Double Opt-in Profitability

When to start a newsletter after X number of users?

[dreamache]

I just started collecting emails about 20 days ago from a web designer / graphics related site that I own. They are double opt-in. And the newsletter states it's a weekly newsletter.

I currently have 238 total emails, 122 of which have confirmed.

What I want to know is should I even bother starting the newsletter with so little subscribers? My plan for the actual newsletter will be to include a featured product review (probably start out as an affiliate somewhere at first), and then also provide links to the latest design trends and tutorials.

With only so few, I'm wondering if the effort it takes to prepare and send out the newsletter is worth it with the few subscribers I currently have.

Thanks.

[onlineleben]

...should I even bother starting the newsletter with so little subscribers?

Yes, I started with even less and it pays. You not only get in front of your audience, but you also can practice your copywriting and the administration of your newsletter.

...the newsletter states it's a weekly newsletter

then you should write on a weekly basis. If you don't have enough content yet, remove the weekly and write when you have enough to tell.

I currently have 238 total emails, 122 of which have confirmed.

A good confirmation rate. You definitely have an audience that is interested in your topic - Go and write (and sell)

[piatkow]

From comments that I have seen on other forums that is an excellent opt-in rate.

You have to start somewhere so why not with 122 subscribers. If the newsletter is worthwhile in your niche then word will get out and you will get more subscribers.

[dreamache]

Ok great. Thanks for the responses. Now I'm just at the point of considering going through a hosted solution or getting a script and running it off my own server.

[edited by: phranque at 11:01 am (utc) on Aug. 29, 2008]
[edit reason] hosting specifics [/edit]

[maximillianos]

I would recommend a hosted solution. Let someone else worry about getting your newsletter delivered. You can focus on the content.

We use Feedburner to send our newsletter out. It is free. Not as cuatomizable as some of the others, but again, it is free. :-)

[tangor]

Check out the hosting companies out there. Many have listservs installed which work quite well. (Been using Majordomo for many years)

[D_Blackwell]

I would recommend a hosted solution. Let someone else worry about getting your newsletter delivered.

We're giving [one of the email marketing solutions] a look with a new site. Started them with 1,000 paid emails that we feel are likely to be well targeted. However, that list wasn't opted-in by us personally, so using their initial opt-in email request which essentially 'asks permission' to be added to our newsletter or marketing list.

It's been three days. 10% opt-in and 10% opt-out, 80% no response, and responses dying off fast. Can't complain. We will rephrase the 'opt-in permission email' and hit the no response "Pendings" again in a week or so. Going with the 'opt-in permission' email before just sending a marketing email or newsletter probably cuts into us pretty good, but I really like the option, because that opt-in list is now rock solid, I'm happy to make a clean break with the opt-outs - and hopefully I can get another 10%- 15% with the second 'permissions' round. Maybe a little rephrasing to the text will help bump us up a notch.

Also have the option of full bore double opt-in with them, before actually sending marketing or newsletter, but overkill for me in this situation. Feel good with my opt-ins and they will always have the opportunity to opt-out at any time.

Definitely want a reliable buffer between myself and anyone who thinks that they are getting spammed. You want off my list - you are off - forever - happy to do it.

Can't believe the low threshold of some people so I definitely want a service to help out there. Honest From line, Subject line - a short, clean, concise text message..... and still, sometimes you'd think the sky was falling. I get bombed with real spam.

[edited by: phranque at 3:19 am (utc) on Sep. 1, 2008]
[edit reason] specifics [/edit]