Make Your Internal Newsletters Actually Read Ragan highlights proven tactics to boost internal email and newsletter engagement, including: • Targeted, concise content with fewer links and clearer subject lines improves open rates and reader action • Decluttering content to fit busy employees’ attention spans—in under 4 minutes to read • Balanced mix of business and human interest content, like spotlight features, wellness resources, and culture updates Ready to refresh your newsletter strategy and engage employees more effectively? 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gkf_Rq5N #InternalComms #EmployeeEngagement #NewsletterStrategy #CommsBestPractices
Boost Internal Newsletter Engagement with Ragan's Tips
This title was summarized by AI from the post below.
More Relevant Posts
-
"Just follow best practice and you'll be fine" This is terrible advice. And yet I see it everywhere; in blog posts, training courses, workshops, conference talks. Here's my take: There's no such thing as best practice in internal comms. What does "best" even mean, anyway? It means what was best for one person in a specific situation in specific circumstances. When someone shares a 'best practice', what they are really sharing is: ➡️ A solution that worked in THEIR context ➡️ For THEIR culture ➡️ With THEIR resources ➡️ At THAT specific moment in time And you're supposed to copy-paste that approach into your completely different organisation and expect the same results? Nah. Internal comms is nuanced and contextual and this lift-and-shift approach simply doesn't work. What we actually need is more curiosity: ❓ What's most important to the business right now? ❓ Who are our employees and what do they care about? ❓ What resources do we actually have? ❓ What are we trying to achieve? ❓ What have we tried before? The comms pros that get real results don't ask me "What's the best practice?", they ask "How can I solve this specific problem?" Your organisation is not a case study. Your employees are not a homogeneous mass. Your culture is not replicable. Stop looking for someone else's "best practice." Start building solutions for YOUR organisation. –––– 🚫 Don’t let an algorithm decide what you read; join 7,948 readers who get my weekly internal comms tips straight to their inbox. ⬆️ Click "Try my free newsletter" on my page to sign up.
-
Internal comms is entering a new era. One that rewards strategy and storytelling, not just order taking. But...there's a problem: How can you be strategic if you can't measure what's working, personalize messaging, or automate the busywork? Most comms teams couldn't do any of this...until now. I'd like to introduce you to Workshop, the platform intentionally built for internal communication. How are people using it? Lemme tell yaaa 🤯 Leah Gutstadt uses Workshop to align Shutterfly's internal & external brand, creating beautiful visual emails that actually get read. Nick Stauffer uses Workshop to automate employee email sequences with 'journeys', a feature that delivers the right message at the right moment. Jennifer Mathis uses Workshop to reach frontline employees with 2-way SMS, sending texts that always get opened & get real-time replies. Stephanie Nevill uses Workshop to measure Sprout Social's internal comms, showing leadership real analytics & data to build trust and steer strategy. Workshop has unlocked the potential of 600+ internal comms teams, and we're just getting started! If any of this sounds interesting, we'd love to chat with you. 🥹💙 Learn more or schedule a demo here: https://lnkd.in/dxFmqSxy
-
"Ignore internal comms and employees quietly become your loudest “anti-influencers.” They’ll fact-check the glossy ad campaign before your customers even blink. Ignore external comms and the world either never hears your story, or worse, hears a distorted version from someone else. The real win happens when both are aligned: Staff are briefed before the press release drops. Campaigns are tested internally so the people living the brand story can actually stand by it. Messaging is consistent—whether it’s on a billboard, in the media, or in a staff WhatsApp group."
