A Simple Way to Turn Your Email Subscribers into True Fans

A Simple Way to Turn Your Email Subscribers into True Fans

Reader Comments (15)

  1. I have been writing a weekly newsletter for almost a year now, following Chris Brogan’s “model” (and you might have noticed that Chris rarely blogs anymore). Even though I produce valuable content, I’ve yet to start selling anything through the newsletter (like Chris does), as I am still building credibility and trust. But I will start soon.

    If I were to write a blog, it would be the same content of my newsletter. So while my choice has been to write a newsletter, readers are starting to ask for copies of my past newsletters. If I were writing a blog, my previous content would be available in the archives. But the allure (perhaps, self-imagined) of my weekly newsletter is that subscribers can’t get that content anywhere else. On the other hand, no one is going to stumble across my newsletter like they might if it were a blog.

    Newsletter or blog? Any more thoughts?

    • Rod,

      Great questions, let’s see what we can do.

      Two things:

      1. Do not take too long to start selling to your subscribers, because your subscribers have an attention-cycle that is limited. By this I mean, you only have their attention for so long.

      So without selling them something and giving them the opportunity to take your relationship to the next level, they may just move on — and then the opportunity is gone forever.

      2. As for repurposing the content from your newsletter to your blog, you definitely can do this while still retaining the value of your newsletter.

      Paul Jarvis (https://pjrvs.com/articles/) does this, and he seems to have great success with it. From what I can tell, Paul sends his newsletter out every Sunday and then publishes that same article to his blog a week or so later.

      This method gives your subscribers the benefit of reading your content first, plus it enables you to use that same piece of content to get in front of more people.

      This seems to be a win-win for both the producer and the consumers of the content.

      • A great solution … one that I was already thinking of … but it’s great to get confirmation from someone like you 🙂

        Have a great week!

  2. Hi Jon,

    Appreciate those great examples you included for each newsletter. Brogan I knew, but not The Skimm, which sounds great. And D’Souza I’m familiar with but that’s mostly through his blog, I haven’t looked at his newsletter so I’ll be doing that. Thanks again.

    I’ve been using the third newsletter style for some time. I look at it as “pointing out” or “making sure you knew” this content is now up and give them some reasons to check it out. I like to time it so there are a few comments already on the post so the list is encouraged to leave comments too.

    Want to ask if you have any newsletter templates available to look at or if someone else does?

    Enjoy your week, Jon.

    Matthew

    • Matthew,

      The ‘making sure you knew’ model is great, especially when you are already producing a lot of useful content.

      As for templates, I typically just subscribe to newsletters from people, brands, and companies that I know are successful and I see what they are doing. Sean D’Souza’s Psychotactics is definitely a great place to start.

      I do hope that someone else is willing to share any newsletter template ideas or resources they have.

      Thanks!

  3. Thank you for sharing such wonderful advice. It is very true that your content speaks volumes about your brand. It will bring you fans or it will alienate them. It’s up to you.

    • Robert,

      You’re very welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed the article.

      As for content creation, we can do good to repel rather than attract. Sometimes alienating or repelling people that aren’t your perfect audience is great, because it leaves the people who do fit your message and brand.

      Thanks!

  4. Hmmm…

    For me, I send my articles to them. It is no summary though. It is the full articles so the readers can read with the convenience of being in their inbox without clicking anything.

    Is this the fourth type? Will you recommend this?

    On the flip side, being a reader I am subsribed to curated and unique content email newsletters myself.

    Loved the post. Stay awesome.

    • Rohan,

      Sending your articles via email is a great distribution channel, but I wouldn’t call it a newsletter. If your readers want to read your articles in their inbox, then it is smart of you to offer this to them.

      Typically, a newsletter needs to be a unique piece of content or at least a unique summary of the content you have created.

      The newsletter is used to stay in constant contact with your audience and should be used to take your relationship to a deeper level.

  5. I use curated content as a marketing strategy for my business, however I find when I try to explain the strategy with my clients they seem to be skeptical of the idea. Perhaps they are trying to protect their brand!!

  6. Excellent article Jon. I agree with you that it’s vital to give away some of your best content to your readers to keep them hungry for more. Too many marketers are looking to get paid on every piece of content they write when in reality there is a much bigger prize if you keep your readers happy and coming back again and again.

    Keep up the good work sir.

    Sincerely – Bill

  7. Bill,

    You are absolutely right. As content creators, we need to stop thinking and acting with a short-term focus.

    Building a relationship with your audience takes time and constant, consistent contact is the best way to do it.

    Thanks.

  8. I just recently purchased your book from the preview looks like it’s gong to be a great read. I like the idea how you not once but multiple times in this article stress the importance of providing your unique voice. In an age where we are bombarded by voices all vying for our attention your article is clean clear and concise thanks for the time you took to write and share looking forward to becoming a consistent reader.

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