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10 internal newsletter templates employees actually want to read
Internal communicators wear a lot of hats, juggling important internal messages like leadership announcements, employee engagement surveys, company-wide updates, and last-minute announcements. And whether you’re a team of one or part of a growing department, the reality is likely the same: there’s always more to share than there is time to create it.
That’s exactly why we’ve built (and keeping growing!) our internal newsletter template gallery. These pre-built, drag-and-drop templates help internal comms pros save hours of formatting, remove the guesswork from messaging, and send updates that are clear, on-brand, and built for engagement.
I (and many others at Workshop!) use these templates to keep fellow employees informed and aligned. From Friday CEO updates to event announcements and recaps to employee recognition and everything in between.
So, if you’re looking to streamline your workflow, improve consistency, or just make your internal newsletters a little easier to manage, this list is a great place to start!
1. Weekly CEO update
At Workshop, our CEO, Rick, sends out a weekly CEO letter email. It’s a short, reflective message that recaps the week, shares what’s ahead, and highlights team wins. Over time, it’s become a trusted source of clarity and connection for our entire company.
“Friday Focus gives me a chance to share more than just business updates, it’s where I talk about what we’re learning, where we’re heading, and what I’m proud of,” Rick says. “It’s one of the simplest ways I can be visible, transparent, and human as a leader.”
This internal communications format helps humanize leadership and build trust across teams. And because it’s consistent and conversational, it becomes something employees look forward to—not just another update in the inbox.
Doing a bit of ghostwriting? Try our note from the CEO email!
One more thing: this update regularly sees a 90% open rate. Yep, 90%. But before you overhaul your own internal comms strategy, remember metrics should be grounded in what’s right for your team. Set goals that just as ambitious as they are achievable! If you want to get a sense of how others are faring in your industry, check out the 2025 Internal Communication Benchmarks & Best Practices Report.
2. Employee newsletter
A recurring employee newsletter is the foundation of any good internal comms strategy. This template pulls together company-wide updates in a curated and digestible way. I send ours weekly (after our all-hands) and include sections like:
- Company milestones
- Shoutouts and celebrations (we call these Ws!)
- Updates from product, sales, and marketing teams
- Upcoming events and deadlines
Because it hits on multiple touch-points, this template works really well for distributed and hybrid teams that want to stay close-knit.
3. Upcoming events email
Internal events are only as successful as the turnout, and that starts with getting the word out effectively. This template makes it super easy to share key details at a glance: what’s happening, when, where, and why employees should attend (remember WIIFM or “what’s in it for me”).
At Workshop, both Brooke (Employee Engagement Manager) and Kelsey (Events and Marketing Manager) use this template regularly and tailor each send to match the audience or tone of the event.
“For trainings, we keep it crisp and action-focused,” Brooke says. “For social events, we make it fun! Including things like photos, quotes from past events, even a quick emoji to make it feel more personal.”
This approach helps make sure that whether it’s a strategy session or a team trivia night, the event feels relevant, well-communicated, and worth showing up for.
Also try the company events calendar email or special company event email!
4. Employee engagement pulse survey
Check in often and make it count! Pulse surveys are one of the most effective tools in internal communications because they allow you to quickly gauge how your employees are feeling. This template helps you quickly collect input on morale, priorities, and team experience.
The key? Keep the intro short and sincere, explain how the results will be used, and include a clear CTA with a time estimate (example: this survey will take approx. five minutes). When employees know why their feedback matters, they’re way more likely to participate.
5. New hire welcome newsletter
Here’s your chance to create a culture of connection from day one! Your new hire welcome newsletter or new hire welcome email introduces the newest members of the team in a warm, personal way. It might include:
- Their name and role
- Where they’re based
- A fun fact or two
- A quote or photo if they’re open to it
It’s a pretty light lift that makes a big impact, and it helps your new hires feel supported… a win-win!
At Workshop, we take it a step further: we invite new hires to present their internal newsletter during our all-hands meeting. It’s a great opportunity for them to introduce themselves in their own words and get in front of the entire company. It adds a personal touch to onboarding and reinforces that every new team member is seen, valued, and celebrated from day one.
6. Employee appreciation day message
Recognition doesn’t need to wait for a review cycle (and to keep your employees engaged, it shouldn’t!) The Employee Appreciation Day email template is a great way to show gratitude for your team’s work—on Employee Appreciation Day or any time you want to highlight effort and impact.
It could be a roundup of milestones, a note from leadership, or a little surprise and delight. The message doesn’t have to be long at all, just sincere!
7. Earth Day newsletter
Internal communications are an opportunity to spotlight what your company stands for, and Earth Day is a natural moment (get it!?) to showcase sustainability efforts or community impact work.
The Earth Day email to employees template can highlight company-wide initiatives, spotlight employee-led programs, or share practical ways the team can contribute—whether that’s recycling tips, local volunteer events, or a new eco-friendly office policy.
You can also keep it light: a green-themed team challenge, an Earth Day trivia over Teams, or a photo roundup of employees living their most sustainable lives. Whatever you choose, the goal is to create a moment of pride and connection around shared values.
8. Thank you message
When your team goes above and beyond, they shouldn’t have to wait for a formal performance review to feel recognized. The thank you email to employees template helps you say “thank you” quickly and meaningfully. Whether it’s for a specific achievement, a hard-fought sprint, or just showing up every day and doing great work.
I often send this after project milestones or product launches, sending a short note from leadership that names the effort, acknowledges the impact, and makes it personal. Again, it doesn’t need a long write-up! Just something timely and sincere that shows employees their work doesn’t go unnoticed.
9. Awareness or observance
Internal comms (in our humble opinion) are at their best when they bring people together. This template helps you recognize important moments (think heritage months, cultural observances, or awareness days) in a way that feels intentional, inclusive, and actionable.
I use it to highlight what the day or month is all about, why it matters, and how the team can learn more or get involved. This could be a short note from leadership, a spotlight on employee voices, or a link to a resource. It’s a simple (but super meaningful) way to celebrate what makes your team unique.
Remember, when employees see their values reflected at work, it builds belonging, trust, and a stronger team culture.
10. Urgent alert
Last but not least this is the template I hope you’ll have to use the least! But when you’re in those moments when time is of the essence, think: unexpected office closures, system outages, or safety concerns, this internal newsletter makes it a bit easier to communicate clearly and quickly.
I keep a version of this template ready to go so the message can be updated and sent within minutes. It prioritizes only the essential details: what’s happening, who it impacts, and exactly what employees need to do.
Workshop makes it even easier to get your messages seen. You can send urgent alerts via email, Slack, and SMS all at once—so whether employees are at their desks, in the field, or offline, they’ll get the message exactly where they need it. It’s the kind of speed and reliability that turns your internal communications team into a true ops partner.
Why internal newsletters matter
Internal communications is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s a business-critical function that keeps teams aligned, connected, and engaged, especially in distributed and hybrid working environments.
But here’s the truth: internal comms managers are often stretched thin. Between strategy, execution, approvals, and design, creating a high-quality internal newsletter can take hours.
Workshop’s internal newsletter templates are designed to take that pressure off. They help you:
- Stay consistent with your internal communications
- Save time on layout and formatting
- Communicate clearly across distributed teams
- Build engagement with thoughtful, well-timed messages
They’re the building blocks of a proactive, people-first internal communications strategy—and they’re ready whenever you are!
Ready to level up your internal comms?
Whether you’re sending a CEO update, welcoming new hires, or launching a company-wide survey, Workshop’s internal newsletter templates help you do it faster, better, and with greater impact. Explore our template gallery and start creating internal newsletters your employees will actually look forward to reading.
