Simplify the design and increase Clicks in Monthly Newsletter

[JulianaJ55]

I work for a small nonprofit, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. We are a workforce and economic development organization that uses the film and media industry to impact in Northeast Ohio. We advocate for the tax credit in our state, attract productions to film in our region, and train the locals to work in this industry. 

We send out one monthly newsletter and try our best to keep it short, simple, and only the highlights. Try as I might, the newsletter is always really long, and has low click rates. We have a great open rate, nearly 50%, but only about a 2% click rate. We want to drive people to sign up for events and memberships.

The monthly newsletters have looked the same for a while, but I'm open to suggestions to increasing clicks, simplifying the design to not be so overwhelming, etc.

Here's a link to our April Newsletter.

[Chris-S]

Hey, thanks for sharing your April 2025 newsletter @JulianaJ55.  Your mission and what you're up to is really awesome, and it's clear you're all about connecting with your community. Sidenote I really can't wait for the new Superman movie, so excited!

Achieving a nearly 50% open rate is impressive and indicates strong subject lines and a loyal subscriber base. A 2% click-through rate suggests that while recipients are opening the emails, they are not engaging with the content as desired.

Your newsletter provides a wealth of information, from upcoming events to industry news. Incorporating images and graphics makes the newsletter visually engaging.

The newsletter is quite dense, which can overwhelm readers. I would think about adopting a more concise format. Highlight key information with bullet points and provide links to full articles or event details on your website.

Call-to-Action (CTA) Optimization:

You have CTAs but they may not be compelling enough. I would suggest using more action-oriented and benefit-driven language such as "Join Our Free Workshop" or "Support Local Filmmakers Today." Ensure that CTAs are prominently placed and visually distinct perhaps using buttons with contrasting colors.

Hope this helps!

[JulianaJ55]

This is really helpful, thank you! 

[Chris-S]

Glad I could help!