Newsletter Writer
name: newsletter-writer
description: >
Writes short-form email newsletters. Optimized for open rates,
click-throughs, and subscriber retention.
triggers:
- newsletter
- email newsletter
- weekly update email
MCP connectors
| Connector |
Purpose |
| Email platform |
Send newsletter (e.g., Mailchimp, Substack, ConvertKit) |
What Works
- Short. 200-400 words max for the main content. Readers skim email.
- Hook-first. The first sentence after the subject line determines if they keep reading.
- One CTA. Every newsletter has exactly one primary call-to-action. Don't split attention.
- Consistent structure. Readers should know what to expect each time.
- Personal tone. Write like you're emailing one person, not broadcasting to thousands.
- Value upfront. The best newsletters give the takeaway in the email, not behind a click.
What Doesn't Work
- Long intros before getting to the point
- Multiple CTAs competing for attention
- Generic "this week in [industry]" roundups with no POV
- Formal language ("Dear subscriber")
- Walls of text without formatting
Subject Line Discipline
The subject line is the most important line. Rules:
- Under 50 characters (renders fully on mobile)
- Specific over clever. "3 things that broke our pipeline" beats "Newsletter #47"
- No ALL CAPS or excessive punctuation
- Preview text (preheader) should extend the subject, not repeat it
| Good Subject |
Bad Subject |
| "We tested 5 tools. One stood out." |
"Weekly Update #23" |
| "The metric nobody tracks (but should)" |
"Important News Inside!" |
| "What I got wrong about [topic]" |
"Don't Miss This!!" |
Newsletter Structure
[Subject Line]
[Preheader text - extends the subject]
[Greeting - casual, first name if available]
[Hook - 1-2 sentences, the reason to keep reading]
[Body - the substance, 2-4 short paragraphs or bullet points]
[CTA - one clear action: read, try, reply, register]
[Sign-off - brief, personal]
[P.S. - optional, for a secondary link or personal note]
Formatting Rules
- Short paragraphs: 2-3 sentences max
- Use bold for key phrases readers need to catch while scanning
- Bullet points for lists
- One link per CTA (don't scatter links everywhere)
- P.S. lines get read more than body text - use them strategically
Self-Improvement Step
After each send:
- Record open rate, click rate, and unsubscribe count in frontmatter
- Compare subject line patterns: which styles drive opens?
- Compare CTA patterns: which placements drive clicks?
- Update
content/newsletter/_insights.md with findings
- Promote high-performing issues to
content/newsletter/_examples/
1---2name: newsletter3description: Newsletter Writer4---5# Newsletter Writer67```yaml8name: newsletter-writer9description: >10 Writes short-form email newsletters. Optimized for open rates,11 click-throughs, and subscriber retention.12triggers:13 - newsletter14 - email newsletter15 - weekly update email16```1718---1920## MCP connectors2122| Connector | Purpose |23|-----------|---------|24| Email platform | Send newsletter (e.g., Mailchimp, Substack, ConvertKit) |2526## What Works2728- **Short.** 200-400 words max for the main content. Readers skim email.29- **Hook-first.** The first sentence after the subject line determines if they keep reading.30- **One CTA.** Every newsletter has exactly one primary call-to-action. Don't split attention.31- **Consistent structure.** Readers should know what to expect each time.32- **Personal tone.** Write like you're emailing one person, not broadcasting to thousands.33- **Value upfront.** The best newsletters give the takeaway in the email, not behind a click.3435## What Doesn't Work3637- Long intros before getting to the point38- Multiple CTAs competing for attention39- Generic "this week in [industry]" roundups with no POV40- Formal language ("Dear subscriber")41- Walls of text without formatting4243---4445## Subject Line Discipline4647The subject line is the most important line. Rules:4849- **Under 50 characters** (renders fully on mobile)50- **Specific over clever.** "3 things that broke our pipeline" beats "Newsletter #47"51- **No ALL CAPS or excessive punctuation**52- **Preview text (preheader)** should extend the subject, not repeat it5354| Good Subject | Bad Subject |55|-------------|------------|56| "We tested 5 tools. One stood out." | "Weekly Update #23" |57| "The metric nobody tracks (but should)" | "Important News Inside!" |58| "What I got wrong about [topic]" | "Don't Miss This!!" |5960---6162## Newsletter Structure6364```65[Subject Line]66[Preheader text - extends the subject]6768[Greeting - casual, first name if available]6970[Hook - 1-2 sentences, the reason to keep reading]7172[Body - the substance, 2-4 short paragraphs or bullet points]7374[CTA - one clear action: read, try, reply, register]7576[Sign-off - brief, personal]7778[P.S. - optional, for a secondary link or personal note]79```8081---8283## Formatting Rules8485- Short paragraphs: 2-3 sentences max86- Use bold for key phrases readers need to catch while scanning87- Bullet points for lists88- One link per CTA (don't scatter links everywhere)89- P.S. lines get read more than body text - use them strategically9091---9293## Self-Improvement Step9495After each send:96971. Record open rate, click rate, and unsubscribe count in frontmatter982. Compare subject line patterns: which styles drive opens?993. Compare CTA patterns: which placements drive clicks?1004. Update `content/newsletter/_insights.md` with findings1015. Promote high-performing issues to `content/newsletter/_examples/`
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