That blinking cursor on your screen is taunting you. You've set a deadline to send out this week's (month's/quarter's) e-newsletter, but you haven't progressed past "Summer Newsletter." You've bolded this solo headline and played with italics. It's blue... green... orange. Yeah, orange!
 
You've entered the land of e-stalling--putting off the composition of your e-newsletter because you're stumped for copy. Read on for five content tips to get your creative juices flowing and fingers typing.

Here are five types of e-newsletter content that can work for both you and your readers.
  1. Success Stories. Report back to your donors and other supporters on what you are doing with their money and time by sharing some success stories. Even better, give your readers credit for that success and make sure they understand just how important they are. You don’t want to brag, but you do want to demonstrate that what you do really does matter.

  2. Back Stage Passes. Take your readers behind the scenes. Tell stories and report back on what you are doing from the insider’s perspective (but not too deep inside – we want the intrigue, without the tedium.) 

  3. Next Up – and Fast. Remind your supporters what’s happening in the next few days. You need to create a sense of urgency. If you have a big event coming up in three months, create lots of other intermediate dates of importance or milestones – super saver deadlines, 100th person to register – to create some timeliness.

  4. Empowering How-Tos. Your supporters can help you implement your mission by donating to you and volunteering. Give them some suggestions and show them the impact that their actions, on their own time, can have.

  5. Straight Action Alerts. Email is great for asking people to take action on an issue, whether it’s completing an online petition, emailing a member of Congress, or donating to a specific fundraising campaign – if you include explicit and easy instructions on how to take that action.