You might be wondering: After five years of writing a Google Doc called “Not a Newsletter,” what would I title this new, weekly newsletter? There were certainly some goofy options on the table:

• It’s a Newsletter
• Now a Newsletter
• Not a Google Doc

But I realized: It’s not about the name anymore. This newsletter will succeed based on the quality of the content I bring you every week. (And I’ve got a good one this week!)

So welcome to the first issue of the — boringly titled, I’m afraid — Inbox Collective weekly newsletter. Every Wednesday, I’ll send you original stories and guides to help you build your best email strategy.

I’m eager for your feedback. What do you want to read more about? What do you think about the new format? My inbox is always open — and as many of you know, I respond to every single email. dan@inboxcollective.com is the best way to reach me!

Welcome! I’m thrilled to have you here on this next step of the journey.

—Dan

p.s. If you missed last week’s announcement, here’s why I’m shutting down Not a Newsletter.

Earlier this summer, a longtime reader, Jared Newman, emailed me with some news. Jared writes two different newsletters: Cord Cutter Weekly, a free newsletter, and Advisorator, a paid newsletter. For years, he’d been trying to figure out the best way to convert free readers to paying subscribers.

“After a few years of experimentation, I’ve finally found a simple, reliable way to convert more readers of my free tech advice newsletter into paid subscribers,” he told me. Did I think readers like you might want to read about what he’d learned?

I absolutely did.

Jared’s big lesson might seem counterintuitive, but it’s exactly the advice I’ve given many clients and readers over the years: Often, giving away free content first is the best way to get a reader to pay.

Here’s what Jared learned, in his own words — and why it worked so well.

This week, Spam Resource’s Al Iverson reported that Gmail is rejecting any unauthenticated emails. First, the scary part: That means that if your emails aren’t authenticated using either SPF or DKIM, the two most important email authentication protocols, your newsletter won’t be delivered to the inbox.

Now, the good news: Pretty much every email service provider is already handling SPF and DKIM for you. But this is a perfect time to double check to make sure things are set up the way you want. Here’s a quick guide to check your settings. 

(There are only two options here: PASS or FAIL. And I'm betting you can guess which is the one you want!)

I’m thrilled that Inbox Collective sold out its presenting sponsorships for 2023. (Big thanks again to Beehiiv, Litmus, and Who Sponsors Stuff for their support of our work!) And with 2024 around the corner, I’m opening up slots for four presenting sponsors for the new year.

Want to reach an audience of 10k+ newsletter operators every week? Here’s more about what a presenting sponsorship entails. Reply to this newsletter if you’re curious — let’s talk.

💌 Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Sign up for Inbox Collective’s weekly newsletter here.

📬 Want to work with Inbox Collective? Here’s how I can help you.

🎯 Want to reach an audience of 10,000+ people in the email space? Here’s how to become an advertising partner.

🍴 Interested in attending Dine & Deliver, a dinner series presented by LiveIntent? Apply here.

✍️ Looking to hire or be hired in 2023? Join the Inbox Collective talent collective.

 

 

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