Internal vs. External Comms: Who’s Fooling Who? Internal comms keeps the house in order; External comms tells the neighbors how tidy it is. Let me paint you a few familiar scenes: Scene 1: The MD is on Arise/Channels declaring the company’s bold new sustainability agenda. Meanwhile, in the office canteen, staff are sipping water from single-use plastics, wondering, “Which company is he talking about again?” Scene 2: HR circulates a memo about “cost discipline and lean operations.” On the same day, Marketing/Comms unveils a multi-million naira glitzy campaign. Staff group chats go wild, external stakeholders soon follow. Scene 3: Externally, a brand is hyping its “people-first culture.” Internally, no one has had a town hall in months, and line managers dodge tough questions. We laugh, but here’s the rub: these scenarios aren’t fiction—they’re everyday disconnects when internal and external comms don’t talk to each other. And that’s what fascinates me. Internal comms and external comms are often treated like distant cousins who only meet at weddings. Yet, they’re siblings. One feeds the other. When they’re out of sync, it shows—fast. In my experience: Ignore internal comms and employees quietly become your loudest “anti-influencers.” They’ll fact-check the glossy ad campaign before your customers even blink. Ignore external comms and the world either never hears your story, or worse, hears a distorted version from someone else. The real win happens when both are aligned: Staff are briefed before the press release drops. Campaigns are tested internally so the people living the brand story can actually stand by it. Messaging is consistent—whether it’s on a billboard, in the media, or in a staff WhatsApp group. Here’s my curiosity: how do we design comms strategies where employees don’t just receive the memo, but become the memo? Because in the end: Internal comms fuels credibility. External comms amplifies it. So maybe the question isn’t “internal versus external”—it’s: how do you get the two to sing in harmony? After all, your brand’s leaks don’t start in the press—they start in the pantry.
-
-
I’ve often seen the divide come from how the functions are structured: internal comms usually sits with HR, while external comms sits with Marketing. That naturally creates a perception problem. HR-led internal comms are often seen as “serious” or often “boring”—messages linked to rules, regulation, or enforcement. Marketing-led external comms, on the other hand, are exciting, bold, and creative. It’s no wonder employees feel the disconnect. We are each other’s customers. The same principles we apply to customer service externally—clarity, creativity, experience—should apply internally. Whether it’s HR to IT, a line manager to their team, or peer-to-peer, the mindset should be: How do I serve you as my internal customer? One possible solution: embed someone with marketing/PR expertise directly into HR to own internal communications. That way, the content and rollout can carry the same energy and engagement as external comms, instead of defaulting to standard HR formats. Just a thought—but one that could bridge the gap meaningfully.
Internal vs. External Comms: Who’s Fooling Who? Internal comms keeps the house in order; External comms tells the neighbors how tidy it is. Let me paint you a few familiar scenes: Scene 1: The MD is on Arise/Channels declaring the company’s bold new sustainability agenda. Meanwhile, in the office canteen, staff are sipping water from single-use plastics, wondering, “Which company is he talking about again?” Scene 2: HR circulates a memo about “cost discipline and lean operations.” On the same day, Marketing/Comms unveils a multi-million naira glitzy campaign. Staff group chats go wild, external stakeholders soon follow. Scene 3: Externally, a brand is hyping its “people-first culture.” Internally, no one has had a town hall in months, and line managers dodge tough questions. We laugh, but here’s the rub: these scenarios aren’t fiction—they’re everyday disconnects when internal and external comms don’t talk to each other. And that’s what fascinates me. Internal comms and external comms are often treated like distant cousins who only meet at weddings. Yet, they’re siblings. One feeds the other. When they’re out of sync, it shows—fast. In my experience: Ignore internal comms and employees quietly become your loudest “anti-influencers.” They’ll fact-check the glossy ad campaign before your customers even blink. Ignore external comms and the world either never hears your story, or worse, hears a distorted version from someone else. The real win happens when both are aligned: Staff are briefed before the press release drops. Campaigns are tested internally so the people living the brand story can actually stand by it. Messaging is consistent—whether it’s on a billboard, in the media, or in a staff WhatsApp group. Here’s my curiosity: how do we design comms strategies where employees don’t just receive the memo, but become the memo? Because in the end: Internal comms fuels credibility. External comms amplifies it. So maybe the question isn’t “internal versus external”—it’s: how do you get the two to sing in harmony? After all, your brand’s leaks don’t start in the press—they start in the pantry.
