40+ internal company newsletter ideas to engage employees

If your team is spread across offices, time zones, or Slack threads, a well-crafted internal newsletter can be the secret sauce that ties everything together! In fact, this year, 98% of respondents to our 2025 Internal Communications Trends Report confirmed email as a core part of their comms strategy, with 84% ranking it as the most effective channel, too. And it makes sense why! Email works across all generations and locations globally. It connects employees on a personal level, keeps them informed, and is the foundation of any great comms strategy.…so that everyone receives the same clear, well-crafted message at a time that works for them. 

But, what content should you actually include in your internal newsletters to help keep employees informed and engaged? We suggest having a mix of key updates with human stories and interactive elements! In this article, we’ve broken down 40+ internal newsletter ideas into categories like company culture, leadership, and recognition, making them easy to implement across any company of any size. Whether your team works in the office or remotely (or a mix of both), these ideas will inspire you to create a newsletter that keeps your employees both informed and engaged. 

Company culture & values 

Start by reinforcing what makes your company unique! Content around your culture and values helps employees feel part of a bigger mission and community. These ideas will celebrate your company’s identity (your mission, values, and impact) in ways that resonate on a personal level with employees.

1. Core values spotlight: Feature one of your company’s core values in each issue. Briefly explain its meaning and showcase an employee or team demonstrating that value. For example, if “customer first” is one of your core values, you could tell the story of your support team going above and beyond for a client.
   
   Bonus tip: Include a photo or a quote from the featured employee sharing why the value matters to them!
2. Diversity & inclusion: Showcase your company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with a dedicated section in the newsletter. Celebrate cultural holidays, share employee resource group activities, or provide tips on inclusivity.
3. Community impact updates: Employees love to see the positive impact their company is making. Use your employee newsletter to share updates about charity drives, volunteer days, or community outreach initiatives. And, if you’re looking for upcoming volunteer opportunities for your company in your area, VolunteerMatch is a great resource to use!. It’s also a great option because not only can you search for opportunities in your area, but you can also search by cause areas and skills.
   
   Bonus tip: To make it more engaging, include a group photo from the volunteer event or a fun infographic showing the impact!
4. “This day in company history”: Give your employees a sense of connection to the company’s journey by sharing a fun company history tidbit or anniversary. For example: “Ten years ago today, we signed our very first customer!” or “This time last year we moved into our new office!” This can also tie into current company news, reminding employees of how far you’ve come!
5. Employee resource group spotlight: Highlight your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or affinity groups in each issue. Share what the group stands for, any activities they’ve organized, and include a short interview with a member or leader.
6. Mission in action: How is your team living the company’s mission this month? Whether it’s a new product launch, a revamped policy, or a customer story that perfectly reflects your values, this is your chance to connect the dots between day-to-day work and the bigger picture. Employees want to feel like their efforts matter, and what they’re doing ladders up to something meaningful!

Leadership and company news

Employees at any company size are looking for transparency and clear direction. And what better way to deliver that than regularly through your employee newsletter? This is the perfect spot for leadership to share the big picture, update everyone on the latest business strategy, and make sure folks are in the loop on what’s happening at the top. Remember to keep the tone friendly and approachable, like you’re bringing an “open door” policy straight to their inboxes. It’s all about making the leadership team feel accessible to the team!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

7. A message from leadership: A personal note or video from a leader, such as the CEO, sharing thoughts on recent company performance, upcoming goals, and expressing gratitude.
   
   Bonus tip: Instead of including a section in your newsletter, you could have your CEO update be its own internal newsletter! After all, the most important job of any CEO is communication! One of our favorite ways to make sure the company doesn’t go too long without hearing from their CEO is via a weekly email. Looking for a template? Check out our CEO email template, which is incredibly easy to customize in Workshop’s drag-and-drop email editor!
   
