5 Tips for Creating an Email Newsletter

So you want to create an email newsletter. Maybe you’ve been collecting your customers’ email addresses and are wondering what to do with them. Maybe you’ve noticed your competitors are sending out 5 emails a day. Or maybe you want to update your customers on special events or deals.

Before you create your first email newsletter, stop for a moment and consider one essential truth: you might have the greatest customer list in the world, but your emails aren’t worth much if nobody reads them.

How do you create compelling newsletter content for your business? Follow these 5 tips:

Ask yourself why you want to do an email newsletter.

Are you trying to increase traffic to your website? Increase foot traffic in your stores? Encourage customers to bring in a coupon? Hoping customers will call your office?

You can’t design a newsletter that will achieve your marketing goals if you don’t have clear marketing goals in the first place.

Create compelling, useful content.

Put yourself in the customer’s inbox. You’re getting dozens, maybe hundreds of emails per day. Your goal is to delete or ignore as many emails as possible so you can get on with your day. What kind of email would you not ignore?

Obviously, your email content will be wholly customized to your business, but here are a few guiding concepts:

Be authentic.
Be funny (if it works for your brand).
Above all, be valuable. Value can come from useful information or, more conventionally, discounts or coupons.

The inherently finite attention span of the average American consumer, coupled with the voluminous electronic communications content said consumer receives on a daily basis, generate a cacophonous information environment in which loquacious or obtuse messaging efforts have limited opportunity for market penetration.

In other words, be brief.

Get on a schedule.

You wouldn’t stop advertising on the radio after running just one spot, and you shouldn’t stop your newsletter after just one effort. You’re creating a series. This is a long-term campaign.

If you’ve crafted compelling content, sending your emails out on a schedule is a way to get your customers hooked. You want your customers to be in the habit of expecting and opening your emails, and that means you need to get into the habit of sending them on a schedule.

It might be “5 pm on the first Tuesday of every month” or “every Wednesday at 7 am.” Just please, don’t make it “5 times a day.” Remember, put yourself in the customers’ inbox. Nobody likes spam.

Always let your data be your guide.

General rules are helpful, but the best way to hone your email newsletter for your specific business is to follow the data. Your email marketing service should provide you with open rates and unsubscribe data. You might also check with your website analytics team to understand whether visits to your website or landing page are coming from your email newsletter.

Armed with this information, you’ll have a better idea of what subject lines, send times, and newsletter content work best for you.

Share:

Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.

First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

ACH Payroll Rule Changes Effective March 20, 2026 At a Glance: Frequently Asked Questions What is changing with ACH payroll in 2026? Starting March 20, 2026, ACH transactions used to pay wages, salaries, or other similar types of compensation must include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. This applies regardless of the worker's status (covering both W-2 employees and 1099 contract employees. Additionally, pre-tax deductions such as contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are also required to use the "PAYROLL" descriptor. What is Nacha? Nacha is the organization responsible for setting and enforcing the rules that govern the ACH Network in the United States. Read this article to learn more about Nacha Who needs to take action? Businesses that use ACH transfer services to pay employees (both W2 and 1099) wages, salaries or other forms of compensation (including pre-tax deductions like HSA contributions) will need to ensure they are entering "PAYROLL" in the Company Entry Description field. If you upload a file to process your ACH payroll transactions, you will need to ensure that your file upload meets this new "PAYROLL" requirement. Do First Bank customers need to do anything? Many First Bank customers do not. Payroll transactions processed through Payroll Templates will be updated automatically to comply with this new rule change. If you prepare a file outside of First Bank online banking and upload it into our system, you'll need to update your file so that the Company Entry Description field is "PAYROLL". What happens if payroll files are not updated? After March 20, 2026, payroll files that do not meet the new requirement may result in returned payroll items, and originators may receive a Notice of Change. Understanding the New ACH Payroll Rule Taking Effect March 20, 2026 If your business uses ACH to pay employees, an important rule change is approaching that may affect how payroll transactions are processed. Beginning March 20, 2026, updated Nacha requirements will apply to payroll-related ACH transactions. These changes are intended to help reduce payroll fraud and prevent misdirected payments across the ACH network. This article explains what is changing, how it may apply to First Bank customers, and what steps payroll originators should take to prepare. What Is Changing? Starting March 20, 2026, ACH transactions used to pay wages, salaries, or similar compensation must include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. This requirement applies specifically to payroll transactions and does not affect ACH payments for vendors, consumer payments, or other non-payroll activity. Nacha, the organization that governs the ACH network, introduced this change to make payroll entries easier to identify and monitor. This strengthens risk controls and helps financial institutions detect potential fraud more effectively. How This Affects First Bank Customers The impact of this change depends on how payroll ACH transactions are originated. Customers Using First Bank’s Payroll Solutions: If you use First Bank’s Payroll option within online banking, a template, or file upload, no action is required. First Bank will automatically apply the updated Company Entry Description to payroll transactions processed through these tools. Customers Using ACH Pass-Thru: Because ACH Pass-Thru files are generated externally, they will not be automatically updated to meet the new requirement. If this applies to you, contact your payroll provider to confirm that payroll files will include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field before March 20, 2026. Payroll files that do not meet the new standard may result in returned payroll items.. Unsure How Your Payroll Is Processed? If you are not certain which method you use to originate payroll ACH transactions, Business Support can help confirm your setup and explain how the change applies to your business. Why This Matters for ACH Originators Businesses that originate ACH transactions are responsible for ensuring those transactions are accurate, authorized, and compliant with Nacha rules. Staying informed about rule changes like this one can help reduce the risk of payment disruptions, avoid delays in employee payroll, and support overall ACH compliance. Share This Information with Your Team If payroll is managed by someone else within your organization, such as a payroll processor, accountant, or third-party provider, be sure to share this information so any necessary updates can be made before the March 20 deadline. Need Help? First Bank’s Business Support team is available to answer questions and assist with understanding how this change applies to your account. Phone: 1-866-435-7208 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 4 min read

