So, I've been torn on two perspectives.
1) Long ago, I started research to identify what makes a good e:communication for those in the quilting, sewing, or embroidery business. I've actually signed up for just about every email distribution list I could find this past year, in an attempt to identify good/bad examples and see what insights I could learn, and ultimately share.
I have seen many situations where businesses ask for people to sign up for their e:newsletter, but the majority of their messages are sales oriented. Yet many, actually have very "news worthy" updates.
I'm still researching, and before I finalize my insights, I'd like to hear your thoughts about:
- what makes a good e:newsletter where you want to subscribe, read and stay subscribed
- what frequency you feel is appropriate for such communications
- and, your general thoughts about e:communications via distribution lists
2) While, I'm just a "blogger" and not in the business to make money, I have frequently received feedback that people would like to periodically receive an email update from me.
How can I (SewCalGal) send out e:communications, when I really don't like signing up for them?
I can accept that some miss out on opportunities as a result of our busy schedules. I know no one can read every blog every day, nor may want to, so when I've hosted a show, or giveaway, etc. some may have wanted to participate, but not aware of it. But, I still struggle with how best to create an e:communication program for SewCalGal without becoming a pest. This is where I could use your help and feedback.
This topic is also timely, as I'm about to send out a "general" email to those on this list to heighten awareness of something coming up that I will not blog about until it has started. Thus, I can understand the benefit to some to be on the email list to receive such advance notices.
You may have noticed in the upper right hand corner, of my blog I have a link where you can opt in to receive e:updates from SewCalGal. My goal is to minimize these e:communications, plus I originally created
four key sublists:
- General: Intended to give advance notice to those on the list, about noteworthy items such as the Golden Quilter Awards, and other events.
- Events: Intended to heighten awareness to those on the list about events at SewCalGal (e.g. Pets on Quilts Show, Christmas Quilt Show, etc.). My assumption is those on this list are also on the "General" list, so info that is shared to the "general" list will not be duplicated on this list.
- Bloggers with AccuQuilt products: for those that have an AccuQuilt product and want to participate in various activities that this community does, network, etc.
- Team of Bloggers with AccuQuilt products: for those that have a badge on their blog, and I their blog is listed on the right column of my blog. Email updates provide early insight on what the community of Bloggers with AccuQuilt products are planning, as well as a few insights not always shared with the general community.
Again, SewCalGal's objective is to not send out emails as much as research and share insights on this blog. But as many have requested to receive email notices, I'm trying to oblige. But I'd like to hear your feedback on what topics you'd like to see on any of these sub-lists, as well as frequency.
Your feedback is always appreciated. Feel free to email SewCalGal and/or leave a comment on this post. Again, I'd love to hear your insights on e:communications in general from those "in the business" and I'd also like to hear your thoughts about emails from SewCalGal in general.
And, please remember if you are signed up for any of my e:communications you can opt out anytime. But I also hope that you'll take time to periodically give me feedback. I'd really hate to waste your time (or my time) sending out e:updates that are not news worthy.
I'm a tired puppy tonight. But definitely would like to get your feedback on the two areas of e:communications discussed above. I don't want to be a spammer. So I'd like to hear your thoughts on how I can effectively satisfy the requests by those that want to receive email updates, as well as realizing there are situations when a blog update just isn't appropriate to share certain details to a portion of the readers that might be interested..
Thank you,
SewCalGal
22 comments:
Hi there, I signed up for General and Events.
I will be very interested in your findings. I am currently cancelling a large proportion of newsletters because they are purely about sales, or tell me what I missed on their blog. (The blog I read ... !
Judy B
I, too, am signed up for General and Events. I prefer newsletters that tell me what's coming up, profiling visiting teachers, special events, extra special sales. I also visit several quilting forums daily and those ladies are quilting enablers. If there's a sale somewhere there is a link! Just my 2¢ - and thanks for asking.
I know that I have signed up for a few blogs that I don't want to miss their post. I get tired of advertisments trying to get me to buy their items. I enjoy Superior Threads because their news letters give you specific information and they try to educate you at the same time. Sometimes I think short and to the point is great. Other times, I just delete before I even open it up.
An e-letter, once a week is okay by me.
INFORMATIVE stuff and links are NUMBER ONE, on my books!!!
If you want to keep people on your list, have a monthly prize give-away, to those on your e-list.
Like you I don't sign up for many e:newsletters, but there a few that I follow. In the ones from bloggers, I've sigend up for ones that offer addition articles for quilt related issues and updates on events, such as notification of one-line quilt shows, challenges and quilt alongs. For this type of newsletter, once a month is a good frequency. It takes time to put together a "good" newsletter, doing it more frequently would be a drain on the author I would think.
I do subcribe to a few vendor newsletters. Most just list the sales and new fabric relesaes, in those I like short and sweet, so I can glance decide if I want to look deeper or just delete them. A couple of the vendor newsletters include challenges and other articles on what's new in the quilting world. There I prefer the format of a short blurb, with a link to more information. I guess you could summarize my desire here is for a format that gives some information with an option to look deeper if I'm interested.
Don't know if that's the type of feedback you are looking for or not. Hope it helps.
If you're going to continue your blog, it might be best NOT to repeat the same info on your e-letter.
By the same token, those that have asked that you send them an email(?!??!)... duh! can't they just go and read your blog?!?? They can even become a follower and ... there's a setting somewhere, but they could be advised when you do a blog update, right?
As for giving me a "heads up" on a contest... unless it's a sewing project (time consuming thingy) that I think VERY UNLIKELY that I would be doing, anyhow..... I honestly will NOT remember that, for example, in 3 days you'll be having a SUPER blog contest. But that might be just me and my crappy memmory. *grin*
In a nutshell, if there's no money in it, my friend, why create even MORE work for yourself, with a e-letter?