8. All hands meeting recap & goals update: A clear and concise summary of the key takeaways from your latest all hands meetings, linked to the broader goals of the company, is a great way for employees to understand their role in the progress of goals.
9. Leadership Q&A (an “ask me anything” section): Consider including a section where employees submit questions for executives, allowing for candid answers that help transparency and trust.
   
   With a tool like Workshop, you can easily and quickly embed an open suggestion box straight into your email to quickly gather questions!
10. Industry news or market insights: Include a brief update on relevant industry trends, demonstrating that the company is attuned to its market and positioning employees as ambassadors of the company.
11. Policy or process change: Clear explanations of any policy or process updates are critical when it comes to making sure that employees are informed and prepared for changes..
12. “In the news” external shout-outs: A section that highlights positive press or recognition for the company, boosting employee morale and encouraging them to share in the company’s successes.
13. Department updates: Let each team take a turn sharing their latest wins, current goals, or shoutouts. This not only gives visibility into what other departments are working on, but it also helps break down silos and encourage cross-team collaboration. Maybe your marketing team just wrapped up a major campaign, or the IT team rolled out a helpful new tool!
    
    Bonus tip: have individual departments send out their own department internal newsletter each month to keep the team informed on their projects and progress towards goals!

Employee recognition & milestones

Recognizing employees’ contributions and life events isn’t just a nice thing to have, it’s a great way to help keep people engaged. A big part of your internal newsletter is making employees feel seen and appreciated. Whether you’re welcoming new team members or celebrating the people who have been with the company for a long time, these shout-outs turn updates into personal moments that actually matter.

Here are a few ideas to try in your next employee newsletter:

14. Work anniversaries & birthdays: Celebrate employees’ birthdays and work anniversaries in your newsletter. A simple list with a small graphic, such as a cupcake for birthdays or a trophy for anniversaries, can add a fun touch. Include personal facts if the employee agrees, and remember to ask for consent to avoid any discomfort. Here are a few more standout ways to celebrate your employees on their birthday!
    
15. New hires: A new employee announcement introduces a new hire to the rest of their specific team, their department, or the company as a whole! It’s a great opportunity to start a team member off on the right foot with your organization, and also remind people that it’s a good idea to watch the internal communications channels to know what’s going on.
    
    Bonus tip: Create and send a dedicated new hire introduction email! Here at Workshop, we have all our new team members create and send their new hire announcement email (they create it in Workshop, of course) and present it in our all hands meeting. It really is such a fun way to get to know your new teammate.
    
    Here are a few other things to consider when creating a new employee announcement email!
16. Shoutouts & kudos: Create a section where employees can publicly recognize and thank their peers for their help or exceptional work! This promotes a culture of appreciation. You can collect shoutouts through a tool like Workshop!
17. Promotions & achievements: Publicly recognize employees who have been promoted, earned certifications, or received awards. Highlighting these achievements boosts morale and shows that the company values growth and development.
18. Project milestones & team wins: Celebrate team accomplishments, such as product launches or project milestones, to show progress and momentum. This helps recognize not just individuals but also collaborative efforts as a department, team, or company as a whole!
19. Employee of the month or spotlight awards: Dedicate a section to recognizing standout employees, whether through formal awards like “Employee of the Month” or informal spotlights. Include personal stories and achievements to make these recognitions more meaningful.
20. Customer kudos for employees: When it comes to making your employees proud of where they work, there is nothing that goes further than a glowing customer review or testimonial. It’s our go-to way to keep the company focused on who matters most, and you can find great quotes in so many places: on review sites, in support chats/emails, or in customer surveys.

Team & People Highlights

Adding team highlights into your employee newsletter is a great way to create a sense of connection within a large organization. They help humanize the workplace and build relationships across teams and locations. Incorporating stories of the individuals at your company (beyond their job titles) allows employees to see the people behind the roles, making them feel more engaged and valued. 

