The newsletter format is increasingly a part of email marketing strategies. In 2008, 62% of marketing executives surveyed said that email newsletters will be part of their 2009 strategy. Consumers who subscribe to email newsletters generated 35% more product sales and the use of newsletters as a marketing tool increased 23% in 2007over the year before.
With the majority of big retail sites offering email newsletters as a customer building exercise, the efficacy of newsletters is unquestioned. The content and style must be such that readers will be driven to your website where you will have a sign-up form front and center. The easier it is for people to see that you have a mailing list the easier it will be for them to opt in.
Make it clear what people are signing up for. Give them a menu or checklist so they can sign up for weekly or monthly newsletters for example. Include an opt-in statement like