So far, I ADORE your blog and am happy with your blog content!
*grin*
Tks for all you do!
Rosa Robichaud
Saint John, New Brunswick
Canada
but soon to be in Florida!!!!
Hi ! I am already signed up ; I think one a month would be enough unless something IMPORTANT comes up ; or if YOU have time every 2 weeks . This is my input ; but YOU have to make it work for YOU too !
Very interesting topic Darlene. I have signed up for some newsletters from quilters that I thought would have good information or that I did not want to miss an update. After I have received several, I make a judgment call as to whether to continue. I just don't like it when all the sender is doing is trying to sell you something. So be informative but don't send the same info that was sent on your blog. I think it is good to reference that the information is on the blog or vice versa. I don't know if that is helpful. But from all of your comments already, I think we are all tired of the sales pitch.
I don't tend to mind signing up for newsletters and sales-advertisements as long as I know that my name isn't going to be passed on to other companies and I won't get 300 OTHER things in my inbox that I didn't sign up for. I have a delete button, and if I don't feel like reading on an occasion, I just hit delete.
First, I love your blog and your general helpful nature. I will subscribe to your newsletter based on that alone. I like a newsletter to inform not just try to sell. And some free patterns or links to free stuff would be good.
Mary Ann
I subscribe to several quilt shop newsletters. I expect these to be sales oriented but I also expect to see new things in the newsletter, either new fabric, projects or special sales.
There is one shop that sends me the same newsletter with same pix about 3 times a week - also have to scroll through it, it is so long. KISS - Keep It Simple Sam.
I like to get them weekly. More than that is redundant. The best one I receive is from Dakota Cabin Quilts - shop news but also observations about their life, region, etc. I look forward to this one on Sundays.
keep it simple, to the point, a good line or two is way better then a full page.
a personal note about any links you are sending helps too.
I have a friend that sends stuff all the time that I never open or check out the link, b/c he doesn't take the time to introduce what it is.
(example that would work for me)
a line that says XYZ is coming up on xxxxxxx, here is the post with all the details, join up if you can.
I am signed up for a few newsletters but a lot of them are sales orientated.
I do get some condensed emails from quilting groups that lets me see what all has been posted at a glance and then I can choose what to reply back to if I choose. I really like those.
And speaking of emails... Did you receive the one I sent you alerting you that you won my followers giveaway on my blog? You have until tomorrow to claim your winnings. :)
I like information. Some newsletters are always sales and basically the same sale, I delete without opening and will at some point remove my name. I want to know about anything that is happening or coming up, events. I love tips or links to tutorials. I don't mind chatty, I can always skim through and read the parts that interest me. As for you, I will open and read anything you want to send to me. :)
I love newsletters that informative..telling of different site to learn about different thing..sends link's to "how to" places..
Clear lettering..that does not give me eye strain..and NOT too wordy..
Short paragraphs..
Sometimes a cute little antidote..is sometimes nice..I said sometimes. :) One of those "fall off your chair" things are good.
I know I tend to begin to skim..when things get too wordy and involved. Maybe I have ADD but it's just how I am.
You have a nice blog here...and already you have my interest.
Mona
I found this article today after I read your blog post: http://mashable.com/2011/02/08/why-consumers-unsubscribe/?hpt=Sbin
I find most of the ones i get annoyed with are too frequent or always selling me something - I would prefer information.
Especially with crafting - I am not always out to buy something -but if I get information or inspiration then it will spark the desire to buy...
It is a tough balance - I give you a lot of credit for all you do!!! And do well!!!!! :-)
If I have to get through even one paragraph of sales info, I don't read any further and delete myself from the newsletter. I like info about fabric sales, patterns, new books, events, etc. Not a big fan of self promotion. And I'm going to sign up for the General and Events, they sound like what I like. Plus I think once a week is fine, daily is overkill. Gracias!
I've signed up for newsletters because something on the home website caught my interest. It could be the style of design or fabric the person uses, their tutorials, or the helpfulness of their writing. I also like to get a free pattern or something I can make from what they've talked about. I don't mind getting links to other sites that may sell something I could use, but only in a passive way, not aggressive selling.
Online fabric stores want you to sign up for their "newsletter" which is all sales, usually, so it isn't truly a newsletter, but a sales flyer. A newsletter should be a sharing of information that's of interest to both parties, and the giver is the sender of the newsletter. The person who receives it gives feedback.
I hope I don't sound as selfish as I think I do:) This is a good topic, and I look forward to hearing what you find out.
Newsletters have always been a thorn in my side. The part that iritates me: luring me in with promises that the newletter will be educational when in fact they are simply a sales ad. If I like a website I will either follow their blog or I will check back when I need something. We get so much junk mail! UGH!
Personally, I like the way you do things. If I desire to follow your blog I can and you only use the newsletters when necessary.
I receive newsletters from some companies like Lion Brand. I like to see their new patterns and yarns. I also like newsletters discuss different topics. Like ones that explain the history of hair pin lace or a new way to make HSTs, things like that.
From you, I do like the Accuquilt emails. It's nice to know what the group has planned before it happens instead of always missing it.
If it is an update about your blog than I don't really need the newsletter. I agree with some of the commenters that a newsletter is alot of extra work for you if it is going to be similar to your blog.
I definitely do not like people who have me sign up for their newsletter and then sell my email address. Not saying that is something you do but I have signed up for newsletters on blogs in order to enter a give away and then my inbox was full of junk afterwards.
I like receiving newsletter emails when they tell me something new (instead of just trying to sell me something). Once a week or less often is good. Some weeks I am too busy to read any of them though. I'm very interested in hearing your findings because I am thinking of starting.
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