Mastodon! What's your favourite newsletter format? Why?
Feel free to mention specific newsletters, but I'm more interested if for example, you prefer:
1. Short, text-only, bullet-piunts with to-the point links.
2. Lots of images to scroll through to make it a beautiful experience.
3. Something else?
(I have my suspicions about what this crowd will like, but we'll see)
@dajbelshaw I like variety. I wouldn’t want all newsletters I subscribe to be just lists of links. For me I think most importantly is how it’s set out - plenty of white space and clear section breaks
@dajbelshaw I had some feedback on my newsletter that’s making me think about format too. I’m considering whether to change approach. Am planning to ask the readers next week. Will be interested what response you get too
@ekcragg Thanks Emma! I always enjoy Austin Kleon's newsletter, which is basically 10 bullet-pointed sentences. It's to the point.
@dajbelshaw my favorite newsletter is Hypatia Text Protocol: https://www.patreon.com/hypatiatext
@dajbelshaw 1
Because I am always short on time.
@dajbelshaw katexic I is my favourite email newsletter most others I try to find RSS for (I like your thought shrapnel feed).
Not sure why katexic Perhaps because it doesn’t have that notice about looking better in the browser, so designed for mail (no images)?
It’s content is especially good for Sunday evening too.
I guess I like pretty plain for email.
@johnjohnston Nice! Have subscribed 👍
@dajbelshaw I don't really pay much attention to 'format', I am more interested in the person and the story told. I love the personal nature of Laura Hilliger's rambling reflections and the structured collections of Ian O'Byrne. I am sometimes sceptical of newsletters which are really means of summary and self-promotion. I think that Austin Kleon is someone who gets that balance right.
(https://collect.readwriterespond.com/favourite-newsletter-format/)
@mrkrndvs Thanks Aaron! You're right, I guess it depends on the author and whether the format fits their style.
I guess I wouldn't enjoy @Downes' OLDaily if it was like @epilepticrabbit's Freshly Brewed Thoughts (and vice versa)
@dajbelshaw @epilepticrabbit @mrkrndvs
You never know. Maybe I've just had the format wrong all these years and that's why the newsletter never really took off...
@dajbelshaw @epilepticrabbit @mrkrndvs
p.s. from one conversation, a wonderful rabbit hole - and the source of three new sources, three new OLDaily articles (with the promise of more to come).
https://www.downes.ca/post/68230
https://www.downes.ca/post/68231
https://www.downes.ca/post/68232
So, thanks.
@dajbelshaw I like links and curation notes. Images are fine but not what gets me reading. I look for voice of newsletter curator most of all.
@dogtrax Good feedback, thanks!
@dajbelshaw 1, since I usually subscribe to newsletters to get notified of something, which bullet points do much more effectively than option 2.