Newbie Needs Newsletter Knowledge

Summary

A writer is contemplating how to create an engaging newsletter for their Medium publication, seeking advice on content, frequency, and promotion.

Abstract

The author of the article, Christine Graves, expresses excitement about the introduction of newsletters on Medium but admits to being unsure about how to craft one effectively. Her publication, "Enticing the Muse," has been neglected, with few followers, and she sees the newsletter as a potential catalyst for its growth. She ponders what content would be engaging for subscribers, whether to stick to writing prompts or expand to other topics, and if it's appropriate to include links to her work across Medium. The author also questions the ideal frequency for sending out newsletters, considering the balance between keeping readers informed and not overwhelming them. She opens the floor for input from her audience, hoping to revitalize her publication with the help of the new newsletter feature.

Opinions

The author is initially overwhelmed by the prospect of creating a newsletter.
She believes that her publication has potential but acknowledges it needs improvement and more promotion.
The writer is considering whether to focus the newsletter content solely on her publication or to feature other publications and submission opportunities.
She values the community of prompt writers and is inclined to showcase their influence on her work.
The author is concerned about the frequency of newsletter distribution, aiming to find a balance that keeps readers engaged without causing email fatigue.
She is open to suggestions and seeks guidance from her readers on what would make a compelling newsletter.

Newbie Needs Newsletter Knowledge

What to do when you don’t know what to do

We now have newsletters!!! That is so awesome!!! And guess what??? I have no clue how to put one together…YEA!!!!!!!

Okay, boys and girls, here’s my dilemma. Though I submit most of my pieces within this publication, as well as a few others, I do have a publication of my own. I need to work on it a LOT more, but it does have a few posts within its pages.

I only have one or two followers, but that’s of my own doing. I don’t promote my publication much as I’m not impressed with it. It’s not a horrible pub, just not as impressive as most others. But then I got the email today that we now have newsletters for our sites. Awesome!!

I thought maybe if I could put together a newsletter for my publication, I might be more inclined to really make something out of it. So I ran over to my poor little pub, dusted off the cobwebs, and found the link to make the magic. And as soon as I saw it, I froze up like an old 1994 Gateway desktop computer tower.

I did get it set up. I put in the name and the description but didn’t click on the box to add it to my stories just yet. I have to do some light housekeeping on the site first. Been a bit since I last visited. I might want to update it before I invite guests over.

I thought about doing a test letter, just to get a feel for what I was going to do when it dawned on me. I have no idea what to put in a newsletter. Here are a few of the questions that instantly ran through my head when I looked into that blank page:

What would I want to see if I were signing up for this newsletter?

My publication was originally meant to be a place of writing prompts for the masses. Poets, storytellers, and content creators of all genres. I wanted to give the world an idea to work with. Something that would spark their creative sides and get them all writing. Should I keep it with just that? Should I expand to other ideas? Like what? Maybe showcase a few other publications on the platform that are accepting submissions where those pieces from the prompts might be published? Yea, I’d read that.

Does the newsletter have to be about the publication alone or can I have links to all the other stuff I write around this platform?

I’d love to be able to showcase a few of my other writings I publish throughout the realm. I write a lot of stuff from my own prompts, as well as the prompts of others. There are some very talented prompt writers out there and I wouldn’t be the writer I am without them.

How often should I send out a newsletter if I do put one together?

I know I wouldn’t want to be inundated with mass emails, but I’d like to know what’s going on within a reasonable amount of time. What would be a happy medium? Once a month? Every other week? Once a week? Would it be better to send out a newsletter on a weekend or in the middle of the week? So many things to think about.

I want to get my own publication up and running again and I think these new newsletters could be the key to gaining readers. So I turn to all of you for help. What would you put in a newsletter? What would you like to see? Am I just kidding myself and would be better off leaving well enough alone?

Let me know. I’d love to have any and all input I can receive.