Now that printed newspapers are dying out and the internet is our top source for information, email newsletters are a convenient way to have relevant news delivered straight to your inbox.
Email newsletters succeed because they are niche and interest-specific, rather than trying to target every interest all at once. It’s like if you could get just the sports section of a newspaper or just the funnies. And because newsletters are a way for brands to increase awareness and brand recognition, most newsletters are completely free. You can get the news you care about at your fingertips without having to pay a penny.
We’ve compiled a list of the best email newsletters for 2021 that everyone should consider subscribing to, to bring joy to their inboxes.
Best email newsletters to subscribe to in 2021
From industry-specific newsletters on marketing, sales, and technology to just-for-fun newsletters on media and pop culture, these entertaining bites of news will make you wonder why you didn’t hit the subscribe button before.
The Morning Brew
The Morning Brew is what you’d get if the Wall Street Journal were modernized with today’s tech-savvy professionals in mind. Each day includes an update about the state of the stock market, the top business and tech news of the day, and a short lifestyle segment.
Founded By
Alex Lieberman and Austin Rief, in 2015.
Target audience
This daily newsletter is targeted toward young professionals who are just starting their careers or who aren’t planning to stay in the same industry for their whole lives. It was initially founded with college students in mind — but has since expanded to include just about anyone in the professional world, especially in the tech, finance, or consulting industries.
The Skimm
The Skimm sends you easily-digestible daily news bites to help you keep up with current events and how they will directly or indirectly impact your life. Each newsletter includes:
- A couple of short news blurbs
- A quote of the day
- One longer news article
- Some lifestyle tips
It’s written in an easy-to-digest format that makes dense topics accessible even if current events aren’t normally at the top of your to-read list.
Founded by
Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin, in 2012.
Target audience
Another daily newsletter, the Skimm was originally founded by women for women, targeting millennials specifically. As time has worn on, the Skimm has opened up to both men and women, but still emphasizes females in business.
The Clikk
Every day, the Clikk delivers news on big-names in the marketing and tech industries, as well as current marketing trends and the future of the workforce industry. They also offer quick and easy-to-digest marketing advice that business owners can implement immediately to improve the way their business runs. At the end of the newsletter, you can expect a funny snapshot of past marketing trends that have died off.
Founded by
Russ Henneberry
Target audience
This digital marketing newsletter is aimed at business owners and consultants who want to know more about modern marketing trends.
The Download
Because the Download is curated by the MIT Technology Review, it offers a twist on your typical technology newsletters and is specially curated to look for the most up-to-date technology information. Its tagline is literally “What’s up in emerging technology?” and that’s exactly what you’re going to find.
The newsletter is perfect for people who already read basic how-to tech articles and are seeking information that’s ahead of what basic content marketers are finding on the web. Each newsletter includes short and scannable content on current events and information on newly-emerging tech, as well as a list of must-read articles from around the web. Readers can expand their information base beyond what the newsletter directly provides in its content.
Founded by
Sponsored by the MIT Technology Review.
Target audience
This daily newsletter is targeted toward anyone in the tech industry, as well as anyone interested in up-and-coming technology trends.
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum comes out a few times a week. It is an image-heavy newsletter with short blurbs of information on pop culture, social media, fashion, and more. The newsletter curates the best content from around the internet and lays it out for you. Readers can stay up-to-date on culture and trends without actually spending time on apps like Facebook and TikTok.
Founded by
Margot Boyer-Dry, in 2015.
Target audience
This newsletter is targeted toward anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on current pop-culture and social media trends but doesn’t have time to curate social media themselves.
What Happened Last Week?
Delivered to your inbox once a week, on Mondays, WHLW summarizes the biggest news stories of the previous week to keep you up-to-date on politics, current events, and more. The content is curated and is written to tell you not just the headlines of the news stories, but also why those news stories matter. The content is in easy-to-read language — making even dense, world-news topics make sense to every reader.
Founded by
Sham Jaff, in 2014.
Target audience
According to their tagline, WHLW is targeted toward “people who want to read The New York Times but don’t.”
3-2-1
What to expect from this newsletter is hinted at in the name. Each week, on Thursdays, the 3-2-1 newsletter contains:
- 3 short ideas from the founder of the newsletter
- 2 quotes from other people
- 1 question to ponder over the next week
The idea is that you can read the 3-2-1 newsletter in about 5 minutes and gain a little bit of wisdom and inspiration to help you better yourself and your life.
Founded by
James Clear, in 2019.
Target audience
This once-a-week inspirational newsletter targets people who are looking to improve their lives but don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to long-form inspirational newsletters.
Dear Reader
Written in the form of a letter to the reader, Deepanjana features whatever books she’s read over the past month. This newsletter shines for its honesty and intimacy. Each edition feels like a lovingly crafted letter to the reader and is a long-form read rather than a selection of scannable, bite-sized pieces. If you have the time to read longer content and you care about books, this is a must-read newsletter.
Founded by
Deepanjana, in 2018.
Target Audience
This monthly newsletter is targeted toward bibliophiles everywhere. It looks at both fiction and nonfiction books for all age groups. Occasionally, Deepanjana will also include notes about current events or shows she’s watching, but it’s largely aimed at book lovers and is very clearly written by someone who loves books.
Just in Time Parenting
When you subscribe to this newsletter, you include the birthday of your child. Each month, you receive:
- Curated information about what to expect from your child at their particular age
- Tips on raising happy, healthy children
- Tools for managing common parenting struggles
The tips and strategies are written by medical professionals. It’s like a monthly check-up on how your child is doing — along with gentle, digestible tips that you can incorporate to keep your family running smoothly and your child thriving.
Founded by
Sponsored by numerous leading land-grant universities across the United States.
Target Audience
This monthly newsletter is targeted toward parents with children aged 5 and under.
Positive Parenting Newsletter
This weekly newsletter is created by a collection of parenting educators, psychologists, coaches, and parents. It includes:
- Book recommendations
- Helpful articles
- Parenting tools
- Worksheets
All of the elements are designed to help you parent in a less stressful way. The resources are meant to minimize conflict while it helps you raise your child to become the confident, capable human you know they can grow up to be.
Founded by
Founded in 2012. Sponsored by the Positive Parenting Connection.
Target audience
This newsletter is aimed at parents — of children aged 12 and under — who want to learn to parent in a positive, affirming way that puts their relationship with their children at the forefront.
SFWA New Release Newsletter
Published bi-monthly, the SFWA New Release Newsletter does exactly what it sounds like it does. It highlights the newest releases in the science fiction and fantasy genres.
Each newsletter showcases upcoming titles and gives brief blurbs on the authors so you can learn a little more about the story behind the books you’re reading. There’s also a chance to win free books, which is always a plus.
Founded by
Sponsored by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.
Target Audience
This newsletter targets readers who enjoy science fiction and fantasy and want to stay up-to-date on what’s happening within that genre.
The best email newsletters are the ones you open
Ultimately, you know the content you like better than anyone else.
The best email newsletters deliver content in a way that makes you happy to open your emails. If you find yourself continually sending a newsletter to archives before opening it, it’s time to unsubscribe. Newsletters that should stay in your inbox should have information that’s so well-curated and tailored to your interests that you make time to read them in their entirety.