Credit Cards for Small Business – South Carolina First Bank is rooted in our dedication to small businesses and offering credit cards for your business is one way we can help. With fifteen locations in South Carolina, First Bank is there to back all of your small business needs. The First Bank Business World credit card provides a foundation for your small business in the form of financial boosting, security protection and more. Perks of a Credit Card for Your Small Business Small business owners work hard and it is First Bank’s commitment to work hard for them. Our credit card for small business has no annual fee and comes complete with a full slate of additional perks. Card Benefits. Earn points for every dollar spent on qualified purchases and watch your rewards grow with the free One Rewards program. Use our rewards calculator to watch your travel, entertainment and retail benefits rack up. Security Benefits. Your small business can enjoy peace of mind with zero liability for unauthorized purchases, protection from employee misuse of the card and from fraudulent online use. First Bank keeps an eye on your small business with 24-hour help for lost or stolen credit cards and emergency card replacement or cash advances. Convenience Benefits. As long as you pay your balance in full and on time you’ll be rewarded with a 26-day no-interest grace period for purchases you’ve made. At the end of every year we’ll prepare a detailed summary of your account to help you identify areas of potential savings and make tax preparations a snap. Shopping Benefits. Using your First Bank credit card for small business purchases can double the manufacturer’s existing warranty or initiate a 90-day warranty if one is not already in place. Travel Benefits. First Bank hits the road with you to provide reimbursement for; damage to or theft of a rental car, trusted medical and legal referrals in foreign countries and recovery of Value Added Taxes (VAT) incurred on foreign business. Contact a First Bank Specialist Today Watch your business grow with First Bank’s credit card for small business. Contact a First Bank specialist today to discuss credit card options for your small business. ———- Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/z/zero-liability-policy.asp Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/valueaddedtax.asp 2 min read

Small Business Line of Credit Obtaining a line of credit for your small business can help your entrepreneurial spirit take the company to the next level. This line of credit can be a more affordable option than a business loan because you only pay interest on the money you utilize. Acquiring this type of loan depends on your current credit score and how much a bank perceives you as a risk. For small businesses, a line of credit is a good short-term option that works much like a credit card in the way it provides extra funds or cushion for financing “ongoing working capital.” Credit lines can be used in a variety of ways to benefit your business, including: remodeling, expanding or upgrading your facilities; buying new technological equipment; purchasing extra inventory for future events; launching a “new online marketing campaign”; creating a “new product prototype” or pursuing a “promising business opportunity”; and covering “unexpected expenses.” No matter which benefit you’re looking for with a small business line of credit, there are some factors to consider when determining if it’s the best financial option for your business’ cash flow. Top 3 Advantages of Obtaining a Small Business Line of Credit Stay in control—A line of credit enables you to further your business goals without bringing on investors, who will likely want at least some, if not a large portion, of control over your business in exchange for their financial backing. You also don’t have to “dip into personal savings or ask friends and family for money.” Financial flexibility—As previously mentioned, this credit line gives you more flexibility than a closed-end loan because you only “access money when you need it,” and you don’t have to pay interest on the funds you don’t use. Establish credit history—Building a good credit history for your business now helps to better your chances of obtaining “future credit accounts and loans.” Get a Flexible Line of Credit for Your Small Business at First Bank At First Bank, small businesses hold a special place in our hearts. Since 1935, when we opened our first branch in Troy, North Carolina, we’ve been known as a community bank that strives to assist local businesses get the financial support they need to achieve their 3 min read

Small Business Payroll Services If you’re like many small business owners, it’s likely that you wear many hats and are always on the go. From managing to accounting, there are multiple tasks you have to manage each day. Simplify your to-do list with payroll services for small businesses from First Bank. Outsourcing Your Payroll Services Many small businesses outsource services to compete with larger companies. Payroll services are one of the primary aspects of conducting business that new entrepreneurs outsource, and the benefits can add up. Instead of spending a significant amount of time providing management reports, calculating payroll, and preparing checks, owners and their employees can focus on the rest of their work priorities. The Houston Chronicle named its top 4 advantages of outsourcing payroll as part of your business’ financial management. “Accountability”—With constantly changing tax regulations, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll make an error in your calculations. Many payroll providers “offer services to file state and federal payroll taxes for your business.” This saves you time that might have been lost in calculating taxes and potentially refiling them later. “Tax Expertise”—The IRS states that “40 percent of small businesses pay penalties each year for late or incorrect filings and payments.” How can you avoid this? A tax guarantee. This is something that many payroll providers offer that may cover you financially if any penalties are incurred when taxes are filed. “Productivity”—This can’t be emphasized enough: outsourcing payroll services saves you time (a lot of it). Managing your own payroll system takes up a lot of your time and prevents you and your employees from pursuing “more important value-added and revenue-generating activities.” It can also save your employees a trip to the bank. “Financial Reporting”—Drafting and finalizing financial reports for your small business is also extremely time-consuming. Many outsource providers offer a variety of report services, including “summaries on earning statements, payroll by departments, timesheets, expenses,” and more. This helps you to keep detailed records of your business’ financial history. A Payroll Service Provider You Can Trust for Your Small Business When you’re outsourcing a service, particularly a financial one, it’s important for you to not only have confidence in that provider’s abilities but in its trustworthiness as well. As your community bank, we’ve 3 min read

5 Tips for Creating an Email Newsletter Your Customers Can’t Wait to Open

Ready to talk to an expert?

Ask yourself why you want to do an email newsletter.

Create compelling, useful content.

Get on a schedule.

Always let your data be your guide.

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...