Newsletter details

[Arwyn]

Here are some things I think need to be answered fairly first-off (listed in no particular order).

1) When does the newsletter start?

2) To whom does it go? (That is, does everyone registered to the site get it, just members, just people who supply an email, just people who opt in?)

3) What's in it? (I have some ideas from experience with other newsletters, but I'd like to hear from others, especially Pam)

4) How often does it go out? (Do I remember hearing monthly? I think that would be a good rate for a group our size)

5) What's the name? (I have LOTS of ideas for this, but then, I like naming things 8))

That's what I can think of for now.

Who all else is out there? How many people are we gonna have working on this?

This is gonna be fun. :crazy

[pamelamama]

My answers in RED :D

Here are some things I think need to be answered fairly first-off (listed in no particular order).

1) When does the newsletter start?

That's up to us... whenever we can get it going I'd say


2) To whom does it go? (That is, does everyone registered to the site get it, just members, just people who supply an email, just people who opt in?)

We need to decide :)


3) What's in it? (I have some ideas from experience with other newsletters, but I'd like to hear from others, especially Pam)

We need to decide :)


4) How often does it go out? (Do I remember hearing monthly? I think that would be a good rate for a group our size)

We need to decide :) Monthly seems doable!

5) What's the name? (I have LOTS of ideas for this, but then, I like naming things 8))

We need to decide :) Clever ideas welcome!

That's what I can think of for now.

Who all else is out there? How many people are we gonna have working on this?

This is gonna be fun. :crazy

I think we'll have Emily/Chikn, Ravingcutie/Katie, and you Arwyn!

[Arwyn]

All right, my opinions:

1) I think we should try to get the first one out co-ordinated with the membership/fundraising drive - either at the start of the official week as an incentive, or at the end as a reward. (Either way, it should be tied in, with news about how it went or what's going to happen) Or, just whenever we can get it going! :)

2) Opting in, definitely. Is this a forum-only newsletter, or will it be for all those interested in Wooly Wonder goings-on? (That is, will there be a "subscribe to the newsletter!" option on the website?) Is there anywhere else subscriptions may be coming from? And for opting in, how does one go about doing that? I think the safest way (that is, least likely to get our subscribers on spam lists) would be to have them email "newsletter" or "subscription" @woolywonder.com. Emily, you were talking about the newsletter program, so are you taking on that part? If so, maybe Pam should forward everything going to that addy to you so you can manage the list (or is that not something you want to do?).

3) What goes in the newsletter depends on to whom it goes. News of woolywonder.com, of course (that is, any new patterns, updates, upcoming sales, etc), and news of the forums (I think that membership info and supersheep advances should be included, ala mothering magazine's weekly mailing. Also possibly who's been tagged with what funny avatar-thingies, what the heck are those called??). Other ideas are pickings of wide interest culled from the forums, like if a new technique link has been posted, a new WAHM has listed, classes are being discussed or started, etc. Another possible idea, if we want to get that involved, is to write a feature or a theme of features, that is, have people share tips on dyeing, spinning, knitting techniques or styles, etc. That's much more involved, though. I'm sure I'm missing some obvious things - any other ideas?

4) Monthly is a good goal, but it definitely depends on: a) our ability; b) consumer demand; c) what we have to supply.

5) I'm gonna start a new name thread. :sly:

[ravingcutie]

I think we should do the fun feature in a newsletter that goes to members only - as a perk.

[Chikn]

Here are the ideas I emailed to Pam.

We could post about knit-alongs and freebies and current discussions. As well as current and upcoming classes, new patterns, etc. It might be a good place to offer an advertisement also, maybe limit it to one ad per newsletter, like a featured advertiser or something. THere could be one short article on something new (or unknown to you earlier) in the knitting world. Like knitting videos at www.whatever.com or free patterns at www.yaddayaddayadda.com or a review of a yarn like peacefleece or cascade220 or whatever.


And to answer your questions:

1) When does the newsletter start? I would guess November 1st or later. I doubt we can be ready by October 1st. Maybe we plan to start it at the start of the new year?

