How Long Should a Newsletter Be to Keep Readers Engaged?

How Long Should a Newsletter Be to Keep Readers Engaged?

How Long Should a Newsletter Be to Keep Readers Engaged?

Email Campaigns

Email Campaigns

Email Campaigns

Jul 6, 2025

woman working - How Long Should a Newsletter Be
woman working - How Long Should a Newsletter Be
woman working - How Long Should a Newsletter Be
woman working - How Long Should a Newsletter Be
woman working - How Long Should a Newsletter Be

Do you struggle to find the correct length for your newsletters? You’re not alone. Many marketers wonder, “How long should a newsletter be?” The answer can make or break your campaign. Too long, and you risk losing your audience's interest. Too short, and you may not provide enough information to satisfy your readers. This blog email closing lines will help you find the sweet spot, so you can write newsletters that are the perfect length to keep readers engaged, boost click-through rates, and consistently drive results without overwhelming your audience.

Inframail's email infrastructure can help you achieve your goals. Our solution provides detailed insights into how your audience interacts with your emails, helping you create newsletters that keep them engaged. 

Table of Content

Do you struggle to find the correct length for your newsletters? You’re not alone. Many marketers wonder, “How long should a newsletter be?” The answer can make or break your campaign. Too long, and you risk losing your audience's interest. Too short, and you may not provide enough information to satisfy your readers. This blog email closing lines will help you find the sweet spot, so you can write newsletters that are the perfect length to keep readers engaged, boost click-through rates, and consistently drive results without overwhelming your audience.

Inframail's email infrastructure can help you achieve your goals. Our solution provides detailed insights into how your audience interacts with your emails, helping you create newsletters that keep them engaged. 

Table of Content

Do you struggle to find the correct length for your newsletters? You’re not alone. Many marketers wonder, “How long should a newsletter be?” The answer can make or break your campaign. Too long, and you risk losing your audience's interest. Too short, and you may not provide enough information to satisfy your readers. This blog email closing lines will help you find the sweet spot, so you can write newsletters that are the perfect length to keep readers engaged, boost click-through rates, and consistently drive results without overwhelming your audience.

Inframail's email infrastructure can help you achieve your goals. Our solution provides detailed insights into how your audience interacts with your emails, helping you create newsletters that keep them engaged. 

Table of Content

How Long Should a Newsletter Be to Get Read?

person working - How Long Should a Newsletter Be

The ideal length of a newsletter largely depends on its purpose and target audience. For example, quick updates or promotional emails are best kept between 200 and 500 words in length. Longer email newsletters with more editorial-style content can stretch up to about 1,000 words. The critical thing to remember is readability. 

Attention spans are short, so it’s better to be concise and link out to longer content if needed. You can also test and analyze metrics, such as open and click-through rates, to determine the optimal length for your audience.

Why So Short? 

So why do people spend so little time with email newsletters? To start, there are simply too many emails. Organizations and individuals send out 347.3 billion emails a day, according to Statista. That’s a lot of competition for attention in the inbox. And that doesn’t include:

  • All of the email marketing pieces

  • Blog posts

  • Other content marketing pieces

Screaming for your readers’ attention. Another reason is that around 81% of people use a mobile app to open their emails. And yet, HubSpot found that only 56% of companies have a marketing strategy in place to send mobile-friendly emails. 

That’s even though the tiny screen causes numerous usability problems. As email newsletters have become shorter, more visual, and more scannable, subscribers have learned to expect more tightly edited “e-zines.” The result? Readers want less. 

Types of Newsletters and Their Ideal Lengths

The first thing to bear in mind is that there are different types of newsletters, each with their style and typical length: 

  • The in-depth article: Detailed treatment of a topic, usually with examples and data. This can run to thousands of words. 

  • The digest: A quick summary of topics the writer found interesting that week. Sometimes from the news or industry developments. They've read other articles or newsletters they’ve read. Usually with links to the sources. Medium length. 

  • Snackable tips: These are short tips designed to be read in just a few minutes. James Clear’s 3-2-1 newsletter is one of the originals in this format, with 3 ideas from James, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question to ponder. They’re short by nature. 

