Fun Matters: Playful Newsletter Content You Can Use to Build Readership

Newsletters serve many important purposes. In organizations like senior centers, where newsletters may even be the primary communication tool, making them both informative and enjoyable to read is crucial.

While more serious columns and articles may be the mainstay of your community newsletter, lighter content plays an essential role in keeping readers engaged and interested. Here’s why adding lighter elements isn’t just a nice touch, it’s a necessity.

Why Including Lighter Newsletter Content Matters to Your Publication

1.   Boosts Mood and Morale

Newsletters filled only with logistical updates or reminders can begin to feel dry or overwhelming. Adding something humorous, nostalgic, or interactive can spark joy, laughter, and positive feelings. For older adults, especially, a lighthearted read can brighten their day and help alleviate feelings of loneliness or isolation.

2.   Encourages Engagement

When readers know there’s something fun in each issue, such as a trivia contest, a cartoon, or a joke, they’re more likely to read it right away, rather than setting it aside to review later. It can also make people look forward to receiving the next one. That increased engagement helps ensure that readers also absorb the important information, such as health updates or event announcements.

3.   Fosters Social Connection

Lighter content can become a talking point among members. Whether it’s a riddle, a favorite memory inspired by a “throwback photo,” or a funny cartoon, these elements spark conversation and build bonds between community members.

Suggestions for Lighter Newsletter Features

Ready to add some lightness to your community newsletter? Here are some ideas that consistently resonate with readers of all ages, but especially seniors:

• Jokes and puns: These are a classic addition to any newsletter. Choose age-appropriate, good-natured humor that’s inclusive and easy to understand. A “Joke of the Month” or “Senior Chuckles” section will bring a smile every time.
• Trivia and brain teasers: Add a trivia question, riddle, or short quiz — possibly with a small prize for the first person who answers correctly. Categories like history, music, classic films, or local facts work especially well. Websites like BrainBashers and Brain Teaser might give you some ideas on what to include.
  
• Fun polls or “This or That” questions: Create a brief survey or pose an offbeat question. Have members drop off or email their answers, and share the results in the next issue. You could even ask questions that can help shape how your center operates, such as whether to serve coffee only in the morning or all day.
• Recipes and cooking tips: Another suggestion is to share simple, budget-friendly recipes or cooking hacks. Food is a great connector, and recipe sharing often leads to stories and conversation. Ask members to send you their favorites and incorporate one or two recipes or tips each month.
• Seasonal fun: Play up holidays year-round with seasonally themed content. Think outside the box: Feature pumpkin jokes in October, Valentine’s Day pet love stories in February, or summer safety tips with a humorous twist in July.

Where to Find Ready-Made Newsletter Content Just Like This

Content libraries are your secret weapon! Instead of creating brand new content for every single newsletter edition, subscribe to a library filled with articles, images, comics, and puzzles pre-made and ready to be dropped into your publication. You won’t have to worry about infringing on any copyrights, and you’ll have fresh content to spice up your newsletter every month.

In LPi’s digital content library, WeCreate, newsletter editors will find all the above-suggested content and more, ready to use in their newsletters. As a bonus, organizations that print their newsletter with LPi receive complimentary access to WeCreate and everything it includes!

Remember, a community newsletter is more than just a bulletin board. Think of it as a tool that connects people. By including lighter, entertaining elements, you’re not just filling space — you’re enriching lives. These newsletter additions remind everyone that community is not just about living in the same place, it’s about sharing moments of joy together.

One final tip is to pay attention to finding the right balance between educational/informational newsletter elements and those that entertain. Head over to the “Newsletter Tools” section of our blog to dive deeper into the world of newsletter content, design, and more, so you can better connect with your community.