Subscribe to eNJ and receive a complimentary copy of the e-newsletter bible — A Marketer’s Guide to e-Newsletter Publishing.

Before we send each newsletter, we run it through an application to check the chances of the issue getting shot into your junk folder. One of the results we've received said, "Shouting markup." No explanation. That was THE explanation. We figured out that it is the use of bold, headers (h1, h2, etc.) and emphasis (AKA italics). It's frustrating to see legitimate email newsletters using misspelling tactics like fr.ee and spaham to avoid the garbage pile. Who makes these rules? That's the rant ... feature of this issue.

I can relate to the writer who asked how standing out as fast, reliable and high quality isn't unique — it's expected of writers. The responses hit all the right spots especially the one about having a niche — I'm guilty of the Jane of all trades problem. A business with a niche can hone its marketing activities and improve its chances of hitting the bull's eye.

The new question asks how to boost email newsletter subscriptions. Some of you can probably relate. We hope some of you have found answers so the reader can learn from you. What's keeping you awake at night? Let us help you with your writing or online marketing bugbear. If you request it, your name won't be published. Heck, you aren't required to share your name or any other info — just submit your question. To encourage sharing (OK, I admit it — we are bribing you with a prize so we can see lots of responses and questions), we enter your name into a drawing for brand new spankin' pair of Garmin Rino 100 MP3 GPS.

What do you think of during the ninth month of the year? School. Autumn. 9/11. Sapphire (birthstone). Football (maybe not where you are, but I'm in Texas — you know how we are about our football). Well, actually, why do we call it football instead of something else? Soccer should be known as football since that's what most countries call the sport. Did you know that September comes from the Latin <>septem, which means seven? September was the seventh month of the Roman Calendar. Can you imagine calling July "September" and vice versa?

I sound like a three-year-old asking "why" questions. I have one more question, if you can bear with me — how is this newsletter doing in providing you with information you can use? The feedback form takes six to 69 seconds to do depending how much you share. You know what? Since newsletters are of interest to you — what statistics do you wish you knew about newsletters? Just put it in the comments section. Maybe we'll do a poll next time and give you the stats you want.

Enjoy eNJ!

Best,
Meryl
Editor, eNJ

P.S. If you forward the newsletter (see top) to friends and colleagues, you receive a complimentary copy of the e-book that has received many compliments, A Marketer's Guide to e-Newsletter Publishing, a $24.95 value.

Get to the Head of the Writing Class

I write and edit for businesses to help their marketing and sales efforts. It’s frustrating because everywhere I go I see others who are doing the same thing. Since many businesses provide a unique selling proposition along with their list of accomplishments, I thought it would help me to do the same. I’ve been struggling to do this. Yet I do make it clear that I am reliable in meeting deadlines. How does a writer stand out from the competition?

— Jane, Freelance Writer

We've contributed articles to other newsletters and Web sites to improve our visibility. We mention our newsletter in our bio and ensure it's easy to find when people come to our Web site, as it's our call to action. We also use a blog and let people know when a new issue is out. In other words, we integrate a lot of our content resources so they can help us gain more readers. But our subscription rates are climbing slower than a snail.

We've asked readers for feedback, and they love our content. We read newsletters like yours and follow advice. Nothing works! What can we do to get more subscribers?