Latest Newsletter: A Bit of a Trip (Issue #130)
A Bit of a Trip (Issue #130)
We are entering into an era of very long timescales. This week we go on a bit of a journey in space and time to try and get handle on what this might mean exactly.
https://markjgsmith.substack.com/p/mark-smiths-newsletter-02-09-2023
Would love to hear any comments and feedback you have.
It's not clear what the reader gets from reading this. The first paragraph is about what you did yesterday??
If you are interested in my full analysis on how you could change your newsletter to get more subscribers, click the link at the bottom of this post.
See how that sentence's purpose is to entice the reader to keep reading and take action? Your introduction is about you, not the reader. The articles are more objective, but as a reader I am not invested and I don't trust you to click through.
To get more readers, maybe start by identifying your audience and then describe their problem or desire. Then provide that solution for them in the writing.
*I realize this comment is direct. It's not meant to be mean... keep going.
I’m just a web developer that writes a newsletter in my spare time. It tends to be about tech and javascript but I also mention some of the things I am working on. That’s just the style of the newsletter, there’s a personal first person thing going on, which makes more sense once you’ve read a few weeks.
You’re probably somewhat right about the opening paragraph. I do bear that in mind, though I don’t like to stick to one particular formula. I tend to change the structure from week to week depending on what’s happening to me, or indeed what’s happening in the tech world.
Curious what brought you to the newsletter this week, the title? the description? something else?
Hi Apologies, I think my comment is a little too direct and harsh.
I just kick around on IH and leave thoughts here instead of Twitter. I was very confused by the title which is why I clicked in.
That subscribe box that appears when we are trying to read the newsletter is annoying. Never try to impose a subscription. Let people choose. :)
Pedro
Thanks for the feedback @PedroMartins. If it were a popup then I’d agree with you, however a simple subscribe box is not much more than a link.
I’m interested in your point of view though, how would you encourage people that find the newsletter to subscribe?
Let people choose. Don't impose things. Let people read your newsletter without subscription. If they find any value in it they will decide for a subscription. This is just my opinion.
Pedro
That’s already the case, there is no requirement to subscribe, the newsletter is totally free, readable online.
The subscribe box is there to remind folks that it’s possible to subscribe to get it sent out via email every week. Not everyone realises that’s possible.