A newsletter is a recurring email sent to a list of subscribers to share updates, content, news, or offers on a regular schedule. Unlike a one-off campaign, a newsletter builds an ongoing relationship with its audience.
What Makes an Email a Newsletter
The defining traits are regularity and consent. People opt in to receive it, and it arrives on a predictable cadence — weekly, monthly, or otherwise. Content is usually a mix: company news, curated links, tips, or featured products. Because subscribers chose to receive it, a newsletter is a permission-based channel, which is why an unsubscribe link and clear sender identity are essential.
Newsletters vs. Other Marketing Email
A newsletter is one type of marketing email, but not all marketing email is a newsletter. A promotional blast or a one-time announcement is an email campaign; a newsletter is the ongoing, scheduled format. Many teams run both, using newsletters to nurture subscribers over time and standalone campaigns for specific launches or sales.
Newsletter and Topol
A great newsletter needs a clean, repeatable design. Build reusable newsletter templates with Topol, start free at Topol signup, or explore related terms in the Topol glossary.