E-Zine/Newsletter - Fee or Free?

Hi Gang,

I'm working on a travel site that is slowly taking shape and coming together based on all I've learned here and elsewhere for the past year. I'm currently gearing up for my monthly (or twice monthly) newsletter by preparing the first few months worth of material in advance.

I'm looking at the merits of a fee-based newsletter versus a free one. My site currently lists both, but that isn't going to happen. :-)

I know that I will (obviously) have a larger subscriber base with a free newsletter, and have the opportunity to put ads in front of my subscribers, to help grow a revenue stream.

However, a fee-based newsletter (at $1 per month US) would generate a decent income stream all by itself over time.

I'd love to hear any thoughts or opinions anyone might have on this, particularly those who have tried both.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this board. Your ideas have helped me create what is on the site so far!!

Mike Long




Unfinished.....but prgressing nicely!

DNO = Don Not Open


homebusiness-websites.com

Wow, good question, one I admittedly didn't think about....

I'm mostly looking to sell information about dining, lodging and little-known destinations in the state. Most of what I am gathering is available on the web, but I know that not everyone is willing to put in the dozens of hours of research that it takes to put together this kind of package for a single vacation.

Ideally, I would produce a free newsletter with teaser information on various destinations and road trips, then lead folks to where they can purchase the complete book of information.

I'm just trying to figure out if there is a better way to achieve this.

Thanks!

Mike Long


It's still taking shape...I'd love your input!

Mike,

I'd go with a free newsletter, then lead them to the site promoting the sale of information.

Also, if you get this all worked out, Mike McGroarty has a program promoting vacation things that might be of interest!

Pete

> Wow, good question, one I admittedly didn't
> think about....

> I'm mostly looking to sell information about
> dining, lodging and little-known
> destinations in the state. Most of what I am
> gathering is available on the web, but I
> know that not everyone is willing to put in
> the dozens of hours of research that it
> takes to put together this kind of package
> for a single vacation.

> Ideally, I would produce a free newsletter
> with teaser information on various
> destinations and road trips, then lead folks
> to where they can purchase the complete book
> of information.

> I'm just trying to figure out if there is a
> better way to achieve this.

> Thanks!

> Mike Long




Marketer's "Secret Weapon"

Mike,
I'm trying something out that may assist you, too.
I have a free e-zine. First step toward possibly of pay - either getting paid for my ezine OR being paid for much more for my articles - is that I created a password protected Subscriber Only part of my website. My readers know the password and ID. I plan to change it quarterly. My readers get access to all my free articles and ebooks/reports.

In order to get into this new area of my site from the site, you have to subscribe to my e-zine.

On the old articles list page, which I left, I have a few articles they can download and then let people know where they can find the other articles (I left all the titles on that old page but removed the links).

I'm getting fewer people join my e-zine ... which is OK with me... because I want quality. I want people who take the time to visit my website and really want to join my e-zine. They're apt (I hope) to be higher quality visitors and potential clients.

Hope this is clear ... if not, LMK. It's just an idea I'm testing out.




Maria's Place: Elevating You!