Should We Change Our InfoAve Premium Newsletter? [PLEASE VOTE]
Over the past year or so, we’ve seen a decline in the number of subscribers who receive our newsletter. We lost thousands of subscribers when Yahoo decided to delete our Premium newsletter as soon as it arrived so subscribers with Yahoo accounts didn’t even know we had sent the newsletter too them.
Now, it appears other ISPs and mail services are filtering and blocking our newsletter depending on its content. Some weeks we get good delivery rates, and some weeks they’re not so good. Our newsletter is vital to our survival – it keeps us in touch with you.
We’ve been thinking of ways we can reach more of our subscribers with less interference from ISPs and mail services. One of the ways we think we could accomplish this is by making our Premium newsletter a summary newsletter. Each tip, trick, question & answer, freeware pick, etc. Would be summarized in our Premium newsletter and a link to read the entire article would be included. This would shorten the newsletter that is sent to our subscribers, while allowing us to keep all of the content. But it really does not matter what we think, it’s what you think that matters. So, we are reaching out to you. We’ve put together a very short & simple poll so you can vote on what you think we ought to do going forward. Your opinion matters, so majority rules.
Please help us decide what Cloudeight InfoAve Premium will be going forward. Vote in our poll – feel free to comment or write in a suggestion. Thank you in advance for your help.
[polldaddy poll=9735593]
I don’t see a link to your poll. Have I missed it?
I think the summary newsletter is a good idea.
I answered you personally – with a screen shot. Make sure you’re using compatible browser.
It is right there at the bottom of the email. Black box with white and yellow text with the questions.
MY CONCERN, MORE THAN THE FORMAT, IS HOW AND WHY OUR ISP CAN DETERMINE WHAT EMAILS WE CAN RECEIVE OR NOT. THAT IS CENSORSHIP AND THAT TO ME IS THE BIGGER ISSUE. IF WE SIGN UP TO RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM A COMPANY, NO ONE SHOULD STEP IN AND SAY WE CAN’T RECEIVE IT AND BLOCK IT, UNLESS IT INVOLVES CRIMINAL INTENT AND/OR ACTIVITY.
I GUESS ANYWAY YOU CAN GET THE NEWSLETTER TO US IS THE BEST SO WHATEVER YOU DETERMINE IS THE BEST AND EASIEST FOR YOU IS FINE. I JUST DON’T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING.
It doesn’t matter to me & that is the way I voted.
My concern for you is, if the regular newsletter is being blocked by ISP’s, will the summary newsletter be blocked as well?
Maybe a week of the summary newsletter as a test would be appropriate to see if the ISP’s still block it. I would hate to see you go to the trouble of putting a summary newsletter together only to have the same thing happen.
There would be less chance (we think) of it being block because most ISPs block by keywords in content. There’s just no way when the newsletter is full of 200-500 word tips/tricks/answers to spend time looking for words which ISPs may block. So, summarizing would at least eliminate most of the words, and the whole article will still be available online.
A summary would be great especially if you are searching for a particular item. An index would also be nice. Maybe set up catagories that items could be grouped under.
In the poll, I said either way is fine with me. I want you guys to do whatever gets the most results for you. I switched my email address to gmail years ago, for all the membership lists I belong to. The reason I switched was because of Verizon’s spam filters, and blatant lies about “blocking”. After turning OFF their spam filters, I had no problem….except for the blocking.
Way back then, I suggested that your InfoAve email ONLY state the link to read it online. I still think that’s the least bothersome way for you to let us know when its ready, and probably the only way you can avoid ISP interference. Many of the other subscription lists I belong to changed their ways a long time ago. Now they just say “your newsletter is ready. Read it “here”.
As for the Yahoo subscribers who left you, it’s a shame they didn’t listen to you and the rest of us about dumping Yahoo like a hot potato. It’s a problem they could have easily fixed themselves many times over the last 10 years.
.
