E-mail Newsletters, why care?

I love the newsletter. It reminds me that the site exists. The sections I like most are “news” and the links to new stories.
The style of writing is very personal and I think it’s one of the best site newsletters out there. now, don’t let it all go to your head.

I keep reading your newsletter because it’s always thoughtful and well-written. You’re in tune with what’s happening in the world; you write about travel in the context of the real world, not as a commodity to be exploited and consumed.

I subscribed originally because travel is at this point in my life still mostly a fantasy, so reading about round-the-world ticket opportunities is one of my mental escapes. I also love reading travel writing so I enjoy hearing about newly released travel books and essays.

As far as I’m concerned, you guys basically have your finger on the pulse. Keep it up.

I love the newsletter because I have just started exploring and I am always looking for destinations. BUT!!! I don’t like the cheap flights “for yanks/americans” - what about canadians? We don’t like being called Americans - we aren’t Americans. And we certainly are not “Yanks” - PLEASE CHANGE THIS LISTING TO INCLUDE Canadians. (aka. Canucks)

Hate the newsletter? I’m still trying to grasp this notion. Travel is life. It’s certainly mine, anyway. 24/7/365/20+. And your newsletter and site is more than just another huckster selling less than he/she represents. There’s unbiased information from people who’ve actually left their desk/armchair.

If nothing else - even if the newsletter is about only places I have no interest in- not likely - it’s a reminder to visit your site.

I like the newsletter because it reminds me that there’s a world out there that needs exploring, and that I shouldn’t get too comfortable here at my desk when there’s so much more to life.

Hey folks!

First off, want to say the CONTENT of the newsletter is great, so keep up the good work there! What gets me is the organization/presentation. That bit needs to be on point in order to get people to even read the content! So, I’m going to talk to much, as usual, and tell you what I noticed

My suggestions (from the point of view of a reader, not someone who knows what they’re talking about!)

-Add some pictures. HTML emails are a pain, I know, but even if you don’t go through the hassle of putting pics in the email, or the online “front page” of the newsletter, at least try to get some from the article authors. Very few of the articles have pictures in this issue, can’t remember if I’ve noticed it before. Pictures break things up a little, visually, and make articles look less like a long, boring, block of text. Like this longa– comment, if I had a pic of a layout in here you’d be much more inclined to read to see what I was tlaking about! Superficial, yes, but it might help.

-Barring the picture suggestion, even adding some color or other formatting will help. There are a few, cheap, pieces of software out there that offer templates for HTML based email newsletters. Don’t know if that’s an option for you, or if you have one already etc., but doing something that’s more like a newspaper or magazine page, and not just a start-at-the-top-read-straight-down-to-the-bottom thing might make it more visually interesting, and more likely to be read.

-The order of things sometimes seems a bit out of whack in the email version. For example, in the most recent email you have the intro paragraph that led me here. Then you give some money saving tips. Then you talk about the RSS feed… where did that come from? THEN you give the newsletter information… wasn’t that what this email was supposed to be about? Then there’s some more stuff, important, exciting stuff, but it’s not in the web version of the newsletter… so… if I had clicked on the newsletter link thinking the whole thing was in the online version, and forgotten about the email, I would have missed all that good stuff! (If I had clicked the newsletter link before the RSS feed bit I would have missed even more…) Maybe if you put the newsletter link/table of contents right after the info para, and include EVERYTHING that’s in the email on the web version everyone would read everything?

-Choose what you want to emphasize. The money-saving tools are great, but the links are almost lost in the info. People have very short attention spans. Something that screams CLICK HERE TO SAVE MONEY is what will grab their attention. If you’re trying to promote those specific tools/services, make them bigger, bold headings and a simple “click here” link, or something as opposed to losing the title of the thing into a light blue link.

-Promote yourselves more. I mentioned the thing about the tools needing a little more emphasis, but what about the other boots services? Boots adventures, for example, almost gets lost in the shuffle. It’s mentioned, in tiny print, under the featured trip section. What if I had no interest in the Silk Road? I might not click on that link, and, therefore, not notice/realize that Boots Adventures has heaps of other trips, reviews etc. I also almost completely missed the promo for the product newsletter, only caught it the 3rd or 4th time I looked at the email.

-Where can I view past newsletters? Is there an archive anywhere? What if I just signed up and don’t have the old emails to go from?

Like I said guys, I like the content, it’s the packaging/marketing that I think needs a little spice
Tracy

The newspaper is the God of all travel information. I depend on it. Don’t stop.

I really enjoy the newsletter. Sometimes after all the school, and the work. Then looking at my inbox, and noticing the newsletter. It reminds me of my goal in life, and what other things I need to do besides work….. And.. School. Yeah…

I think you’re doing a great job! EVERYTHING can be IMPROVED, so take all these comments from others with a grain of salt. It takes me at least a week to go thru all the good stuff you serve up. I guess site navigation could be improved, some sort of improved sidebar?

