Rajesh Kumar
August 5, 2026Founder, BrandOps
Use this cheat sheet to write a structured, cited newsletter from one research topic.
Newsletter anatomy
| Section | Purpose | Word target |
|---|---|---|
| Subject line | Get the open | 6–10 words |
| Preview text | Support the subject | 8–12 words |
| Opening | State the change | 30–50 words |
| Context | Explain what drove it | 80–120 words |
| Implication | What it means for the reader | 80–120 words |
| Action | One concrete step this week | 40–60 words |
| Close | Tie back to your point of view | 20–40 words |
Subject-line formulas
| Formula | Example |
|---|---|
| Number + outcome | 3 AI workflows that save 5 hours a week |
| Question + consequence | Is your LinkedIn carousel missing this slide? |
| How to + result | How to turn one story into two posts |
| Timely + angle | What AWS's free-tier change means for bootstrapped teams |
Citation rules
- Link every factual claim to a source.
- Use inline links, not footnotes, for readability.
- Cite 4–7 sources per newsletter.
- Always verify the source date is recent.
- Never cite AI output as a primary source.
Tone rules
- Write to one reader, not a crowd.
- Use "you" more than "we."
- One em dash per email maximum.
- Avoid filler openers like "I hope this finds you well."
Pre-send checklist
- Subject line is under 10 words.
- Every claim links to a source.
- Lead visual is on-brand and text-free.
- Call to action is a single action.
- Sender name matches your personal brand.
- Test email sent and links clicked.
- Recipient list is correct.
Quick template
Subject: [Specific change] and what [audience] should do now
Opening: [Change] happened this week.
Context: [Driver] caused it. [Source]
Implication: For [audience], this means [outcome].
Action: This week, do [one specific thing].
Close: This is the kind of story [your brand] tracks every week.
Use this template every time you draft a newsletter. It keeps your structure consistent and your claims defensible.
Related in Cheat Sheets
Try it in BrandOps
These workflows are built into the BrandOps content workspace. Pick one to see how research turns into a ready-to-review asset.