Producing a digital newsletter

[Former_Member]

I am about to start a digital newsletter to connect with the public about my artwork, to offer insights into my work,, competitions, private view invites etc. this will be a first for me and I would love to hear from those who do this. How often to publish etc?
thankyou in advance
Luna

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

I use Mailchimp.
I started with this because it's what my workshop uses and there was someone there to show me the basics about how to use it.
I'm happy with how it's going...

There are at least two schools of thought regarding how often to send it out.
There's the little and often style, and there's less frequently, but more substantial option.

I think that it really depends on what comes naturally to you.
When I started mine, I knew I wouldn't want to write a newsletter too often (it would become a chore for me), so when I asked people to sign up to it, I explicitly told them that I would only be sending a newsletter out 4 or 5 times a year.
I sent out my 6th newsletter last month http://eepurl.com/P9feH

I have a subscribe button on my website and a signing up form linked on my FaceBook page - but don't ask me how I did that now - I can't remember!
https://www.facebook.com/LynnBaileyPrintmaker/app_100265896690345

Would be good to hear what other people's experience of newsletters are...

L

[CLMCovers]

I have in the past used Mailchimp but not anymore. I prefer to focus on Facebook. I know not everyone uses it but I felt too much pressure to send out a monthly newsletter. With Facebook you can use mobiles and tablets to instantly update people with whats happening on a regular basis. It automatically tweets and posts to my blog too. perfect for saving time.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Former_Member]

thanks for replies, decided to go for a seasonal newsletter and to use low tech drawn,, handwritten page which I will hand out at events like Reading art fair and either snail mail or email as people would like. I feel comfortable with this, keeps everyone posted and fun to make and I hope to receive. I will tell you how I get on with it.

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

How's it going with the handwritten/drawn newsletter Luna?

I've only just got round to sending out my 2nd newsletter of this year (7th one in all) http://eepurl.com/18P7v

One of the things about an electronic newsletter is that you can direct people to further information via links. I've given the Made in Etsy team a bit of a shout in this newsletter.
In fact you can be completely nerdy and see who opens the most and which links get clicked the most.
In fact, I'm amusing myself at the moment by looking at how many people out of the 241 people it's been sent to have opened the newsletter since I sent it out 1/2 an hour ago....
....OK, I better go and get a life ;-)

[Former_Member]

i should really do a newsletter....

I know of people who have a newsletter sign up button on their facebook page

and have done a competition for people signing up to the newsletter

as so few people see posts on facebook now....

i like the idea of something short and succinct, just a roundup of new things with photos and links.... but i'm useless at remembering to update my blog let alone a newsletter ;)

i have a good list of email addresses from people who've signed up to mailing list at fairs etc

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

Sent out newsletter #8 a couple of days ago http://eepurl.com/6Ef89

Anyone else caught the habit yet?
Rachel??

It does seem to reach different people to the ones who use FaceBook and Twitter.