancient Egyptians created estate plans more than 3,000 years ago. Trivia attracts interest and sets the stage for the rest of your content.
Existing Content: Include your recent blog and social media posts, press release news, or video clips.
Interact: Add polls or quizzes about legal topics to boost engagement and gather audience data.

“Listicles can be a fun and informative addition to internet newsletters for lawyers. A listicle presents content in a numbered list format and has become an increasingly popular way to share information in the digital age.”
tim absalikov, founder and ceo, lasting trend

Law Firm Newsletter Topics: Less Common Law Firm Newsletter Content Ideas

Book Reviews or Recommendations: Cover relevant legal books or resources of interest to your audience
Legal Humor: Add appropriate wit that highlights your expertise.
Thought Leadership:
- opinions
- podcasts/videocasts
- articles
Seasonal or Holiday Content: Create seasonal greetings or content with a legal twist for year-round connections. Example: a blog post about “I love you” wills around Valentine’s Day.

To keep a steady stream of legal email marketing ideas, create a 3 to 12-month content calendar. Align topics by theme or type with your newsletter schedule. Combine newsletter topics with other marketing content like blogs or direct mail for a unified look and feel. A content calendar adds structure and aligns your newsletter with your overall marketing for a greater impact.

Knowing how to write a newsletter article can prepare you for writing a newsletter for business. Once you’re familiar with the basics, learn how to create a professional email newsletter or how to write a law firm newsletter.

“If you’re responsible for creating your firm’s online content, one of the best and easiest ways to do it faster is to use one of the AI tools readily available today. I’m not suggesting you use AI to do the work for you, but it can be leveraged to help you with your writing.

Using AI to generate ideas for content is an easy way to speed up the process. By using specific prompts, AI like ChatGPT effectively becomes your personal assistant, digging up information you can use to identify and predict trending topics. Targeting the right audience is the key to engaging and winning new clients.

Another way to use AI is to help you kick-start content you are having trouble getting started on. Sometimes just a little bit of input from AI can help to spark an idea. Then, all you have to do is run with it!”
Sofia Perez, Content Manager & Owner, Character Counter

Legal Firm Email Marketing Ideas Made Easier

If you write regular columns, finding law firm newsletter topics for them can be easy and fun. You can tie them to seasonal events like Valentine’s Day or National Elder Law Month. Reusing existing content also reduces the pressure to find new law firm newsletter ideas and helps you avoid running out.

Save time and stress less over your law firm newsletter with my email marketing packages or get a free audit.