In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, effective communication is crucial for driving employee engagement, productivity, and overall success. Yet, many organizations still neglect to prioritize internal communications, often relying on fragmented and informal methods to share information. Without a structured approach to internal communications, companies risk creating a sense of disconnection and disengagement among their workforce. Without a clear and consistent flow of information, employees may feel left in the dark, leading to confusion, frustration, and ultimately, decreased job satisfaction and retention.
According to ContactMonkey’s most recent Global State of Internal Communication 2023, employee newsletters and intranets are the most popular internal communications channels. Nearly half (45%) of internal communicators rely most on email newsletters, while about a third (32%) use mainly intranets. Only 8% use instant messaging tools like Microsoft Team and Slack or collaboration tools like Trello, Monday, or Asana.
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In a blog post, Top Internal Communications Trends for 2024, writer Mariya Postelnyak, former ContactMonkey Content Manager highlights the value of newsletters for hybrid work communications. Increasing their frequency is a great way to keep remote and hybrid teams in the loop, she says.
This is no surprise, given that their Global State of Internal Communication 2023 survey found that 91% of respondents say they rely even more on email in a remote/hybrid work environment.
“Driven by digital transformation and remote work, companies are rethinking how they connect and engage staff. And internal communications sit at the forefront of organizational efforts to adapt.” Mariya Postelnyak
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of internal newsletters as a powerful tool for fostering engagement, improving communication, and driving business success.
What are Internal Newsletters?
Internal newsletters are publications circulated exclusively within a company. While traditional newsletters were printed, today they are almost always shared on a digital platform. Either way, they act as a central communication hub, keeping employees informed and connected to the bigger picture.
Internal newsletters typically cover a range of topics relevant to employees, including:
- Company news and updates: This could include anything from new product launches and financial performance to upcoming company events and policy changes.
- Employee achievements: Recognizing and celebrating individual and team successes is a great way to boost morale and showcase talent. Newsletters provide an ideal platform to highlight these accomplishments.
- Department spotlights: Featuring stories and contributions from different departments helps bridge communication gaps and fosters a sense of collaboration across the organization.
- Industry trends: Keeping employees informed about industry developments allows them to stay ahead of the curve and contribute their expertise more effectively. It also encourages interest.
- Company culture: Newsletters can be a powerful channel for internal communications for promoting company values and fostering a sense of community. Include stories about employee volunteer efforts, team-building activities, and company social events.
The Global State of Internal Communication 2023 highlights the kinds of newsletters that organizations send employees in terms of popularity:
- Important updates – 85%
- CEO office announcements – 70%
- Company event updates – 56%
- Quarterly round-ups – 32%
- Holiday theme – 28%
- New hire updates – 25%
- Annual newsletters -12%
Of course, this doesn’t mean that every company newsletter should have only one theme. Generally, it’s best to include varied content. This will make newsletters more engaging. Even if you have a theme, holidays, for example, you won’t want to ignore new hire updates or employee achievements. Even an annual company newsletter can include employee recognition, company news, and industry insights. It is not, after all, an annual report.
10 Most Important Benefits of Internal Newsletters
Internal newsletters go far beyond simply broadcasting company announcements. They offer a powerful platform to improve the working environment. By implementing an internal company newsletter, organizations can reap many benefits, ultimately leading to a more engaged, informed, and productive workforce.
#1 Boost Employee Engagement
Regular newsletters foster a sense of belonging and connection. When employees feel informed about the company’s goals, progress, and initiatives, they’re more likely to see themselves as part of the bigger picture and contribute more meaningfully. Additionally, by sharing employee achievements, recognition, and stories, you will boost morale and increase motivation.
#2 Increase Productivity
By keeping employees informed and up-to-date, company newsletters can help reduce the time spent searching for information, increasing productivity and efficiency.
#3 Improve Communication
Newsletters provide a central location for sharing important updates, company news, and industry trends. This reduces reliance on overflowing email inboxes and ensures everyone receives the same information at once.
#4 Share Knowledge
Newsletters can facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and expertise across departments and teams, promoting collaboration and innovation.
#5 Increase Transparency
A company newsletter can be a valuable tool for leadership to share company goals, strategies, and decision-making processes. This transparency builds trust and fosters a more positive work environment.
#6 Enhance Employee Recognition
Recognizing and celebrating employee successes is a great way to boost morale and motivation. Newsletters provide a platform to showcase individual and team accomplishments, birthdays, work anniversaries, and promotions.
#7 Break Down Silos
By featuring stories and contributions from different departments, newsletters can help bridge communication gaps and encourage cross-departmental collaboration. They are the ideal vehicle to eliminate or reduce the barriers or obstacles that prevent different departments, teams, or individuals from communicating and collaborating effectively.
#8 Promote Company Culture
Newsletters are a great way to showcase your company culture and values. Include stories about employee volunteer efforts, team-building activities, and company events to foster a sense of community and pride.
#9 Maximize Employee Retention
By keeping employees informed and engaged, internal company newsletters can help reduce turnover rates and improve job satisfaction.
#10 Improve Compliance
Internal newsletters can help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company policies by keeping employees informed about changes and updates.
