There are two kinds of newsletters: the kind you delete without opening, and the kind you actually look forward to. Spoiler alert—yours should be the second kind. At Packsia, we believe newsletters are more than just inbox fillers. When they’re designed well, they become extensions of your brand. Little curated moments that build trust, express identity, and, yes, boost conversions.

But here's the thing: most newsletters are designed like afterthoughts. Chunky paragraphs, mismatched visuals, awkward spacing… it’s giving 2013. In the era of short attention spans and high visual standards, your email has to look as good as it reads. That’s where we come in. Our stunning, high-quality vertical videos make newsletters pop, but the real magic happens when visuals, layout, and content all work together.

Here’s how to design a scroll-stopping email that your audience actually wants to open, click, and remember.

Start With a Story, Not a Sale

Every email should tell a story—even if it’s just a product drop. People are more likely to engage when there’s a narrative arc: an intro to hook them in, a middle to build momentum, and a CTA (call to action) that tells them what to do next. Instead of jumping straight into the offer, try setting the tone first.

For example, start with an eye-catching Packsia visual and an intriguing headline that makes your reader pause. Then offer value with clear info, benefits, testimonials, or updates that build interest. End with a clear, easy-to-click CTA—whether that’s tapping a product, RSVPing to an event, or watching a clip. Use Packsia visuals to set the mood right away—whether it’s moody and cinematic, playful and bright, or clean and editorial. We’ve got libraries for every vibe.

Design Like a Landing Page

Your email should flow like a web experience. That means creating a strong visual hierarchy where headlines lead into subheads and body copy guides the eye down to your call-to-action. Alternate images and text for rhythm, giving each section room to breathe so it’s easy to scan. Keep your fonts, colors, and tone consistent so the whole thing feels branded, not pieced together.

Packsia clips work beautifully here: use them as dynamic headers or bold section intros to create natural breaks in content. Just one focal visual per section can do the trick—helping people navigate your email without visual overload.

Add Motion, Not Clutter

A touch of movement? Powerful. A newsletter that looks like a 2000s Tumblr page? Scroll, delete.

Use motion strategically:

• Add a looping clip to the top to create drama
• Use a subtle GIF for new arrivals or features
• Highlight testimonials or headlines with animated text

Packsia Pro tip: Avoid uploading full-length videos directly into your newsletter. Most email clients won’t play them, and they’ll tank your load speed. Instead:

• Trim videos to 3–5 seconds
• Use high-quality GIFs or static thumbnails with a “play” icon
• Link the visual to a landing page or Reel

This keeps your email quick to load and easy to interact with.

Match the Mood to the Message

Your visuals should feel like the message you're delivering. Whether you're launching a product, reflecting on a milestone, or inviting people to an event, your design should match the vibe. For a product launch, go bold with high-contrast motion that demands attention. Seasonal sales work well with cozy, colorful, and upbeat tones that feel timely and inviting. If you're writing a personal note from the founder, lean into soft lighting, slower pacing, and a minimal layout to create intimacy. And for big announcements or events, cinematic visuals with dramatic flair will help build anticipation. You can browse Packsia’s video libraries by mood or theme to find clips that carry the exact emotional tone you’re after.

Use Tools That Make It Easy

You don’t need a full design team to create a beautiful newsletter—just the right tools. These platforms make building scroll-stopping emails easier than ever:

• Flodesk – Great for aesthetic, drag-and-drop layouts with minimal fuss. Ideal for brands who want something beautiful fast.
• Mailchimp – Classic and versatile. Great for those who want analytics, A/B testing, and audience segmentation.
• Klaviyo – Built for e-commerce. Best if you're connecting your shop directly and want to personalize based on customer behavior.
• Drip – Perfect for creators who want email flows and automations tied to digital product funnels.
• Substack – Ideal for writers or thought leaders. Not as customizable for visuals, but unbeatable for longform storytelling and subscriptions.

Packsia Pro tip: Canva is still queen. Design your newsletter layout in Canva using your Packsia visuals, export it, and plug it into your email platform of choice. Easy, branded, and stunning.

Style It Like You Mean It

If you’re just sending updates, your readers will treat your email like… well, just an update. But if you style your newsletter like a branded moment, it becomes part of your visual ecosystem. Match your social media, your website, and your merch. People will start to recognize the aesthetic, and then they will trust it.

Here’s a quick checklist before you hit send:

• Do all the visuals align with your brand mood?
• Is the CTA prominent and visually supported?
• Is the email easy to scan on both mobile and desktop?
• Do you actually want to open it yourself?

If the answer is yes, you’re ready.

Newsletters Are Visual Real Estate

Don’t waste the opportunity to make an impression. Every email is a chance to deepen your brand story and remind your audience why they subscribed in the first place. So take up space, design with intention, and let Packsia help you turn casual subscribers into loyal fans—one stunning scroll at a time.

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