My post “Is email the new blogging” was quite popular. So, although I’m not giving up on either blogging or reading blogs, I figured I’d give you a list of some of the better e-mail newsletters out there that I subscribe to. Because I’m a blogger, ex-journalist and I work in marketing and public relations, these newsletter choices mostly reflect those parts of my life.
Even if I wanted to rank these, I couldn’t, because they’re too different. So I’ve listed them in alphabetical order.
Social media expert Chris Brogan has a great blog (I recommend it), but also a great email newsletter that provides additional content beyond what’s on the blog. Worth signing up for if you’re interested in social media.
There’s a blog, a book and more, including an email newsletter, that are all part of John Jantsch’s acclaimed Duct Tape Marketing. The focus here is on effective marketing for small businesses.
This is one of the few on this list that’s not focused on marketing and public relations. But as a marketer, or writer, or really just as a person, it’s important not to get so wrapped up in your daily professional concerns that you forget the big picture. And Edge.org is devoted to the big picture.
If you’re in public relations, or you just want to offer your expertise to reporters when they might need it, or if you’re a reporter who needs experts from time to time, then check out Peter Shankman’s Help a Reporter Out. It’s three emails a day, so the volume is pretty high, but I think this has become a must-read for many people, like myself, doing public relations work.
Calacanis created a stir when he stopped blogging and declared that blogging was over. But he’s still twittering and doing other things, and he’s launched an email newsletter. It comes irregularly, but it’s smart and insightful. Calacanis has started some companies and made a lot of money on the Internet, so he’s worth listening to. As a bonus, he almost always asks questions and seeks feedback, so there’s at least a little interactivity built into this newsletter. Note that he is asking people to use their real names now (I don’t know how, or if, he confirms these) when they sign up.
MarketingSherpa has great content on a variety of topics, everything from email marketing to interviews. A paid subscription to all of the content is pricey, but there are free email newsletters that get you access to some content for free. And even the free stuff is valuable.
I’m often too busy to actually listen to NPR’s weekly On The Media show, but there’s also a website an email newsletter that will alert you to what’s on the show. I tend to think of On The Media as smart reporting by mainstream media mostly on the mainstream media. But it gives you a pretty good look into the issues that big media and mainstream journalists are often preoccupied with.
Darren Rowse is one of the real authorities on making money with a blog. His blog is great for tips and ideas about how to be a better blogger, but his weekly newsletter adds some additional content beyond what’s on the blog. If you blog and want to do it better, even if you don’t want to make money on it, it’s worth reading his blog and also getting the newsletter.
This site bills itself as focusing on “Why Customers Buy (And Why They Don’t).” The free newsletter is interesting, and often has links to other useful (and free) information.
The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week
Joan Stewart’s newsletter is full of creative public relations and media relations tips, as well as links to training opportunities.
What email newsletters do you subscribe to that you find valuable? Leave a link in the comments.
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An interesting list and a bit different from “the ten best business blogs” type lists.
Email is an effective way to build up relationships with people through a regular newsletter.
I haven’t made the list but people say some very nice things to me about my newsletter and I’m delighted with my ongoing readership rates.
Unfortunately it is so easy to sign up for newsletters but when it comes to crunch time, they are never opened and read.
Mark, what an honor to be mentoined on your list!
A few others on your list (Marketing Sherpa, ProBlogger)
are my favorites, too. An ezine is a fabulous way to stay in front of your target audience regularly, promote your expertise, and sell.
I have an ezine, Communication Expressway, which targets people in offices, etc. I will go through your list and study the ezines in the hope that I can improve my own work.