What reasons did you sign up for a newsletter?
Posted by pumpupyourbook on November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I have a poll today and would love it if you could tell me why you sign up for newsletters. I was thinking about the many newsletters I have signed up for and some I was signed up for without my knowledge – ahem – and it made me think about what kind of people sign up for our own newsletters. Automatically, you think “they love me, they really love me!,” but are there other motives for people to sign up?
People put a lot of pride and merit into their subscriber numbers. Some rely on this to sell products from their blog and others simply love the fact that so many people are reading their newsletter. But, have you ever really thought about why they signed up in the first place?
Here are a few of my ideas:
- They truly truly love you and want to stay in the know whenever you had something to say
- They were hosting a contest and signing up to win whatever they were giving away also involved signing up for their newsletter
- The competition wanted to keep tabs on what you were doing
- To receive a free product or service (sign up for my newsletter and receive a free chapter of my book!)
- You became part of their mailing list and you had no idea how you got there
I’m sure there are other reasons why people sign up for different newsletters, but would you all mind filling out this poll and you’re welcome to discuss this in the comment section.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Book Marketing Buzz
J.W. Nicklaus said
The most recent newsletter I signed up for was History.com’s. I enjoy that kind of stuff, so I voluntarily requested it. The majority of newsletters I get are from someone who got my e-maill address one way or another. Most all of them have an ‘unsubscribe’ button at the bottom, so it’s an easy fix to be rid of them.
Storyheart said
A good new letter will always give you something to read when in deep thought in the bathroom.
Barry
Mike Just said
I’m new to this and a friend asked. At first it seemed like a good idea but now I just delete them.
George Allwynn said
I’m one of the nerds that chose ‘other’ – as there isn’t really ONE reason why I choose the way I do on newsletters – but a combination of factors need to be addressed before I spend the time/energy reading one.
a) It has to serve one of my interest (writing, marketing, books, genre based)
b) It has to be benefitial to me career wise
c) It needs to be practical, informative, yet well done.
d) If I am doing research for something, I may sign up for the newsletter, let it run for a while – and when the research is over, cancel it, making room for the next research project.
PS I am the newsletter editor for my local RWA chapter. In fact, I have been a newsletter editor on various topics for most of my adult life.