How to Get Started with Internal Newsletters
Creating an engaging and informative internal newsletter is easier than you might think. Here are some tips:
- Define your goals: What do you hope to achieve with your company newsletter? Increased engagement, improved communication, or a stronger company culture? A team brainstorming session will help clarify your goals.
- Target your audience: Tailor content to resonate with your employees’ interests and needs. Internal pulse surveys will help grasp what employees want from a company newsletter.
- Keep it concise and engaging: While there is no hard and fast rule about the length of newsletters, busy employees won’t wade through lengthy content. So, use visuals, keep individual content items short and sweet, and be sure to focus on the most important information. Ultimately, you want to create interest.
- Frequency and consistency are key: Decide on a regular schedule for sending newsletters, whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency is important to keep employees engaged. You want them to anticipate every issue.
- Gather feedback: Get input from employees on what they find valuable and what they’d like to see more of in the newsletter. Ask for comments about each issue, and don’t forget to invite employee contributions.
An internal newsletter is a simple yet powerful tool that can have a significant impact on your company culture and overall success. We recognize that it can sometimes be difficult to come up with great ideas. The good news is that the Cerkl team came up with the 15 Best Company Newsletter Ideas for 2024, just for you.
Case Study: How St. Elizabeth Improved Employee Engagement With Dynamic Newsletters
Imagine you work at a large hospital like St. Elizabeth Healthcare, with thousands of employees spread across many locations. Keeping everyone informed can feel like trying to herd cats! St. Elizabeth previously relied on static PDF newsletters. But these one-size-fits-all emails often landed with a thud. The content wasn’t always relevant to everyone, and it was a time-consuming chore to create and distribute.
St. Elizabeth knew they needed a better way to connect with their workforce. That’s where Cerkl, an internal communications platform, came in. Cerkl Broadcast News Digest is like a super-powered newsletter tool that can personalize content for each employee. This way, nurses can get updates on new medical equipment, while administrators receive news about upcoming policy changes. Employees can choose the topics they’re interested in, and Cerkl delivers the content directly to their inbox or the hospital intranet.
The switch to Cerkl’s dynamic News Digest has been a game-changer for St. Elizabeth. Employees are much more engaged with the communications they receive. They’re opening email newsletters at a higher rate and clicking through links more often. This two-way communication loop helps St. Elizabeth to continue to create a more informed and connected workforce.
How Can You Benefit from Cerkl’s Personalized Internal Newsletters?
Are you still delivering static PDF messages to your workforce? If you’re using pre-designed templates or drag-and-drop editors, are you happy with the results? They’re certainly a big step up from the static PDF approach. But when you discover the benefits of Cerkl Broadcast News Digest, you may decide to change your approach completely.
With Broadcast News Digest, you too can deliver targeted messages directly to your employees, on their preferred channels — all on autopilot.
Cerkl Broadcast’s highly personalized, superior internal newsletter platform offers a powerful solution with three key benefits, automated sending, personalized messaging, and omnichannel delivery.
Automated Sending
Say goodbye to the time-consuming hassle of manually scheduling and sending newsletters. Cerkl automates the entire process, freeing you to focus on crafting compelling content.
Personalized Messaging
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all emails. Cerkl allows you to personalize content based on employee roles, departments, or interests. For instance, employees can receive updates on cutting-edge equipment and technologies while marketing teams get the latest on branding initiatives. This targeted approach ensures employees receive information relevant to their daily work, increasing engagement and knowledge retention.
Omnichannel Delivery
Employees consume information in different ways. Cerkl delivers your personalized messages through multiple channels, including email, intranet, and mobile app notifications. This flexibility guarantees employees receive your content on their preferred platform, maximizing reach and impact.
By leveraging these features, Cerkl helps you create a more informed, connected, and engaged workforce. Imagine a company culture where employees feel valued and empowered by the information they receive. That’s the power of Cerkl’s personalized internal newsletters.
What’s Next?
Employee newsletters can be a great tool to improve engagement and boost internal communication. We’ve shared some of the most important benefits of internal newsletters and provided some tips on how to get started. But how confident are you about creating your own newsletters? We have created a comprehensive guide for internal communicators that will help with everything from deciding on the best format and content, to delivery options.
We discuss why employee newsletters matter, what the best practices are for creating them, ideal length and frequency, and even how newsletters have evolved over time. Interested? Want to take a closer look? You can download the guide here and now — and it’s absolutely free!
FAQ
An internal newsletter can help improve communication and collaboration within an organization. It keeps employees informed and engaged and fosters a sense of community and belonging. It can also help to reduce the spread of misinformation and rumors, and provide a platform for employees to share their ideas and feedback.
The most important element of an internal newsletter is its relevance to the audience. This means you need to ensure that the content is timely, accurate, and interesting to employees. You can achieve this by involving employees in the content creation process and ensuring the newsletter is concise and easy to read.
An important advantage of a newsletter is that it provides a centralized platform for sharing information, updates, and news within an organization. This keeps employees informed and engaged, and promotes a sense of unity and purpose.
A company newsletter is important because it helps to build trust and transparency within an organization, providing a platform for employees to stay informed about the company. It also provides updates, and initiatives, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
