A newsletter template is a pre-designed framework that enables efficient creation of newsletters in platforms like Outlook or Gmail. Templates offer flexibility through editable elements such as headers, footers, headings, colors, fonts, and calls-to-action, allowing users to customize their content without reinventing the wheel. The process of using a downloaded document as a template involves saving it as a template file, customizing its essential elements, and then using it in Word or Google Docs. Customizing a template can be done by adding links, replacing images, changing colors and fonts, and updating default settings. Newsletter best practices include delivering value to the audience, including a logo, using high-contrast colors and readable fonts for accessibility, carefully selecting images, using tables to organize content, writing concisely, using white space effectively, designing with popular email clients in mind, including an unsubscribe link, and staying on schedule. Automating newsletter templates can be achieved through integrations with tools like Zapier, which enables automation of tasks such as adding new leads to the email list or sending emails via Gmail when a new Google Document is created.