  • Conversational emails: This style of newsletter shares tips and ideas in a more conversational manner, using personal stories, anecdotes, or analogies (rather than the facts-and-figures-driven approach of an in-depth article). The length can vary considerably, but is typically short to medium (a few hundred words).

And, of course, many hybrids combine formats. Scott Galloway’s No Mercy/No Malice manages to include data-rich in-depth articles and conversational storytelling at the same time, along with a mini-digest of things that have caught his eye. By its nature, it’s pretty long.

The type of newsletter you write is going to be the primary determinant of how long it is. It’s challenging to do an in-depth treatment of a topic in a few hundred words. A huge, long list of issues isn’t going to be very “snackable.” 

Weekly Newsletters 

Weekly newsletters typically provide quick updates or highlights. You want these to be concise, around 200 to 300 words in length. Readers appreciate brevity, especially when they’re busy.

In a weekly newsletter, consider including: 

  • A quick summary of recent events: Highlight the most relevant updates. These could pertain to your organization, industry trends, or community activities. 

  • Links to blog posts or articles: Including links to your latest blog posts or relevant articles adds value and encourages your audience to explore further. This develops a deeper engagement with your brand. Include a brief description for each link to entice readers to click through. 

  • Promotional content or offers: Promotions and special offers serve as incentives for your audience to take action, whether that involves making a purchase, signing up for an event, or taking advantage of a limited-time offer. By keeping it concise and straightforward, you maintain engagement while delivering value. 

Monthly Newsletters 

Monthly newsletters go deeper, exploring more topics and details. Aim for around 400 to 600 words. You can add extra sections if you want, but try not to overwhelm your readers.

To keep your readers engaged, consider adding the following sections to your monthly newsletters: 

  • Featured articles: Include in-depth articles or stories that provide valuable insights or information. If you’re a nonprofit organization, for example, you can feature a success story or a detailed report on a recent project. 

  • Company news: Summarize key points or major updates at the beginning. This helps readers quickly grasp the most crucial information. For example, you can highlight significant achievements or upcoming events. 

  • Customer spotlights: Customer spotlights highlight client success stories and feedback, showcasing how your products or services positively impact their lives or businesses. This builds credibility and nurtures relationships by celebrating their achievements. 

Quarterly Newsletters 

How long should a quarterly newsletter be? These newsletters typically contain more content, ranging from 700 to 1,000 words. They are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of events from the last three months. These newsletters are ideal for delving into the details, reviewing what has gone well, and sharing goals for the next steps.

Consider including the following sections in your quarterly newsletters to keep your audience engaged: 

  • In-depth articles: These articles allow you to explore complex issues, share expert insights, and educate your readers. This establishes your brand as a thought leader and a credible source of information. 

  • Case studies: Case studies highlight your organization’s successes, providing concrete evidence of your impact. They make the content more relatable and showcase the effectiveness of your strategies. 

  • Plans or goals: Including a section dedicated to your company’s plans or goals enhances transparency and provides direction. It outlines what your audience can expect in the coming months while inviting them to engage with your journey.

Balancing depth with brevity in quarterly newsletters is essential. While there’s a lot to cover, keeping each section short and to the point helps keep readers engaged. Instead of using long paragraphs, use bullet points to highlight key achievements and upcoming events, making it easier for readers to skim the content.  

A/B Testing: The Best Way to Find the Right Length for Your Newsletters 

Determining the best newsletter sizes depends on what your audience prefers, so it’s a good idea to try out different formats and lengths to see what resonates with your readers. One solid approach is A/B testing, where you split your subscriber list into various groups and test newsletter campaigns of varying lengths. By analyzing key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and time spent reading, you can identify which version resonates more with your readers.

This approach helps you optimize the length of your newsletters based on actual user behavior and preferences. But within those boundaries, you have plenty of scope to vary the length of your emails. A few guidelines to bear in mind: 

No Market is Completely Homogeneous 

There will be people who prefer longer, more in-depth content and people who prefer shorter, quicker-to-read emails. Once you’ve established a pattern to your emails, you’ll tend to keep the subscribers who appreciate the length you write at and lose the ones who hate it. You can vary by email, but try to stick to my established pattern most of the time to suit the audience you’ve developed. 