Here are a few ways to incorporate more team and people highlights into your internal communications:

21. Employee spotlight profile: This feature highlights employees in a fun and personal way. It’s a great opportunity to introduce employees beyond their titles, sharing personal interests, hobbies, and quotes that make them unique. Visuals are key—try to capture their personality through casual, real-life photos. A spotlight on one person each month keeps the content fresh and allows for a deeper connection.
22. Team or department showcase: This section is perfect for breaking down silos at your company. When employees understand what others are doing in different departments, they can better collaborate and appreciate the work that goes into the bigger picture. Including a mix of fun facts and achievements can keep the tone light and engaging.
23. “Day in the life” feature: By giving employees a peek into someone’s typical day, you can create empathy and highlight roles that are typically hidden or misunderstood. Sharing real stories about the challenges or rewards of specific jobs builds appreciation and can even inspire others to see the importance of cross-functional work.
24. Beyond work: hobbies & passions: This is a fun way to showcase the diversity and richness of your employees’ lives. Featuring hobbies or side projects can build a sense of camaraderie among colleagues with similar interests. A photo of the employee enjoying their hobby (whether cooking, hiking, or volunteering) adds a personal touch.
25. Office or location spotlight: For a distributed workforce, showcasing different offices or locations can help employees feel connected to each other. It’s also a great way to celebrate the unique culture of each location and create some friendly competition or team spirit (like the Seattle office’s coffee consumption!).
26. Mentorship or collaboration story: Stories of mentorship or successful cross-team collaborations not only recognize the people involved but also highlight your company’s commitment to learning and growth. They also encourage others to take part in mentorship programs, creating a culture of support and shared knowledge. Visuals of mentors and mentees can help reinforce the power of collaboration.

Engagement & fun elements 

To truly engage employees, your newsletter should invite them to participate, not just read passively. This category is all about making your newsletter interactive, playful, and community-driven. Whether through polls, contests, or just a dash of humor, these ideas will help employees feel like they’re part of a conversation or game! They’re especially effective for distributed teams where watercooler moments are rare.

27. Quick poll or pulse survey: Polls and pulse surveys make it easy to check in with your team and gather meaningful insights! Whether work-related or a casual topic like pineapple on pizza, polls create a sense of involvement. Plus, the results follow-up builds anticipation and community.
    
    Bonus tip: With a tool like Workshop, you can easily embed pulse surveys directly into your employee newsletters with just a few clicks to gather quick feedback from your team!
28. Trivia question or quiz: A trivia question is a great opportunity to educate while entertaining. The added twist of offering a small prize for the first correct answers or announcing winners in the next issue brings an extra layer of fun and competition to the mix.
29. Photo caption contest: Humor through visuals can be a huge engagement tool! Using funny or unexpected photos encourages employees to engage creatively, and offering a prize or recognition for the best caption gives it that extra incentive.
30. Event recap gallery: People love to relive company events through photos. This also works well to make employees feel more included in the company culture and can drive attendance for future events when they see the highlights in the newsletter.
    
    Bonus tip: use a shared Google Drive folder or a tool like PhotoCircle to let employees take and upload their own photos at company events. Then use those photos to share with the company in your internal newsletter!
31. Upcoming events & activities: Staying informed about upcoming events keeps employees engaged and allows them to plan ahead. This section serves both as an informative tool and as a reminder to participate in various company activities.
    
