Know-How Exchange : E-Marketing

Hi acrowther,

The number of entries/articles that you can have before it loses impact is ultimately not as important as the total length in number of words.

For "normal" readers, an accepted rule of thumb is to keep it at 500-700 words, this should be enough to keep your subscribers updated without them bailing out early or unsubscribing.

Many studies have been done that reach the same conclusion that the less people have to read on a computer screen the more apt they are to finish an article, newsletter etc., and the happier they are.

Studies also show that people "scan" websites and newsletters because they like to read as little as possible to get the message.

Because of this, if your e-newsletter is too long, people will bail out early and delete it or worse yet, if it always too long, they will eventually unsubscribe.

Another thing that will happen regardless of how good it is or how much positive feedback you get, is that after a while readers, although they want to read it, because they know it is always "too long" will tend to "save it to read later". Of course, what happens is they eventually delete it without reading it because who really reads "saved for later" email?

I hope that helps.

I would consider only one (1,500 words) to cover a subject in depth. You could add "tips' or "news" sections written in summary form.

just a thought