When I started the email newsletter, it was because someone told me I should have one. I was willing to try it. I imagine it makes great sense to have a giant email list if you have products to sell and you’re a business man.
But–I’m not a business man and I have nothing to sell. The truth is, I don’t enjoy writing the newsletter and that can’t be good for you as readers. Between the book, the blog, and changes at work, I’m spread thin at time. I need to cut out things that I love less.
Whenever I write something here on the blog, inevitably your favorite posts are the ones I loved writing the most. Somehow, my enjoyment comes through and you respond to it, for whatever reason.
Without that enjoyment, I’m not interested in continuing the newsletter. Not for now, anyways.
So thanks for helping me try this out. If I’ve ever written a guest post for you and you have a link in my author bio that leads to the newsletter, I’d appreciate it if you’d take it out.
Thanks!
Josh
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I really admire it when a person can look at all the pressures of life, and calmly and diplomatically get rid of the ones that don’t bring joy. Joy is essential. So, kudos to you!
Laura, thanks. I just don’t want to do anything I can’t do well. This felt adequate, but not cool for anyone–you or me.
That’s ok. Now maybe you’ll have more time to take knitting back up
Megan, I never quit knitting. This will give me more time to put my assassin’s hood back on.
Have you knitted yourself a giant rainbow mumu yet?
Megan, I’m wearing it now.
Good. You should post a picture.
Very cool that you’re cutting out what’s not working for you. I’m struggling with the overcommitment thing right now myself. Full time-plus job as an archaeologist, micro business owner making and selling all-natural bath & body products, a blog on scaling down, and all the angst and extra chores that comes from being a newish homeowner. Gah! What was I thinking? I guess each of the different pieces feeds different things. But, there’s not enough hours in the day to do all of that AND keep myself content with some good reading time daily. Right now, it’s the blog that’s suffering. I ran out of steam, but I still love writing and want to keep it a part of my life. So, kudos for cutting out something that wasn’t your cup o tea. Sigh…I guess I’d better decide if it’s the blog or the body products biz that needs to go. meh.
I fixed your blog post. I am sad to hear about your newsletter not being fun to write because I think I am about to embark on one myself. I’ll let you know how it works out and you let me know if there is anything I should avoid.
Casey, if you want to do it, by all means, do it. I’ll subscribe to it and we’ll talk as we go. Right now, it just wasn’t for me. It’s not that it wasn’t fun, but that it wasn’t as fun. Even having the visual element missing affected it for me. I paid for the email autoresponder, so I’ll come back to it if I can think of a good reason to.
Good to hear someone cutting out something which does not feel good. I admit I’ve an opt-in for a newsletter on my blog cos everyone has one. Honestly I’ve not figured out what to do with it. The only probable reason could be that it fed my ego to know someone reads. Keep well.