-
-
Such a brilliant illustration of the disconnect that often exists. Makes me wonder: could it be that companies over-invest in “polishing” their external story while underestimating the power of internal comms as their first—and most credible—PR channel? Love how She framed internal and external comms as “siblings.” In my view, the sweet spot is when internal comms doesn’t just inform but involves staff in shaping narratives. When employees feel like co-authors, not just audience, the external story gains authenticity that can’t be faked. I’ve seen how quickly external messaging crumbles when it’s not grounded in internal reality. Employees are not just receivers—they’re active validators (or refuters) of a brand’s story. Aligning both streams is less about control and more about building trust!
Internal vs. External Comms: Who’s Fooling Who? Internal comms keeps the house in order; External comms tells the neighbors how tidy it is. Let me paint you a few familiar scenes: Scene 1: The MD is on Arise/Channels declaring the company’s bold new sustainability agenda. Meanwhile, in the office canteen, staff are sipping water from single-use plastics, wondering, “Which company is he talking about again?” Scene 2: HR circulates a memo about “cost discipline and lean operations.” On the same day, Marketing/Comms unveils a multi-million naira glitzy campaign. Staff group chats go wild, external stakeholders soon follow. Scene 3: Externally, a brand is hyping its “people-first culture.” Internally, no one has had a town hall in months, and line managers dodge tough questions. We laugh, but here’s the rub: these scenarios aren’t fiction—they’re everyday disconnects when internal and external comms don’t talk to each other. And that’s what fascinates me. Internal comms and external comms are often treated like distant cousins who only meet at weddings. Yet, they’re siblings. One feeds the other. When they’re out of sync, it shows—fast. In my experience: Ignore internal comms and employees quietly become your loudest “anti-influencers.” They’ll fact-check the glossy ad campaign before your customers even blink. Ignore external comms and the world either never hears your story, or worse, hears a distorted version from someone else. The real win happens when both are aligned: Staff are briefed before the press release drops. Campaigns are tested internally so the people living the brand story can actually stand by it. Messaging is consistent—whether it’s on a billboard, in the media, or in a staff WhatsApp group. Here’s my curiosity: how do we design comms strategies where employees don’t just receive the memo, but become the memo? Because in the end: Internal comms fuels credibility. External comms amplifies it. So maybe the question isn’t “internal versus external”—it’s: how do you get the two to sing in harmony? After all, your brand’s leaks don’t start in the press—they start in the pantry.
-
-
If your team speaks one way inside and another outside, people notice. When internal and external communication are aligned, every message reinforces the same story - bridging the gap, building trust, and making your message truly believable. That unity turns employees into ambassadors and stakeholders into believers.
Internal vs. External Comms: Who’s Fooling Who? Internal comms keeps the house in order; External comms tells the neighbors how tidy it is. Let me paint you a few familiar scenes: Scene 1: The MD is on Arise/Channels declaring the company’s bold new sustainability agenda. Meanwhile, in the office canteen, staff are sipping water from single-use plastics, wondering, “Which company is he talking about again?” Scene 2: HR circulates a memo about “cost discipline and lean operations.” On the same day, Marketing/Comms unveils a multi-million naira glitzy campaign. Staff group chats go wild, external stakeholders soon follow. Scene 3: Externally, a brand is hyping its “people-first culture.” Internally, no one has had a town hall in months, and line managers dodge tough questions. We laugh, but here’s the rub: these scenarios aren’t fiction—they’re everyday disconnects when internal and external comms don’t talk to each other. And that’s what fascinates me. Internal comms and external comms are often treated like distant cousins who only meet at weddings. Yet, they’re siblings. One feeds the other. When they’re out of sync, it shows—fast. In my experience: Ignore internal comms and employees quietly become your loudest “anti-influencers.” They’ll fact-check the glossy ad campaign before your customers even blink. Ignore external comms and the world either never hears your story, or worse, hears a distorted version from someone else. The real win happens when both are aligned: Staff are briefed before the press release drops. Campaigns are tested internally so the people living the brand story can actually stand by it. Messaging is consistent—whether it’s on a billboard, in the media, or in a staff WhatsApp group. Here’s my curiosity: how do we design comms strategies where employees don’t just receive the memo, but become the memo? Because in the end: Internal comms fuels credibility. External comms amplifies it. So maybe the question isn’t “internal versus external”—it’s: how do you get the two to sing in harmony? After all, your brand’s leaks don’t start in the press—they start in the pantry.
