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Blogging, Jane Friedman, newsletter

Newsletters Are the New Blog?

photo by Suzy Hazelwood pexels.com

This question seems hotly debated (okay, maybe lukewarmly) between online experts like Jane Friedman, Quora, and others. The answer comes down to what’s important to the writer of said blog or newsletter.

For me, I thought I’d try to ease into a monthly newsletter format. I sent out my first newsletter at the end of July. Honestly, it was kind of scary to do so, as are all first times (for me).

An area that was easy and fun to talk about was a June trip to Scotland and Ireland. We had adventures in a tiny stick-shift car driving on the left side of the road. Soon, we returned to the US, and the horrendous news on TV left me deflated.

A newsletter I read helped me re-center myself. The writer had reposted “A Letter to a Young Activist in Troubled Times.

“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.”  

Dr. Clarrissa Pinkola Estés

That quote gave me hope, which I wrote about as a topic in the newsletter. And those are the kinds of subjects that are important to me. How do we cultivate hope and resilience in our life.

I ended with an update about my book with the question: “What Do An Elephant and I Have in Common?”

No hints on the answer. You have to read the newsletter 😉

August’s newsletter arrives on the fourth Saturday of the month. There’ll be another question having to do with Skittles, but you need to sign up for the newsletter.

Sign up above the teal button on the right margin (for laptops). On your mobile device, the sign-up shows at the bottom of the page. Thank you, and I hope to share a bit of time with you via the newsletter.

Authors, Inspiration

7 Reasons to Sign Up For the Newsletter

photo by Binti Malu for Pexels

Yes, I know. Everyone and their mother (except mine) writes a newsletter. There are quite a few good ones that offer marketing, book reviews, writing, and saving the planet tips. They are all valuable.

Reasons to sign-up for my newsletter:

1- Most of the followers of this blog are on an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed handled by WordPress. While it’s possible to manually add your name to an email list, I’d never add anyone unless they gave me permission.

2- The current MailChimp newsletter subscription box is the only way to get permission. (On the right side above the teal button or if you are on a mobile device, the sign-up is at the bottom). When you sign up, I know you trust me with your inbox, and more importantly, you trust me with your time and attention.

3- Sharing news about my upcoming book (June 2023) will be easier. We can discuss why I wrote this specific book, answer questions, and link to podcasts or interviews about the book’s subjects and themes.

4- When the time gets closer for the book’s debut, the cover reveal, pre-orders, giveaways, and Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) will be announced first in the newsletter.

5- I enjoy sharing inspiring writing, poetry, and links with other readers and don’t want to lose communication with you all.

6- A newsletter is one connection I can make with readers that aren’t part of a Facebook, Twitter, or other social media algorithm that decides what to show to whom.

7- The email list is mine, and I don’t have to worry about a social media network canceling my account.

The monthly newsletter will be sent on the fourth Saturday of the month.

The blog will still exist, but updates will be sporadic and brief. Pretty much listing the subject of the newsletter.

So, I’m ready to get started with this new venture. Delivery will be on the last Saturday of the month (July 23, 2022).

I hope you will sign up. My friend over at The Story Farmer reviewed my trial newsletter. She sent me the nicest comment:

I really enjoyed the (letter) We Are Made For These Times. Your newsletter is comforting and hopeful.

Mikko Cook
pexels.com

And that’s what I intend with the newsletter. To provide a bit of hope. Talk to you soon.