    With a tool like Workshop, you can pull in specific fields from your HRIS so you can create variations of a local events calendar in your email to display to employees based on their location (without needing to create several different versions)!
32. Staff picks or recommendations: Featuring employees’ personal recommendations adds a human touch to the newsletter. It’s a great way to get employees involved and foster connections over shared interests, whether in books, food, or hobbies.
33. Add a joke or meme: Ending a newsletter with a little humor (whether it’s a meme or a fun joke) helps employees leave with a smile. Keeping the tone light and inclusive makes the workplace feel more relaxed and approachable. In our Happy Monday Club newsletter, we always like to end the email with a delightful or funny GIF or meme.
34. Pet of the month: Who doesn’t love seeing cute pet photos? This is a great way to bring warmth and personality to your newsletter, and pet owners will feel proud to showcase their furry friends!
35. Guest contributor column: If you’re struggling with constantly coming up with creative content (and believe me, we all get writer’s block every now and again!), then bringing in a ‘guest editor’ or contributor is an easy way to inject some new perspective into your employee newsletter. Get to know your coworkers really well and have them write a bit about their favorite areas of expertise, whether they’re work-related or not!
36. Include a hidden “easter egg”: One of our favorite ways to make an engaging employee newsletter is to add secret incentives or ‘easter eggs’ every now and then. Offer a limited-edition company t-shirt at the bottom of the email (so only those who read it can claim it!) or offer up DoorDash gift cards to the first five employees who reply. It’s a clever way to ‘gamify’ your newsletter and reward those who regularly read it!
37. Digital scavenger hunt: Turn your internal comms into a game by creating a digital scavenger hunt! Send employees on a quest through old newsletters, the intranet, or past Slack or Teams messages to find answers to fun clues or trivia.

Personalization & relevance 

Now that we’ve talked about different fun and engaging sections to include in your employee newsletter, let’s chat about how to personalize the content to make it extremely relevant to each and every employee! Because let’s face it, your internal newsletter shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach (especially if you have employees scattered across various roles and regions). The trick to boosting engagement in your internal newsletters is making sure they actually matter to the people reading them. 

By using segmentation and customization (hello, Workshop!), you can make your newsletter feel personal, like it was crafted just for them. When employees see their name, their role, or content that speaks directly to them, they’re way more likely to pay attention. So, how do we get there? 

Let’s break it down:

41. Segmented content for departments, locations, and more: Ever heard of “mass email fatigue”? Yeah, it’s a thing. So, let’s avoid that by tailoring your newsletter to different groups. Instead of sending out the same email to everyone (which is a snooze fest), you can segment the audience based on departments, job functions, or even locations.How to do it?
    If you’re using an internal email platform with audience segmentation features, you can segment certain sections of your internal newsletter to show specific content to certain groups without creating a whole bunch of separate emails.
42. Personalized greetings and merge tags
    One of the best ways to improve email engagement is through personalization and merge tags. Most email tools (and specifically internal comms tools) let you insert the recipient’s name or other details dynamically. Something as simple as addressing employees by their first name in the opening can grab their attention.Bonus tip: Workshop connects directly to your best source of employee data, so you can pull in anything from first name to department to t-shirt size. Whether you’re sharing policy updates, celebrating milestones, or just adding a personal touch to your weekly newsletter, you have endless ways to make your internal emails a little bit more personalized.
43. Encourage replies
    If you’re sending the email, take this as an amazing opportunity for quick feedback! Think of it as a mini-survey and encourage your employees to reply to a prompted question. It’s an effortless way to create a culture of openness and have your employees offer up their own opinions on a subject.
44. Speak your team’s language (literally!)
    Translation tools are your trusty allies when it comes to breaking language barriers. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of cultural nuances and idioms that might not translate accurately. Aim for simplicity and clarity so your message is universally understood. Keep it simple and direct: ‘Our quarterly goals’ translates better than ‘The objectives we aim to achieve during this quarter.’ And remember, not all jokes translate well!
45. Use an internal email & newsletter software
    If you’re struggling with any part of the employee newsletter process, we’re here to help. Workshop is designed to help you create exceptional internal newsletters, engage your employees, automate your work, and measure your results. Featuring pre-designed templates, custom distribution lists, scheduled sends, embedded videos/GIFs, and robust analytics, and so much more, Workshop makes it easy to communicate effectively with your team (wherever they may be).

Creating an engaging internal newsletter is all about balance. You want to share the must-know company news while mixing in stuff that employees actually want to read. By using the ideas above, you can turn your newsletter into something that informs, celebrates, and sparks real conversations!

Next steps:

Schedule a demo of Workshop to see how we can help you level up your internal communications.

Check out our internal newsletter template gallery to get a head start on design!