Different Types of Email Build Different Types of Relationships 

In-depth articles are practical in building authority. Conversational emails with personal anecdotes develop relationships and establish your practical experience (if you pick the right anecdotes, of course). 

Digests and stackable tips position me as knowing about a broad range of topics in my field. If you have a clear picture of the sort of relationship you want to build, it will guide you to the type and length you need. 

An Email Can Look Difficult to Read If It’s Very Long. 

Formatting with lots of whitespace and short paragraphs can help overcome this, but there’s always a risk my audience will see a huge email and think, “Maybe another day when you have more time.” And of course, that day rarely comes. One option is to include relevant content in your email. 

  • The “hook” in my terminology is what convinces readers to read the full email.

  • Then have a link to a website where they can read more.

This Has Pros And Cons

These days, email open rates are very unreliable stats, but tracking clicks to a website is highly accurate. By having the bulk of the content on a website, you increase the accuracy of my tracking, which is crucial for managing engagement and enhancing deliverability. 

Many people prefer “zero-click” emails. They don’t want to click through to read the content, and it can feel to them like you’re pushing them to do something they don’t like. It also means that if you have a call to action where you want them to click, you’re asking them to click twice: 

  • Once to access the content

  • Once for the call to action

For some reason, that first click often makes people feel like they’ve “done their duty,” and it reduces the number of clicks you get on the call to action. 

Your advice is simple: 

Choose the style of newsletter you enjoy writing and the length of content where you feel proud of what you’ve written.\

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What Makes a Good Email Newsletter Format?

woman working - How Long Should a Newsletter Be

Think of the subject line as the title of your email. It’s the first part of your email that a subscriber sees when they open their inbox. A subject line should be relevant to the content in the email, and it needs to quickly capture the attention of your customers (or potential customers). The right subject line can make all the difference. 

Branded Headers: Make Sure Your Readers Know Who the Email Is From

You want people to remember your brand and know who they're getting a newsletter from, so start with a branded header. Include your company name and logo, and use your brand's colors to make your header instantly recognizable. 

Background Color: Set the Right Mood for Your Email

Consider the background color you will be using when sending emails. Setting the background color consistently is also recommended for branding purposes. 

Attention-Grabbing Headlines: Get Readers to Open Your Email and Read Your Content

Once your subject line has gotten your subscribers to open your newsletter, your headline is the opportunity to get them to read it. Try focusing on how something benefits them, such as the new product you're unveiling or the work you're doing behind the scenes. 

Keep it concise, relevant to your audience, and ensure it aligns with the rest of the content. Don't want your readers to feel misled by the headline. 

Body Copy: Write Clear, Helpful, and On-Brand Content

The main body copy is the real substance of your email newsletter. Once your subscribers have been drawn in by the subject line, header, and headline, they've gotten to your core information. 

Keep them reading with copy that's direct, positive, optimistic, and helpful in tone. Your brand voice and tone depend on the audience you intend to reach and the industry you represent. Like other elements of your brand, you should maintain consistency across your marketing efforts. 

Clean Layout and Scannable Content: Help Readers Get the Information They Need

Readability is essential, so keep things uncluttered. Break the content into short paragraphs and use bulleted lists and hierarchical headings that will guide the reader through the content. You can use A/B testing to try out different layouts and see what people respond to the best. 

Visuals: Use Graphics to Maintain Reader Engagement

Sure, content is king, but eye-catching graphics play an essential role in keeping your readers engaged. You can use professional photography, animation, illustrations, or charts and graphs, and a colored or patterned background might make your newsletter stand out. 

Choosing one art style that aligns with your brand will help make your digital marketing appear more cohesive. Don't forget to consider accessibility when using graphics. 

Call to Action (CTA): Include Clear Instructions for What to Do Next

Including a CTA in your email newsletter is one of the most effective ways to drive traffic to a website, online store, or product page. A clear CTA tells the reader exactly what to do: 

  • Download the App

  • Read More

  • Buy Now

CTAs are essential elements of email newsletter templates. 