2) To whom does it go? (That is, does everyone registered to the site get it, just members, just people who supply an email, just people who opt in?) I think it should go to everyone registered here, everyone on the Yahoo group and anyone else that opts in/signs up.

3) What's in it? (I have some ideas from experience with other newsletters, but I'd like to hear from others, especially Pam) See my ideas above.

4) How often does it go out? (Do I remember hearing monthly? I think that would be a good rate for a group our size) I agree with monthly.

5) What's the name? (I have LOTS of ideas for this, but then, I like naming things ) Wooly Wonderful News? Heh. I'm no good at names.

[ravingcutie]

Have we decided? Pam's input?

Should we feature articles by local heros like Theresa?

I think our first article should be on using KY for dyeing! :lol:

[ravingcutie]

Please post! I'm lonely. :ribbit

[Chikn]

Ok, it must be time to organize! ;) So, let's make a list of our brainstormings thus far. Then we can start to make some decisions about it.

1) When does the newsletter start?
That's up to us... whenever we can get it going I'd say
I think we should try to get the first one out co-ordinated with the membership/fundraising drive - either at the start of the official week as an incentive, or at the end as a reward. (Either way, it should be tied in, with news about how it went or what's going to happen) Or, just whenever we can get it going!
I would guess November 1st or later. I doubt we can be ready by October 1st. Maybe we plan to start it at the start of the new year?


2) To whom does it go? (That is, does everyone registered to the site get it, just members, just people who supply an email, just people who opt in?)
Opting in, definitely. Is this a forum-only newsletter, or will it be for all those interested in Wooly Wonder goings-on? (That is, will there be a "subscribe to the newsletter!" option on the website?) Is there anywhere else subscriptions may be coming from? And for opting in, how does one go about doing that? I think the safest way (that is, least likely to get our subscribers on spam lists) would be to have them email "newsletter" or "subscription" @woolywonder.com. Emily, you were talking about the newsletter program, so are you taking on that part? If so, maybe Pam should forward everything going to that addy to you so you can manage the list (or is that not something you want to do?).
I think it should go to everyone registered here, everyone on the Yahoo group and anyone else that opts in/signs up.

3) What's in it? (I have some ideas from experience with other newsletters, but I'd like to hear from others, especially Pam)
What goes in the newsletter depends on to whom it goes. News of woolywonder.com, of course (that is, any new patterns, updates, upcoming sales, etc), and news of the forums (I think that membership info and supersheep advances should be included, ala mothering magazine's weekly mailing. Also possibly who's been tagged with what funny avatar-thingies, what the heck are those called??). Other ideas are pickings of wide interest culled from the forums, like if a new technique link has been posted, a new WAHM has listed, classes are being discussed or started, etc. Another possible idea, if we want to get that involved, is to write a feature or a theme of features, that is, have people share tips on dyeing, spinning, knitting techniques or styles, etc. That's much more involved, though. I'm sure I'm missing some obvious things - any other ideas?
We could post about knit-alongs and freebies and current discussions. As well as current and upcoming classes, new patterns, etc. It might be a good place to offer an advertisement also, maybe limit it to one ad per newsletter, like a featured advertiser or something. THere could be one short article on something new (or unknown to you earlier) in the knitting world. Like knitting videos at www.whatever.com or free patterns at www.yaddayaddayadda.com or a review of a yarn like peacefleece or cascade220 or whatever.

4) How often does it go out? (Do I remember hearing monthly? I think that would be a good rate for a group our size)
Monthly is a good goal, but it definitely depends on: a) our ability; b) consumer demand; c) what we have to supply
I agree with monthly.

5) What's the name? (I have LOTS of ideas for this, but then, I like naming things )
I'm gonna start a new name thread
Wooly Wonderful News? Heh. I'm no good at names.


Anyone have any ideas they would like to add to this before we start making decisions?

[ravingcutie]

I'm good with what's been posted. I'm not very particular about the when, where, etc because I think you all have good ideas. I'm really looking forward to the creative end.

How's the newsletter going out? It could be another advertising option for Pam.