I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and the subject of newsletters came up. I chuckled a bit because I have not been a fan of newsletters even since the days that receiving printed material was a more acceptable practice. Now, of course everything is online and I still get “newsletters” and requests to sign up for them. Honestly, I am still not a fan.
I say this of course when one of the biggest names in the industry, Chris Brogan, does send an e-newsletter for his New Marketing Labs company. It seems a little weird to get it since there is SO much content generated by someone like Chris already that I wonder what else can it tell me? As a result I put reading the newsletter below other forms of communication that Chris and his company produces.
Does this make me right? I don’t have a clue. In fact, I was wondering if an informal poll at this point isn’t the worst idea. How do you feel about newsletters? Do you still get any paper ones? Do you read online ones? Is it an effective medium any more?
In this case, my personal preference may be contrary to the market preference. I honestly don’t know. I do know though that with all of the stuff I get I don’t read a large percentage of it. I don’t have the capacity. As a result I am trimming down what I will even consider as a channel to receive new information.
My personal favorite is the good old-fashioned e-mail subscription to a blog. If I decide to let something else into my e-mail these days it’s because I am interested in what that party has to say. My mind can’t manage the RSS feed way of life. Everything blurs together there for me.
If I get an e-mail subscription from a blogger that I like, I read it because it fits my routine and my style. Maybe I am different but I am seeing more and more information saying that if you have someone subscribing to you content via e-mail you are likely to have someone who is more engaged. I don’t have the facts or the science to back that up. That’s part gut feel and it’s part remembering that I read something to that effect somewhere.
So newsletters for me, whether they be paper or digital, are dead. One man’s opinion and experience. What’s yours?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Frank,
Funny, I’m like you – I like to receive blogs that I read on a regular basis in my email box – like yours for example. I don’t miss a thing here and like you, RSS feeds are a blur. I do find Chris’s newsletters to be a different flavor and full of valuable content. But, that’s just me.
Thanks for the great content you share on a regular basis – I’m always learning something
Looking forward to receiving your next blog post via email!
great post
60% of my divisions revenue comes from newsletters… Seems like you need to do some more Internet Marketing Homework Mr Reed.
44% of email recipients made at least one purchase last year based on a promotional emails or newsletters, and in 2009 email produced more revenue for online marketers as a whole than search engine optimization and social media. ALSO People who buy products marketed through email spend 138% more than people that do not receive email offers
that’s my 2 cents.
@Sarah – Fortunately the post was not based on anything other than my opinion and my personal experience, so homework was not necessary. I clearly stated that here:
In this case, my personal preference may be contrary to the market preference. I honestly don’t know. I do know though that with all of the stuff I get I don’t read a large percentage of it. I don’t have the capacity. As a result I am trimming down what I will even consider as a channel to receive new information.
If I was claiming something other than just an opinion your remark about me doing my homework would be valid. Just my 2 cents
Got it. I thought someone who sold opinions for a living would want to know the truth. Guess not.
I’ll shut up.
@ Sarah – You may have actually helped to make me a believer because I literally just made a purchase off a newsletter. I am still not a newsletter kind of guy except in rare cases. They are TMI for me since there is SO much information flying around on a daily basis. Thanks for coming by.
Really?
http://twitter.com/FrankReed/status/8502003798
Got me there
You did come in swinging though wouldn’t you agree?
Bad hair day I suppose AND things can change. Social media can be dangerous too!