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I hate sounding like a downer, but whether a newsletter business is practical
depends on how you go about it. If you plan to do it fulltime, you really have
to consider how much money you need to live on. Earning money running a
newsletter business is tough. Even though it may appear that most people you
talk to are encouraging and provide positive feedback, it will serve you well
to be caution of feedback that requires no commitment. Most of the time, the
desire and initial feedback just doesn't match up to the reality of running a
newsletter business. Asking people if you have a good idea is very different
than asking them to put up their green, even if it is on one or two dollars.
Circulation (Volume) is the key, and that can be very expensive. Distribution
is also expensive. I know a few people who do newsletters on the side, but I
don't know anyone who does it full time. I've done a couple of newsletters
myself and found that your motivation for doing a newsletter must be an
internally driven desire to get the word out (whatever the word might be), not
financial gain. If you lose your job, find another one (or contract if you
can) before you focus on the newsletter. Do the newsletter part-time and don't
go into it thinking that it will take off fast. It won't. Be patient.
