Hi folks!

I have thought myself that word "newsletter" carries a negative association with it. I mean... I see thousands of web pages who offer newsletters. I pretty much hate them ;)

That's why I started to think "what could be better approach?"

First idea I got was not to advert "free newsletter" - I advert "free beta testing sign-up". But then again - that would reduce the target mass quite a lot - not all want to be beta testers!

Then again - I got another idea: free magazine.

Instead of writing a newsletter, I would write one page "magazine" and send it in html format (plus of course LINK to the page - if user's email prog can't handle html) and put some nice images there.

I mean - the only newsletter so far I have liked is the newsletter got from "CGNetworks". They send one page newsletter every month and it has beautiful pictures within.

I thought it wouldn't be big job to create PHP page system for stories & pics to put in the "magazine." using this PHP system would make it very easy to publish the "magazine" once per month - not really harder than publishin a newsletter.

just wanted to share my idea and hear what you guys think of this.

(and hey - it's kind of magazine... you know, you get one page every month ;))

Magazine sounds a lot better to me. Newsletter seams like a company is pushing their information on me, a magazine seems like I am getting something of value.

I like the idea.

the only bad thing about this is that you would get 1/2 of the readers noticing it IS INDEED a newsletter and unsubscribing from you and worst, thinking you are a liar. I certainly would.

Originally posted by Akura
[...]it IS INDEED a newsletter and unsubscribing from you and worst, thinking you are a liar. I certainly would.
I wouldn't expect anything less than that from our head-chopping Samurai friend :)

I hate HTML mails. (for several reasons)
The contents of your mail should matter, not the look of it... If there's nothing interesting inside, people won't register or will unsubscribe no matter the format!

@Akura: hmm... you order free magazine and if you don't like it you can unsubscribe... why would you think someone is lier? if newsletter contains only NEWS but magazine contains hints & tips, strategy guides etc. then I would be happy to call it magazine :)

@StAn: yep, I know many others who hate HTML mails, and that is acceptable - you know, you don't have to order anything you don't wish for... it's pretty much same issue with games: content is what matters, but if there's nice looks that's always a plus ;)

@ggambett: heh

@BlueWaldo: nice to hear that.

anyway - I'm gonna try this. I think I have better chances to get readers & subscribers with this method... I doubt that people would search google for "free newsletter", but I think they could search for "free magazine" ;)

Anyway - these were just my thoughts. If you don't like it that's okay, but if you like it and test it I would happy to hear the results: what people think about it. :)

The best way I found to attract subscribers, is to close the site down. :)

Whenever I redesign my site I close it down and leave only a splash page with just a logo and a subscription form.

During the close down I get about 20 new subscribers each day instead of the occasional one or two.

It's dirty, but it works. :)

Ok, here I'm a head-choppin samurai, at work I'm a ninja with ninja pants (long story) what else can I be called...h mmm :p


Morphecy, the thing is, when I subscribe for a free magazine, thats exactly what I expect to get, a magazine, with a review of various products not only from the game developer, also being able to point bad things on games, giving information about how various companies are doing, tips and tricks for various games, etc. I'm assuming you intend to use this for you company games, and if it is the case, people would notice that the word magazine was just used to mislead them. NOW if you use this for a gaming site (like some people have here, but unfortunally, I forgot who, so maybe thats what you were thinking from the beginning) the it could work, and if it is the case, sorry for the last post, but I'm assuming the first, and if so, then I still see myself as being right :)

ps: newsletters usually contain tips and tricks, walk throughs, links to sites of relevance to the product (like a map depot) and talking about the games in general, it doesn't have to be called a magazine for this.

@Akura: nonono :)

Many companies publish magazine for their customers. I have been working on IT company which published 2 page magazine monthly (yes, they called it magazine) which presented their company). Definition for magazine can't be that it must publish reviews (or anything) from outside world.

Good to hear your opinions - it's always nice to hear fresh ideas comments.