Footer: Don’t Forget About This Important, Often Overlooked Section

Footers do a lot of heavy lifting in your email newsletter template. They should include contact information for your business, such as a mailing address, your business's physical address if applicable, or other relevant details like customer support emails and your website address. You may need to include an option for users to unsubscribe or change their subscription preferences. 

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How to Create And Format an Amazing Email Newsletter

How Long Should a Newsletter Be

Your email marketing platform determines the tools you'll have at your disposal for:

  • Templates

  • Automation

  • Optimization

  • And more

Look for a well-known provider that offers all the features and key elements you need. Many of them offer a free trial, which is a great way to find out if that provider is right for you.

Select a Template to Make Your Newsletter Stand Out

Using a template means you don't have to create your newsletter from scratch, saving you time (and possibly frustration). A template allows you to slot in your:

  • Logo

  • Images

  • Content

  • And brand colors

Making it your own while keeping the overall look consistent from week to week or month to month. 

Customize Your Layout for a Personal Touch

Once you've found a template you like, you can customize it to meet your needs. You can change the background color or font, and, of course, a template allows for different-sized images and varying amounts of text. Customizing your template gives your newsletter a personal touch that reflects your brand and differentiates you from other businesses that might be using the same template.

Add Your Text and Graphics for a Professional Look

A template will have placeholders for your branded header, headline, body copy, images, and footer. Once you've customized the look, it's just a matter of dragging and dropping elements into place. The final result is a professional-looking email newsletter that lets your brand shine. Give it a once-over and hit send!

Best Practices: Number of Items in a Newsletter

Creating a compelling email newsletter is all about striking the perfect balance between sharing valuable information and keeping your readers engaged. One crucial aspect is determining the ideal number of sections to include.

Here are some newsletter best practices to captivate your audience:

Limit the Number of Sections

Keep your newsletter concise and clear so readers don’t become overwhelmed and can easily understand what you’re saying. A focused newsletter sustains reader interest and prompts engagement with the content.

Here are some guidelines:

  • Weekly newsletters: Three to five sections. This keeps things manageable for your readers. 

  • Monthly newsletters: Aim for five to six sections, each focusing on a different aspect of your business or industry. This variety ensures that the newsletter is informative and engaging, catering to diverse reader interests. 

  • Quarterly newsletters: Six to eight sections. This allows for in-depth exploration without losing focus. 

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity 

Focus on delivering high-quality content rather than trying to cover too many topics. Each section should provide valuable insights or updates that align with your newsletter’s goals. Keep your newsletter content primarily educational, aiming for 90% of it to be academic. 

The other 10% can be promotional, but try to keep that to a minimum. Focus on sharing valuable and relevant information that your subscribers will appreciate. Unless you’ve got exciting news about your product, service, or company, skip the self-promotion most of the time. 

Engage With Visuals and Calls to Action

Incorporate engaging visuals and clear calls to action in each section. Visuals can break up text and make your newsletter more appealing, while CTAs guide your readers on what to do next.

You can also spice up your CTA with buttons or images. Just make sure to experiment with how you design it, what you say, and the wording to determine what truly resonates with your audience.

Start Buying Domains Now and Set Up Your Email Infrastructure Today

At Inframail, we are revolutionizing cold email infrastructure with unlimited inboxes at a single flat rate. We provide Microsoft-backed deliverability, dedicated IP addresses, and automated technical setup to help agencies, recruiters, and SDRs scale their outreach efforts efficiently. Main benefits of using our service: 

  • Automated SPF

  • DKIM

  • DMARC setup

Dedicated email servers for each user, and 16-hour priority support daily. Unlike traditional providers that charge per inbox and leave you wrestling with technical configurations, Inframail streamlines the entire process. We handle the complex infrastructure setup while you focus on reaching more prospects. Whether you're an agency looking to scale outreach, a recruiter connecting with candidates, or an SDR driving sales, InfraMail provides the robust email infrastructure you need without the usual technical headaches and per-inbox costs. 

Start buying domains now and set up your email infrastructure today with our email infrastructure tool.

Why Use Inframail?  

Inframail streamlines the process of setting up cold email infrastructure. With automated SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup, dedicated email servers for each user, and priority support, we help you avoid the headaches of traditional providers. 

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