Maybe you could recover some of those subscribers if you sent an email, JUST to those Yahoo people.
asking them to “renew or verify or update” their membership, and at the same time send the link to “read InfoAve online”
It’s worth a try.
ISP’s don’t care, and under present Government intentions, they’ll care even less. Next struggle will be for people like you to afford to keep your website up, and people like me to afford to access it.
Do you have a Facebook page?
I wondered if it would be possible and maybe a little simpler if you sent out your weekly newsletter with just a summery of what it contains and a link to read the entire newsletter online. That way both you and your readers would not have to go back and forth between each article to entirely read it
I think a summary would be great. Sometimes the InfoAve Premium is a bit long for me. With a summary I could read just the articles that interest me. I haven’t had a problem receiving the daily or Premium emails.
I like the newsletter the way it is, but the important point is to avoid it getting blocked. For that reason I voted for the first option, not knowing if it WOULD make any difference, but it might.
I voted to leave like it is, but after considering the alternatives and the freedom of losing subscribers, I would support the concept of a brief email stating the premium newsletter can be seen online and adding a link to your website.
I wondered if it would be possible and maybe a little simpler if you sent out your weekly newsletter with just a summery of what it contains and a link to read the entire newsletter online. That way both you and your readers would not have to go back and forth between each article to entirely read it
I voted to keep it as it is, but I’m torn because I want you to do what is best for you in order to keep receiving your newsletter and all the great info you have for us. I’ve not had any problems receiving the newsletter, but if it helps to change in order to reach more people, then go for it. I’m just thankful you are here for us!
I also voted either way..?? but it appears that readers are commenting that a summary Newsletter with links could cause less delivery hassles for you (and subscribers)
It is a shame that honest and truthful comments are being blocked and interfered with as described by you over the past years.
We need to support you as much as possible.
Regards from Down Under.
My utility company sends an e-mail saying the bill is ready to download with “a link”. I can then view it online and/or download. Easy!!!!!!!!!!.
Would not want to have to click on each article individually to read the entire letter. My home page is “http://thundercloud.net/start/ ” so I can read the newsletter from that or chose to read only one of your articles.
Hi TC and EB,
I have voted for the Summary Newsletter, however I don’t mind seeing the full Newsletter when it arrives in my inbox.
I note that in the Sunday Info Avenue Daily Tips there is always a Link to the current edition of the Premium Newsletter, so if a summary for the latest edition is sent through, I would still have access to the latest tips and tricks.
As you say, majority rules so either way suits me.
All the best ,
Ric
Some members in South Africa have our own “Team Viewer” program for sorting out problems. Mine is free from a Technician I have known for a long time. He built my new computer and arranged everything on Windows 10 to be as near to my old system as possible. I love getting the tips though, so keep those going. I store those for future reference.
I also love the essays. Don’t stop those because they are so thought provoking.
with all the crap that ISP’s allow through i find it very disheartening that they would pick on something as valuable and informative as your newsletter. either will work for me.
I voted for the summary. But I favor whatever it takes for your survival!
I voted either way. Whatever is BEST for you. I use g-mail and have no problem on my end. My wonder is why do folks do not use your start page as their home page. Maybe because I have never had a home page except yours but I go to it daily. The link there is how I get to my g-mail. I get my local weather there. You have a link there for the Premium Newsletter pages. The tips in the left-hand middle column I go to everyday and save those links in a C8 Tips Links folder. When I need to know how to do something I just look there for an article to pull up plus you have a link on your page for themas well. Your direct care link is there. There is so much info there folks should really check it out. http://thundercloud.net/start/
Jean, I think you said it best. Much info. and tips and as long as one can easily get to them it will be great.
Your newsletter has helped me so many times I’ve lost count. I am not a techie savvy computer operator. But your computer tips, suggestions and warnings have helped me more than you can imagine. Helped me to stay clear of scams and recommended sites that would be helpful or even just fun. I love it just the way it is, but no matter what I just want to keep it coming to my email box. And I want what is best for Cloudeight because without you guys, there would be a ton of us out here as lost as a ball in high weeds. Jus Sayin’!
