I’ve published the Pet Comfort Newsletter 20 weeks in a row! The first issue went out on 16-July-2006 and I haven’t looked back. Here are some things that I’ve learned:

  1. Publishing on a regular basis makes it more likely that I’ll publish on a regular basis. There is inertia in publishing. Get the ball rolling and it’ll keep rolling. The longer is rolls, the longer it rolls.
  2. It is possible to increase subscribers with a couple of simple modifications. First, give readers motivation to subscribe. For example, I give people a free ebook when they subscribe. It’s a compilation of 10 expert articles. Second, it is important to sell your newsletter. Clearly explain the benefits, don’t just ask people to subscribe. Third, put an image on your subscription page. It makes it feel more real and warm.
  3. Proofreading is critical. Even more important, check every single link before sending out your newsletter. Click on every link and make sure they aren’t broken. If you are selling something or you are using affiliate links, like I do with the Pet Comfort Newsletter from time to time, then this is crucial.

I’ve learned a lot more too. My knowledge of usability has definitely helped me understand how to better sell. However, if you’re trying to sell, it is more important to focus on selling than usability. Put another way, usability will improve your product but usability improvements don’t improve sales too much. Marketing improves sales. Great headlines matter. Great copywriting is critical.

Here’s my sales pitch for the Pet Comfort Newsletter. For a limited time only, if you subscribe I will give you a copy of Insider Dog Training Secrets absolutely free. Immediately after you subscribe, you can download this free ebook. I’ll give you the link. That’s $17 in your pocket…

Subscribe now!