Dropped every other travel newsletter but your’s and Lonely Planet.

Will be shopping for new boots and backpack SOON!!! So get those reviews up.

PS: If I ever get to SEA I will definitely stop off in Bali!

Guess it was a little over 3 years ago that I joined, while planning a trip to Ireland. I was so impressed, and still am, with the helpful information about hostels, and have been entertained by some of the stories (Admit that I’ve not read all of them, tending to look mostly for areas that I’d likely be able to see myself. I admit that I’ve been ignorant of the airfare feature, but hope to use that in the future.

Currently, I’m pretty tied down to jor/responsibility at home, but hope to head into job retirement soon (yeah, I’m an old bird, but not so old that I can collect funds yet). And then, I really hope to make more use of your site. It’s fabulous, and I’m very grateful. Have referred friends to BootsnAll, and they’ve reported making good use of the site, too.
Thanks. JoAnn

I always looks forward to the newsletter. Being an old geezer, I find that at times the articles are more youthfully whimsical than I am.

I really appreciate the level of noncommerical honesty in the articles. I get nauseous reading glossy travel accounts - you provide the excitement of travel without the element of middle class ennui.

The newsletter is great and then some. Keep it coming.
Bruce Davis

i look forward to THIS email. it keys me to the general site. the general site is a bit “confused” for getting around. keep sending this email.

i also forward it to less adventurous travellers at work. some of them now also travel in fantasy with your leads to the bna site. jh

Tracy says it all

Why do I still read you e-mail newsletter when I delete so many others that I’ve signed up for over the years?

Number 1 is that it’s so obvious you haven’t bought into marketeering or obvious internet-savvy-take-advantage-of bents. You seem like you are real–folks who actually like to travel and have managed to stay blissfully unaware enough that you can trust the content…..if you ever need an exec admin or almost any other functionallity, I’d apply in a heart-beat and love to work for you guys. The ‘feel’ is the thing that grabs me! I’ve worked for enough silicon.com and marketing avenues where I could think in an analytically business-way that you ‘typically took a mis-step’, but that was part of what actually made me love you so much that I doubt I’d ever not check your emails–unless you take this marketing stuff too seriously and wind up looking like the rest of the lot…..too horrible to contemplate!

I like the individual touch from the emailr–that it’s not too slick–please don’t lose that–there are so many PRed newsletters out there–you somehow still make it feel like I got an email from a friend.

I also like the RTW ticket watch–just keeps reminding me how easy it is to go there–keeps me from diving back into corporate Amwhoreica, reminds me that my best experiences have been travel…it really pushes me to believe and decide that I’ll get back on the road one of these days–every time I get your emails, it kicks my butt back into gear and out of the daily drone of Americanism to be ‘the best’ ….ewww! If everyone could just travel and actually talk to other folks……

I quit my wonderfully ‘acceptable’ job not too long after having a picnic lunch on the Great Wall of China…everyone should have an experience that stirs them that much. Don’t forget to work to capture that passion in all you do, and you will continue to succeed…..sometimes it’s quite simple. Travel is insanely incredible–don’t cover it all up–those who understand will follow, and will appreciate those folks who help lead them there.

I look forward to reading and hearing about just about everything in your emails, your website, etc. Really just about everything that comes from you guys, I like. I don’t participate in some of the discussions or activities as much as I did before. Nevertheless, I read most of the stuff that comes from you and, even if I don’t I would hate to miss your informative information for fear I might want to be about something someday. I hope that makes some sense. I guess I am really saying thanks for your information, articles, etc. Please keep it going. If their is a membership fee or cost that I need to contribute to, please let me know.

Jim Cozart
Nashville, TN
JimNash @aol.com

Tracy, Jim, eil et al,

Thanks a million everyone for this. One thing I know, is that we don’t know shit…so straight on advice like this is a big help.

Keep the comment, both positive and negative coming. We’ll leave this open for anyone who wants to toot our horn or tell us how crap we are.

Cheers,

There are few things I enjoy more than seeing the latest newsletter from you in my mailbox, and if I don’t have the proper amount of time to read it slowly and savor every morsel, I save it until I can sit down and peruse it at my leisure, and I have taken many trips in my daydreams by using your site. I now have a specific day and location where I will be heading, and can’t wait to use some of the things I have learned to good use…..MY use!

However, there is one thing that disturbs me and that is the use of foul language on your site. I avoid people’s blogs because of it, but have found it in other places, such as book titles, etc. I just believe that people intelligent enough to travel extensively should also be smart enough to be able to be able to figure out better ways to express themselves than to use foul words.

Thanks for an otherwise enjoyable site, and thanks for helping me to dream….

hey my dear..
welcom to libya Throughout the Libyan Sahara Desert and the fascinating dunes of Gaberoun Lakes , surprising folk party at the end of the year , amazing desert activities , beyond immagination of human , breath-taking , escaping out of time cycle to desert.
thank you
mahamoud aka …
libya