Morning
I voted for a summary w/links. I feel that it would be easier to read & find the articles that relate to your computer.
I am still running windows 7 & will not upgrade to windows 10 till I need to replace this computer. Most of your articles are related to windows 10 & do not apply to me yet.
Keep up the GREAT work your newsletter is the only one that I subscribe to now.
Hi TC and Darcy,
I still use 7 and will for as long as possible.The hassles I’ve seen you dealing with concerning 8 and 10 just put me off completely. I would even go pack XP if I could. As a result I voted for the summary edition since it would save a lot of time by pointing me straight to the articles that are relevant to my interest.
It would be interesting to know what the ISP censors (fascisti!) find undesirable in the main edition of the newsletter.
Surely it isn’t your delightful sense of humour.It might be though because they seem to be rather short of that commodity!
The motto is KOKO
John H
NB: from some news I found a little while back, Yahoo was being declared practically unusable for some reason or other. Security? Prone to hacking? Who knows? But Yahoo users should have known, taken fright, land left in droves.
Sorry had to go through your “comment” section. I do not have any problems with my ISP and receive all daily and Premium emails.
I also think a summary would be great as I could read what interests me most.
But do what you think is best for all and keep up your good work.
As I am rather a new comer to Cloudeight and live in Australia, I voted either way. Your newsletter is the only one that I have subscribed to, because I have Norton antivirus I have to ignore the warning they have put on your website so makes it a longer task to actually open the newsletter so if having links would avoid the problem with Norton users then go with whatever will make it better for you guys.
I have been saving the newsletter into a folder for reference and also your tips I copy & paste those as well.
Loving it, please keep it coming.
Hi EB and TC,
I too voted for a summary with links. This way I can pick & choose what I wish to read and to save (I’m still using Win-7). You people have saved MANY subscribers from thrashing their computers, all this to say WE NEED YOU and your expertise and your wonderful helpful tips; your newsletters must live on forever!!!!!! God help you!
Do whatever you think is best to keep us informed………you have a “following”!!!!!!
I have no problems with receiving the newsletters,but do whatever it takes to keep doing what you do best and that is helping your subscribers and hopefully you will get the “lost” ones back. My best to you.
Lu
I am receiving the newsletter did listen to your suggestion dumping Yahoo, so now have Gmail, but do what is best for you people
I don’t care which way you do it.
JUST DON’T STOP.
Thanks for all the info you send.
I’m using Firefox and I can’t see the voting link either. But my take is ….you do whatever you can and have to do to keep things going. I don’t mind at all having to “click” to read the rest of the story. Hope my input helps. You both have helped me more than I can so over the years and I thank you. ♥
I voted for either way.
The way I understand the situation is that whatever decision is taken it must be the very best to ensure the continuity of the newsletter – firstly for the survival and benefit of TC and Darcy, and secondly for the benefit of the readers. My logic is quite simple – if TC and Darcy do not succeed in finding a solution, then us readers could well end up with no newsletter.
Personally, for me, a simple email from CloudEight notifying me that the newsletter is available on the internet, and providing a link to access it, would be very effective. I would then just access the link and save the newsletter, which I would then read later. This way there would be no ISP or any other type of interference.
I like the newsletter just the way it is, but if you think by summarizing and putting links in to read the rest would get you through the ISP hoops, by all means then do it. Your newsletter is always so full of valuable tips, tricks and information, I just don’t want to see it gone. Thanks for all you do, and as one person wrote, maybe you should try it and see if you still have the blocking issues.
I like the way it is. But I don’t care which way you do it, just so I receive it. Keep up the good work. Thank you!
not sure where to vote at..but NO do not change anything…you guys are great….love your answers and tips….so I vote NO DO NOT CHANGE
thanks for all you guys do
Personally I am so appreciative of what you two do I would want you to do what works best for YOU … not me!
Shae
Thank you! We’re trying to keep the newsletter pretty much as it was and summarizing longer tips/articles/answers and linking to them on the Web.