-
-
The starting point of finding that sweet spot between internal and external comms is to break down the silos between marketing, comms and HR; to get leaders to walk the talk and execute on promises; and to ensure that they understand the value of timing communications so that employees feel like they’re valued and not just the poor second cousin to external audiences.
Internal vs. External Comms: Who’s Fooling Who? Internal comms keeps the house in order; External comms tells the neighbors how tidy it is. Let me paint you a few familiar scenes: Scene 1: The MD is on Arise/Channels declaring the company’s bold new sustainability agenda. Meanwhile, in the office canteen, staff are sipping water from single-use plastics, wondering, “Which company is he talking about again?” Scene 2: HR circulates a memo about “cost discipline and lean operations.” On the same day, Marketing/Comms unveils a multi-million naira glitzy campaign. Staff group chats go wild, external stakeholders soon follow. Scene 3: Externally, a brand is hyping its “people-first culture.” Internally, no one has had a town hall in months, and line managers dodge tough questions. We laugh, but here’s the rub: these scenarios aren’t fiction—they’re everyday disconnects when internal and external comms don’t talk to each other. And that’s what fascinates me. Internal comms and external comms are often treated like distant cousins who only meet at weddings. Yet, they’re siblings. One feeds the other. When they’re out of sync, it shows—fast. In my experience: Ignore internal comms and employees quietly become your loudest “anti-influencers.” They’ll fact-check the glossy ad campaign before your customers even blink. Ignore external comms and the world either never hears your story, or worse, hears a distorted version from someone else. The real win happens when both are aligned: Staff are briefed before the press release drops. Campaigns are tested internally so the people living the brand story can actually stand by it. Messaging is consistent—whether it’s on a billboard, in the media, or in a staff WhatsApp group. Here’s my curiosity: how do we design comms strategies where employees don’t just receive the memo, but become the memo? Because in the end: Internal comms fuels credibility. External comms amplifies it. So maybe the question isn’t “internal versus external”—it’s: how do you get the two to sing in harmony? After all, your brand’s leaks don’t start in the press—they start in the pantry.
-
-
💬 Why internal comms matter. Strong internal communications are the glue that holds an organisation together. They keep employees informed, engaged, and aligned with company goals, boosting productivity, retention, and overall success. Clear, two-way communication builds trust, encourages collaboration, and empowers teams to do their best work. It’s not just about passing on updates; it’s about creating a culture where everyone feels connected and included. 🤝✨ Recently, we worked with a client to launch a brand-new internal newsletter, from naming it to gathering content and building it out, making it easier than ever for everyone to stay informed. 📰🙌 How are you keeping your team connected? 👇 #InternalComms #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceCulture #RecognitionCreative
-
-
Internal communications isn’t just about sharing updates. It’s about building trust, creating clarity and empowering teams from the inside out. Earlier this year, we shared a blog post that outlined how to develop an internal communications strategy that aligns your people with your purpose. We covered how to: ✅ Set clear goals that tie communications efforts to business outcomes. ✅ Choose the right internal communications tools and channels for your team. ✅ Avoid common pitfalls, such as top-down messaging and information overload. Whether you’re leading a small business, nonprofit organization or growing company, this blog can help you build a more connected, informed workplace. Read the full post now: https://lnkd.in/e2x2MC_h. #InternalCommunications #Strategy #GRITMarketingGroup
-
These are NACHO right comms!🧀 Okay, I’ll admit it, that’s a little cheesy (literally and figuratively). Thanks for bearing with the pun. But here’s the serious part: internal communications should never feel random, off-target, or irrelevant. When people receive messages that don’t apply to them, the result is frustration, disengagement, and eventually… tuning out altogether. Clear, audience-specific communication isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the difference between employees paying attention… or scrolling past. Main takeaway: Don’t send the “nacho” message, send the right one. And if making sure the right messages reach the right people is on your plate, myself and Oak Engage would be glad to help keep things aligned and impactful. #oakengage #internalcommunications #employeeengagement #changecommunication #employeeexperience #communicationstrategy
-
